Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Jessica and Matt’s Beautiful Backyard Wedding

In the turmoil of 2020, Jessica and Matt decided an intimate backyard wedding suited them perfectly. They invited only their closest friends and family to their adorable new home in Barrington for the perfect outdoor celebration.

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.

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Chicago Wedding Photographer Bridesmaids Getting Ready Photos
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Chicago Wedding Photographer Getting Ready Photos
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Chicago Wedding Photographer Getting Ready Photos
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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

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

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!

Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Giveaway
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Giveaway
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Giveaway Essential Workers
Love is Essential Chicago Essential Workers Wedding Giveaway
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Giveaway Essential Workers
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Giveaway Essential Workers
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Giveaway Essential Workers
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Giveaway Essential Workers
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Giveaway Essential Workers
Love is Essential Chicago Wedding Giveaway Essential Workers

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!!

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

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.

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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

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

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!

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Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
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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

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

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.

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Conway Farms Country Club Wedding Reception Photos

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

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

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.

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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

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Lauren + Ian’s Magical Backyard Wedding

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.

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.

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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

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

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.

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Congratulations, Dina and Jim, you are so loved!!

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

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

What to Wear for your Fall and Holiday Family Sessions

It’s our favorite time of year, and our schedules are VERY full as we prepare to photograph your sweet families! Unsure what to wear for your session?? We got you with these tips for pulling together the perfect outfits for your whole family!

It’s our favorite time of the year again, and our schedules are VERY full as we prepare to photograph your families this fall!! Here are some of our best tips to help you pull together the perfect outfits for your fall and holiday photo sessions!

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Outfits for family photos

Neutrals are CLASSIC for a reason. This year's trending colors are; camel, military green, and navy blue. Pick one or two shades to use throughout your family and then pick a pop of color you like. Imagine your photos hanging in your home, what colors would you like to see? If you did mustard yellow last year maybe try something different this year! Lay everything out to see how it all looks together.  You are more than welcome to send us a photo of it all. We are happy to give suggestions or even help find something online that might be a great fit for your family.  

Family Photo Outfits
Family Photo Outfit Ideas

Due to COVID, stores have limited amounts of fall and winter clothing options. This means we suggest shopping your closet first! Don't assume your children need brand new, head-to-toe, 'holiday best" outfits. Simply look for rich, seasonal, and cozy textures, and use them as the foundation for each outfit. Often children aren’t comfortable wearing brand new clothes and shoes at their sessions. We want everyone as comfortable and happy as possible! Keep it relaxed and don't feel the need for extra formal outfits. You can look festive and seasonal with pops of color or the right accessories. Scarves, hats, mittens, and other accessories can help make you look polished. 

Family Photo Outfit Ideas
Family Photo Outfits Holidays

If you are signed up for our Holiday Mini session with the Red VW Bus or Walnut Woods, we suggest that you only use red as an accent pop of color. The bus and our pretty red couch will be the majority of the color used and we want your gorgeous family to stand out! Cream, camel, and greens would be all great colors to use as a base. 

Family Photo Outfits for Dad
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Our yearly suggestions for successful family photos:

Have everyone try everything on BEFORE the day of the session to make sure it fits well.  Check the sleeves, see if they can walk in the new shoes, and grab a belt for new pants that might be a little big. 

Steer away from any logos or graphic shirts. 

Make sure to dress in layers to help little ones stay warm! No one is happy when they are cold! Bring a blanket to cover small ones in for in between sessions.

Eat before a session so no one is Hangry.  

Use the bathroom before the session.  All locations this year will not have access to a restroom.

When you arrive do a quick check everyone's face for milk mustaches and crumbs (check noses too!) 

Bring a brush for a quick hair check before the session if you have a long drive. 

Arrive at least ten minutes early so you can check everyone's outfits and let them see where we are shooting.

Let them know it will be a fun activity. Come ready to sing a song or tell a funny joke to help us get some fun smiles. 

We can’t wait to see your families this fall!!

Cute Kid Outfit Family Photos

Outfit suggestions featured from H&M, Old Navy, and J Crew

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

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.

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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

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

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.

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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

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

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.

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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

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

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.

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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

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

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.

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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

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

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.

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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

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

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.

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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

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Lifestyle Newborn Session - Baby Harrison

The trials of 2020 have taught us all to better value the time we have together at home with our families. Lifestyle Sessions - a more candid, less posed, comfortable in-home session - have always carried special meaning for us, but we love doing them now more than ever. Christy loved visiting this sweet family in their beautiful home to document the arrival of baby Harrison. His big siblings were SO excited to have their baby brother at home after he spent his first 10 days in the NICU. These moments are so fleeting and beautiful, what a joy that we can be a part of this family’s story.

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Studio Newborn Session - Baby Maeve

We absolutely love when newborns come visit us at our studio. There is something so sweet and peaceful about a Newborn Studio Session - Lindsay and Christy love having the chance to document this fleeting moment in the lives of our Something Blue families. Beautiful Maeve was born five weeks early and was the perfect model for Lindsay, she slept through her whole session! Maeve's big brother Aiden was very excited to be with his new sister, we are so thankful to have this family as part of our Something Blue family.

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If you would like to see all of baby Maeve’s sweet newborn photos, click here

If you are interested in scheduling a Studio Newborn Session, please contact us

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Isabel + Nik’s Garden Wedding

Conrad and I walk together almost every day. We wander the streets of Arlington Heights talking about important work things, important life things. These walks keep us healthy and grounded. Our favorite walks happen close to home, we love exploring our Scarsdale neighborhood just beyond the parking lot of our studio. There are so many beautiful homes and friendly faces in our neighborhood.

In April I received a phone call from Jane, a neighbor who saw our studio (well, our adorable Happy Blue Camper) on her own walk through Scarsdale. From that first phone call I knew that Jane would not only be a client but become a friend. And that is why I love this job. Because in the dealings of business I am blessed to meet amazing friends along the way.

Jane called me looking for someone to document her daughter’s wedding in June. Isabel and Nik had originally planned to get married abroad, but Covid-19 had other plans. So in the swirling chaos of this spring Jane worked to give her daughter a wedding to remember. And we were blessed to be a part of it. This micro wedding was attended only by Jane’s immediate family but we streamed the whole affair so that Nik’s family in Germany and Isabel’s friends in the states could be there.

This small, intimate backyard wedding was filled with big, beautiful moments. Bursting with love that carried across the Atlantic. It was such an honor and joy to witness this wedding, and now every time we walk past Jane’s beautiful home we will always wave at our new friends and smile remembering this unforgettable day.

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

To see all of Isabel and Nik’s gorgeous wedding photos, click here

Gorgeous floral design by Twigs and Blooms

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Kristen + Dillon’s Backyard Wedding

When Kristen and Dillon set their wedding date, they could have never imagined their plans would be thwarted by a pandemic. Undeterred, they held tight to their love and the desire to start their lives together as husband and wife. When it became clear that they could not host their wedding at their original venue (the gorgeous Barn at Hornbaker Gardens), they shifted gears and planned a gorgeous backyard wedding at Kristen’s mother’s home in Shabbona, Illinois. We were honored to come alongside this sweet couple as they started their forever alongside their closest family and friends. This beautiful day was a testament to determination and the power of love to conquer all.

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