Lisa & Gavin’s Joyous Ravinia Green Country Club Wedding

Lisa and Gavin met through mutual friends who told them both over text that the knew someone for the other. Lisa wrote this sweet account of their relationship:

“Gavin was described as being a sports fan (Reds, Colts, Pacers, Purdue), liking music, going to concerts, rescuing a golden mix doggie, being an actuary but fun, tall, and loving to play board games. Lisa replied she could handle a Reds fan even though the Cubs are better, he should be okay with her singing in the car even if the words are wrong the notes are always in tune, she can handle walking a dog, she prefers the Cubs, Bears, Bulls, and Illini but will be polite to other teams, has a big family and will likely choose fun over an extra shift as a Rush ICU nurse. Gavin promised he was only 80% as charming on the phone compared to text messages and so they met. Over the next 3 years they enjoyed meeting each other’s family and friends, going to games, concerts, botanic gardens, and adventures with Luke Pup. Dating through a pandemic added a new challenge to the 137 mile commute between Bloomington Illinois and Wrigleyville Chicago Illinois. In January 2021 Gavin took a new job with CNA after 21 years at State Farm and they bought a house they love in Palatine, Illinois. Gavin had a great plan for a proposal, but due to an accident the day before, Lisa was not going to be able to trek Starved Rock with a straight leg brace and crutches, even though she still wanted to go. Gavin turned out to be a great home nurse and once Lisa was up and walking he took her back to her beloved Wrigleyville for dinner. They went to the first place they went to for dinner in the city, Uncommon Ground, on a Saturday night. Gavin asked her if she could walk to Wrigley Field and Lisa took off on her crutches. It was a beautiful night out, no game; which made for a private proposal, and thankfully no names on the giant scoreboard!”

Conrad loved getting to know Lisa and Gavin at their engagement session last winter and was excited to photograph their wedding with Christy. They both have connections to Lisa and Gavin’s friends and family – Christy’s Dad sings in their church choir with Lisa while Conrad has connections from his childhood youth group. Once Lisa and Gavin’s wedding was over it was clear from seeing their pictures and hearing Conrad and Christy talk that this was a joyous day. After their beautiful and traditional ceremony at St. Edna Catholic Church Lisa and Gavin were showered in dried flowers as their happily exited the church (Gavin’s facial expression was hilarious!) Lisa then sweetly pinned a grape soda bottle cap onto Gavin’s lapel to reference “Up,” one of their favorite movies.

When they arrived at Ravinia Green Country Club everything was set for a perfect evening. The reception room looked so pretty and they were treated to the most amazing sunset, it was the perfect happy day!

Congratulations, Lisa and Gavin, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Lisa and Gavin’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue

RECEPTION VENUE
Ravinia Green Country Club

FLOWERS
Joseph’s Florist

DJ
Fig Media

WEDDING CAKE
Lovin Oven Cakery

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. 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

DJ
AMP Event Professionals

Reception Coordinator
Nikilett Dieter

Colleen & Craig’s Christmas in July Chevy Chase Wedding

Colleen LOVES Christmas. She notoriously puts up her tree way earlier than anyone else, and she had always dreamed of having a Christmas wedding. She had planned the Christmas wedding of her dreams before Covid forced those plans to change. Colleen’s dreams of snow and mistletoe were dashed when her and Craig had to move their Chevy Chase celebration to July of 2021.

In his love for Colleen, Craig suggested they plan a “Christmas in July” wedding. These two are both incredibly thoughtful, and their genuine love for their friends and family was on full display on their wedding day. Conrad and I were so happy to see so many familiar faces at Colleen and Craig’s wedding; we photographed Craig’s sister’s wedding a couple summers ago and it was so great to reconnect with them! Both of these families have so much love for each other, and everyone was so kind to us at Colleen and Craig’s wedding. One of our favorite moments was Colleen’s sweet first look with her Dad and brother, everyone was crying (including us!) when they first saw Colleen in her gorgeous wedding dress.

It was amazing to work with our dear “friendors” Ken and Ryan at this wedding – Ken of Amp Event Professionals is the hardest working and kindest DJ we know, it’s always amazing to watch him work his magic on the dance floor. And Ryan of RJO Photo is always a great partner and good for a ton of laughs when we get to work together! This was such a magical day filled with joy, love and so many beautiful moments. When it was time to say goodnight we mixed up a batch of fake snow to give Colleen her snow and mistletoe photos, it was the perfect ending to this unforgettable day.

Congratulations, Colleen and Craig, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Colleen and Craig’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS

Photography
Something Blue Photography

Videographer
RJO Photo

Wedding Dress
Morilee From Here Comes The Bride

Hair and Makeup
Jaycie Ganek

Bridesmaid Dresses
Azazie

Menswear
Calvin Klein

Floral
Fabbrinis’ Flowers

DJ
Amp Event Professionals

Lauren and Ian’s Chevy Chase Summer Wedding

Lauren and Ian used to work together, but she didn’t see him as more than a coworker until she ran into him years later. Their paths crossed again at a friend’s birthday bar crawl, and Lauren won Ian over by buying him shots that night at the bar.

After that night Lauren and Ian were inseparable, and soon they were engaged. Conrad loved doing a fun Blackhawks engagement session for this sweet couple in the winter of 2019. Lauren and Ian’s path to their big wedding day was long and winding due to circumstances beyond their control. Covid pushed them to have an intimate wedding celebration last summer, which was one of our favorite backyard weddings of the pandemic. Their love for the Blackhawks was sweetly woven into the details last summer, and when we all gathered again in 2021 for their big celebration at Chevy Chase there were lots of fun Hawks details to go around.

