Breece + JR || Pinstripes Northbrook, IL Wedding

There’s no time like the present to be reminded of the joy and laughter from Breece and JR’s wedding day this past Fall. When I looked back at my notes during the planning process, I had asked them. “What details from your wedding day are you particularly excited about?” Here was their reply: 

Everything! All the memories, laughs, smiles, and love from our family and friends. Getting ready with our friends, first look, saying our vows, hearing our families' speeches, EATING, and dancing!

When I looked back at these images to create this blog post, I was reminded of all these moments and how much happiness and love was felt throughout this entire day. 

It greatly warmed my heart to be reminded of what a gift it is to document these special moments in peoples’ lives. Looking forward to the day I get to do this again; until then, I’ll continue to share my couples’ love stories here. 

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VENDORS:

Photo Location - Chicago Botanic Garden

Ceremony & Reception Venue - Pinstripes

Wedding Planner - Forever & Always Events

Bridal Dress - Essence of Australia

Groom Attire - Suit Supply & Tie Bar

Hair - Pin Me Up Chicago

Make-Up - Joyce Tsai, Pin Me Up Chicago

DJ - Remix Entertainment

Anna + Quinn || Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool Chicago, IL Wedding

Anna and Quinn are great friends of mine from church. When they asked me to photograph their intimate wedding at Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool you can only imagine how excited I was!

Anna and Quinn started dating back when they lived in D.C. They each have lived throughout the U.S. and Anna has even lived aboard for some time. When it came time to plan their wedding, they decided rather than have one large celebration in which many would have to travel to, they’d have an intimate ceremony with just immediate family in their current hometown of Chicago. Then they had wedding celebrations in their past hometowns for all to enjoy. And the thoughtfulness didn’t end there… They even lived streamed their wedding ceremony so that all were able to witness their beautiful wedding vows wether physically or virtually.

Capturing these friends of mine get married was a true joy and certainly a highlight to my year.

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VENDORS:

Ceremony Venue - Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool

Brunch Venue - Uncommon Ground

Officiant - Jason Helveston

Videographer - Daniel D Video

Bride’s Attire - BHLDN

Groom’s Attire - Bonobos

Hair - Freyja Salon

Caitlin + Michael || The Haley Mansion Joliet, IL Wedding

Caitlin and Michael’s wedding day gave me such a renewed perspective on the importance of being a wedding photographer, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to capture their day. 

Caitlin is a 1800s historian. When it came time to selecting their wedding venue The Haley Mansion, built-in 1893, seemed like the perfect place for them. This mansion was once home to many extravagant parties hosted by the Haleys, and has now been turned into an event space for all the enjoy. This space definitely has an old-world charm to it, and Caitlin and Michael made it their own with many personal touches throughout the home. For instance, both of them are avid readers so they decided to make some of their favorite books the centerpieces for the reception. 

These details are great and all, but that’s not why this wedding had such an impact on me. Earlier this year Caitlin’s sister, Colleen, had to receive brain surgery and wasn’t able to attend the wedding. I can only imagine how difficult this all has been on their family, but they all wanted to make the most of the situation and through FaceTime calls Colleen was still so much apart of this day. 

Many wedding photographers I know say they often cry at weddings and can get very emotional… Let me honest, that’s usually not me. Since having my own daughter, sometimes moments between parents can get to me but for the most part I can keep it together. But… Seeing the relationship between Caitlin and Colleen had me in tears all day long. Even while editing this wedding every time I got to the part where Caitlin “brought” Colleen to the dance floor and then her family gathered around Caitlin to dance with Colleen, I’ve cried. This is NOT normal for me haha! Witnessing this sister relationship was just that beautiful. 

I’ve talked about this before and I’ll say it again… Wedding details are great and amazing couple portraits are the best, but goodness gracious it’s all about the people. This day you have to celebrate comes once in a lifetime and I want you to enjoy it as much as possible and be as present as possible. I want you to trust me to capture your day and all those there with you. I’m the photographer that hustles as much as I can because I can’t stand the thought you not having photos of your guests at cocktail hour. I’ll always be down for you to pull me aside to get a photo with your college roommates, or you dancing with your grandpa. And gosh (I know you’re not supposed to say this but oh well), I’m notorious for over-delivering on photos because I care that much that you can look back on your wedding photos 10+ years from now and get to actually see who was at your wedding. 

