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!!
Joanne and Casey’s Gorgeous Garden Wedding
Joanne and Casey were friends before realizing there could be something more to their relationship. After her divorce, Casey would help Joanne with projects around her house, and eventually their friendship grew into a loving relationship. They are both avid gardeners and worked tirelessly to make their yard perfect for their beautiful garden wedding. Casey is proud of the different types of conifers he has in their yard, while Joanne is always in the garden and worked very hard to have it perfectly manicured for their wedding. Casey joked she would be weeding in her wedding dress!
Lindsay loved photographing all of the many details that made Joanne and Casey’s garden wedding unique. Casey made homemade wine for the wedding – red and white – while Joanne’s daughter created the beautiful labels. Joanne asked her caterer (Dave’s Specialities in Mount Prospect) to use some of her own delicious recipes. The flowers by The Eiffel Flower in Arlington Heights were gorgeous, they worked closely with Joanne to create her dream garden wedding.
Congratulations, Joanne and Casey, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Joanne and Casey’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
Michelle and Eric’s Rom Com Love Story
One of my favorite things about engagement sessions is that I get TIME to talk with each couple. Time is fleeting, especially for me, especially in this busy fall season. But in an engagement session I am gifted with a beautiful little window of opportunity to slow down and really just talk with each couple as we explore and make beautiful photographs together.
Michelle and Eric both grew up on Sandy Pass Road in Lake Zurich. Their childhood homes were just down the street from each other. And while they weren’t close, they played capture the flag and tag together as kids. Their parents were friends and their neighborhood was closely bonded together.
Fast forward to their early 20s, and Michelle and Eric didn’t know one another, wouldn’t recognize each other. Michelle was invited to a friend’s wedding and went alone on a bit of a whim. She was sitting in the church waiting for the ceremony to start when a sweet couple asked to sit in her pew. They asked Michelle if she was alone, and told her that she could be part of their family for the day so she didn’t have to feel alone at the wedding. That sweet couple then told Michelle their son (Eric!) was standing up in the wedding as a groomsman. Michelle and Eric “met” that day and there was an immediate connection, like a good gentleman he walked her to her car after the reception and they starting texting and then dating soon after that. I just love their story so much, I think it would make an amazing romantic comedy! This was such a beautiful love-filled evening, I am so thankful for this wonderful couple!
Michelle and Eric, thank you so much for sharing this beautiful evening with me and for sharing your epic love story. I can’t wait to celebrate your wedding with you next year!!
To see all of Michelle and Eric’s fall engagement photos, click here
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.
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
Bridget + Joel’s Romantic Micro Wedding
Bridget and Joel were the first of their friends to get engaged, and while they had to dramatically change their wedding plans in the wake of Covid-19 they still managed to have the most romantic and beautiful micro wedding this summer.
Bridget and Joel were the first of their friends from Purdue to get engaged, and while they had to dramatically change their wedding plans in the wake of Covid-19 they still managed to have the most romantic and beautiful micro wedding this summer. Conrad and Lindsay had such a great time celebrating with this adorable couple and their incredibly supportive friends - Lindsay said that Bridget’s bridesmaids were oohing and aahing the whole day, she said we wished we could rent them out for cheering all of our couples on!
One of our favorite moments from any wedding day is when the Father of the Bride first sees his little girl as a bride. There is something so emotional and beautiful in that moment that we will never get tired of. Bridget’s Dad was emotional all day, his reaction to seeing her and that moment just before he walked her down he aisle was incredibly touching. He even got teary when he did his backyard toast after their ceremony, it was so sweet. We are so thankful for this wonderful couple, what a joy to be part of this beautiful day.
Congratulations, Bridget and Joel, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Bridget and Joel’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
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.
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
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