Sara & Andy’s Romantic Boundary Ballroom Wedding
Sara and Andy met in 2015 when they were both working at the social work agency Thresholds downtown. Andy is a social worker and Sara was working there as an administrative assistant while going to grad school. They had crushes on each other . . .
Sara and Andy met in 2015 when they were both working at the social work agency Thresholds downtown. Andy is a social worker and Sara was working there as an administrative assistant while going to grad school. They had crushes on each other without realizing the other was interested, and ended up going on to separate jobs without connecting. Their friend group from that job stayed close though, and when the opportunity arose in late 2018, they pushed us toward each other again, figuratively and literally. Sara and Andy moved in together during COVID and survived working from home in their two bedroom apartment for two years. They got engaged on Christmas morning 2021 at Promontory Point, where they had gone on one of their favorite dates.
Books are a central theme for Sara and Andy’s relationship – they love sharing books with one another and chose to do part of their engagement session at their favorite bookstore downtown. They bonded over Jane Austin’s “Persuasion” and that book made an appearance both at their engagement session and on their wedding day. I loved getting to know Sara and Andy that day, and when our session was cut short by bad weather we had the opportunity to reconnect later that fall at Promontory Point for the rest of their session. Every time I was with Sara and Andy it was plain to see just how in-love these two are, Andy absolutely adores Sara and is just so sweet with her.
When the time came for Sara and Andy’s wedding we were all so excited to celebrate their love. Sara looked amazing in her beautiful Morilee By Madeline Gardner gown, and once they had their emotional first look Andy could not take his eyes off Sara for the rest of the day. We have hardly ever seen a groom who was more eager to compliment his bride, Andy could not stop looking at Sara and telling her how beautiful she was.
Sara and Andy chose to do their romantic first look at the Schiller Park Library so they could be surrounded by books on their wedding day. They also had beautiful literary details sprinkled throughout their wedding, including amazing paper flowers made by their friend and a truly epic book archway that set the stage for their wedding ceremony. Sara and Andy’s wedding day was just as romantic as the books the first bonded over, we were honored to be there to celebrate their love.
Congratulations, Sara and Andy, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Sara and Andy’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
HAIR AND MAKEUP
Total Image
WEDDING CAKE
Sugar Fixe Pâtisserie
WEDDING RING
Noble Yates Fine Jewerly
BRIDESMAID DRESSES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
Indochino
Jenni & Dan’s Romantic Wilder Mansion Wedding
Jenni and Dan are both teachers, they were on the same middle school “team” and quickly became close friends. One day Dan asked Jenni to go bowling with him after work, after she reluctantly said yes . . .
Jenni and Dan are both teachers, they were on the same middle school “team” and quickly became close friends. One day Dan asked Jenni to go bowling with him after work, after she reluctantly said yes that game started a long streak of Dan beating Jenni at just about everything from bowling to mini golf (with the exception of volleyball!) Their strong and natural connection they have kept them close through the ups and downs of life. After 7 years of teaching together, approximately 700 of the same students taught and 5 years of dating Dan got down on one knee in downtown Chicago and asked Jenni to marry him. She enthusiastically said ‘yes!’ and their adventure toward becoming husband and wife began!
I got to know Jenni and Dan at their beautiful engagement session last Summer at Lake Katherine Nature Center. It was easy and fun to explore with Jenni and Dan, they share a quiet devotion to one another that is truly a joy to witness. Leading up to their wedding day, we asked Jenni and Dan to answer the question “what moment of your wedding day are you most looking forward to?” Their answer says so much about who these two are as a couple, they said “The little alone time we will have with one another to soak in the moment.”
When their wedding day arrived, we met up with Jenni and her bridesmaids at the gorgeous Wilder Mansion in Elmhurst. Christy and I joked that we could shoot at Wilder Mansion every single weekend and be thrilled, this beautiful historic home is filled with tons of natural light and one big empty room after another! It’s like a giant and gorgeous photo studio! Jenni looked radiant as she got ready for her “first look” with Dan – he was a little nervous but once he saw his gorgeous bride that all seemed to disappear.
Jenni and Dan exchanged private vows right after their first look (one of our favorite “new” traditions!) We had the best time taking pictures of Jenni and Dan and their wedding party at Wilder Mansion before and after their beautiful rose garden ceremony. Before long we loaded up and moved the celebration to Drury Lane where their guests were all waiting to start the party. We loved every moment of this romantic day, it was an honor to be alongside Jenni and Dan as they began their married lives together!
