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
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
Emily & Matt’s Perfect Chevy Chase Country Club Wedding
Emily and Matt were introduced through a mutual friend – she was his first friend in Kindergarten and went to college with Emily. Every time Matt would come by Emily’s apartment in Wrigleyville they would talk for hours on end . . .
Emily and Matt were introduced through a mutual friend – she was his first friend in Kindergarten and went to college with Emily. While Emily and that friend were living together in Wrigleyville, Matt came over to their apartment and was always the last one to leave – they haven't stopped talking since then! Once Emily and Matt started dating, they quickly became a part of each other's families and friend groups. Emily says that she quickly knew he was the one and he made her feel completely herself.
Matt and Emily got engaged at Geneva National in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (one of our favorite wedding venues!!) When their wedding day arrived Conrad, Christy and I were so excited to be a part of their celebration. Conrad first got to know Emily and Matt at their beautiful engagement session at Cantigny last Fall. I remember Conrad telling me after their session that Emily and Matt are just perfect together. They quietly and joyfully complement one another. Emily is a planner and had thought of every detail for their wedding, of all the details pictures I have shot this year I think that Emily’s may be my favorite! I mean, how cute are her custom Vans??! And I was completely obsessed with the gorgeous florals that Flowers by KH created for Emily and Matt’s wedding, the bouquets and centerpieces were absolutely gorgeous. From their emotional first look to romantic first dance this was truly a perfect day filled with tears, giggles and radiant love; it was an honor to be a part of this day.
Congratulations, Emily and Matt, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Emily and Matt’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Chevy Chase Country Club
WEDDING COORDINATOR
Exquisitely Designed Events
FLORIST
Flowers by KH
HAIR & MAKEUP
The Hitching Post
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Bella Bianca
WEDDING BAND
Bluewater Kings Band
WEDDING RINGS
Norridge Jewelers
WEDDING CAKE
Emily’s Home Kitchen
Eileen & Darryl’s Beautiful Eaglewood Resort Wedding
Eileen and Darryl are so incredibly sweet together. When I met them over the summer for their engagement session at the Lincoln Park Nature Conservatory we had the best time laughing and exploring together . . .
Eileen and Darryl are so incredibly sweet together. When I met them downtown over the summer for their engagement session at the Lincoln Park Nature Conservatory we had the best time laughing and exploring together. But I will never forget how Darryl looked at Eileen that day. He was SO sweetly excited any time I asked him to kiss his fiancée, his face lit up in those photos and it was really just the best thing.
We always meet with our couples about a month before their wedding day to go over their timelines and final details. When Eileen and Darryl came to the studio in September they shared the most amazing news with us – they are expecting a baby this Spring! Darryl was absolutely beaming with pride.
On their wedding day Darryl had THE sweetest reaction to seeing Eileen walk down the aisle. Then for the rest of the day he couldn’t keep his eyes off his beautiful wife. After we took our “goodnight photo” at Eaglewood Resort and hugged them goodbye Darryl thanked us for all the times we made him kiss Eileen that day! :) It was the perfect day, we loved celebrating with this adorable couple and can’t wait to meet Baby Bell!!
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Congratulations, Eileen and Darryl, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Eileen and Darryl’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
Photography & Videography
Something Blue Photography
Wedding Dress
Diana's Bridal - Skokie
Hair
Rhea Policarpio Etherheal Beauty Phone
Bridesmaid Dresses
Revelry
Florist
Karen - The Flower Studio
Wedding Rings
Ray from New Design Jewelry
Desserts
Oat Mill Bakery
Taylor & Alex’s Gorgeous Chevy Chase Wedding Reception
Taylor and Alex originally planned to get married in August of 2020, but Covid had other plans for their lives. Not wanting to wait that long, Taylor and Alex exchanged their vows in an intimate ceremony last summer . . .
We were first introduced to Taylor and Alex by our good friend Ken from Amp Event Professionals. Taylor is Ken’s sister in law and has a heart of gold. Taylor and Alex originally planned to get married in August of 2020, but Covid had other plans for their lives. Not wanting to wait that long, Taylor and Alex exchanged their vows in an intimate ceremony last summer with their closest family and friends in attendance. It was one of my favorite Covid weddings, there was so much emotion and beauty in that courtyard ceremony at Taylor’s home church.
