Susan and Zach’s Love is Essential Wedding

In the Spring of 2020 our world came crashing to a halt when the threat of Covid-19 forced us to shelter in place. As wedding vendors, we watched helplessly as countless couples rescheduled their weddings and wondered when we would get back to doing what we love. A wave of support for essential workers took hold of us and we desperately wanted to do SOMETHING to give back to those who were selflessly giving of themselves to our community.

Inspired by the Gratitude Project, Conrad and I had the idea to give a FREE wedding to two deserving essential workers. Knowing this idea would be an enormous undertaking we enlisted the help of some of our favorite “friendors” and called Jenny of JPB Designs Wedding & Event Planning and Ken of Amp Event Professionals. Jenny and Ken’s enthusiastic response to Love is Essential laid the groundwork for what would become an 18+ month project to plan the perfect wedding for two deserving essential workers.

We met every week over Zoom to plan this wedding, and as our vendor team grew so did the love and excitement we all shared. After an extensive search and application process we chose Susan and Zach to be our Love is Essential couple. Susan and Zach both work at James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center where they serve our veteran population. They were forced to reschedule their wedding twice because of Covid and had all but given up hope that they would ever have the wedding they dreamed of having.

As we got to know Susan and Zach we fell in love with their humility and loving kindness. We could not have possibly found a more deserving and wonderful couple to gift this wedding to. It was such a joy to plan their dream wedding with our incredibly talented and generous vendor team at the absolutely gorgeous Old Post Office. For all of the hard work and investment of time and resources we would do it all over again in a heartbeat. We only hope that our photos and videos do justice to the beautiful scope of Love is Essential.

Love is Essential was featured on WGN, click here to watch the segment!

Congratulations, Susan and Zach (and Shiloh!), we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

And to every single individual who worked to make this unforgettable wedding possible. thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are in awe of your talent and generosity and so grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside you on this project.

To see all of Susan and Zach’s gorgeous wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue

PLANNING + COORDINATION
JPB Designs

VENUE
The Old Post Office

FLORALS
Vale of Enna

CATERING
Blue Plate Chicago

DJ
Amp Event Professionals

CEREMONY BAND
J Livi & The Party

HAIR AND MAKEUP
Tricia Clarke

EVENT DECOR
Yanni Design Studio

LINENS
BBJ La Tavola

RENTALS
Tablescapes Chicago

INVITATIONS
Ink Love and Paper

STATIONERY
Simply Scripted Ink

CAKE
Defloured

DESSERTS
Vanille

BRIDAL DRESSER
The Wedding Dresser

BRIDES DRESS
The Altar

BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES
Anthropologie

MENSWEAR
Emanuele Tuxedo

Pam and John’s Long-Awaited Celebration

Pam and John were married last March in front of their parents at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Aurora. It was a lovely intimate celebration of their love, it was an honor for us to be there along with their parents (and other guests over Zoom!)

After patiently waiting for the pandemic to run it’s course, Pam and John were ready to PARTY with their guests. This March, Pam and John were finally able to fully celebrate their marriage along with their family and friends. It was SO worth the wait, we had the most wonderful time celebrating with everyone! We gathered together at Hoosier Grove Barn, a beautiful rustic space in Streamwood IL. Pam had chosen a new dress for the party, it was fun to photograph that dress while she finished getting ready with her bridesmaids. Pam and John’s first look was surprisingly so sweet and emotional (considering these two had already been married for a year!) We had the best time photographing these two and their loved ones, before the reception kicked off. After cutting their Nothing Bundt Cake and listening to emotional toasts in their honor Pam and John took to the dance floor and didn’t leave for the rest of the night. It was the perfect party, everyone had such an amazing time!!

Congratulations, Pam and John, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Pam and John’s beautiful wedding photos click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue

VENUE
Hoosier Grove Barn

HAIR AND MAKEUP
Tricia Clarke Bridal

FLORIST
Fabbrini Flowers

DJ
Five-O DJ Entertainment

DONUTS
BB Baby Donuts

Jaleesa and Josh’s Intimate Courthouse Celebration

We first met Jalessa and Josh at Michelle and Eric’s Marriott Lincolnshire wedding earlier this summer. When Conrad got the call to photograph this sweet couple at their intimate courthouse wedding in Sycamore, IL he was SO excited to celebrate with them! After a quiet but emotional ceremony in the courthouse Jaleesa and Josh met their friends outside for some pictures, it was really just the perfect morning!!

