Liz Schrenk 12/18/24 Liz Schrenk 12/18/24

Elizabeth & Matt’s Stunning Metropolis Ballroom Wedding

Elizabeth and Matt first met in high school where they both had study hall in the library at the same time. Elizabeth had an unrequited crush on Matt in high school; a few years later they bumped into each other at a concert and started catching up from there. They hung out a few times that Summer before Elizabeth went back to Kentucky for her Senior year of college. They made it “official” over Winter break that year and the rest is history!

When Elizabeth and Matt’s wedding day rolled around we were blessed with the most gorgeous Fall weather, Christy and Ryan and I were all so excited to capture this beautiful day! Elizabeth and her girls were all wearing the cutest cozy cardigans while they got ready together, we love the idea of having something cute AND practical to gift your bridesmaids that they can wear over and over again!

Elizabeth was understandably nervous at the beginning of her wedding day but sweetly said early on “I trust you” when we were doing her “getting ready” photos, which was just honestly the best thing a bride could say to us. Once Elizabeth was dressed and saw her Dad she became a bit less nervous and before long we were on our way to St. James in Arlington Heights for their traditional Catholic wedding ceremony.

Matt was fighting back tears as Elizabeth walked down the aisle, she looked radiant and once her Dad hugged her Matt didn’t take his eyes off his bride the entire day. Once they were pronounced husband and wife we had so much fun taking pictures of the newlyweds with their family and friends! We made our way to Busse Woods and found the prettiest pocket of yellow leaves and streaming sunshine. Elizabeth and her bridesmaids all looked gorgeous against the Fall colors, and Matt and his guys (including his identical twin!) looked great as well.

Once we finished with photos we made our way to The Metropolis Ballroom where we were greeting by a sign that said “Let’s Get this Party Started” which was just perfect given the reception that Elizabeth and Matt threw for their guests. Elizabeth and Matt are perfect together, and their wedding celebration reflected their love for one another in such a fun way. We were honored to be a part of this unforgettable day!!

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

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

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue

FLORIST
Busse's Flowers & Gifts

HAIR & MAKEUP
Hairs 2 The Bride

DJ
Green Line Talent

WEDDING CAKE
Jarosch Bakery

ENGAGEMENT RING
Tacori Bride

WEDDING GOWN
Essense of Australia

WEDDING GOWN BOUTIQUE
Genevieve's Bridal Couture

MENSWEAR
Vera Wang
Calvin Klein

Liz Schrenk 11/21/22 Liz Schrenk 11/21/22

Jackie & Ian’s Adorable Arlington Heights Wedding

We love our hometown of Arlington Heights. Every time with get to shoot a wedding here we feel comfortable and joyful, celebrating at home is one of our favorite things. Jackie grew up in Arlington Heights . . .

Jackie met Ian in nursing school, and as they fell in love and it came time for Ian to propose he chose to do it right in downtown Arlington Heights on her family’s special bench in North School Park. When it came time to take Jackie and Ian’s engagement photos we stayed close to our homes and hearts and took their pictures in North School Park.

When Jackie and Ian’s wedding day finally arrived the sun was shining and there was so much excitement in the air. Christy and I had so much fun photographing this beautiful day! Jackie’s bridesmaids and Mom made her parents’ house extra pretty for their getting ready photos. We saw a number of fun paintings and art from New Orleans hanging in the house, we have SO much love for New Orleans (we could spend all of our time there, and were lucky enough to shoot a beautiful wedding in NOLA in the Spring!) Well, Jackie’s parents planned a SECOND LINE to walk her from their house to St. James, and can I just say this was one of the absolute highlights of our 2022 wedding season??! This brass band parade through my neighborhood was just the best thing, waving at neighbors while walking backwards taking pictures will be a memory I will always cherish. I already told my kids that we are doing a second line for their wedding when that day comes!!

Jackie looked so pretty in her grandma Pearl’s pearl tiara, what a sweet way to honor family with your “something old”! When she walked down the aisle to meet Ian at the alter he was visibly moved, it was such a perfect moment. After the ceremony we went back to North School Park for some photos, it was fun to be there and see friends taking pictures of their kids for homecoming!

When we arrived at The Metropolis Ballroom the space looked more gorgeous than ever thanks to the talented team at Eiffel Flowers. After some moving toasts we danced the night away to the AMAZING sounds of Standing Room Only, this band absolutely ROCKED! It was a day we will never forget.

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

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

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue

FLORIST
The Eiffel Flower

BRIDESMAID DRESSES
Birdy Grey

WEDDING BAND
Standing Room Only

WEDDING CAKE
Jarosch Bakery

WEDDING RINGS
Mitchell’s Jewelers

Liz Schrenk 10/4/21 Liz Schrenk 10/4/21

Marissa & Nick (and Peyton’s!) Westin Chicago Northwest Vow Renewal

Marissa and Nick met through her cousin (and maid of honor) Danielle, but when they were first introduced Marissa wasn’t very fond of Nick. He persisted and kept asking her out. Once Marissa finally caved and agreed to go out with Nick she had THE best date ever, and the rest is history!

As Marissa and Nick planned their dream wedding they had no idea that Covid was coming and would change everything. While they had to postpone their celebration Marissa and Nick still chose to be married in 2020 in front of family at St. James in Arlington Heights. Their Catholic ceremony was a beautiful celebration of their love and the first step toward their future together as husband and wife.

In April 2021, Marissa and Nick welcomed their beautiful baby girl Peyton. We were thankful to meet sweet Peyton at her Lifestyle Newborn Session at their home, she is just the sweetest baby girl! After her arrival Marissa and Nick knew their 2021 wedding plans would shift once more, and they decided to baptize Peyton during their vow renewal ceremony. It was the first time that St. James Parish in Arlington Heights celebrated both a vow renewal AND a baptism during the same ceremony! It was a beautiful moment watching Marissa walk down the aisle in her wedding dress with Nick holding their daughter. He was beaming with pride; together they have created such an adorable and joyful family!

After the ceremony we converged at the Westin Chicago Northwest for a great big celebration. Marissa comes from a large and well-connected family, it was really fun to see a lot of people we knew at their reception! It was the perfect night celebrating an amazing couple!

Congratulations, Marissa and Nick (and Peyton!), we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Marissa and Nick’s beautiful vow renewal photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
Photography
Something Blue

Church
St. James

Reception Venue
Westin Chicago Northwest

Wedding Flowers
Floral Harmonies

Band
Bluewater Kings

Wedding Cake
Lovin Oven Cakery

Hair and Makeup
Jaide and Co. Bridal Artistry

Wedding Dress
Martina Liana

Wedding Dress Boutique
Volle’s Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses
Kennedy Blue

Menswear
The Black Tux Nordstrom

Wedding Rings
R.C. Wahl Jewelers

Liz Schrenk 11/24/20 Liz Schrenk 11/24/20

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. 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!