Congratulations, Jenni and Dan, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Jenni and Dan’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
FLORIST
Carousel Flowers by Shamrock
HAIR & MAKEUP
Patricia Fardon with Diem Angie Co.
WEDDING DRESS
Here Comes the Bride
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES
Azazie
ENGAGEMENT RING
Brilliant Earth
MENSWEAR
Black Lapel
Sharon & Ed’s Timeless Venuti’s Wedding
Sharon and Ed met the old fashioned way – over the internet – in an age when online dating has become the norm. I feel old saying that when we first started photographing . . .
Sharon and Ed met the old fashioned way – over the internet – in an age when online dating has become the norm. I feel old saying that when we first started photographing weddings it was unusual for our couples to have met online. But now, after shooting for over ten years, it’s more often than not that we learn our couples met through an online dating service. Life has a funny way of working itself out in ways you would never expect.
Sharon and Ed are absolutely perfect for each other. Their love is inspiring, being with them on their wedding day was such a joy. They love each other madly and deeply and with abandon. It was a joy for us to be a part of this timeless celebration.
Congratulations, Sharon and Ed, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Sharon and Ed’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Venuti’s Banquets
DJ
The Total Package - Parker Greenlund
CAKE
Baking Institute
RINGS
Exquisite Jewelers
Lisa & Gavin’s Joyous Ravinia Green Country Club Wedding
Lisa and Gavin met through mutual friends who told them both over text that the knew someone for the other. Lisa wrote this sweet account of their relationship: “Gavin was described as being . . .
Lisa and Gavin met through mutual friends who told them both over text that the knew someone for the other. Lisa wrote this sweet account of their relationship:
“Gavin was described as being a sports fan (Reds, Colts, Pacers, Purdue), liking music, going to concerts, rescuing a golden mix doggie, being an actuary but fun, tall, and loving to play board games. Lisa replied she could handle a Reds fan even though the Cubs are better, he should be okay with her singing in the car even if the words are wrong the notes are always in tune, she can handle walking a dog, she prefers the Cubs, Bears, Bulls, and Illini but will be polite to other teams, has a big family and will likely choose fun over an extra shift as a Rush ICU nurse. Gavin promised he was only 80% as charming on the phone compared to text messages and so they met. Over the next 3 years they enjoyed meeting each other’s family and friends, going to games, concerts, botanic gardens, and adventures with Luke Pup. Dating through a pandemic added a new challenge to the 137 mile commute between Bloomington Illinois and Wrigleyville Chicago Illinois. In January 2021 Gavin took a new job with CNA after 21 years at State Farm and they bought a house they love in Palatine, Illinois. Gavin had a great plan for a proposal, but due to an accident the day before, Lisa was not going to be able to trek Starved Rock with a straight leg brace and crutches, even though she still wanted to go. Gavin turned out to be a great home nurse and once Lisa was up and walking he took her back to her beloved Wrigleyville for dinner. They went to the first place they went to for dinner in the city, Uncommon Ground, on a Saturday night. Gavin asked her if she could walk to Wrigley Field and Lisa took off on her crutches. It was a beautiful night out, no game; which made for a private proposal, and thankfully no names on the giant scoreboard!”
Conrad loved getting to know Lisa and Gavin at their engagement session last winter and was excited to photograph their wedding with Christy. They both have connections to Lisa and Gavin’s friends and family – Christy’s Dad sings in their church choir with Lisa while Conrad has connections from his childhood youth group. Once Lisa and Gavin’s wedding was over it was clear from seeing their pictures and hearing Conrad and Christy talk that this was a joyous day. After their beautiful and traditional ceremony at St. Edna Catholic Church Lisa and Gavin were showered in dried flowers as their happily exited the church (Gavin’s facial expression was hilarious!) Lisa then sweetly pinned a grape soda bottle cap onto Gavin’s lapel to reference “Up,” one of their favorite movies.
When they arrived at Ravinia Green Country Club everything was set for a perfect evening. The reception room looked so pretty and they were treated to the most amazing sunset, it was the perfect happy day!
Congratulations, Lisa and Gavin, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Lisa and Gavin’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
RECEPTION VENUE
Ravinia Green Country Club
FLOWERS
Joseph’s Florist
WEDDING CAKE
Lovin Oven Cakery
Caroline & Hunter’s Elegant Kenilworth Assembly Hall Wedding
Caroline and Hunter met right before freshman year of college at an ice cream social hosted by the college football and volleyball teams. Little did they know then that their lives would be forever intertwined . . .