LaNece and Ben’s Magical Micro Wedding

LaNece and Ben fell into the swirling chaos and uncertainty of 2020 like so many of our Something Blue couples. Their wedding was originally scheduled for June, but of course the pandemic had other plans. They rescheduled for 2021 but decided that they couldn’t wait to get married. LaNece and Ben eventually settled on a small, intimate wedding planned for their 8th dating anniversary.

They chose a beautiful Airbnb in Wrigleyville for their wedding, an airy and modern brownstone with a gorgeous rooftop that made for the perfect ceremony backdrop. Apple Creek Flowers created stunning fall florals to help decorate the brownstone and made LaNece the most dramatic bouquet. LaNece pinned two meaningful charms to her bouquet - a “Something Blue” charm with a photo of her younger brother who passed away in 2014 and a “Something Old” charm handed down from her great-grandmother. The pin represented the goddess Athena and was worn on her great-grandmother’s uniform in the Women’s Army Corps.

I met LaNece at the brownstone, I was taking photos outside of her dress and details when she arrived with her mom. Her makeup looked flawless thanks to Maria of BeauteLuxe and her Hair by Carrieann was just perfect. After LaNece slipped into her gorgeous Madison James gown her mom helped her put on the finishing touches out front before the ceremony began.

LaNece’s grandpa built a lovely arch for their ceremony, and Ben nervously waited there for his bride to arrive. Their ceremony was filled with thoughtful and personal touches, thanks in large part to their officiant, Debra of Vista Events, who took great care to ensure that LaNece and Ben’s wedding was unforgettable. With their mothers and grandparents looking on LaNece and Ben finally became husband and wife, it was an honor to be a part of this beautiful day.

Congratulations, LaNece and Ben, you are so loved! We wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of LaNece and Ben’s beautiful micro 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 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

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

Sara and Pat’s Sweet and Simple Backyard Wedding

Sara and Pat chose to turn their large wedding plans into a sweet and simple celebration in his parents’ backyard. Over the summer they bought their first home together across the street, so celebrating their wedding in the same cul-de-sac made perfect sense. They only invited immediate family and their closest friends, and it was truly the most perfect and beautiful day.

Sara looked radiant as she got ready along with her bridesmaids at her sister-in-law’s beautiful home. When we arrived at Pat’s mom’s house he was anxious for his first look with Sara, and they were both surprised to see him cry when he saw his bride. It was a rainy afternoon but we managed to squeeze in some beautiful bridal portraits before their ceremony. Under the little white tent, Sara and Pat exchanged vows in the most emotional and beautiful ceremony officiated by the amazing Melissa Wall. Melissa filled the ceremony with personal stories and meaningful moments, we all thought that she was close friends with Sara and Pat, I would absolutely recommend her to ANYONE looking for a caring officiant!

After the ceremony ended we heard honking coming from the street, when we ran to the front of the house we saw dozens of cars parading by to wish Sara and Pat well on their wedding day!! Joyful Covid parades have to be one of the best things to come out of 2020, right?! It was so sweet to see their friends and family drive by with signs, balloons and cards all while honking and cheering for the newlyweds.

Congratulations, Sara and Pat, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Sara and Pat’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

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

Jessica and Matt’s Beautiful Backyard Wedding

In the turmoil of 2020, Jessica and Matt decided that an intimate wedding suited them perfectly when faced with the decision to change their big plans. They recently bought a beautiful new home in Barrington and transformed their backyard for the most beautiful celebration over Labor Day weekend. Every pretty detail looked amazing, Jessica made everything look so beautiful (with help from the amazing florists at Aberdeen’s). But what really made this the perfect backyard wedding was the LOVE between these two. Jessica and Matt were clearly made for each other. They light up when they are near each other, and after their romantic ceremony (that her brother hilariously officiated) these two couldn’t keep their eyes off each other. It was such a joy to be part of this unforgettable day.

Congratulations, Jessica and Matt, you are SO loved! I wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Jessica and Matt’s beautiful backyard wedding photos, click here

Love is Essential - Announcing Our Winning Couple!

