Emily and Trevor's Chicago Wedding at the Kimpton Gray Hotel

A Chicago wedding has a way of making an already special day feel even more memorable. Add a rooftop ceremony, a beautiful downtown hotel, a packed dance floor, and a couple with a great sense of style, and you have the recipe for an incredible celebration.

On May 16, 2026, Paul Michaels Events had the pleasure of providing the music and DJ entertainment for Emily Larson and Trevor Naegeli's wedding at the Kimpton Gray Hotel in downtown Chicago.

DJ Evan was behind the music for the celebration, helping guide the couple and their guests from a relaxed cocktail hour all the way through a high-energy night of dancing.

A Rooftop Start to the Day

The wedding began with Emily and Trevor exchanging vows on the rooftop of the Kimpton Gray Hotel.

With the Chicago skyline surrounding them, it was a beautiful setting for the ceremony and a memorable way to begin the celebration. After the ceremony, guests transitioned into cocktail hour, where the music shifted into a selection of jazzy house beats.

It was a relaxed and stylish soundtrack for the first part of the reception, giving family and friends the opportunity to mingle, enjoy a drink, and celebrate the newly married couple.

An Entrance Set to ABBA

When it was time for Emily and Trevor to make their grand entrance, they chose "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" by ABBA.

It was an energetic way to announce that the reception was officially underway, and it immediately brought some personality to the room.

After the entrance, guests settled in for dinner and a series of heartfelt toasts from family and members of the wedding party. The combination of good food, stories, laughter, and a room full of people who clearly meant a lot to Emily and Trevor made dinner feel like an important part of the celebration rather than simply a break between dancing.

Taking the Party to Boleo

After dinner, the celebration moved upstairs to Boleo, where the evening really picked up.

Emily and Trevor shared their first dance as a married couple to "I Will Follow You" by Toulouse. With the rooftop setting and Chicago surrounding them, it was a beautiful moment for the couple before opening the dance floor to everyone else.

The Parent Dances followed, giving the families their own special moments before DJ Evan transitioned the evening into full party mode.

And the guests were ready to dance.

From Drake to "Wagon Wheel"

Once the dance floor opened, the music covered plenty of ground.

Guests sang and danced along to Drake and other favorites before getting into spirited singalongs like "Wagon Wheel." The variety kept the dance floor interesting and gave different parts of the guest list a chance to hear something they loved.

That's one of the most important parts of being a wedding DJ. A great wedding playlist isn't necessarily about playing one particular style of music all night. It's about understanding the couple, paying attention to the guests, and knowing when to change direction while keeping the energy going.

DJ Evan kept the transitions smooth and the dance floor moving throughout the night.

Ending on "Dog Days Are Over"

Every wedding has that moment when everyone realizes the night is coming to an end.

For Emily and Trevor, the final song was "Dog Days Are Over" by Florence + The Machine.

It was a fitting way to close the celebration. Guests gathered together one last time, clapping, dancing, and singing along as the evening came to a close.

After a day that started with a rooftop ceremony and continued through dinner, family toasts, first dances, and a packed dance floor, it was a memorable final song for a memorable wedding.

A Wedding Full of Personality

What stood out about Emily and Trevor's wedding was how naturally the music fit the different parts of their day.

From jazzy house music during cocktail hour to an ABBA entrance, a meaningful first dance, Drake, "Wagon Wheel," and a Florence + The Machine finale, the soundtrack felt personal without being predictable.

That's what we love about working with couples. Every wedding has its own personality, and the music should reflect that.

Paul Michaels Events is proud to provide wedding DJ entertainment throughout Chicago, helping couples create a reception that feels like their celebration—not a cookie-cutter wedding.

Emily and Trevor's day at the Kimpton Gray Hotel was a wonderful example: elegant, personal, energetic, and finished with a dance floor full of people who weren't quite ready for the night to end.