Colvin House Wedding | Brianna + Rhianna
It was so special to document Brianna + Rhianna’s Colvin House wedding in Edgewater, Chicago. Shortly after moving to Chicago in 2022, I was on a walk to the beach with a friend when we passed by Colvin House. I remember being stunned by the gorgeous architecture and the overall vibe of the building, especially with it having views of Lake Michigan. Without any awareness of what this building was, I said to my friend that I wanted to photograph a wedding there someday. Fast forward to September of 2024, and I found myself photographing Brianna + Rhianna’s sweet wedding ceremony at Colvin House.
Why Colvin House is One of the Best Ceremony Venues in Chicago
If you’re searching for a timeless, intimate, and unique Chicago venue for your wedding, look no further than Colvin House. This historic mansion tucked along Sheridan Road, just steps from Lake Michigan, offers couples a chance to say “I do” in one of the most beautifully preserved spaces on the North Side.
Indoor & Outdoor Ceremony Flexibility
One of the biggest advantages of hosting your wedding at Colvin House is the flexibility. Whether you’re dreaming of a sunlit ceremony under Colvin House’s gorgeous, giant tree or a cozy indoor celebration, you have options. Weather permitting, you can exchange vows in the stunning outdoor courtyard, surrounded by greenery and framed by Lake Michigan just across the street. On chillier or rainy days, the interior library or solarium becomes an intimate and warm setting, with natural light pouring through the historic windows. Either way, a win and a guaranteed plan for inclement weather.
Interested in other venues with indoor/outdoor options? Check out Olivia + Eli’s wedding at The Carter in Chicago.
Picture-Perfect Backdrops
From the grand staircase to the ivy-covered courtyard, every corner of Colvin House is photo-ready, which is such a dream for photographers and couples. From the grand staircase, the hidden speakeasy, marble fireplaces, and vintage furniture, this venue is full of character, texture, and depth. Since Colvin House is oozing with historic charm, little additional decor is needed.
Additionally, Lake Michigan and Interfaith park are both steps from Colvin House, offering two more gorgeous locations for couple, family, and wedding party photos.
Ideal for Small & Medium-Sized Guest Lists
Hosting up to 80 guests, Colvin House is ideal for intimate weddings. For couples looking to keep things personal and focused on connection, Colvin House is perfect for making sure your guests feel close to the action.
A Venue with Personality
So many of Chicago’s venues feel like a blank slate, which is amazing, but Colvin House has it’s own distinct voice. If you’re a couple who loves vintage design and unique architecture, this venue is the perfect choice.
What to Expect for Your Colvin House Ceremony
Ceremonies at Colvin House truly feel like they’re pulled from a storybook. Ceremonies are often held in the courtyard, surrounded by lush greenery, string lights, and the soft hum of the nearby lake. The large courtyard allows for a traditional aisle setup or more creative circular ceremonies.
Receptions at Colvin House
While this post focuses on ceremonies (Brianna + Rhianna had their ceremony at Colvin House and their reception at Summer House Santa Monica), Colvin House is also a wonderful place to host your reception. Couples can enjoy a seamless transition from vows to cocktails to dinner and dancing, all within the same property. From plated dinners to cocktail-style receptions, there’s plenty of room for creativity.
Tips for Planning a Ceremony at Colvin House
• Book early: Dates fill up quickly – especially spring and fall weekends.
• Plan for parking: Street parking is limited, so consider offering ride share information or a small shuttle.
• Keep decor minimal: Let the venue’s personality shine. A well-placed floral install goes a long way.
• Hire a seasoned photographer: Someone familiar with spaces with changing light is a necessity.
Brianna + Rhianna’s Love Story
The year is 2020 and the world has been plunged into a pandemic. Brianna, having just graduated from Northwestern University and preparing for graduate school, is living in Chicago. Rhianna, who has also just graduated from the University of San Francisco in May, has decided to move from her hometown in Colorado to start her post-graduate life in Chicago, pandemic or not!
Swiping Right
A week into her new life in Chicago, Rhianna from her little studio apartment, starts scrolling on Her, a lesbian dating app. Quickly, she comes across Brianna’s profile, with a collection of sweet photos of her with her friends, and her cats. Having just gone to look at cats at the local PetSmart, Rhianna swiped right quickly! Similarly, Brianna loves the photos of Rhianna she sees, particularly the one holding her senior thesis in poetry collection like a baby. She too swipes right.