In the heaviest days of 2020 I longed for something positive to lift my spirits. I sought ways to give back to the amazing essential workers who sacrificed so much for our community. I needed something that would give me hope for my professional future in the wedding industry. Together with my steadfast partner Conrad we dreamed up LOVE IS ESSENTIAL, the gift of a FREE wedding for a deserving couple. A radical gift to encourage, give back, and honor essential workers. A spark of generosity that we hoped would catch fire amongst our peers in the wedding industry.

I called my dear friends Ken of Amp Event Professionals and Jenny of JPB Designs and asked them to come on board. To donate their services and help plan a gorgeous wedding in the heart of downtown Chicago. Over the last 5 months we have met on Zoom every week to plan this amazing wedding. We have welcomed so many amazing vendors already on our journey. We searched the Chicago area for the PERFECT couple to receive this gift. A couple whose love story was greatly impacted by the pandemic. A couple who serves their community in love and put their own love on hold in this time of ongoing crisis.

Susan and Zach applied for Love is Essential after hearing about it from a family friend. They didn’t think it was legit at first, and I suppose that makes sense. In what has been a negative and heavy year it does seem unlikely that something like this could be possible. But we fell in love with Susan and Zach from their application video and Zoom interview and we knew they were our perfect Love is Essential couple. Susan and Zach both serve our community, veterans and the homeless population at James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago. We surprised them with the big news at their sweet new home and then continued the surprise at her sister’s with their closest family for the “engagement party they couldn’t have.” We love this couple and are so excited to share their story with you as we plan their dream wedding!

Congratulations, Susan and Zach, we can’t wait to get to know you better in the coming months! We are so excited to celebrate your dream wedding in 2022!!

Ashley + Ashley’s Rainy and Romantic Summer Wedding

Ashley and Ashley first called me in April, reeling from the devastating impact of Covid-19 on their carefully arranged wedding plans. Their photographer was no longer able to be a part of their wedding, and my heart went out to them. For so many of us the plans we had made were thrown into chaos and we were left to figure life out one day at a time.

When August came around and it was time for Ashley and Ashley’s wedding, there was still so much uncertainty. We met these two brides at the beautiful Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest where they were getting ready with their wedding parties. Both Ashleys looked gorgeous as they got ready to see one another, a first look moment that we will always remember. After exploring the course a bit for wedding party photos, we came back towards the building to take pictures with their families. That’s when the rain started, and it rained HARD. We rushed for cover and hoped against hope that the rain would let up in time for their wedding ceremony. We waited and worried as it rained, and missed out on the opportunity to do a lot of the photos we had planned for that day.

Thankfully, the rain let up with just enough time for us to help the staff put the chairs and decorations back out for the ceremony. Their ceremony was beautiful and emotional, a celebration of their love story witnessed by their closest family and friends. The rain threw a wrench in our plans for photos that day. But after the rain came a rainbow. A beautiful rainbow streaked across the sky just before the ceremony began, a promise of hope and joy rooted in love. In that moment it felt like everything will be OK if we can just hang on to one another.

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

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

Lauren + Ian’s Magical Backyard Wedding

While 2020 has forced all of our Something Blue couples to radically alter their wedding plans, Lauren and Ian didn’t let a little pandemic stop them from having an absolutely gorgeous micro wedding in her parents’ backyard in Crystal Lake, Illinois. We had the most magical time celebrating with their closest friends and family. Lauren looked radiant as she got ready at her parents’ home, and she rocked THE most amazing silver bridal shoes EVER. I definitely shed a few tears when Lauren saw her Dad and then Ian for their “first look” in the front yard.

After a few quick (and very entertaining) family and wedding party pics in the yard we followed Lauren and Ian’s trolley to Crystal Lake Beach for their lakeside ceremony. Ian’s father officiated the intimate ceremony that was filled with laughter and emotion. When they were pronounced husband and wife Lauren and Ian sweetly snuggled before walking back down the aisle together. We took more wedding party photos in downtown Crystal Lake before heading back to her parents’ home for an amazing night of toasts, dancing, roasting marshmallows and sparklers. We loved spotting all the personal details sprinkled throughout this day, it was the perfect celebration.

