Liz Schrenk 12/30/23 Liz Schrenk 12/30/23

Jeanne and Kevin’s Emotional DiNolfo’s Wedding

Jeanne and Kevin’s love story may well be one of the most romantic we have ever had the honor of witnessing. With over sixteen years of friendship as their foundation, being alongside Jeanne and Kevin as they made things official and became husband and wife was an absolute joy. . .

Jeanne’s first memories of Kevin go back to their Sunday morning CCD class at St. Christina’s (the same church where they would get married 16+ years later!) where she said he was “one of the only well-behaved and respectful kids”. Kevin remembers meeting Jeanne in high school through mutual friends and valuing their friendship from the very beginning. Though they always shared affection with one another, Jeanne and Kevin’s friendship really solidified when she became pregnant with Thomas. Kevin left the door open and Jeanne felt comfortable enough to turn to him to be her sounding board. Where the father of Jeanne’s baby was absent, Kevin stepped in and was a friend to her through thick and thin. Kevin took Jeanne on her maternity ward tour, took her out for ice cream and to their senior prom. From the beginning, Jeanne would describe Kevin as “one of the best men” she knew, while Kevin knew from those early days that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Jeanne.

Jeanne and Kevin found themselves bonding more and more every day through laughs and tears. As years passed, they watched each other go in and out of relationships with others while secretly rooting for those other relationships would end so they could have a chance to be together. Kevin loved Jeanne and her son Tommy from the start, while Jeanne and Tommy always sensed that love from Kevin and felt at home with him. It was only a matter of time before Jeanne and Kevin ended up together, and their marriage officially made the three of them a family. As Kevin said, “Jeanne is my better half, Tommy my son, these things have always been in my heart.”

Conrad, Ashley and I were all so happy to come along for Jeanne and Kevin’s wedding. There were so many emotional moments throughout the day, but those moments with Tommy will stand out as our favorites to witness. Tommy’s reaction to seeing his Mom as a bride. Tommy’s pride as he stood alongside his Mom at the altar, his smile when taking pictures with the wedding party. His laugh when Jeanne picked up her teenage son “just to prove she can”. But perhaps our favorite moment of the day was when Tommy gave the most eloquent and heartfelt toast during their celebratory dinner at DiNolfo’s Banquets – there was not a dry eye in the room as Tommy confidently delivered THE best toast we have ever heard. It was truly a magical day filled with so much beauty and love, we will always cherish the memories of this perfect wedding.

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

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

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue

VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue

VENUE
DiNolfo’s Banquets

FLORIST
Fun At Parties Florals

HAIR
Elizabeth Scott Company

MAKEUP
Denise Ferguson

RECEPTION BAND
Raise Your Glass

WEDDING GOWN
Sophia Tolli

WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Eva's Bridal International

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie

Liz Schrenk 10/22/23 Liz Schrenk 10/22/23

Bianca & John

Bianca and John met through one of her cousins. They were going through the nursing program together at Loyola. John was the cute guy in her class that had no social media forcing Bianca and John to get to know each other the old-fashioned way. The first time they hung out in a social setting was at her cousin’s birthday party. Bianca’s heel broke and John got a bloody nose that night proving they were both unable to play it cool.

From their first date Bianca thought the connection with John felt too good to be true. He was charming, sweet, and swept her off her feet from the very beginning. They disagreed on so many things and somehow it made her fall even more for him. Bianca and John dated for about 2 years before moving in together. John surprised Bianca with a romantic proposal in Las Vegas when they were there celebrating his 30th birthday. He set up a picture-perfect moment in front of the beautiful fountain at the Bellagio (and had all of their parents there as a surprise to celebrate with them!)

I had the best time getting to know Bianca and John at their engagement session in downtown Geneva last Fall. These two were truly made for one another, they complement each other perfectly and are just the loveliest couple. I was so happy for Christy to have the opportunity to photograph their wedding with me, it was a perfect day spent celebrating their love. There were so many unforgettable moments throughout the day, but you HAVE to scroll to the end of their gallery to see highlights from John and his Mom’s epic karaoke throw-down in lieu of a mother-son dance! It was beyond amazing, the perfect way to kick off the perfect party!!

