Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Katie & Pat’s Romantic Biltmore Country Club Wedding

Katie and Pat were set up on a blind date by her hair dresser. They met at Emerson’s Ale House in Mount Prospect for their first date and spent over three hours talking. After that first date they grew closer . . .

Katie and Pat were set up on a blind date by her hair dresser. They met at Emerson’s Ale House in Mount Prospect for their first date and spent over three hours talking. After that first date they grew closer and fell in love. They share a love of travel and hiking; Pat proposed on the top of Squaw Peak and surprised Katie by having their families there to celebrate her saying “yes!”

When I first met Katie and Pat over Zoom I was so excited to be a part of their wedding. They are warm and kind and absolutely perfect for each other. We connected for their engagement session in his parents’ backyard and it was there that I learned how important family is to Katie and Pat. Their love for their families was central to their wedding celebration at the beautiful Biltmore Country Club. Katie DIY’ed the wedding invitations and decor (and did an AMAZING job, just look at that gorgeous invitation suite!) It was the perfect day, from their emotional ceremony at St. James to drinks with the wedding party at Emerson’s to the most gorgeous golden hour at the Biltmore – we were so thankful to be a part of it!

Congratulations, Katie and Pat, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Katie and Pat’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue

VIDEOGRAPHY
Vivid Visual

VENUE
Biltmore Country Club

BRIDAL HAIR
Darlene Powell Hair Design

MAKEUP
Angela Makeup Chicago

WEDDING GOWN
Reddington Bridal

FLORIST
Blooming Flowers

WEDDING RINGS
Monson Jewelers

DJ
Spinnin’ Discs

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Sarah and Dean’s Long-Awaited Makray Wedding Reception

Sarah and Dean met at the University of Illinois (her parents and sister also fell in love at U of I, and, fun fact, I met my husband there too!) Their original wedding date was scheduled for 4/18/2020, making Sarah and Dean one of our first “Covid couples”. . .

Sarah and Dean met at the University of Illinois (her parents and sister also fell in love at U of I, and, fun fact, I met my husband there too!) Their original wedding date was scheduled for 4/18/2020, making Sarah and Dean one of our first “Covid couples.” In the end, When the Shelter in Place order was issued, Sarah and Dean moved their Spring ‘20 Makray Memorial Golf Club wedding to December – at the time we all assumed that we would be in the clear by then. Well, of course the pandemic had other plans for all of us. As things became more complicated Sarah and Dean decided to get married at Holy Family in Inverness and celebrate a very small micro wedding in her parents’ backyard. They then rescheduled their Makray reception for September 11, 2021.

After riding the emotional roller coaster of planning and replanning their wedding, Sarah and Dean were very ready to FINALLY celebrate with their friends and family this fall. We were happy to see Sarah and Dean (and their immediate families) again, and it was so great to finally meet all of their friends and family! Following a beautiful vow renewal ceremony at Holy Family we to Makray for pictures and their long-awaited celebration. There were plenty of nods to the U of I throughout the day – the navy bridesmaids’ dresses with orange sprinkled throughout their beautiful bouquets, an emotional rendition of the Alma Mater during dinner, and of course, masks with the U of I logo on them. It was a perfect day and one we won’t soon forget.

Congratulations, Sarah and Dean, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Sarah and Dean’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue

FLORIST
The Flower Studio

BRIDAL GOWN
Enchanting by Mon Cheri

BRIDAL GOWN BOUTIQUE
All About the Gown

WEDDING CAKE
Lovin Oven

BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES
David’s Bridal

DJ
Sounds Abound

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Michelle and Eric’s Rom Com Love Story

One of my favorite things about engagement sessions is that I get TIME to talk with each couple. Time is fleeting, especially for me, especially in this busy fall season. But in an engagement session I am gifted with a beautiful little window of opportunity to slow down and really just talk with each couple as we explore and make beautiful photographs together.

Michelle and Eric both grew up on Sandy Pass Road in Lake Zurich. Their childhood homes were just down the street from each other. And while they weren’t close, they played capture the flag and tag together as kids. Their parents were friends and their neighborhood was closely bonded together.

Fast forward to their early 20s, and Michelle and Eric didn’t know one another, wouldn’t recognize each other. Michelle was invited to a friend’s wedding and went alone on a bit of a whim. She was sitting in the church waiting for the ceremony to start when a sweet couple asked to sit in her pew. They asked Michelle if she was alone, and told her that she could be part of their family for the day so she didn’t have to feel alone at the wedding. That sweet couple then told Michelle their son (Eric!) was standing up in the wedding as a groomsman. Michelle and Eric “met” that day and there was an immediate connection, like a good gentleman he walked her to her car after the reception and they starting texting and then dating soon after that. I just love their story so much, I think it would make an amazing romantic comedy! This was such a beautiful love-filled evening, I am so thankful for this wonderful couple!

Chicago Engagement Photographer Childhood Sweethearts
Chicago Fall Engagement Photos
Chicago Engagement Photographer
Chicago Engagement Photographer
Chicago Fall Engagement Photos
Chicago Engagement Photos
Chicago Engagement Photographer
Chicago Engagement Photographer
Chicago Engagement Photographer
Chicago Engagement Photographer
Chicago Engagement Photographers
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
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Michelle and Eric, thank you so much for sharing this beautiful evening with me and for sharing your epic love story. I can’t wait to celebrate your wedding with you next year!!

To see all of Michelle and Eric’s fall engagement photos, click here

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