Colleen & Dylan’s Beautiful Makray Memorial Golf Club Wedding
Colleen and Dylan met in their high school Physics class and “were instantly in love.” They attended different colleges and went their separate ways, but before long they got back together and fell right back in love. . .
Colleen and Dylan met in their high school Physics class and “were instantly in love.” They attended different colleges and went their separate ways, but before long they got back together and fell right back in love. For Colleen and Dylan, there really never was a question that they were meant to be together. Dylan proposed to Colleen on a boat on Lake Michigan (just like their Senior prom!) and they agreed to spend the rest of their lives together
I loved getting to know Colleen and Dylan and seeing their love and connection firsthand at their engagement session at the Chicago Botanic Garden last Summer. Dylan is so kind and supportive of Colleen, they bring out the best in each other.
Conrad, Lindsay and I were all excited to celebrate Colleen and Dylan, we had a beautiful Summer day for their wedding! After doing some “getting ready” photos at Colleen’s childhood home we made our way to their traditional Catholic ceremony at the beautiful St. Anne’s in Barrington. Once Colleen and Dylan were officially husband and wife they were surprised by his brothers with a gorgeous classic Rolls Royce to travel in style to Makray Memorial Golf Club.
We had lots of fun taking pictures of Colleen and Dylan’s wedding party (and their adorable dog even joined the fun for a few shots!) on the beautiful course at Makray. We always love being at Makray and seeing old friends and making new memories there! During cocktail hour Colleen and Dylan were treated to a pretty rainbow over the terrace as their guests enjoyed drinks and appetizers. We then snuck away during dinner to take some pretty sunset photos before returning for their thoughtful and emotional toasts. It was a perfect day, we were honored to be a part of this celebration!
Congratulations, Colleen and Dylan, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Colleen and Dylan’s beautiful wedding photos click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Makray Memorial Golf Club
FLORIST
Town & Country Gardens
HAIR + MAKEUP
Modern Wave Salon & Spa
WEDDING CAKE
Lovin’ Oven
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Volle’s Bridal
WEDDING GOWN
Maggie Sottero
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES
Jenny Yoo
BRIDAL SHOES
Betsy Johnson
Natalie & Jordan’s Perfect Makray Memorial Golf Club Wedding
Natalie and Jordan met on Hinge in June 2020, just after the world shut down and dating became extra complicated because of Covid. For their first date they got ice cream from the Culver’s drive-thru . . .
Natalie and Jordan met on Hinge in June 2020, just after the world shut down and dating became extra complicated because of Covid. For their first date they got ice cream from the Culver’s drive-thru and ate it together at his house. Natalie fell in love with Jordan when she realized how kind and family-oriented he is. Jordan makes her laugh all the time and feel beautiful at every moment.
Natalie and Jordan got engaged the day before she graduated with her master's degree. After popping the question, Jordan assembled their closest friends and family together to surprise Natalie at a restaurant. His thoughtfulness is just one more reason that Natalie adores him, and their love was on full display at their perfect Makray wedding.
When we arrived at Natalie’s parents’ house to capture the girls “getting ready,” everyone was in great spirits and Natalie was looking amazing. We all cried a little when Natalie saw her Dad for the first time in her wedding dress, his reaction was just the absolute best thing. When we got to Makray and met up with Jordan he was so ready to see his bride, their first look was pretty special too. The whole day was just perfect – from their fun-filled wedding party photos to their emotional vows, each moment was filled with love and joy.
Jordan’s sister is a singer and was an American Idol finalist, she gifted her brother and new sister-in-law with a stunning rendition of an Adele song during their first dance. We all had goosebumps while Grace sang for Natalie and Jordan, she is the real deal. Her voice resonated through that room and set the stage for an unforgettable night celebrating the newlyweds, it was a day we won’t soon forget.