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

To see all of Lauren and Ian’s beautiful backyard 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

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. 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

Cassidy + Brad’s Romantic Backyard Wedding

Cassidy and Brad planned a big wedding celebration with 300 guests at The Metropolis Ballroom of Arlington Heights. When Covid-19 forced them to reconsider their original plans, they decided to still exchange their vows in front of about half of their guest list in the beautiful sanctuary of St. James, one of our favorite local churches. They live-streamed the ceremony for the guests who couldn’t attend, and after they were pronounced husband and wife they hopped into a pretty black Corvette to celebrate. When we arrived with the newlyweds in downtown Arlington Heights at the Arlington Alfresco we were greeted by plenty of excited cheers from the community. It was truly beautiful to see the joy that this sweet couple gave to so many of our neighbors; just by walking through the downtown hand in hand, happily newly married, Cassidy and Brad brought so much hope to everyone who saw them that day. After making a few stops downtown for photos we went back to for a sweet and simple backyard barbecue to celebrate, and while it wasn’t the grand party they originally envisioned it was still the perfect party for this couple. We were so thankful to be along for the ride, watching these two get married gave us hope when we needed it, too.

Congratulations, Cassidy and Brad, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Cassidy and Brad’s romantic 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

Marissa + Nick’s Intimate Backyard Wedding

Marissa and Nick’s wedding plans took a dramatic turn when Covid-19 hit. Like so many of our Something Blue couples, they were forced to replan their wedding and chose to scale back in light of everything happening in the world around them. For these two, they didn’t want to wait another year to be married, and they planned an intimate ceremony at their church followed by a small celebration in her parents’ backyard.

Conrad arrived at St. James Parish just before the small ceremony began, and while everyone wore masks for safety there was a buzz of anticipation and celebration in the air. Nick held back tears as we watched Marissa float down the aisle in her pretty Lulu’s dress. Marissa carried a stunning bouquet made by her neighbor Mari, the artist behind Floral Harmonies in Arlington Heights. After they exchanged vows, Marissa and Nick took pictures together in our neighbor’s beautiful backyard before heading back for the socially distant party. It was the perfect day for the perfect couple, quiet and joyful and marked by the love they have for one another.

Congratulations, Marissa and Nick, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together! And we can’t wait for your BIG celebration in 2021!!

To see all of Marissa and Nick’s beautiful micro wedding photos, click here

Love is Essential - The Old Post Office

When we first assembled our core vendor team for Love is Essential, we started talking about finding the right VENUE. One of the most exciting things about planning a wedding is talking about WHERE your dream day will take place. As a team, we wanted to find the PERFECT location to host this amazing wedding - a wedding to celebrate essential workers gifted entirely by the best wedding vendors in Chicago.

As our conversations about the perfect venue evolved we talked more and more about The Old Post Office. The Chicago main post office was once the busiest in the United States thanks to Chicago’s massive volume of mail from retailers driven by the Montgomery Ward and Sears catalogs. The impressive Art Deco building spans across the Eisenhower Expressway and welcomes travelers to the city as you drive directly underneath the building. After sitting vacant for years, the Old Post Office has undergone a major transformation over the last few years and is now home to several corporate offices and an absolutely breathtaking wedding venue known as Post 433 Events.

We knew that the Old Post Office would be the perfect location for Love is Essential, and were beyond excited when they quickly said YES to generously hosting this amazing event. And when we met Jamie and Leah of The Old Post Office in person and toured this breathtaking building, we were covered in goosebumps imagining the possibilities for Love is Essential.

Post 433 Events has THE most breathtaking spaces for your wedding. From the gilded Art Deco historic lobby to the cool and comfortable Telegram Lounge to the peaceful Library and Vault spaces there is a little something for everyone inside this stunning venue. When Conrad and I first walked in we gasped at the impressive and sparkling lobby. I could completely envision the most beautiful ceremony in that unforgettable space. And as we toured the Telegram Lounge I pictured playing bocce ball there while enjoying a cocktail and views across the Chicago River. Friends, I just cannot say enough about The Old Post Office. Considering everything that is happening now with the Post Office, we feel especially grateful that we will be hosting Love is Essential at this historic venue that celebrates both essential workers and their rich history of service to Chicago. I wish I could photograph every wedding there, and I am incredibly thankful that we will be able to use this space for Love is Essential.

To see more photos from The Old Post office, click here

To learn more about Love is Essential, click here

LOVE IS ESSENTIAL VENDOR DREAM TEAM

Something Blue Photography • Videography

JPB Designs

Post 433 Events

Maison du Prince

Blue Plate Chicago Catering

Amp Event Professionals

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