Their big party was well worth the wait, we had the best time celebrating with Lauren and Ian’s family and friends. During their vow renewal, Ian (a man of few words) sweetly told his wife “I love you so much I would marry you twice.” And we love this couple so much, we would happily photograph them over and over again.

Congratulations Lauren and Ian, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Lauren and Ian’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS

Photography
Something Blue

Videography
Our Wedding Movie

Wedding Gown
Jenny Yoo From Brideside

Wedding Rings
Helzberg

Florist
JH Events and Flowers

Wedding Cake
Lovin Oven

DJ
Spin N Play

Wedding Coordinator
Josh Nilsson

Wedding Shoes
Badgley Mischka

Menswear Designer
Men’s Wearhouse

Ashley and Ryan’s Magical Makray Wedding

Ashley and Ryan met over a decade ago, but they travelled a long and winding road to find themselves at the altar. While they ran in the same circles the timing was never quite right for them to start dating. They finally made things official in January 2018, and before long these two knew they were meant to be together forever.

When Ashley and Ryan’s wedding day arrived, there was SO much positive and supportive energy surrounding this sweet couple. After Ashley slipped into her gorgeous Maggie Sottero gown we arranged a super cute reveal for her girls, they were all really happy and excited to see their gorgeous friend as a bride. Talk about the ultimate squad goals!

It was an unusually hot day for Ashley and Ryan’s June wedding, the complete opposite of their beautiful winter engagement session. Once it was just Ashley and Ryan together the two of them were calm, cool and collected. Ryan’s response to seeing Ashley was SO cute, he totally became the human mind-blown emoji! Our favorite part of the day was when we had those quiet moments with just the two of them, they are so in love and perfect together! After their ceremony their wedding party celebrated with a fun champagne toast, the best transition to the epic party they threw at Makray Memorial Golf Club.

Congratulations, Ashley and Ryan, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Ashley and Ryan’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
Photography
Something Blue

Videography
Daniel Bragiel

Hair and Makeup
Deb Petrelli & Team

Wedding Gown
Maggie Sotero from The Crystal Bride

Florist
Fabbrini’s Flowers

Wedding Cake
Lovin Oven

Wedding Rings
Jared

Bridesmaid Dresses
David’s Bridal

Menswear
Calvin Klein

Live Band
DeJa Vu Band

Brittany and Eric’s Beautiful Mistwood Golf Club Wedding

Brittany and Eric met in high school and have been inseparable ever since. They welcomed their adorable son Joe in 2019 and worked to plan their beautiful Mistwood Golf Club wedding all while raising a baby during the pandemic.

When the big day finally arrived, Brittany was so peaceful and beautiful as she got ready with her squad of supportive family and girlfriends. Brittany rocked Converse along with her gorgeous ivory lace Essense of Australia gown, we love a bride who prioritizes comfort for a long wedding day!!

After we arrived at Mistwood in Romeoville, Brittany and Eric shared a sweet First Look just outside the club. Little Joe came along to see his Mommy and Daddy all dressed up, it was the most adorable moment! We had the best time celebrating this amazing family along with all of their guests!

Congratulations, Brittany and Eric, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Brittany and Eric’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY // VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue

WEDDING FLOWERS
Floral Events

WEDDING GOWN
Essense of Australia

BRIDAL SHOES
Converse

WEDDING CAKE
Creative Cakes

MENSWEAR
Calvin Klein

DJ
Tone Productions

Caitlin and Griffin’s Moving Makray Wedding

Caitlin and Griffin planned their dream wedding at Makray Memorial Golf Club well before the craziness of 2020 settled in. As their wedding day drew closer they knew they would have to limit their guest list to 50 people to stay within the acceptable range of events held in Illinois. Being both very laid back and chill people, Caitlin and Griffin were able to scale back their celebration but still have a wedding that was completely centered on the love they share.

Choosing to follow tradition Caitlin and Griffin waited until their ceremony to see each other. But Caitlin did get in a sweet moment with her Dad when he saw his little girl for the first time as a bride. It was so moving when they saw each other, and just as sweet then when Caitlin’s Dad walked her down the long aisle to Griffin. After their emotional ceremony Caitlin and Griffin let loose toasting a beer together before heading out on the golf course for photos with just the two of them. They loved that time they had together, just exploring and being present in the first moments after they officially became husband and wife. This was a beautiful day that we were so thankful to be a part of.

Congratulations, Caitlin and Griffin, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Caitlin and Griffin’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

Dina + Jim’s Romantic Makray Memorial Golf Club Wedding

Dina and Jim had a long friendship before they realized there was something more there. Their love brought two families together, and their wedding day managed to bring the people they love most together for a sweet celebration in the midst of the tumult of 2020. With their small group it was easy to respect social distancing and be comfortable during Dina and Jim’s wedding. It was such an absolute joy for me to return to Makray Memorial Golf Club (our “home away from home”) to photograph a wedding after our long pandemic-induced hiatus. And I was so impressed with the work they have done in their ballroom in 2020, the heavy gold drapes and tacky wall art and carpets have been replaced by elegant and more neutral decor to better showcase the beauty of this space that we love so much.

Dina looked radiant as she finished getting ready with her daughters and sister in the bridal suite at Makray. As she prepared to walk down the aisle the amazing team at Fabbrini’s Flowers put the finishing touches on the ceremony site, which had to be moved inside because of rain. I loved how Jim rolled with everything as the day unfolded, and with a big happy smile calmly told me “this ain’t my first rodeo.” It was a truly beautiful rodeo, though, and it was such an honor to be a part of it.

Congratulations, Dina and Jim, you are so loved!!

To see all of Dina and Jim’s beautiful wedding photos, click here