Congratulations, Natalie and Jordan, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Natalie and Jordan’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
DAY-OF COORDINATION
Something Blue
WEDDING FLORIST
Periwinkle Florals
HAIR & MAKEUP
Erika Alexis Beauty
BRIDAL GOWN
Madi Lane
WEDDING CAKE
Lovin’ Oven
WEDDING RINGS
Dalzell Jewelers
BRIDESMAID DRESSES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
Mens Wearhouse
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
BRIDAL HAIR
Darlene Powell Hair Design
MAKEUP
Angela Makeup Chicago
WEDDING GOWN
Reddington Bridal
FLORIST
Blooming Flowers
WEDDING RINGS
Monson Jewelers
Corinne & Jason’s Pretty St. James and Makray Wedding
Corinne and Jason met at karaoke night in Cincinnati, and while it took a while for their spark to ignite they found love and welcomed their daughter earlier this year. Jason and his brothers grew up playing golf at Makray Memorial Golf Club, which made it the perfect place to celebrate their marriage this summer. Conrad and Lindsay were happy to be there for this beautiful day! Following their traditional ceremony at St. James they made their way to Makray for photos before the reception. Jason managed to convince our friend Charlie (the head groundskeeper at Makray) to let them drive golf carts to his parents’ home that backs up to the course. After photos everyone moved upstairs for the party – the reception space was decorated to reflect Corinne and Jason’s love of travel, with the highlight being the beautiful cake made by the talented team at Lovin Oven. Jason’s last name is Mickey, so the newlyweds walked into their reception wearing mouse ears, it was so cute! It was a joy to be part of this beautiful day!
Congratulations, Corinne and Jason, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Corinne and Jason’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Makray Memorial Golf Club
FLORIST
Sylvia's
MAKE-UP
Kate Johnson Artistry
Hannah & Matt’s Joyful Fall Makray Memorial Golf Club Wedding
Hannah and Matt were both in the Marching Illini throughout college. After every rehearsal, the band kids living at Newman would race back to the dining hall before it closed and crowd around 4-5 combined tables to eat together. . .
Hannah and Matt were both in the Marching Illini throughout college. After every rehearsal, the band kids living at Newman would race back to the dining hall before it closed and crowd around 4-5 combined tables to eat together. They met at one of these dinners in the fall of their freshman year. The meals continued into basketball season, during which they both participated in basketball band. They started dating at the end of their freshman year and have been together ever since!
On March 1, 2020, Hannah’s family attended the Indiana at Illinois basketball game. After the Illini beat the Hoosiers, Matt forced Hannah to go with him to "get a new sousa hat from the sousaphones." Very reluctantly, Hannah followed. When they got down to the band, Matt took Hannah onto the court, knelt down, and asked her to marry him. She said yes and the band helped them celebrate by playing Oskee Wow Wow.
We first met Hannah and Matt at her sister Sarah’s small Covid wedding last summer. We knew from celebrating with Sarah and Dean how important the University of Illinois is to their whole family, and expected plenty of U of I fun at both of these sisters’ 2021 wedding celebrations. Conrad and I both had the best time taking Hannah and Matt’s engagement photos last winter at her parents’ home outside of Lake Geneva – the fresh snow on the ground made that afternoon feel magical. One of our favorite moments from that day was when Matt lovingly warmed up Hannah’s hands after making snow angels together for an epic drone shot. These two are so sweet together, and a magical sprinkling of snow on their wedding day meant that we could recreate that moment at Makray Memorial Golf Club! Between the stunning fall colors, the meaningful ceremony at Holy Family and then the delicious meal and packed dance floor at Makray (they even had an indoor s’mores station!) this was truly the perfect day!
Congratulations, Hannah and Matt, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Hannah and Matt’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
Photography
Something Blue Photography
Wedding Dress
Premier Couture
Bridesmaid Dresses
David's Bridal
Menswear
Calvin Klein
Florist
Fabbrini's Flowers
Wedding Rings
Lashbrook and Parade
Desserts
Lovin Oven
Videographer
Something Blue Photography
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
Ashley and Ryan’s Magical Makray Wedding
Ashley and Ryan met over a decade ago, but they travelled a long and winding road to find themselves at the altar. While they ran in the same circles the timing was never quite right for them to start dating. They finally made things official in January 2018, and before long…
Ashley and Ryan met over a decade ago, but they travelled a long and winding road to find themselves at the altar. While they ran in the same circles the timing was never quite right for them to start dating. They finally made things official in January 2018, and before long these two knew they were meant to be together forever.