And so the two women start talking on the app about everything and anything. Small talk about favorite TV characters, books they’re reading, and pets blooms into deeper conversations surrounding the pandemic, hopes, and dreams. Rhianna tells Brianna she’s getting a cat.
At this point, Brianna asks if they could start texting off the app, and phone numbers were secured. More texts flow into discussions about meeting in person, and by their third day of talking, Brianna asks Rhianna out on a date. Rhianna accepts. Rhianna brings her cat, Lily, home the next day.
The First Date
They meet on a tepid Thursday, where Brianna brings Rhianna toys for her new cat and Rhianna falls just a little deeper. On their first date, Rhianna and Brianna walk around Edgewater, Chicago (where Colvin House is located!). B + R sit on a bench and talk about families and the pandemic. They stroll some more, ending up at Lickity Split – an ice cream parlor with a giant Pride flag out front. They secure their ice creams and sit on the bench, tentative hands reaching to entwine.
As rain begins to fall, Brianna tells Rhianna her car is parked on the nearby Walgreens parking lot. So they finish their ice creams inside the warm car, and Rhianna, who is feeling brave, asks if they can talk about their past dating histories. Brianna says, “We’re doing this now?,” and Rhianna laughs shyly and nods. Brianna, pleasantly surprised by Rhianna’s right-to-business attitude, talks about her exes and coming out history. Rhianna tells her own history and by the end of the day, when a warm evening starts to gather in the early September light, Brianna, who isn’t a fan of driving, offers to drive Rhianna home.
Brianna pulls up by Rhianna’s apartment, and their gazes lock. Rhianna whispers, “Can I kiss you?” Brianna nods. So Rhianna pecks Brianna on the lips and hurries out with a swift, embarrassed, “Bye!”
Two weeks later, on September 14th, after their date to the Chicago Institute of Art, Brianna asks if Rhianna would like to be her ‘official girlfriend.’
The Proposal
B + R both knew they wanted to get engaged and both wanted the opportunity to propose. They secretly planned a special engagement and on their 3rd anniversary. Rhianna took Brianna to pottery to propose and Brianna took Rhianna to the cat cafe rescue. They went to Lickity Split after the proposals for their yearly tradition.
Their Colvin House Wedding
Brianna + Rhianna love brunch food, so a brunch wedding they had! B + R and their crew were up bright and early to get ready for the festivities. Brianna + Rhianna decided to exchange private vows and friendship bracelets (they love Taylor Swift) in front of the marble fireplace. It was a gorgeous place for the exchange and there was a distinct tenderness between them as they quietly read their vows. Tears softly fell from both of their cheeks in the most heartwarming light. Their ceremony took place in the morning light with a little over 30 of their favorite people. Such a beautiful way to start a Saturday!
After the ceremony, they had their guests head over to Summer House Santa Monica for their reception. Since it was a morning wedding, they opted for board games and brunch food over a dance floor. The food and the games were such a hit! Their friends and family enjoyed mingling, delicious bites, and cocktails. It was truly such an intentional, beautiful wedding. I feel so grateful to have documented it.
Kind words from Rhianna + Brianna:
“We found Tawny on Instagram while looking for a photographer who photographs LGBTQ+ couples and has experience with diverse families. She was exactly who we were looking for for our wedding! From the first welcome email, Tawny was welcoming, guiding, and a steady companion. She helped us through every step of the arduous wedding process, including our beautiful engagement photos, helping us with the day-of timeline, and any panicked questions we had. She was welcoming, organized to the T, and had a great deal of experience with various types of weddings. We had many photo combos and she accommodated them all and then some! She was flexible with our wedding venue/vision change and the photos, oh my gosh! We got the week-after preview and couldn’t stop squealing! The full wedding gallery is utterly our favorite and most prized possession. Tawny is a wonderful choice for your wedding or couple photos and a great human!”
This Colvin House Wedding is all thanks to these amazing vendors:
Ceremony Venue: Colvin House / Reception Venue: Summer House Santa Monica / Photography: Tawny Ballard Photography / Rhianna’s Dress and Veil: David’s Bridal / Brianna’s Dress and Veil: BHLDN / Wedding Rings: Brilliant Earth / Wedding Cake: Sweet Mandy B’s / Table Cloths: BBJ La Tavolta
As a Chicago-based wedding photographer, I’ve had the honor of documenting heartfelt ceremonies in this space and beyond. If you’re looking for an editorial and documentary style photographer for your Colvin House wedding, let’s chat!