Caroline and Hunter met right before their freshman year of college at an ice cream social. The event was hosted by their college football and volleyball teams. Little did they know then that their lives would be forever intertwined.
After dating through college Caroline and Hunter got engaged in Lake Geneva, a place close to her heart as her grandparents lived there when she was growing up. They have since moved away from the Midwest but with family and friends here chose to get married in the Chicago area. We met Caroline and Hunter for the first time over Zoom and were so happy to meet them in person at their wedding at the beautiful Kenilworth Assembly Hall. Caroline looked amazing in her gorgeous Lee-Ann Belter gown, I think her wedding dress was my favorite one from this busy wedding season! Once Caroline and Hunter saw each other at their quietly emotional First Look we strolled the streets of Kenilworth for photos with their kind and supportive wedding party.
Once we finished photos at the Kenilworth train station we headed to the beautiful Kenilworth Union Church for their wedding ceremony. While it threatened to rain all day it held off and we snuck down to the lakefront for some pretty pictures of Caroline and Hunter alone. After their traditional ceremony we walked back to the assembly hall for their reception – it was a treat to hear so many thoughtful toasts and dance the night away with the newlyweds! We loved being part of this perfect day!
Congratulations, Caroline and Hunter, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Caroline and Hunter’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
CHURCH
Kenilworth Union Church
FLOWERS
Simply Flowers - Toni Lenzi
CAKE
Deerfield Bakery
Liz & Mike’s Glamorous Morgan’s On Fulton Wedding
For Liz and Mike, Orlando is the spot where their friendship grew into a romance. In Orlando Liz and Mike developed a group of close-knit friends, but the two of them, using the guise of researching the local bar/cocktail scene . . .
For Liz and Mike, Orlando is the spot where their friendship grew into a romance. In Orlando Liz and Mike developed a group of close-knit friends, but the two of them, using the guise of researching the local bar/cocktail scene, began a series of informal meetings that soon morphed into dates. The relationship magically continued to grow when just after 3 months of dating, Liz moved to Seattle and a distance of 3,000 miles separated them.
For the next year Mike and Liz managed to spend one weekend per month together. They enjoyed hiking through the northwest woods and exploring the cuisine (oysters) of Seattle. Liz would fly to Orlando for some needed sunshine and a chance to kayak and explore the beaches with Mike. After the year of red-eye flights, Liz moved to Chicago where Mike and she reveled in the one hour time difference.
After almost two years of a long-distance relationship, Mike moved to Chicago, purchased a down coat, and began to fall in love with the city and life as a Midwesterner again. Long-distance became a thing of the past and the two couldn't be happier to share time together again. Mike and Liz found endless adventure in the many neighborhoods of Chicago and can often be found biking to a new spot for a bite to eat or a sight to see.
On a snowy day in Humboldt Park, just two blocks from their condo, Liz and Mike affirmed their compatibility by becoming engaged in January 2021.
Then this is where we come in – I first met Liz and Mike in Humboldt Park for their engagement session last fall. We explored the area where Mike proposed before ending up at Parson’s for some adorable photos AND a delicious chicken dinner. I remember talking to Conrad afterwards trying to explain just how much I LOVED spending that time with Liz and Mike – they are down to earth, relatable, fun, and just SO in love, I was truly so excited to celebrate their wedding with them.
When the day finally arrived for Liz and Mike’s wedding, Conrad and I were so happy to be there alongside Liz and Mike’s closest friends and families to celebrate their love. Liz looked absolutely STUNNING in her chic Alice and Ivory gown. After she finished getting ready at the Emily Hotel, we met with Mike in the gorgeous alleyway behind Trivoli Tavern. Liz and Mike’s First Look was one for the ages – they both wiped away happy tears when they saw each other for the first time on their wedding day. From there their wedding day was a big happy blur – we did photos in the alleyway with their favorite people before heading to the river for some beautiful shots near the Wrigley Building.
After we finished with photos we settled in at Morgan’s on Fulton for the most beautiful and moving candlelit ceremony. Liz’s sister-in-law officiated the ceremony which ended with a joyful pop of champagne. At last Liz and Mike were husband and wife and danced the night away on the rooftop to the sounds of the Bluewater Kings Band. It was one of our favorite weddings ever, our only hope is that these photographs fully convey just how beautiful this day truly was.
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
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Morgan’s On Fulton
DAY-OF COORDINATION
Wedicity
FLORIST
Hedonia Flowers
CAKE
Vanille
MENSWEAR
Knots Standard
WEDDING DRESS
Alice in Ivory
MAKE-UP
Rare Bird Beauties
BAND
Blue Water Kings