Ashley and I were so excited when it was finally time for Taylor and Alex to properly celebrate their marriage this October at Chevy Chase Country Club. It was unseasonably hot for October 1st and Taylor struggled a bit in the heat, but after we got her cooled down the rest of their day was really perfect. We loved celebrating with Taylor and Alex and their loved ones, and at the end of the night we toasted to their lives together with their adorable and delicious home-brewed beer! It was a perfect night with the perfect couple, we wish we could photograph Taylor and Alex every year!
Congratulations, Taylor and Alex, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Taylor and Alex’s beautiful wedding reception photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
Photography
Something Blue Photography
Wedding Dress
Stella York
Hair
Every Kind of Beautiful in Lake Zurich Dawn McKee
Makeup
Every Kind of Beautiful in Lake Zurich Anna Milanzi
Bridesmaid Dresses
Wedding Shoes
Menswear
Men's Wearhouse
Florist
Blooming Flowers
Wedding Rings
Neil Lane
Desserts
Lovin Oven Cakery
Wedding Coordinator
Kimberly Merwin
Videographer
Tom Munaco
Jenna and AJ’s Happily Ever After
Jenna and AJ’s love story reads like a fairy tale. They are truly perfect together, a princess who found her prince in someone who shares her love of music. Jenna works at The Metropolis and met AJ through his Mom…
Jenna and AJ’s love story reads like a fairy tale. They are truly perfect together, a princess who found her prince in someone who shares her love of music. Jenna works at The Metropolis and met AJ through his Mom, once they connected there were instant sparks between them! They grew to love each other and on their two year anniversary AJ proposed to Jenna in New York City, her favorite place in the world.
As Jenna and AJ planned their wedding they imagined a beautiful storybook celebration. But when Covid descended and life became filled with uncertainty this sweet couple was forced to change their plans. Jenna and AJ chose to get married on their original wedding date and exchanged their vows in an intimate ceremony at Hey Nonny in front of their immediate families and closest friends. It was a perfect day. And this year, Jenna and AJ finally got their “happily ever after” when we all gathered together at Victoria in the Park for the most beautiful celebration. The atmosphere was so charged with love and joy we truly didn’t want it to end, from the first sparkly moments to the packed dance floor with our friend Ken from Amp Event Professionals we had such a wonderful time finally properly celebrating Jenna and AJ!
Congratulations, Jenna and AJ, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Jenna and AJ’s happily ever after photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
Photography
Something Blue Photography
Videographer
Something Blue Photography
Venue
Victoria in the Park
Hair and Makeup
Rania and Silvana from Studiano's.
Bridesmaid Dresses
B2 by Jasmine Bridal
Wedding Shoes
Express
Menswear
Larr Brio
Florist
Budget Bride
Wedding Rings
Brilliant Earth
Jamie & Brent’s Makray Memorial and Top Golf Wedding
Jamie and Brent’s relationship has a steady foundation that withstood the test of Covid as they navigated planning and then replanning their wedding. We loved first getting to know this fun couple (and their adorable dog Stanley!)…
Jamie and Brent’s relationship has a steady foundation that withstood the test of Covid as they navigated planning and then replanning their wedding. We loved first getting to know this fun couple (and their adorable dog Stanley!) at their engagement session way back in 2019. Little did we know then what path their wedding planning would take.
When their wedding day finally arrived, the forecast called for storms ALL. DAY. We weren’t expecting to get any photos outside, but the heavens smiled down on Jamie and Brent and we managed to get lots of beautiful pictures at Makray Memorial Golf Club that day. One of our favorite moments was when Jamie surprised Brent by having their dog Stanley there, he was SO excited to see Mom and Dad and show off his little doggie tux!
Brent recently lost his father, and Jamie’s Dad passed away ten years ago this summer. They chose to honor their fathers in several beautiful ways on their wedding day, but the sweetest and most emotional was the two chairs marked as “reserved” with their Dads’ favorite football team’s logo in the front row at the ceremony.
As they replanned their wedding in light of the pandemic, Jamie and Brent chose to do their reception at Top Golf. We loved the decision to go somewhere FUN for their reception, and their guests had an amazing time! It was a beautiful and unforgettable day.
Congratulations, Jamie and Brent, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Jamie and Brent’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
Photography
Something Blue Photography
Ceremony Venue
Makray Memorial Golf Club
Reception Venue
Top Golf
Wedding Dress
Brides By Young
Hair and Makeup
Beauty by Jaide
Bridesmaids Dresses
Davids Bridal
Menswear
Mens Warehouse
Floral
Town and Country Gardens Contact Name
Wedding Rings
Rogers and Holland
Wedding Cake
Cakes by Diony
Reception Coordinator
Valarie
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
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.