Sarah & Ed’s Romantic Rolling Green Country Club Wedding
Sarah and Ed met in graduate school when some of their classmates people got together for a Harry Potter trivia night and they ended up on the same team. That was the first time they had hung out with each other outside of class . . .
Sarah and Ed met in graduate school when some of their classmates people got together for a Harry Potter trivia night and they ended up on the same team. That was the first time they had hung out with each other outside of class, and they really hit it off. Unfortunately, that first connection happened right before COVID hit, so Sarah and Ed weren't able to see each other for a while, even in class. It wasn't until months later that Sarah worked up the nerve to get Ed's number from a mutual friend and text him.
Sarah and Ed started talking over winter break while he was in Lithuania visiting family, which wasn't easy with the time difference, but they made it work. Once Ed came back to the State they made plans right away and it wasn't long before they had fallen in love. Sarah and Ed got engaged just over two years later while at the same restaurant where they celebrated their first Valentine's Day together.
I loved getting to know Sarah and Ed at they engagement session last Fall. Sarah is gorgeous inside and out, and witnessing the love between Sarah and Ed is something that I really enjoyed being part of. When their wedding day arrived the weather was absolutely gorgeous for a perfect celebration at our hometown country club Rolling Green. Christy and I arrived and met Sarah and her besties in Rolling Green’s adorable new bridal suite, we loved photographing the girls in this fun space! Once Sarah was dressed she went outside for her first look with Ed, his reaction to seeing his bride was so incredibly sweet. We loved exploring the course at Rolling Green for photos with Sarah and Ed’s wedding party!
After a beautiful ceremony overlooking the pond and water wheel Ed’s family presented the newlyweds with a special gift to honor their Lithuanian tradition. We celebrated together with their friends and family and just had the best day with this wonderful couple!!
Congratulations, Sarah and Ed, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Sarah and Ed’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Rolling Green Country Club
FLORIST
Connie Snyder
HAIR + MAKEUP
Hairs 2 The Bride
WEDDING CAKE
Lovin’ Oven
BRIDAL GOWN BOUTIQUE
Genevieve's Bridal
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Thread Bridesmaid
MENSWEAR
Calvin Klein
Nicole & Ryan’s Gorgeous Monte Bello Estate Wedding
Nicole and Ryan met in high school but didn’t decide to start dating until they had graduated. That Summer they grew closer and realized they would try to make it work long-distance . . .
Nicole and Ryan met in high school but didn’t decide to start dating until they had graduated. That Summer they grew closer and realized they would try to make it work long-distance as she headed off to the University of Illinois and he went to Marquette. They would visit each other every few weeks during their Freshman year and said "I love you" when Nicole first visited Ryan at Marquette. Ryan decided to transfer to U of I their Sophomore year and the rest is history!
Conrad loved getting to know Nicole and Ryan at their engagement session at Inverness Golf Club last Summer. They brought along their adorable dog Yaya who tried to steal the show! Ryan is super goofy and madly in love with Nicole, he is great at getting her to relax and have fun. Conrad, Lindsay and Ryan were excited to celebrate Nicole and Ryan at their wedding this June!
We met Nicole and her bridesmaids at her Mom’s house in Arlington Heights on that beautiful June morning. Nicole and her girls were in high spirits as they got ready, and Nicole looked absolutely STUNNING in her structured satin gown. Her wedding dress may well be one of our favorites of all time!!
After some fun wedding party photos at the Inverness Golf Club we made our way to St. James for their traditional Catholic ceremony. Nicole’s bridesmaids prayed over her right before she walked down the aisle – Nicole went to school at St. James so it was really special to celebrate there.
Once Nicole and Roger were married the celebration really began, spirits were high leaving St. James for the gorgeous Monte Bello Estate. We loved photographing the newlyweds at this beautiful venue, it was especially fun to make pictures of Nicole and Ryan at the pretty rope swing on their grounds. Their dog Yaya made an appearance on their wedding cake, we love when couples include fun personal details at their reception! After touching and emotional speeches the party kicked off with the Andrew Blake Band and we danced the night away. This was truly a perfect day, we were honored to be alongside Nicole and Ryan as they began their married lives together!
