Ethereal + Modern: Inside This NFL Star’s Stunning Chicago Wedding

Lauren + Jake’s love story began in the exit row of an airplane.

Seated next to each other on a flight from Atlanta to Chicago, the future soulmates struck up a conversation when Jake complimented Lauren’s shoes. The two talked and talked til they touched down in Illinois, and the rest is history. It was love at first flight!

And that was all before Lauren even had the chance to be star struck. It wasn’t until later, when Lauren met up with Jake at a group gathering to watch football that Lauren put together that Jake was Jake Kumerow, retired NFL wide receiver who’d played for the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, and Buffalo Bills.

(A quick side note for all the football fans freaking out right now: this groom’s NFL legacy doesn’t stop there. Part of a football dynasty of sorts, Jake’s got a dad, an uncle, two cousins, a grandfather, and a great-uncle who are all former or current NFL players as well.)

When it came to planning their Chicago wedding at chic industrial venue Fairlie, the couple wanted to create an event that felt ethereal + modern. Together with planners from Everlie & Co. Lauren + Jake chose decor details in soft + airy tones to compliment the sophisticated energy of their celebration with a muted, down-to-earth vibe.  

We are so glad that photographers from We Are The Bowsers were there capturing the whole thing so we can give you a peek at The Kumerow’s total touchdown of a contemporary city wedding!

When in doubt, begin the day with a pair of fabulous white feather trim pajamas!

Jake went with a dashing black tuxedo from The Black Tux that he paired with with some chic + shiny Gucci loafers.

We love this men’s formalwear combo! A groom in a tux stands out in a subtle + sophisticated way when his whole crew is in classic black groomsmen suits.

Lauren’s elegant bridal look was composed of a corset top and a fit-and-flare skirt, both from Chosen by Kyha.

“I loved being able to pick my pieces for a sleek modern design,” says Lauren of how it felt to rock a set of chic + contemprorary bridal separates on her wedding day.

The Dreamy, Modern Ceremony

The drapery! The candles! The fringe! The colors and the vibe of Lauren + Jake’s ceremony setup are reminding us of this incredible candlelit wedding photo shoot in Miami.

Our Musical Choices
Processional
"Can’t Help Falling In Love" by Elvis Presley (played by Rhett Price, live violinist)
Recessional
"Level Complete" by Brian Tyler from The Super Mario Brothers Movie
First Dance
"The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra 

These lush + varied all-white wedding florals from Erin Victoria Design Collective have completely taken our breath away. That cascading orchid bouquet should be in a museum!!

Our Favorite Memory
So many memorable moments on our special day. We couldn’t just pick one. Our first is the kiss midway down the aisle. Followed closely by the champagne tower where we got to see all of our beautiful people toasting us and the gorgeous reception for the first time. 

Lauren’s crew stunned in these mismatched silhouette champagne bridesmaid dresses. The muted neutral bridal party made the celebration’s understated color world so cohesive.

Stealing a Moment Alone On The Streets Of Chicago

Lauren leaned into the day’s modern feel with her slicked middle part wedding hairstyle.

And how gorgeous was this soft neutral glam wedding makeup by Shannon O’Brien?

Form fitting and voluminous and classic and contemporary? Mermaid wedding dresses like Lauren’s really are the best of so many different worlds.

An Ethereal + Industrial Celebration

We’re really loving the modern arched construction and subtle marbled background of Lauren + Jake’s wedding reception seating chart.

Can we just take a moment to celebrate what Remarkable Events achieved lighting-wise on Lauren + Jake’s big day? It’s not easy to create a glow that feels earthy + industrial at the same time.

Snag a set of adorable traditional Italian crystal limoncello glasses like these to have some sweet + citrusy sips on hand at your celebration! 🍋

Lauren, Jake, and their guests sat at long banquet tables to enjoy the evening’s meal which was catered by Entertaining Company.

How cute is this: Lauren + Jake, proud mom and dad to sons Leo and Donnie (and a third boy on the way!) used Fairlie’s adorable green motorized trike and the accompanying wedding desserts table as a nod to their kiddos.

Time to get the bubbly flowing! 🍾 Check out our round up of the prettiest champagne glasses if you’ve always dreamed of owning glassware worthy of a celebratory champagne tower like Lauren + Jake’s.

“Our Viennese table (Italian sweet dessert table) had amazing details that were close to our families,” remembers the couple of this sweet + sugary moment.

Our Advice
This day is about you and your partner. Do what makes you both happy. You’ll remember your wedding day forever. 

Congratulations, Lauren + Jake! Your contemporary Chicago wedding was a down-to-earth, ethereal dream. So very happy for you both!