Wedding photography is so much more than pretty photos of the couple or the perfect detail shots. It also about capturing all those who have come to support and love on you on this very special day. Those are the captures that’ll be cherished for a lifetime. 

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VENDORS:

Venue - The Haley Mansion

Invitations - Shine Wedding Invitations

Florals - Woodland Flowers Company 

Bridal Gown - Suzanne Neville 

Groom Attire - The Black Tux 

DJ - Clik Entertainment 

Katie + Taha || Deer Path Inn Lake Forest, IL Wedding

I have said this before about this wedding but as I have been looking back on this wedding weekend to put this blog together, I’ll say it again - This wedding was truly beautiful. I’m not referring to the details, venue, decor, etc. (even those though were gorgeous too). I’m talking about the beauty within this couple, the blending of their cultures and religious backgrounds, and the friends and family that came around them to support them. Witnessing all this come together moved me in such a way I’ve never felt before. I don’t know how else to simply describe other than to use the word beautiful. Capturing Katie and Taha’s love for each other was truly such a gift.

Also… I had one other specific thing I wanted to call out before you dive into this day. Taha is completely smitten with his bride! I’m sure you’ll be easily be able to tell as you look through these images. Gosh, I just think it is the sweetest thing when a groom can’t help but swoon over his bride. Go on and see for yourself!

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Vendors:

Friday Reception Hall - Shalimar Banquets 

Saturday Ceremony Venue - St. Anne Catholic Community

Saturday Reception Venue - Deer Path Inn

Bridal Gown - Michelle’s Bridal & Tuxedo

Bakery - Ambrosia Euro American Pâtisserie

DJ - Toast & Jam

Lacey + Tyler || Northfork Farm Oswego, IL Wedding

Hey friends!! With a full Fall wedding season and raising a now one-year old, I haven’t been able to blog as much as I’d like to. But now I’m all caught up with editing my 2018 weddings and I could NOT be more excited to share Lacey and Tyler’s wedding with you all!! 

Lacey and Tyler went to the same high school but they didn’t really know each other at the time. Get this - in their high school yearbook, their photos were diagonal to each other! Flash forward some years later, Lacey and Tyler met at a club and their story together began. After dating for a little over five years, Tyler asked Lacey to marry him and I had the great honor of capturing their wedding day! 

They both have a love of Autumn and the outdoors, so Northfork Farm in Oswego, IL was the perfect fit for them. PSA: If you’re looking for some FALL WEDDING INSPO, go no further. You’re about to see a Fall wedding done right. The beautiful Fall colored trees, the bride’s long-sleeve lace gown, and the Fall themed decor seen throughout the entire day all blended together to create the most perfect Fall wedding. 

Gosh, I haven’t even mentioned how amazing Lacey and Tyler were to work with. I shot their engagement session last winter; you can view that here! Their engagement session was my first session back after maternity leave and they surely reminded me of why I love what I do. Their love for each is so easy and effortless. I don’t know how else to describe it, but when they are together there is this sense of fullness, as if they complete one another. I know that may sound cheesy but I’m just keepin’ real… I’m sure you’ll understand once you take a look their photos.

Now, cozy on up with some coffee and a fuzzy blanket to fully enjoy looking back on this incredible day.

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VENDORS:

Venue - Northfork Farm

Make-Up - Katie Oertel

Hair - Molly Lagos, A Shear Encounter Downers Grove Hair Salon

Bridal Gown - Maggie Sottero

Groom’s Attire - Joseph Abboud

Florals - Mark Allen Inspired

Invites - Bethany Mavronicles

Caterer - Uncle Bob’s BBQ

Bakery - Ingram's Busy Bee Bakery

DJ - Matt Kuhnen, Style Matters