Congratulations, Nicole and Ryan, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Nicole and Ryan’s gorgeous wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Monte Bello Estate
FLORIST
Floral Wonders
HAIR + MAKEUP
Tamara Hair and Makeup
WEDDING RINGS
Raphael Jewelers
WEDDING BAND
Andrew Blake Band
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Bella Bianca
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
Generation Tux
BRIDAL SHOES
Badgley Mischka
Kait & Luke’s Gorgeous Millburn Stables Wedding
We first connected with Kait and Luke through our friend McKenna, whose gorgeous Metropolis Ballroom wedding was one of the highlights of our 2023 season. After our first phone call I knew that Kait would be the most laid-back . . .
We first connected with Kait and Luke through our friend McKenna, whose gorgeous Metropolis Ballroom wedding was one of the highlights of our 2023 season. After our first phone call I knew that Kait would be the most laid-back bride and we couldn’t wait to celebrate their Spring wedding!
Our April weather had been quite mild this year but on the day of Kait and Luke’s wedding things took a turn and it was chillier than we had hoped. But that didn’t put a damper on the love and beauty that was interwoven into every moment of Kait and Luke’s wedding day. We arrived at the hotel for “getting ready” photos and there was a buzz of excitement between the two suites. Kait looked absolutely stunning thanks in part to her talented glam squad, Jess Rangel on hair and Sandra Koljovic on makeup duty. Kait’s two bridesmaids helped her slip into her gorgeous lace gown and she finished her bridal look with a beautiful strand of heirloom pearls.
After leaving the hotel we made the short drive to St. Raphael’s for the ceremony. Conrad and I GASPED when we saw this stunning cathedral. St. Raphael’s is a newer church filled with art and artifacts from salvaged churches in the Chicago area, the blend of new and old made for a striking backdrop for Kait and Luke’s traditional wedding ceremony. After they said “I do” Kait and Luke had a beautiful kiss and dip down the aisle before being showered with rose petals outside on the majestic front steps.
St. Raphael’s is less than a mile away from Millburn Stables, which meant we had plenty of time to take some beautiful photos with the newlyweds before their guests arrived. Luke went to get their dog Mud and we got some great shots of their little family outside. Mud was excited to see his Mom and Dad (and to get some treats for being a good boy!!) When Luke took Mud back to his doggie daycare we explored the pretty nooks of Millburn Stables with Kait, she looked so incredible in that setting we could have taken photos of her there forever!!
As the cocktail hour started we spent time shooting inside the pretty reception space and caught up with our DJ friend Tim from Ready Set Dance Entertainment. Kait and Luke had a private reveal of the reception before the guests came in, it was so sweet to see their reaction to Lovin’ Oven’s interpretation of Mud on their wedding cake!! After some romantic shots at their sweetheart table the reception was underway. It was the most beautiful day celebrating such a wonderful couple, we were so thankful to be a part of it!
Congratulations, Kait and Luke, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Kait and Luke’s gorgeous wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Millburn Stables
BRIDAL HAIR
Jess Rangel
BRIDAL MAKEUP
Sandra Koljovic
DJ
Ready Set Dance Entertainment
WEDDING CAKE
Lovin’ Oven
WEDDING RINGS
Solid Gold Jewelers
Megan & Mike’s Beautiful Arbory Chicago Wedding
Megan and Mike met at The Map Room in Bucktown, fell in love and got engaged in Tuscany (!) two and a half years later. We first connected with Megan and Mike after her cousin Casey’s wedding last summer . . .
Megan and Mike met at The Map Room in Bucktown, fell in love and got engaged in Tuscany (!) two and a half years later. We first connected with Megan and Mike after her cousin Casey’s wedding last summer, we were excited to reconnect with this sweet family this year!
Megan was glowing on her wedding day, she looked stunning – Megan is naturally gorgeous, but the team at Tamara Hair and Makeup did an amazing job (as always!) getting the girls ready for the big day. Once Megan was dressed in her beautiful Calla Blanche gown we made our way to the back alley at Trivoli Tavern for Megan and Mike’s first look. Mike’s reaction to seeing his bride was really sweet, he couldn’t take his eyes off her for the rest of the day!
After their first look we connected with the rest of the wedding party on the trolley and made our way to Olive Park for wedding party photos. It was a beautiful sunny day and we loved spending time with this fun group!! After taking plenty of pretty skyline pics we journeyed to the Wrigley Building for more wedding party photos (and some gorgeous shots of Megan in her veil) before setting in at The Arbory for the ceremony and reception. This was our first time shooting at The Arbory and we were completely blown away, we can’t wait to go back to this beautiful venue! We were blown away by the gorgeous florals by Stems Chicago, the hanging arch that they created for Megan and Mike’s ceremony was something we will never forget. The day-of coordination team at Vrinspirations made sure that every detail was carefully executed, it was the perfect day!