When Ashley and Ryan’s wedding day arrived, there was SO much positive and supportive energy surrounding this sweet couple. After Ashley slipped into her gorgeous Maggie Sottero gown we arranged a super cute reveal for her girls, they were all really happy and excited to see their gorgeous friend as a bride. Talk about the ultimate squad goals!
It was an unusually hot day for Ashley and Ryan’s June wedding, the complete opposite of their beautiful winter engagement session. Once it was just Ashley and Ryan together the two of them were calm, cool and collected. Ryan’s response to seeing Ashley was SO cute, he totally became the human mind-blown emoji! Our favorite part of the day was when we had those quiet moments with just the two of them, they are so in love and perfect together! After their ceremony their wedding party celebrated with a fun champagne toast, the best transition to the epic party they threw at Makray Memorial Golf Club.
Congratulations, Ashley and Ryan, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Ashley and Ryan’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
Photography
Something Blue
Videography
Daniel Bragiel
Hair and Makeup
Deb Petrelli & Team
Wedding Gown
Maggie Sotero from The Crystal Bride
Florist
Fabbrini’s Flowers
Wedding Cake
Lovin Oven
Wedding Rings
Jared
Bridesmaid Dresses
David’s Bridal
Menswear
Calvin Klein
Live Band
DeJa Vu Band
Caitlin and Griffin’s Moving Makray Wedding
Caitlin and Griffin planned their dream wedding at Makray Memorial Golf Club well before the craziness of 2020 settled in. As their wedding day drew closer they knew they would have to limit their guest list to 50 people to stay within the acceptable range of events held in Illinois.
Caitlin and Griffin planned their dream wedding at Makray Memorial Golf Club well before the craziness of 2020 settled in. As their wedding day drew closer they knew they would have to limit their guest list to 50 people to stay within the acceptable range of events held in Illinois. Being both very laid back and chill people, Caitlin and Griffin were able to scale back their celebration but still have a wedding that was completely centered on the love they share.
Choosing to follow tradition Caitlin and Griffin waited until their ceremony to see each other. But Caitlin did get in a sweet moment with her Dad when he saw his little girl for the first time as a bride. It was so moving when they saw each other, and just as sweet then when Caitlin’s Dad walked her down the long aisle to Griffin. After their emotional ceremony Caitlin and Griffin let loose toasting a beer together before heading out on the golf course for photos with just the two of them. They loved that time they had together, just exploring and being present in the first moments after they officially became husband and wife. This was a beautiful day that we were so thankful to be a part of.
Congratulations, Caitlin and Griffin, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Caitlin and Griffin’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
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!
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
Dina + Jim’s Romantic Makray Memorial Golf Club Wedding
Dina and Jim had a long friendship before they realized there was something more there. Their love brought two families together, and their wedding day managed to bring the people they love most together for a sweet celebration in the midst of the tumult of 2020. With their small group it was easy to respect social distancing and be comfortable during Dina and Jim’s wedding. It was such an absolute joy for me to return to Makray Memorial Golf Club (our “home away from home”) to photograph a wedding after our long pandemic-induced hiatus. And I was so impressed with the work they have done in their ballroom in 2020, the heavy gold drapes and tacky wall art and carpets have been replaced by elegant and more neutral decor to better showcase the beauty of this space that we love so much.
Dina looked radiant as she finished getting ready with her daughters and sister in the bridal suite at Makray. As she prepared to walk down the aisle the amazing team at Fabbrini’s Flowers put the finishing touches on the ceremony site, which had to be moved inside because of rain. I loved how Jim rolled with everything as the day unfolded, and with a big happy smile calmly told me “this ain’t my first rodeo.” It was a truly beautiful rodeo, though, and it was such an honor to be a part of it.
Congratulations, Dina and Jim, you are so loved!!
To see all of Dina and Jim’s beautiful wedding photos, click here