From the crisp winter landscape of Chicago to the steamy jungle backdrops of the Garfield Park Conservatory, this greenhouse wedding is stunningly unique!
Tiara & Connor’s winter wedding in the Windy City was everything they imagined. The day began at the Emily Hotel with the bride and bridesmaids wrapped in silky red pajamas, sipping sweet champagne and watching heavy snowfall. The groom and groomsmen got ready at the Hyatt House Chicago West Loop and then headed to the rooftop to await their first-look. Floating above the Chicago skyline, Tiara ascended to the rooftop in her gorgeous Essence of Australia designer gown, making Connor’s jaw drop! After exchanging emotional private vows, they enjoyed the view with their wedding party before heading to the ceremony.
Tucked away in the middle of the Garfield Park Conservatory’s Horticultural Hall, Photographers Olivia & Bryan of O & B Photo Co., vividly recall the couple’s ceremony: “In the down turned lights of the…Conservatory, the sweet notes of a live flute romantically pierced the air. Outside the stars twinkled in the chilled air. Inside, flickering pillar candles provided the light that Tiara would walk down the aisle to, surrounded by guests and tropical plants.”
Soon Connor and Tiara made their way down the aisle, officially becoming husband and wife with a dreamy kiss! A candle-lit dinner with rustic farm style tables laden with ruby red linens, travel-inspired signage, and delicious food came next. A live band ended the night before the newlyweds headed off to Montana. An adventurous honeymoon skiing in the mountains awaited them!
More sweet details from their romantic greenhouse wedding below.
- Couple: Tiara & Connor Hollensteiner
- Occupations: Tiara is a Clinical Trial Patient Engagement/Inclusion Manager and Connor is a Digital Marketing Manager
Quick Facts:
- Wedding date: December 18, 2021
- Wedding location: Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago
- Theme: Candlelit Greenhouse Wedding
- Gifts for their bridesmaids & groomsmen: They gifted their wedding party practical things they could use. To combat the frigid Chicago wind along the river, Tiara gifted her bridesmaids fuzzy jackets. She also gifted them succulent with personalized potters and floral-inspired earrings which fit their wedding theme. Connor gifted his groomsmen personalized cooler backpacks filled with fun trinkets like a multi-tool and drinks representing their personalities.
- Gifts for one another: Connor gave Tiara Montana sapphire earrings to match her engagement ring and wedding band. She gifted Connor monogrammed wooden cufflinks with metal details. They each wore their gifts on the wedding day, which was a fun personal touch for them both.
- Ceremony entrance song: Your Hand in Mine by Explosions in the Sky
- First dance song: Lovely Day by Bill Withers
How they met…
We met in college. We went to a tiny school, so everyone practically knew each other (or of each other at the very least). Connor and I had a lot of friends in the same circle, but oddly enough we didn’t officially meet and have a 1 on 1 conversation until our junior year. We slowly got to know one another over junior and senior year, and then by the time we graduated in 2015, we were totally head over heels for each other. We both ended up in Chicago after graduation, and after that the rest was history!
The proposal…
Connor and I were on a summer camping trip in Glacier National Park with his family in 2020. We did this gorgeous little hike, and we stopped for a picnic lunch once we reached the scenic Hidden Lake Overlook. By this point Connor was being oddly quiet, and I just thought he was tired or something because we had an early start. After we finished eating he nervously asked if I wanted to take a closer look at the view. As we were standing there together taking it all in, that’s when he dropped down to one knee and pulled out the ring!
It turned out his family was in on the proposal too, enlisting his mother to take photos. In a surprise for both of us, they hiked out with a bottle of champagne, flutes, & flowers for us to enjoy after I said yes. As the icing on the cake of what was already the proposal of my dreams, since my parents couldn’t be there in person Connor had them pre-record a congratulatory video which we watched together while we were sipping champagne. It was such a sweet touch and made the proposal that much more special.
Their first look…
Private vows…
Wedding style, attire, & shopping experience…
We tried to keep our wedding attire tried and true to who we are. I would consider my style to be ‘modern boho eclectic.’ I feel like my dress was just that with floral lace, a sheer bodice, a tattoo-like effect over the long sleeves, and an open back.
Connor’s style is a mix of ‘classy outrageous flair’, which came through in his tux jacket. The inside lining was customized to have these colorful Chinese opera masks, which was a fun ode to his heritage. He likes to explain it as the masks displayed exaggerated versions of nearly every emotion one might think of, which is similar to marriage: facing every emotion possible in life, but now together as family!
On my dress hunt, I took my grandmother, my mom, my cousin, and a couple of my bridesmaids along with me. Connor went with his entire family on his tux fitting. So both of our experiences were a true family affair which was a blast.
Wedding party…
The ceremony…
Mr. & Mrs…
Cultural elements…
Connor’s grandmother is Taiwanese, and his mother was largely raised in Taiwan as well. In order to honor that heritage during our wedding ceremony, we did a unity ceremony with our families in which we potted a new plant in a Taiwanese potter. The potter is red in color which traditionally represents happiness, prosperity, joy, and good fortune. Red is also typically worn for celebrations. Each of our parents and grandmothers took turns inserting soil into the pot around the plant as a symbol of our families coming together and supporting Connor and I as we begin roots as newlyweds.
Cocktail Hour & Reception…
Wedding advice for other engaged couples…
Don’t sweat the small stuff. At the end of the day, no one is going to notice (or care!) about the little things that don’t go as planned. The day goes by so fast, so live in the moment. Take everything in and remember how blessed you are to have all your loved ones celebrating you in this major life moment. You’ll be having so much fun with your family and best friends, savoring every second of the best day ever, that those minor inconveniences won’t matter. At the end of the day, as long as you have each other, a venue, music, and refreshments – you’re good!
Best wedding day memory…
Our band, Gentlemen of Leisure, was INCREDIBLE! The 16-piece group, with a full horns section, had everyone on the dance floor all night long. For the last song of the night, they invited Connor and I up on stage to jam out one last time, and it was so surreal looking out at literally all of our closest friends, family, & loved ones singing and dancing along with us while having the best time. That image will be ingrained in our heads forever!
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Vendors:
- Coordinator: Event Shoppe Chi (Jennifer Price)
- Photographer: O & B Photo Co
- Beverage/Bar & Catering: Marcellos
- Baker: SugarGoat
- Hair & Makeup: Nika Vaughn Bridal Artist
- Florist: Flowergirl Company
- Gown & Veil: Essence of Australia (from The Wedding Studio – Greenwood, IN)
- Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie
- Rings: Stephen Isley Jewelry (Whitefish, MT)
- Groom Apparel: Formally Modern Tux
- Live Ceremony, Cocktail Hour, and Reception Music: Gentlemen of Leisure
- Videographer: Suite27 Productions (Sean Misa)
- Bride Getting Ready:The Emily Hotel (Formally Ace Hotel)
- Groom Getting Ready: Hyatt House Chicago West Loop
- Ceremony & Reception: Garfield Park Conservatory
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