Congratulations, Megan and Mike, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Megan and Mike’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
The Arbory
DAY-OF COORDINATOR
Vrinspirations
WEDDING FLORIST
Stems Chicago
HAIR AND MAKEUP
Tamara Hair and Makeup
WEDDING GOWN
Calla Blanche
BRIDAL GOWN BOUTIQUE
Mira Couture
BRIDAL SHOES
Nina Neya
WEDDING RINGS
Norridge Jewelers
MENSWEAR
Suit Supply
Margret & Kyle’s Salvage One Wedding Anniversary Celebration
In August 2021 Margaret and Kyle hosted an intimate backyard wedding for their immediate families and closest friends. It was such a great night, a highlight for us amongst the small weddings we photographed . . .
In August 2021 Margaret and Kyle hosted an intimate backyard wedding for their immediate families and closest friends. It was such a great night, a highlight for us amongst the small weddings we photographed throughout the pandemic. Margaret and Kyle have a unique connection and an incredible support squad. That beautiful but unassuming summer night showed us that their friends and family mean the world to them.
We were truly excited to reconnect with these two for their anniversary celebration exactly one year later. When Margaret and Kyle came to our Studio to talk through the details for their big day we laughed so much and had the best time talking together (in fact, they helped us hatch a super fun idea for a Something Blue “wedding reunion” party bus tour next year!) Their long-awaited Salvage One wedding was absolutely perfect, we loved every moment spent celebrating this couple. From their sweet "First Look” in the south garden at The Art Institute (she surprised him by wearing a new dress, while his tux changed from green to burgundy) to their late-night twirls in front of Salvage One’s “CHICAGO” sign this was a day we will always remember. Now if only we could do it again to celebrate their second anniversary!!
Congratulations, Margaret and Kyle, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Margaret and Kyle’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Salvage One
MENSWEAR
Black Tux
WEDDING RINGS
Ethan Lord
Danielle & Eddie’s Romantic Chevy Chase Wedding
Danielle and Eddie first met at Hersey High School where they were both athletes (go Huskies!) Danielle got up the courage to reach out to Eddie and they quickly became friends, but never really defined their relationship as she was getting ready to go off to college . . .
Danielle and Eddie first met at Hersey High School where they were both athletes (go Huskies!) Danielle got up the courage to reach out to Eddie and they quickly became friends, but never really defined their relationship as she was getting ready to go off to college. They stayed in contact and connected every summer at the same Subway where they would talk for HOURS. When Danielle was a senior in college these two made it official, and six years later Eddie proposed the day after Thanksgiving.
Like many of our other Covid-couples, Danielle and Eddie decided to start their family while they waited to celebrate their wedding. We were honored to be able to photograph both their Maternity and Newborn Sessions as they excitedly welcomed their adorable daughter Hazel to their family.
When the day finally came for Danielle and Eddie to exchange their vows at the beautiful Chevy Chase Country Club we were all ready to celebrate this awesome couple. There was so much JOY in the room when we arrived for getting ready photos at the Westin, and seeing sweet baby Hazel’s smile just made everything feel perfect.
Danielle wanted to surprise Eddie with a “first look” with Hazel in her adorable wedding outfit, it was the sweetest moment that set off a wave of emotions that carried throughout the day. When Eddie saw Danielle at their first look he had the best reaction, it is so apparent that he absolutely adores his beautiful bride. When we arrived at Chevy Chase for wedding party photos we were so happy to find their wedding party was up for anything, we asked them to climb out on the rocks over the water for a group shot and they did it without any grumbling and even struck some awesome poses while they were out there!
During the ceremony in the Devonshire Room Danielle and Eddie sealed their union with a fun whiskey “unity” shot, what better way to start the party??! This had to have been one of the most fun weddings we have shot in a long time, Danielle and Eddie truly have the best families and friends. We capped off the evening with a beautiful sunset over the water (Hazel was in a few sunset photos too!) before partying the night away. It was an unforgettable celebration that we were truly thankful to be a part of.
