Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Susan and Zach’s Love is Essential Engagement Session

We fell in love with Susan and Zach from their application video and Zoom interview and we knew they were our perfect Love is Essential couple. It was so much fun getting to know them at their fall engagement session touring the city together on an adorable tandem bike!

Susan and Zach applied for Love is Essential after hearing about it from a family friend. They didn’t think it was legit at first, and I suppose that makes sense. In what has been a negative and heavy year it does seem unlikely that something like this could be possible. Love is Essential is an act of radical generosity to gift a FREE wedding to a deserving couple, to two essential workers who are serving our community and had to put their plans on hold during the pandemic. We fell in love with Susan and Zach from their application video and Zoom interview and we knew they were our perfect Love is Essential couple. Susan and Zach both serve our community, veterans and the homeless population at James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago. We surprised them with the big news at their sweet new home and then continued the surprise at her sister’s with their closest family for the “engagement party they couldn’t have.” We love this couple and are so excited to share their story with you as we plan their dream wedding!

The last weekend of October we scheduled an engagement session with Susan and Zach. It was THE most fun day, a chance for us to get to know each other better while exploring their favorite spots in the city. Our amazing planner Jenny of JPB Designs arranged for us to use a tandem bike from the cool guys at Bobby’s Bike Hike for a day of adventure and romance. Conrad and I met Susan and Zach at one of their favorite coffee shops, Ipsento 606. It was a beautiful fall day and these two had so much fun learning to ride the tandem bike together, an adorable visual for any relationship.

Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Tandem Bike Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session

After some fun at the 606 we quickly stopped on the rooftop at the Robey to take in the amazing city views. From there we headed to the lakefront where Susan and Zach seemed to really hit their stride with the tandem bike, and soon they were talking about wanting to get one for themselves!!

Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session

After dark we met back up with Susan and Zach at Metro Chicago, the venue where they got engaged last year at a Kishi Bashi concert. We loved ending their romantic day in the city in front of Metro, reminiscing about that romantic night when they got engaged and dreaming of the day when they will celebrate their wedding in the heart of our beautiful city.

Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Photographer Essential Workers Engagement Session

Susan and Zach, we love you and are SO excited for your wedding in 2022! We can’t wait to get to know you better as we continue to plan your dream wedding through Love is Essential!!!

To see all of Susan and Zach’s adorable engagement photos, click here

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