Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Liz and Mike’s Classic Chicago Celebration

Liz and Mike, like so many of our 2020 Something Blue couples, had to dramatically reconsider their wedding plans in the wake of the coronavirus. They changed venues and landed on the truly gorgeous Kimpton Gray Chicago and Boleo. Their intimate micro wedding was as beautiful as we could have imagined, it was truly a gorgeous and unforgettable day!

We have always loved photographing weddings at the Kimpton Gray, the symmetrical marble staircase is a photographer’s dream for beautiful photo opportunities. As Liz got ready with her bridesmaids and mom, Mike hung out with his guys in the billiards room downstairs. Then the time arrived for Liz and Mike’s first look, and it was so joyful when they connected, from that moment the two of them didn’t take their eyes off one another for the rest of the day.

After some wedding party photos in the Kimpton Gray’s gorgeous lobby, we walked to the Chicago Board of Trade for some classic Chicago portraits. From there Conrad and I ventured with Liz and Mike to the Chicago Theatre and the riverfront together. One of our favorite parts of every wedding day is when we have time with the couple alone; in those quiet moments focused on the love shared between two people we find we make our most beautiful photographs.

When we returned Liz shared THE sweetest moment with her grandmother in her hotel room before walking down the aisle to marry her best friend. Liz and Mike’s emotional ceremony was officiated by our friend Brad Hughes of Love Story Weddings, and as always he created the perfect wedding ceremony for this couple. Once things were official, Liz and Mike relaxed and enjoyed cocktails and appetizers with their closest family and friends at Boleo, the stunning rooftop bar nestled inside the Kimpton Gray. Then they moved onto dinner and toasts with a stop at their gorgeous cake adorned with hand-made sugar flowers from Alliance Bakery. The room looked amazing thanks in part to the florals and day-of coordination by Anthony Gowder Designs. And after the meal we returned to Boleo for an evening of (socially-distant) dancing and drinks, it was truly the most perfect and unforgettable day.

Chicago Wedding Photographer Change of Venue Details Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Dress Details
Chicago Wedding Photographer Dress Details Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Invitation Details Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Details Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Ring Details Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Getting Ready Photos Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Getting Ready Photos Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Getting Ready Photos Kimpton Gray Wedding
SBP70182.jpgChicago Wedding Photographer Getting Ready Photos Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Getting Ready Photos Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Getting Ready Photos Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Getting Ready Photos Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Getting Ready Photos Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer First Look Photos Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer First Look Photos Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer First Look Photos Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer First Look Photos Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer First Look Photos Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer First Look Photos Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Board of Trade Photos
Chicago Wedding Photographer Board of Trade Photos
Chicago Wedding Photographer Board of Trade Photos
Chicago Wedding Photographer Board of Trade Photos
Chicago Wedding Photographer Board of Trade Photos
Chicago Wedding Photographer Board of Trade Photos
Chicago Wedding Photographer Board of Trade Photos
Chicago Wedding Photographer Board of Trade Photos
Chicago Wedding Photographer Chicago Landmark Photos
Chicago Wedding Photographer Chicago Landmark Photos
Chicago Wedding Photographer Chicago Landmark Photos
Chicago Wedding Photographer Chicago Landmark Photos
SBP70981.jpg
Chicago Wedding Photographer Chicago Landmark Photos
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Cake Alliance Bakery
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
Chicago Wedding Photographer Kimpton Gray Micro Wedding
SBP87961.jpg

Congratulations, Liz and Mike, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Liz and Mike’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

Read More
Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Courtney + Elliott's Whirlwind Chicago Wedding Weekend

Courtney and Elliott originally planned to marry in May, but of course the pandemic forced them to change their plans. They moved their celebration to December, and snuck away to Valparaiso and became husband and wife with only a government official with a polaroid camera to snap a quick and unflattering shot of the newlyweds. After they were legally married their thinking shifted to planning a winter wedding at Rockwell on the River, but Courtney’s mom felt uneasy in early August about the likelihood of a large celebration being possible this winter as Covid-19 continued to grind the events industry to a halt. With only a week to plan, Courtney’s mom Wendy put together a whirlwind wedding weekend for her daughter that was truly amazing.

We met downtown that Friday morning for a day of bridal portraits at some of Courtney and Elliott’s favorite Chicago landmarks - Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago, River North and Wrigley Field. We had so much fun exploring together - at one point Courtney boldly hiked up her wedding dress to scale a fence at Millennium Park for the perfect shot! It was such a perfect way to get lots of gorgeous photos of the two of them in their wedding clothes!

On Saturday we convened at Rockwell on the River for their micro wedding. I was expecting the venue to feel empty only set for 20 guests, but I was truly amazed at how beautiful it was inside. The chuppah was the center of attention and looked so elegant, while off to the right tables were set for their ketubah signing, cocktail hour and dinner. It was truly the perfect backdrop for their traditional wedding ceremonies. While Courtney and Elliott’s marriage story was anything but traditional, their love shone through the celebrations. The star of the show was their adorable rescue puppy MJ, she made the most adorable ring bearer!! It was truly a beautiful weekend and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to be a part of it.

SBP70212.jpg
SBP70257.jpg
SBP70424.jpg
SBP70496.jpg
SBP70513.jpg
SBP70607.jpg
SBP70663.jpg
SBP70651.jpg
SBP70671.jpg
SBP70452.jpg
SBP70540.jpg
SBP70394.jpg
SBP70561.jpg
SBP70551.jpg
SBP70318.jpg
SBP70290.jpg
SBP70340.jpg
SBP70830.jpg
SBP84880.jpg
SBP84883.jpg
SBP85070.jpg
SBP85058.jpg
SBP84900.jpg
SBP84895.jpg
SBP85131.jpg
SBP85139.jpg
SBP85157.jpg
SBP85213.jpg
SBP85261.jpg
SBP85280.jpg
SBP85324.jpg
SBP85378.jpg
SBP85394.jpg
SBP85441.jpg
SBP85479.jpg
SBP85548.jpg
SBP85561.jpg
SBP85572.jpg
SBP85580.jpg
SBP85320.jpg
SBP85627.jpg
SBP85637.jpg
SBP85624.jpg
SBP85929.jpg
SBP85882.jpg
SBP85714.jpg
SBP85968.jpg
SBP86028.jpg

Congratulations, Courtney and Elliot, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Courtney and Elliot’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

Read More