Congratulations, Danielle and Eddie (and Hazel!), we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Danielle and Eddie’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
FLORALS
Twigs & Blooms
WEDDING RINGS
Blue Nile
Meredith and Okoye’s Romantic New Year’s Eve Wedding
I vividly remember the first picture I ever took of Meredith and Okoye. I was photographing the cocktail hour at her friend Catherine’s wedding at Chevy Chase Country Club and snapped this quick picture of Meredith and her boyfriend Okoye . . .
I vividly remember the first picture I ever took of Meredith and Okoye. I was photographing the cocktail hour at her friend Catherine’s wedding at Chevy Chase Country Club and snapped this quick picture of Meredith and her boyfriend Okoye:
After I shot this I joked that they needed to call me when they got engaged. We got to know Meredith and Okoye over the years through mutual friends, and they kindly once modeled for a special styled shoot we did at Room 1520 in 2018. When Okoye popped the question last summer I was SO excited when Meredith reached out to ask if I would photograph their wedding!!
Meredith and Okoye chose the beautiful Hyatt Lodge in Oakbrook for their New Year’s Eve wedding. When we arrived it was SO great to reconnect with Meredith and her bridesmaids, anyone would envy this incredibly supportive girl-squad! I absolutely LOVED their reactions when they saw their gorgeous friend as a bride! First looks will always have a special place in our hearts, and the moment when Okoye saw Meredith on their wedding day was so incredibly sweet. After some quick (and chilly!) pictures outside of the Hyatt Lodge we traveled to Visitation Parish in Elmhurst for their traditional and emotional ceremony.
After making things official then the party kicked off, I can’t think of a better way to ring in the New Year than celebrating a wedding with friends!! We settled back in at the Hyatt Lodge for a night of delicious food, drinks and dancing, it was the perfect night!
Congratulations, Meredith and Okoye, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Meredith and Okoye’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VIDEOGRAPHER
Vanilla Video
WEDDING COORDINATOR
Danielle Kolb Events
VENUE
Hyatt Lodge Oakbrook Chicago
FLORALS
Pesche’s
HAIR AND MAKEUP
Pin Me Up Chicago
WEDDING GOWN
Van Der Velde
WEDDING SHOES
Loeffler Randall
WEDDING RINGS
Ed Schmelzle & Sons
WEDDING CAKE
Creative Cakes
BRIDESMAID DRESSES
Hayley Paige
MENSWEAR
Emanuele Tuxedo Elmhurst
Kaitlin & John’s Elegant Fall Concorde Wedding
Kaitlin and John met at work, it took about a year before they realized they were interested in each other. She took a leap of faith and asked him to join her at an event – he said yes and the rest is history . . .
Kaitlin and John met at work, it took about a year before they realized they were interested in each other. She took a leap of faith and asked him to join her at an event – he said yes and the rest is history!
Through the trials of life Kaitlin and John have been each other’s rocks. John supported Kaitlin during her father’s illness and eventual passing. That steadfast support was on full display on their wedding day at the beautiful Concorde Banquets in Kildeer. John was so excited to see Kaitlin – their “first look” was so sweet. And in spite of seeing his bride before their ceremony John still teared up when Kaitlin walked down the aisle with her Mom. After their emotional ceremony Kaitlin and John snuck outside together for some portraits and quiet moments together as husband and wife. It was a perfect day that we were honored to be a part of.
Congratulations, Kaitlin and John, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Kaitlin and John’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
Photography
Something Blue Photography
Wedding Dress
Brides by Young
Hair & Makeup
Elisa Artistry LLC
Bridesmaid Dresses
Azazie
Wedding Shoes
Kate Whitcomb
Menswear
Jim's Formalwear
Florist
Twigs and Blooms
Wedding Rings
Bremer Jewelry
Desserts
Central Continental Bakery
DJ
Amp Event Professionals - Joe Fortuna
Videographer
Buller Media
Krista & Blake’s Romantic Arrowhead Golf Club Wedding
We first met Blake as he was preparing to propose to Krista. He planned the perfect moment for when he got down on one knee at the Naperville Riverwalk. Of course she said yes. . .
We first met Blake as he was preparing to propose to Krista. He planned the perfect moment for when he got down on one knee at the Naperville Riverwalk. Of course she said yes, it was so incredibly sweet to be there celebrating their proposal along with the people who love Krista and Blake the most!
Conrad shot Krista and Blake’s proposal and was so excited to see them again for their Busse Woods engagement session. They happened to be there as a big bouncy house event was going on and Conrad took some super fun pictures of them bouncing together to finish their shoot! We loved seeing that some of those happy bouncing pictures ended up on Krista and Blake’s Change the Date card, talk about making the best of a difficult situation!
