Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Val and Brad’s Hotel Baker Family Affair

Val and Brad have been friends for a long time, and they found their friendship grew after they each navigated divorce after kids. They bonded and soon fell in love, but their amazing children also developed a beautiful connection with each other. As this family relationship grew stronger…

Val and Brad have been friends for a long time, and they found their friendship grew after they each navigated divorce after kids. They bonded and soon fell in love, but their amazing children also developed a beautiful connection with each other. As this family relationship grew stronger, Val’s daughters and Brad’s son REALLY wanted them to get married. Val and Brad’s kids were the driving force behind them deciding to get married, and they were SO excited when that day finally arrived.

Set against the charming backdrop of the Hotel Baker in St. Charles along the Fox River, Val and Brad’s wedding day was nothing short of perfect. Our friend Elyse of Two Sisters Events served as day-of coordinator to make sure everything went smoothly and created the most GORGEOUS bouquets and arrangements for the wedding. Val looked absolutely STUNNING in her form-fitting gown from Crystal Bride. It was such a sweet moment when her daughters helped her into her wedding dress!

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Congratulations, Val and Brad, we wish you and your beautiful family a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Val and Brad’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
VENUE
Hotel Baker

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue

FLORALS & DAY-OF COORDINATION
Two Sisters Events

DJ
That’s My DJ Entertainment

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Liz and Erik’s Emotional Metropolis Ballroom Wedding

Liz and Erik live in Kansas but made plans to get married at the Metropolis Ballroom in Arlington Heights so that they could accommodate Liz’s Mom who was suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. The pandemic forced Liz and Erik to change and rearrange their plans…

Liz and Erik live in Kansas but made plans to get married at the Metropolis Ballroom in Arlington Heights so that they could accommodate Liz’s Mom who was suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. The pandemic forced Liz and Erik to change and rearrange their plans, moving their wedding date from May 1, 2020 to July 10, 2020 before finally landing on May 1, 2021. Sadly, Liz’s mom passed away from complications due to her MS last fall, but her presence was powerfully felt throughout this emotional wedding day.

When we arrived at the Metropolis, Liz was finishing hair and makeup as her sisters and future sister in law looked on. Conrad and I took photos of her dress and invitation but paused to ask about the yarn wrapped around her bouquet and Erik’s boutonnière. That pretty blue yarn was from Liz’s mom’s collection, and it was wrapped tightly around Liz and Erik’s personal flowers as a reminder that she was there with them on their wedding day. There were SO many tears on this beautiful day, tears of joy mixed with grief as we celebrated this wonderful couple.

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

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

VENDOR TEAM
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue

FLORIST
Apple Creek Flowers

WEDDING CAKE
Oak Mill Bakery

HAIR AND MAKEUP
Blush and Braids Beauty Bar

DJ
Spinnin Discs

WEDDING GOWN
Stephanie’s Bridal Boutique

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
David’s Bridal

GROOMS’ SUIT
Joseph Abboud

WEDDING RINGS
Valina

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Heather and Daniel’s Covid-Style Anniversary Session

Conrad and I were super bummed when we realized that we weren’t going to be shooting a wedding this New Year’s Eve. We have two weddings to look forward to on New Year’s Eve in 2021, but thought it would be really nice to end 2020 on a positive note by hanging out with one of our favorite couples. Heather and Daniel agreed to do a sweet New Year’s Eve anniversary session with us; we started by photographing a slice of life inside their beautiful home and ended with a quiet celebration at their wedding venue.

On New Year’s Eve 2019 we celebrated Heather and Daniel’s elegant wedding at The Metropolis Ballroom in downtown Arlington Heights. We had the most amazing time at their wedding, and as we rang in 2020 with confetti and sparklers we had NO idea what the coming year would look like.

As 2020 unfolded and Heather and Daniel enjoyed their first year of marriage together, life wasn’t quite what any of us expected it to look like. But watching Heather from afar on social media showed that her and Daniel still found ways to find fun even in quarantine. They went to outdoor restaurants, took a little trip or two, and always managed to look VERY in love along the way.

Conrad and I were super bummed when we realized that we weren’t going to be shooting a wedding this New Year’s Eve. We have two weddings to look forward to on New Year’s Eve in 2021, but thought it would be really nice to end 2020 on a positive note by hanging out with one of our favorite couples. Heather and Daniel agreed to do a sweet New Year’s Eve anniversary session with us; we started by photographing a slice of life inside their beautiful home and ended with a quiet celebration at their wedding venue. While it wasn’t the epic New Year’s celebration we are used to, it was still a perfect way to quietly celebrate the love these two share.

New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography

After some Netflix and snuggles, Heather and Daniel tucked into an authentic Chicago deep dish pizza before a quick game of cards together (the deck has one of their favorite wedding photos on it!!)

New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography

The amazing team at Two Sisters Events created the florals for Heather and Daniel’s wedding last year, and they generously gifted them a fresh new bouquet and boutonnière for their anniversary session. We loved the dark and moody vibe of the flowers for this session, it perfectly fit the atmosphere of finding quiet ways to celebrate in the midst of a pandemic.

New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography

After playing dress-up in their wedding clothes at home, Heather changed into her sister’s beautiful Maid of Honor dress and we ventured outside for our NYE celebration. We played with sparklers and confetti (Daniel is president of their homeowner’s association so we had the green light!) before heading to The Metropolis Ballroom for our nightcap. Shawna, the amazing Director of Weddings at the Metropolis, kindly came and let us in, it was so great to see her and to be back at one of our favorite venues!!

New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography
New Year's Eve Anniversary Session Chicago Wedding Photographer Covid Lifestyle Photography

Thank you for ringing in the New Year with us, Heather and Daniel!! Here’s hoping that 2021 brings you much love and many more adventures together!

To see Heather and Daniel’s New Year’s Eve wedding photos, click here

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