Liz Schrenk 11/23/24 Liz Schrenk 11/23/24

Samantha & Bobby’s Fairytale Cantigny Wedding

Samantha and Bobby first met when they were kids at karate. They then re-connected through Bobby's brother because he and Sam became best friends in high school . . .

Samantha and Bobby first met when they were kids at karate. They then re-connected through Bobby's brother because he and Sam became best friends in high school. Sam also became best friends with their sister Jessica, and throughout the years Sam and Bobby formed their own friendship. In Summer of 2018, Bobby took a chance and they officially began dating in August. The rest, as they say, is history.

When Sam and Bobby asked us to capture their wedding day they met with Conrad, so I did not have the opportunity to get to know them until their engagement session at The Morton Arboretum just a few weeks before their wedding. I had the best afternoon with these two, we had so much fun exploring together! That session gave me a real view into the depth of the love they share, it was a joy to then look forward to their wedding at Cantigny later that Summer!

Sam had always dreamed of having a fairytale wedding; all of her planning paid off and in the end this was truly a perfect day. She had traveled to NYC to find her dream dress at Kleinfeld Bridal (from “Say Yes to the Dress”) and the gown was truly perfect on her – when Sam floated down the stairs to show her besties her bridal look it was such a special moment!! Her hype crew kept the energy up as we ventured out onto the grounds at Cantigny for wedding party photos. Sam and Bobby were determined to take pictures ON the tanks at Cantigny, definitely a “first” for us and an epic moment we will never forget! Sam had a stepladder handy to scale the tanks like an absolute boss, we loved the energy of this fun and unforgettable moment!

Throughout the day we caught plenty of pop-culture references from Sam and Bobby, including their strong Vanderpump Rules energy when posing together with their wedding party in the gardens at Cantigny. After we wrapped up with photos it was time for the ceremony to begin near the reflecting pool on the lawn of the Cantigny mansion. It was breathtaking watching Sam walk from the mansion down the long aisle to meet with Bobby at the altar, she truly floated in her gown and looked like a true princess. Their ceremony was marked by touching vows and a sweet tree-planting ceremony with dirt from both of their childhood homes. After Sam and Bobby kissed the celebration truly began, but first we had to capture some slow-motion footage of Sam and Bobby running towards their reception and into the sunset together hand-in-hand. We snapped a few romantic pictures during the gorgeous sunset (and even included the tank stepladder for posterity!) before heading in for the perfect party. Sam’s Mom gave an amazing toast and some insight into where Sam gets her awesome sense of humor, her Mom started her speech by saying the pledge of allegiance! This was such a fun and unforgettable day, but through it all the love between Sam and Bobby was truly the star. We are so grateful to have been a part of this fairytale wedding!!

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

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

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue

VENUE
Cantigny

FLORIST
Anna’s Flowers

HAIR
Amiche Salon

DJ
Tone Productions

WEDDING CAKE
DeEtta's Bakery

WEDDING DRESS DESIGNER
Randy Fenoli

WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Kleinfeld Bridal

BRIDAL SHOES
Kate Spade

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie

MENSWEAR
Suit Shop

Liz Schrenk 10/8/24 Liz Schrenk 10/8/24

Christine & Mason’s Gorgeous Morton Arboretum Wedding

I first met Christine when she helped her good friend Stephanie with her dog at her engagement session in the Fall of 2022. Christine and Stephanie are besties from college and I knew right away that they had a special friendship, I mean how many people would give up a weekend afternoon to help manage their friend’s dog during a photo shoot?! But that’s the kind of person Christine is, selfless and kind and willing to go the extra mile for her friends.

I was thrilled when Christine invited us to photograph her wedding to her fiancé Mason! We had a lovely afternoon together during their engagement session last Summer at The Morton Arboretum where we would return in 2024 for their wedding day. I loved exploring the beautiful sprawling property with Christine and Mason and finding pockets of pretty light with them, that session made me so excited for their wedding!

When the big day arrived Conrad and I met Christine upstairs at the Morton Arboretum where she was waiting with her Mom and sister Rachel. Christine looked gorgeous in her gown from Bri’Zan Couture, and her hair and makeup was perfect thanks to the talented team from The Bridal Beauty Team. After the beautiful flowers arrived from Shamrock Garden Florals we were ready to move outside – Christine first had a sweet and emotional reveal with her Dad before her First Look with Mason. Once everyone had seen Christine we moved across the Arboretum to the Thornhill Education Center for photos. Christine and Mason chose a small wedding party – only her sister Rachel and his best friend Jake – and we had the best time taking pictures with these four. We just love small wedding parties, there’s something so intimate and comfortable about spending time with the people you love most on your wedding day. After taking pictures outside we were given the opportunity to make some beautiful photographs inside the Thornhill Education Center, those were some of our favorite moments from the day!

Christine and Mason’s ceremony took place at the Grand Garden and was absolutely stunning – this gorgeous site felt like an Italian vista and was the perfect spot for this sweet couple to exchange their vows. After their ceremony we moved into the Ginko Room to celebrate the newlyweds, our very own Ashley and Marcella had gone above and beyond as day-of coordinators to help make the room look party-ready. We snuck away during the reception to enjoy beautiful golden light across the pond before the sun set and the dance floor opened. Christine and Mason’s guests danced the night away (the party was so much fun that we had to give some wedding crashers the boot!) It was an amazing day and we were so grateful to share in Christine and Mason’s love story 💙