When their wedding day finally arrived, Krista looked radiant in her beautiful gown from Here Comes the Bride. She did the sweetest first look with her grandfather before heading out to see Blake before their ceremony. After their first look, Krista and Blake’s Australian Shepherds Odin and Wally arrived in their coordinating doggy tuxes, they were totally the highlight of the day! Odin and Wally were such good boys in their little tuxedos, posing and smiling and having the best time celebrating their Mom and Dad’s wedding. It was the perfect day for the perfect couple, we were so happy to be there!
Congratulations, Krista and Blake, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Krista and Blake’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
Photography
Something Blue Photography
Wedding Dress
Here Comes the Bride
Wedding Shoes
Steve Madden
Caitlin & PJ’s Romantic Bolingbrook Country Club Wedding
Caitlin and PJ met with a little prompting from some mutual friends, PJ’s retelling of their love story is too sweet for us not to share:
“When I was running the gym, we had members who worked at the same school Caitlin did. I wasn't looking for a relationship at the time but they told me they had a girl for me…
Caitlin and PJ met with a little prompting from some mutual friends, PJ’s retelling of their love story is too sweet for us not to share:
“When I was running the gym, we had members who worked at the same school Caitlin did. I wasn't looking for a relationship at the time but they told me they had a girl for me. They described her and said she is a special ed teacher and cheerleading coach. I said, "absolutely not" because I had been to hundreds of cheerleading competitions from when my sister Jess cheered in high school so I knew a weird amount about competitive cheer. My family also has family members with diagnosis of autism and down syndrome whom we love unconditionally. I said "we would have too much to talk about and I know I'm going to like her." We connected and had our first date that upcoming weekend. As romantic as we are, we went to Chili's and when we sat down, she immediately put in her rewards code for free chips and salsa. Those who know Caitlin know she has a coupon for EVERYTHING. We couldn't stop talking and I'm not even sure if we ate. From that day on, we've been working together to be the best versions of ourselves and remind ourselves that "when I found you, I found me." One day I took her Dad, John, golfing on the 15th hole, I asked for his blessing to marry his daughter. I couldn't risk asking before we teed off in case he said no, well that would be an awkward 18 holes. He graciously gave me his blessing and I began planning right away. In July 2020, we came back from a family trip in Hilton Head and I invited both her immediate family and mine over for dinner. Caitlin's best friend Erin and sister-in-law Cassie helped me coordinate that she would dress nice and distract her enough to bring her to the front yard while we all snuck to the back. After 5 minutes but felt like an hour, we surprised her and I proposed surrounded by our loved ones. She did a happy dance as I fumbled through my speech and she said yes without hesitation.”
Last fall Conrad had the opportunity to get to know Caitlin and PJ a bit at their Cantigny engagement session. When the day came for Caitlin and PJ’s wedding at the beautiful Bolingbrook Country Club we were both so excited to celebrate with this awesome couple. Their day was really perfect – we loved Caitlin’s sweet first look with her Dad (where she loudly and hilariously told off some boneheads who drove their golf cart right through our photo opportunity). Their ceremony was filled with emotion (made even more powerful thanks to some next-level DJ expertise by our friend Ken of Amp Event Professionals). And while the weather was gloomy all day the sun cooperated and peeked out at the perfect time for some beautiful golden hour photos. We absolutely loved celebrating the love between Caitlin and PJ and wish these two a lifetime of happiness together.
Congratulations, Caitlin and PJ, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Caitlin and PJ’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDORS:
Photography
Something Blue Photography
Wedding Dress
Crystal Bride
Hair
Erika Romero
Makeup
Rose from Zano Salon
Bridesmaid Dresses
Azazie
Menswear
Black Tux
Floral
Floral Expressions
Cake / Desserts
Ciambella Bakery
Reception Coordinator
Nikilett Dieter
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.
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
WEDDING GOWN
Stephanie’s Bridal Boutique
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
David’s Bridal
GROOMS’ SUIT
Joseph Abboud
WEDDING RINGS
Valina
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.
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!!)
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.
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!!
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
Joanne and Jake’s Intimate Fox River Micro Wedding
Joanne never wanted a big wedding, so planning an intimate celebration in the midst of the pandemic actually suited her quite nicely. I met her and Jake (and their adorable daughter Olive!) for the first time on their wedding day, and it was such a joy to be alongside them as they exchanged their vows in Cary, IL.
