Beth + Mike // Chicago

Beth and Mike’s love is so inspiring. The way Mike looks at Beth and reassured her throughout the day was heartwarming. These two were the real deal. We had some rain that day that would. not. let. up. and Beth’s dress was the kind where you couldn’t really let touch or drag on top of wet concrete. So here comes the thinking cap on my head.

We definitely wanted to get outside, the hotel in the West Loop was dark and didn’t have many beautiful spaces worth shooting. So off we went, umbrellas overhead, to The Civic Opera House along the Chicago River. I’ve shot here before, it’s a wide hallway with an overhang and lots of Corinthian columns which separate the storefront and the Wacker Drive sidewalk. It was the perfect spot! When we arrived, we started to notice a lot of people. Why? OHHHHH! Of course, the opera just got out! OF COURSE. So here it goes, droves of people. Pouring rain and the only place to shoot was this area. So we went with it, embracing the crowd and their enthusiasm for the bride and groom actually created an amazing energy!

The ceremony and reception was held above Bad Hunter and Au Cheval on the corner of Halsted and Randolph, The Herbarium. It was so beautiful watching Mike and Beth exchange vows. The tears rolled and everyone was captivated. Some of the best vows I’ve ever heard. Someone mentioned to them, “Even your photographer was crying!”

Guilty.

The night was lovely and the food was impeccable – plant based and the carnivores didn’t even really notice. The band was gracious, the speeches were hilarious. Thank you Mike and Beth for allowing me to capture your special day. I enjoyed every minute!

x

J

Kat + Colin // Chicago

I first met Kat and Colin at a restaurant in our neighborhood, sipping on cocktails, getting to know each other and going over their vision. They were so sweet and so in love, I was very happy they decided to book me for their 2017 fall wedding. The day came and it was one of the rainiest days of the year with intermittent downpours that would flood the streets. I arrived at The Aloft Hotel in River North, first meting with Colin and then separately, Kat. There was lots of laughter and a carefree attitude about the rain, they were just excited to get started. I took photos of the getting ready and like city brides do, she jumped in a cab and headed over to The Roof Crop. The first look was epic, Colin’s reaction to Kat coming off the elevator was priceless, jaw dropped, hands on face and then they both burst into tears. I love being able to witness these moments! After the ceremony Kat and Colin surprised their guests with a marching band complete with drums and brass, and Chicago flag painted tuba. We walked approximately four blocks over puddles and past honking cars. These are some of my favorite photos of the day and I just want to say that clear umbrellas are adorable and I kind of want them as a prop in my future wedding photos (noted future brides!)  

The reception was held at Low Res Studio which is an agency during the week and a rad event space by the weekend. 

CJ + Jacklyn // Apple River, IL

The big day had arrived and I was looking forward to this day. I left from Chicago and drove to Apple River, IL. It was the most beautiful fall day, absolute perfection, I stopped for a couple personal photos on the way. The GPS took me down a narrow country road surrounded atop with touching trees and ponds. It was so adorable, I couldn’t wait to get started. I arrived about an hour early, and no one was there yet so I made myself useful and walked the property to take photos and scout for some spots later on. There were so many options I almost got overwhelmed. As I was shooting the rows of tall oak trees, I noticed a little animal at the end in front of the barn. I walked to get a closer look, a little mini donkey who wasn’t afraid of me at all. I probably took too many photos of him but he was asking for it!

Jacklyn arrived and started to hang the Blackhawk jerseys on the clothes line. Embroidered on the back was “Marry Me,” the jersey CJ gave to her in Nashville where he proposed before the Blackhawks game there. The bridesmaids arrived shortly after and then the guys. The ladies were all getting ready in the lofted barn and then we decided to do the first look on the dock of the pond, because where else would we do it!? CJ’s breath was taken away when he saw her. First look moments are so intimate between a bride and a groom, I feel so lucky to witness those emotional moments between those two people. 

