Stefanie and Paul’s Elegant Micro Wedding Ceremony
I have so much love for the Madison family, my dear friend Catherine is one of TWELVE siblings and it’s been an honor to get to know them over the years. Conrad and I loved being part of her sister Mary Jo’s wedding a couple years ago, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to photograph another Madison wedding this October when Stefanie married her little brother Paul in an intimate ceremony at St. James in Arlington Heights.
I have so much love for the Madison family, my dear friend Catherine is one of TWELVE siblings and it’s been an honor to get to know them over the years. Conrad and I loved being part of her sister Mary Jo’s wedding a couple years ago, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to photograph another Madison wedding this October when Stefanie married her little brother Paul in an intimate ceremony at St. James in Arlington Heights. Stefanie was the kindest and most beautiful bride, her laid-back demeanor perfectly suited the quiet and unassuming vibe of their micro wedding. I met her at her childhood home in Arlington Heights, took a few pictures while she finished getting ready before she slipped into her awesome Michael Kors white wedding jumpsuit. I secretly hope that jumpsuits become more of a thing for our 2021 brides!!
After Stefanie was ready we stepped outside for a few quick family photos. Stefanie’s childhood friend and neighbor was also planning her own pandemic micro wedding, and she stepped in for a quick hug and a couple pictures before we left for St. James. It was THE sweetest moment!!
When we arrived at St. James I loved catching up with some of the Madisons, with twelve children and many grandchildren their family made this micro wedding ceremony feel pretty big!! Paul had tears in his eyes as Stefanie walked down the aisle, and after they were pronounced husband and wife these two were beaming from ear to ear. After a few more pictures at the church we went to my neighbors stunning backyard to take advantage of the fall colors and a cozy bonfire, it was the perfect day!
Congratulations, Stefanie and Paul, thank you for inviting me to share in this beautiful day! I wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Stefanie and Paul’s gorgeous micro wedding photos, click here
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.
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
Joanne and Casey’s Gorgeous Garden Wedding
Joanne and Casey were friends before realizing there could be something more to their relationship. After her divorce, Casey would help Joanne with projects around her house, and eventually their friendship grew into a loving relationship. They are both avid gardeners and worked tirelessly to make their yard perfect for their beautiful garden wedding. Casey is proud of the different types of conifers he has in their yard, while Joanne is always in the garden and worked very hard to have it perfectly manicured for their wedding. Casey joked she would be weeding in her wedding dress!
Lindsay loved photographing all of the many details that made Joanne and Casey’s garden wedding unique. Casey made homemade wine for the wedding – red and white – while Joanne’s daughter created the beautiful labels. Joanne asked her caterer (Dave’s Specialities in Mount Prospect) to use some of her own delicious recipes. The flowers by The Eiffel Flower in Arlington Heights were gorgeous, they worked closely with Joanne to create her dream garden wedding.
Congratulations, Joanne and Casey, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Joanne and Casey’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
Bridget + Joel’s Romantic Micro Wedding
Bridget and Joel were the first of their friends to get engaged, and while they had to dramatically change their wedding plans in the wake of Covid-19 they still managed to have the most romantic and beautiful micro wedding this summer.
Bridget and Joel were the first of their friends from Purdue to get engaged, and while they had to dramatically change their wedding plans in the wake of Covid-19 they still managed to have the most romantic and beautiful micro wedding this summer. Conrad and Lindsay had such a great time celebrating with this adorable couple and their incredibly supportive friends - Lindsay said that Bridget’s bridesmaids were oohing and aahing the whole day, she said we wished we could rent them out for cheering all of our couples on!
One of our favorite moments from any wedding day is when the Father of the Bride first sees his little girl as a bride. There is something so emotional and beautiful in that moment that we will never get tired of. Bridget’s Dad was emotional all day, his reaction to seeing her and that moment just before he walked her down he aisle was incredibly touching. He even got teary when he did his backyard toast after their ceremony, it was so sweet. We are so thankful for this wonderful couple, what a joy to be part of this beautiful day.
Congratulations, Bridget and Joel, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Bridget and Joel’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
Sarah and Dean’s Small and Sweet Backyard Wedding
Sarah and Dean’s wedding was our first Covid cancellation. It seems like so long ago now, but the sadness that we all felt when those spring wedding plans screeched to a halt still feels raw. All of their details were in place for their April wedding, but the universe had different plans for these two.
Sarah and Dean’s wedding was our first Covid cancellation. It seems like so long ago now, but the sadness that we all felt when those spring wedding plans screeched to a halt still feels raw. All of their details were in place for their April wedding, but the universe had different plans for these two. Yet through it all Sarah and Dean held their heads up and stayed rooted in their love for one another. While they were forced to move their big celebration to 2021, Sarah and Dean still decided to make things official this August with a very small and intimate ceremony at her home church, Holy Family in Inverness. While only their parents and her sister looked on, Sarah and Dean exchanged their vows quietly in the beautiful sanctuary before heading to her parents’ backyard for a humble celebration. It was quite honestly so perfect and romantic – while the day wasn’t anything like they first envisioned, it was still a truly special evening bursting with love and joy.
Congratulations, Sarah and Dean, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Sarah and Dean’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
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.