Joanne never wanted a big wedding, so planning an intimate celebration in the midst of the pandemic actually suited her quite nicely. I met her and Jake (and their adorable daughter Olive!) for the first time on their wedding day, and it was such a joy to be alongside them as they exchanged their vows above the Fox River at an Airbnb in Cary. It was WINDY on their wedding day, but their ceremony was so still beautiful. After they made things official we took a short drive to Trout Valley, a hidden gem where my grandparents lived and I spent a lot of time exploring as a young girl. I have always wanted to photograph a wedding in Trout Valley so I was thrilled that Joanne and Jake were up for a little adventure! We had a wonderful time exploring together and watching sweet Olive have fun crunching leaves and finding sticks. It was a perfectly simple and beautiful afternoon, I was honored to be a part of it.
Congratulations, Joanne and Jake, thank you for sharing this beautiful day with me!
To see all of Joanne and Jake’s pretty micro wedding photos, click here
Nora and Alex’s Stunning Seven Bridges Country Club Wedding
Nora and Alex feel like family to us. I first met Nora years ago, when she was still single, at a boudoir session. I admired her strength and beauty then, she boldly did that session for herself but joked during and after that the photos would one day be a gift to her husband.
Nora and Alex feel like family to us. I first met Nora years ago, when she was still single, at a boudoir session. I admired her strength and beauty then, she boldly did that session for herself but joked during and after that the photos would one day be a gift to her husband.
Fast forward to 2017 and Alex reached out to let us know he would be proposing to Nora and wanted to do it during a couple’s session we had planned for that Spring. Conrad and I had the most fun at their proposal and were so honored to be a part of that beautiful moment in their lives.
Nora and Alex had planned to get married in the fall of 2019 but decided to hold off because they bought their first house together. But they could have never realized what was to come in 2020, and when the time came for their fall wedding they had to dramatically change their plans. When their wedding day finally arrived, Nora and Alex managed to limit their guest list to comply with regulations regarding the pandemic. They changed venues and chose Seven Bridges Golf Club in Woodridge because Alex’s grandma’s home backs up to the course. Nora and her girlfriends got ready at Alex’s grandma’s house, they all looked amazing thanks to the team at Windy City Glam. One of my favorite moments was when Nora’s niece Emma saw her aunt in her gorgeous gown from Volle’s and said she looked just like a princess.
After Nora finished getting ready, she had a special plan in place for her first look with Alex. She had her Mom, his Aunt, Mom and Grandma come out to give him special “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” gifts. It was so sweet to watch Alex receive all of these thoughtful gifts before he finally saw his bride!! Of course when Nora came out then we were all emotional, it was just the sweetest moment.
When we arrived at Seven Bridges the scene was set for a gorgeous ceremony. Walden Floral in Downers Grove did an amazing job decorating the ceremony space and creating the most beautiful bouquet and boutonniere. Nora’s cousin officiated the socially-distant ceremony, it was so sweet to see him emotional as he talked about having the honor of serving as the officiant for his cousin’s wedding.
After the ceremony, we took some family photos before heading inside for Nora and Alex’s lunch reception. They had the most DELICIOUS chocolate peanut butter cake from Molly’s Cupcakes in Naperville. Nora had given up carbs for a while before the wedding, it was hilarious to watch her sneak the entire cake away to their sweetheart table after getting a taste! As lunch wound down we snuck out onto the golf course for some beautiful photos with Nora and Alex, including an epic drone moment on one of the seven bridges. It was just the perfect day and we were so honored to be a part of it!!
Congratulations, Nora and Alex, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Nora and Alex’s gorgeous wedding photos, click here
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.
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
Katie + Matt’s Classic Micro Wedding
Katie and Matt had planned a big wedding celebration at The Brix this summer, but like so many of our Something Blue couples their plans were derailed by Covid-19. And while they moved their party to 2021, they still decided to make things official with a beautiful church ceremony at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Conrad loved being part of this romantic micro wedding. The ceremony was small and afterwards they celebrated with dinner for their immediate families. Katie carried a picture of her father on her bouquet, and Katie and Matt’s puppy Freedom stole the show when he showed up for some photo ops. Katie’s sister surprised her by renting a gorgeous pale blue (our favorite color!) vintage Chevy Biscayne. This awesome car made for the perfect wedding party photos down by the river.