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

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

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue

VENUE
Eagle Brook Country Club

FLORIST
Town & Country Gardens

HAIR & MAKEUP
One Salon & Bridal Company
BB Artistry

DAY-OF COORDINATION
Margaux from I Do Weddings

VIDEOGRAPHY
Ruben Ramos

WEDDING BAND
Bluewater Kings Band\

DESSERTS
Sweet Temptations

WEDDING DRESS
Veiled by Cha Cha

MENSWEAR
The Modern Groom

Liz Schrenk 9/23/22 Liz Schrenk 9/23/22

Vicki & Brien’s Intimate Wednesday Wedding

We met Vicki years ago when she married her first husband, for all the love stories we share here sadly not all of them end in happily ever after. As we heard about the trauma that Vicki endured in that relationship we longed for her to find love again. We were overjoyed to hear that she found her soulmate in Brien and would be getting married again. When Vicki asked me and Conrad to come out on a Wednesday evening to photograph their traditional wedding ceremony at the beautiful Church of St. Patrick in Wadsworth we were honored to be there. It was the most peaceful and love-filled evening, the perfect start to new love and a lifetime of happiness together.

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

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

Liz Schrenk 7/12/22 Liz Schrenk 7/12/22

Sarah & Paul’s Intimate Backyard Wedding

The pandemic shifted the wedding industry in many ways, and while the last two years have been incredibly difficult there are beautiful things that came out of the trials we all faced together. We have truly loved the recent shift towards smaller, more intimate weddings . . .

Christy met Sarah and Paul’ beautiful family at their Fall Mini Session last year. Sarah and Paul are deeply in love and are the best parents to Paul’s adorable son’s Greyson and Lincoln. I was so thankful and honored that they invited me to photograph their backyard wedding. Paul met me in Long Grove with his boys and we took some fun photos together while we waited for Sarah to arrive. Sarah looked so beautiful; after their sweet first look on the historic covered bridge the five of us had the best time exploring Long Grove and enjoying a lovely afternoon before their wedding ceremony.

Once we got back to Sarah and Paul’s house their closest friends and family were excitedly waiting for the wedding to begin. Their backyard looked so pretty set up with the white tent and thoughtful details, including a place set at the table for Sarah’s parents who had passed. Greyson carefully carried the rings into the ceremony while Lincoln sweetly walked Sarah down the aisle. After the emotional ceremony Sarah and Paul cut their cake and shared their first dance with the boys, it was just the perfect evening.

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

To see all of Sarah and Paul’s beautiful backyard wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue

FLORIST
Lake Zurich Florist

CAKE
Blawesome Cakes

Liz Schrenk 10/29/21 Liz Schrenk 10/29/21

Krista & Blake’s Romantic Arrowhead Golf Club Wedding

We first met Blake as he was preparing to propose to Krista. He planned the perfect moment for when he got down on one knee at the Naperville Riverwalk. Of course she said yes. . .

We first met Blake as he was preparing to propose to Krista. He planned the perfect moment for when he got down on one knee at the Naperville Riverwalk. Of course she said yes, it was so incredibly sweet to be there celebrating their proposal along with the people who love Krista and Blake the most!

Conrad shot Krista and Blake’s proposal and was so excited to see them again for their Busse Woods engagement session. They happened to be there as a big bouncy house event was going on and Conrad took some super fun pictures of them bouncing together to finish their shoot! We loved seeing that some of those happy bouncing pictures ended up on Krista and Blake’s Change the Date card, talk about making the best of a difficult situation!

When their wedding day finally arrived, Krista looked radiant in her beautiful gown from Here Comes the Bride. She did the sweetest first look with her grandfather before heading out to see Blake before their ceremony. After their first look, Krista and Blake’s Australian Shepherds Odin and Wally arrived in their coordinating doggy tuxes, they were totally the highlight of the day! Odin and Wally were such good boys in their little tuxedos, posing and smiling and having the best time celebrating their Mom and Dad’s wedding. It was the perfect day for the perfect couple, we were so happy to be there!