We met up with the rest of the bridal party and then we got ready for the ceremony. They decided to do that ceremony beneath the big oak trees where I found my soulmate donkey. I loved the italian patio lights they had strung up between them and the dry pines that lined the ground with oranges and ambers. The ceremony was short and sweet with many laughs and after the deed was done, the owner of Oak Hill Weddings picked them up in the Model A car they have and I jumped in the front seat. We took off for a short drive and then I got a few snaps of them dancing in the middle of the road and then driving up back to the reception. The food was incredible, (thank you Fried Green Tomatoes), the guests were lovely and the music great (Thank you Folk Yeah!). They sipped on wine and cocktails, feasted on crab legs and steak and danced all night to a fantastic band. It was hands down one of my favorite weddings. 

J

Emily + Evan // Chicago

Emily found me through Yelp (awesome!) and decided to reach out. She was only looking for a small wedding package so we went with an elopement, which includes three hours of photography. She just wanted a little bit of coverage to cover the big parts of the day and I have to be honest, it really worked. There are no photos of speeches or dancing but what she wanted was the memory of her ceremony and photos of her and Evan, and with their families.

They met at The University of Chicago so that’s where we first started, in the Quad. We even stopped for a kiss on the bridge where the myth is, that if you kiss there, you’re destined for each other. We already knew that so we had them kiss anyway. Then we headed to the ceremony destination, also in Hyde Park, Promontory Point. I have been there a few times for other shoots, I just love being next to Lake Michigan. The waves were so big that day, they were crashing into the rocks so I suggested they go down by them and I’ll get a long shot from far away with my telephoto. I took a few dozen photos of them quietly from afar. The waves were a great backdrop of sound that allowed for them to be alone for ten minutes before their ceremony which later, Emily told me was her favorite. both of their families were so excited to be there and for them. I was excited to get them these photos before they took off on their honeymoon to Peru. Enjoy!

J

CJ + Jacklyn Engagement // Chicago

I am so excited I get to take photos these two and again for their big day. CJ and Jacklyn are so in love, their magnetism is hard to miss. I noticed how much they say “i love you” to each other and how  almost in disbelief they have found each other. I was referred to photograph their wedding from my mother’s husband who happened to be booked to play acoustic guitar at their wedding in October of this year. Jacklyn and I met first right down the street from my condo in Chicago with her dog, Sampson. We were neighbors! So we decided to meet before she decided to pull the trigger on the wedding package. 

We met each other by the big LOVE art mural in Bucktown and then we walked down a street there and headed to the park near the 606. They made my job easy because they had no problem showing some affection for the camera. I love love and these two had plenty of it. Stay tuned for their next blog post about their wedding! yay!

Kyle + Alicia // Chicago

It’s funny when I get to shoot couples whom I’ve met individually but never together. So on October 17th, I got to see them together for the first time on their wedding day! You can tell by some of the photos below that they are just goofballs, constantly laughing. We started the day downtown at the JW Marriott in the Loop. Alicia had her sister, Kyle’s sister and her best friend as her bridesmaids. Of course, as it happens, we were running behind but we had to do a first look with Alicia and her dad, by FAR the best reaction from a dad I’ve ever seen. He almost fell over, his hands crossed and fell swiftly to his heart and as his knees buckled, the tears welled up in his eyes. It was so sweet. Alicia and her mom did not have dry eyes after that.

We made it in time to meet Kyle for a first look in the West Loop, blocks away from their apartment. After they met, a quick swig of the flask started the day off. We ran around Fulton Market and took photos below the train, in the streets, anywhere we could get a city view. After some photos we headed over to the ceremony and event space, Bottom Lounge. I had been here many times before for a concert but had no idea they had an upstairs with a large deck with city views, it was a great surprise! The bride and groom walked down the aisle to Foo Fighters and Rancid. It was a rock occasion. Kyle’s brother officiated the ceremony and had everyone rolling on the ground. After they both said their I do’s, we headed in for a night of pinball, Malort, dancing and Cubs/Mets playoff game. It was a night to remember! I hope you enjoy these!

J