We can’t wait to celebrate on a larger scale with Katie and Matt next summer, but it was a true joy to be part of this sweet micro wedding.
Congratulations, Katie and Matt, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Katie and Matt’s micro wedding photos, click here
Jenna and AJ’s Pretty Micro Wedding
Jenna and AJ met through mutual friends and time spent together at The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre. They fell in love over a shared passion for performing and grew to become each other’s biggest cheerleaders. When they decided to get married in 2020 they envisioned a big celebration with their friends and family, but of course the pandemic had different plans for all of our Something Blue couples. So Jenna and AJ scrambled to rearrange their wedding plans and pushed their big celebration to 2021. But in rescheduling they realized that being married couldn’t wait, and they chose to celebrate with an intimate micro wedding on their original wedding date.
I can honestly say, this tiny wedding with only a handful of guests in masks carried bigger emotions than we are accustomed to witnessing on most wedding days. Jenna surprised everyone by wearing her wedding gown, a sparkly confection that made her look like a Disney princess. Her best friend and new mother in law’s reactions to seeing Jenna in her gown when they were expecting a simple modest dress were some of my favorite moments on this sweet and magical day.
When Jenna walked down the short aisle at Hey Nonny, AJ held back tears seeing his best friend as a beautiful bride. They exchanged hand-written vows in front of their parents, siblings, and just a couple friends before joyfully exchanging rings and sharing their first kiss as husband and wife. It was simple and perfect.
After some celebratory pictures we went outside onto the Arlington Alfresco where Jenna and AJ’s wedding party surprised them with homemade signs, balloons and plenty of love. The newlyweds’ shock and joy at seeing their wedding party there waiting for them was beyond emotional, I was definitely wiping tears away from behind the camera. That show of support was so beautiful, and I truly cannot wait to get to know this amazing group better as we all celebrate together in 2021.
Congratulations, Jenna and AJ, we can’t wait to celebrate with you next year!
To see all of Jenna and AJ’s sweet micro wedding photos, click here
Isabel + Nik’s Garden Wedding
Conrad and I walk together almost every day. We wander the streets of Arlington Heights talking about important work things, important life things. These walks keep us healthy and grounded. Our favorite walks happen close to home, we love exploring our Scarsdale neighborhood just beyond the parking lot of our studio. There are so many beautiful homes and friendly faces in our neighborhood.
In April I received a phone call from Jane, a neighbor who saw our studio (well, our adorable Happy Blue Camper) on her own walk through Scarsdale. From that first phone call I knew that Jane would not only be a client but become a friend. And that is why I love this job. Because in the dealings of business I am blessed to meet amazing friends along the way.
Jane called me looking for someone to document her daughter’s wedding in June. Isabel and Nik had originally planned to get married abroad, but Covid-19 had other plans. So in the swirling chaos of this spring Jane worked to give her daughter a wedding to remember. And we were blessed to be a part of it. This micro wedding was attended only by Jane’s immediate family but we streamed the whole affair so that Nik’s family in Germany and Isabel’s friends in the states could be there.
This small, intimate backyard wedding was filled with big, beautiful moments. Bursting with love that carried across the Atlantic. It was such an honor and joy to witness this wedding, and now every time we walk past Jane’s beautiful home we will always wave at our new friends and smile remembering this unforgettable day.
Congratulations, Isabel and Nik, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Isabel and Nik’s gorgeous wedding photos, click here
Gorgeous floral design by Twigs and Blooms
Melissa + Tyler’s Garden Wedding
Melissa and Tyler had planned a big wedding at The Royal Melbourne at the end of May. All of their plans came to a screeching halt when Covid-19 and the shelter in place hit this spring. Like so many of our Something Blue couples, Melissa and Tyler were faced with the difficult reality of replanning their wedding. It has been humbling and beautiful watching our couples navigate this difficult time with grace and love. We can only begin to imagine how hard this has been for so many of you. Melissa and Tyler chose to still get married on their original wedding date but hold a big celebration in 2021. And I was truly honored to come alongside them (from a safe social distance, of course!) to photograph their beautiful and intimate garden wedding.
Tyler is my cousin, one of the few Versgroves left in the world. I adore Tyler, he has a gentle spirit and I have loved spending time with him since we were kids. Melissa is the perfect match for him - kind, loving, spirited, beautiful - and getting to know her better as she prepared to marry the love of her life was such a joy.
After Melissa got ready at my Aunt Debbie’s house (and ring-bearer Henry snuck in some epic trampoline bounces!) we headed to my Uncle Bill’s house for the ceremony. Bill and Theresa transformed their backyard into such a magical and romantic site for this intimate wedding. That moment when Melissa walked down the aisle and Tyler saw his gorgeous bride for the first time was beyond beautiful.
After officiant (and father of the ring-bearer!) Chris made it official, we all got ready to CELEBRATE! We feasted on Nothing But Bundt cakes, danced on the patio and welcomed guests who drove by to share their well-wishes with the newlyweds.
My Uncle Bill is an avid golfer, I loved that one of his golf carts was decked out and fancy for the newlyweds!
Congratulations, Melissa and Tyler, I love you and wish you both a lifetime of happiness together!! 💙
To see all of Melissa and Tyler’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
Florals by Wildrose Floral Design
Gown by Essense of Australia : purchased at Genevieve’s Bridal Couture
love is essential
Rooted in radical generosity, this is a movement to gift a wedding to essential workers
ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS UNTIL JULY 31st, 2020
Rooted in RADICAL GENEROSITY,
this is a movement to GIFT AN ENTIRE WEDDING to a deserving couple.
This is a movement is to serve and give back to ESSENTIAL WORKERS. To show LOVE triumphs over trial. To support fellow vendors in the wedding industry. We are working together to GIVE BACK in a time of uncertainty by gifting a deserving couple a completely FREE wedding.
Born from a desire to give radically, even in a time of great uncertainty, we have put together an amazing team of wedding vendors willing to donate their talents. Now, we are looking for the perfect couple. Two essential workers in love willing to share their story as we follow their wedding adventure. A couple madly in love who put their wedding plans on hold because of the pandemic. The Love is Essential wedding will take place in 2022 – between now and then we will follow our couple’s love story as they look forward to their dream wedding.
Love is Essential is happening because of the generosity of the best wedding vendors in Chicago. Our team is dedicated to giving back to essential workers to show our gratitude for their service. This outstanding team is comprised of:
LIZ SCHRENK – SOMETHING BLUE PHOTOGRAPHY
Liz developed the concept of Love is Essential when the shelter in place began. Inspired by the Gratitude Movement, Liz wanted to save her own small business and support friends in the wedding industry. Her heart is to serve others and give back to Essential Workers in this challenging and historic time.
JENNY BARTKUS – JPB DESIGNS WEDDING PLANNING
Jenny runs JPB Designs + Co., a renowned boutique wedding and event planning firm. Jenny specializes in creating unforgettable weddings that showcase each couples’ individuality. Philanthropy is at the heart of JPB Designs and Jenny is thankful to be giving back through Love is Essential.
CONRAD WERES – SOMETHING BLUE VIDEOGRAPHY
Conrad is Liz’s business partner and the backbone of Something Blue. Conrad helped Liz dream about the possibility of being radically generous and gifting an entire wedding to a couple serving on the front lines of the Covid-19 battle. Conrad has a background in marketing from Columbia College.
KEN MURPHY – AMP EVENT PROFESSIONALS
At the heart of every wedding beats the party, the joyful celebration of love. No one throws a party like Ken and his team at Amp Event Professionals. Ken is the hardest working DJ in Chicago; his top priority is to create unforgettable memories for his couples and their guests at every event.
JAMIE AND LEAH – POST 433 EVENTS
When we first envisioned Love is Essential we dreamed of finding the perfect Chicago venue to host this incredible event. The Old Post Office is a monumental Chicago landmark whose history naturally honors essential workers. This grand historic building has been reimagined as a magnificent venue space capable of hosting beautiful and unforgettable events. We were thrilled when Jamie and Leah joined our team; we can’t wait to celebrate our couple’s wedding in this amazing venue!
The couple shown in these pictures are Stephanie and Jeremy, two amazing essential workers who were married in January of 2020. Stephanie is a nurse and Jeremy is a firefighter. To help us with this project, they generously volunteered (on their shared day off) to model for us in the heart of Chicago. We loved documenting their connection and getting a glimpse of what life has been like for them as essential workers as they wade through the rough waters of 2020.
We are searching for two essential workers who have put their wedding plans on hold. Two people madly in love but committed to serving our community. If you would like to nominate yourself or a friend, please complete this form.
We have the most beautiful gift to give – now, we need to find the perfect couple.