Crystal Lake Illinois Park Ward Events Rolls Royce Museum Styled Shoot
I was so excited to take part in a styled shoot at a new wedding venue located in Crystal Lake, Park Ward Events. Park Ward is a very cool new venue that is also a Rolls-Royce Museum so perfect spot for a one-of-a-kind event. Park Ward is a very dramatic venue with moody lighting throughout. There are options to get married inside as well as outdoors. Check out the cool old car that was just filled with flowers. One of my couples that ended up having to push back their wedding to 2021 came to model for me and we had such a great time. I wanted to give a huge thank you to all the amazing vendors! Without all of them, this amazing shoot wouldn’t of been able to happen!
Planner - RaysourceFul LLC Rachel Fersten 773-744-4151
Decor - Elements Preserved & Dish and Decor Vintage Rental
Clothing - Mr.Tux's Formal Wear
Hair and Makeup - Kiss this Makeup & Paul Hyland Salon & Day Spa
Florals - Bloom Magic Weddings & Angilily Floral Studios
Cake - Deserts4u
Jewelry - Dalzell
Video - Videos by Pat
Spring Chicago Courthouse Elopement of Same Sex Couple
I am so happy to share the Chicago Courthouse Wedding images of Jean-Marie & Alyssa. Their families both came to town from acorss the country for the special day on August 4. I have never photographed a weekday courthouse wedding before but must say I was pleasantly surprised with the shortest line ever! We also had one of the nicest Judges I have ever came across there. It was a rare cool August day which was just perfect for being outside, and luckily we just missed the rain. After they wed I had us head up to the top of a chicago parking garage where I had parked and scoped out earlier to get some fun city shots without all the city traffic that is there at ground level. We then headed to Winnemac Park which was a place they had both spent time at and special to them!
Chicago Osteria Via Stato Wedding of Tracy + Aileen
I was so excited to meet Tracy and Aileen a few months ago when they contacted me asking me about photographing their big day. We talked all about their love of family and friends and how they really wanted to treat them to amazing meal at the Osteria Via Stato and I must say it was some of the most delicious Italian food I have ever eaten. They had handmade guest name tags on spools of thread that were adorable. The cake they decided on was three different flavors and was decorated with the Chicago skyline around the base from The West Town Bakery. It was the most delicious cake and the only bakery and Chicago that promises completley nut allergy free. Their ceremony was beautiful and started with their nephew playing the violin as the flower girls, Tracy and Aileen walked in. It also included them locking letters to each other into a wine box. I had never seen that before and thought it was a nice touch. Please enjoy the images from their beautiful day.
Venue - Osteria Via Stato
Dresses - Miss Pamelas
Rings - Wyatt Austin
Florist - Cut Floral Design
Cake - West Town Bakery
Minister - Reverand Marian Hale
Same-Sex Brookfield Zoo Wedding
I had the pleasure of photographing Dave and Paul's gorgeous zoo wedding this weekend! What a gorgeous setting for a wedding and no one could of asked for a more perfect day. The weather was amazing, not too hot, not too cold, just right! Their ceremony and reception were filled of laughter and joy. One of the readings from their ceremony you can read bellow their images and was just the most amazing lyrics from a song sang in the musical "Catch Me if You Can". They had delicious signature drinks at the cocktail hour with the giraffes, followed by an awesome reception with some amazing musical choices for the dance floor. If you have never heard Downtown and Mrs.Miller, listen to it....you are in for a serious treat!
A Special thanks to the Officiant, DJ Benson, the couples great friend"She really made it personal and gave us a chance to turn around and take in the crowd. It was a breathtaking moment." said Dave
The venue for the wedding was the gorgeous Brookfield Zoo
The DJ was their friend's brother Jeff Beilfuss
The flowers were by Bride's Choice Wedding Flowers in Lisle. Mary Kenny was the flower designer.
Invites were through WeddingPaperDivas.com.
The cake came from Lezza Bakery in Bellwood which Brooke did.
The suits were through Formally Modern Tuxedo in Countryside. http://www.formallymodern.com/ Carmelo helped them in particular
Also a huge thanks to Ania Scheiman for being my amazing second shooter for the day!
I've seen the seven wonders
if you give or take a few
But all them seven wonders
well they can't compare to you
I've been a lot of places
Yes I've traveled near and far
But now I know that home is where you are
Niagara Falls a leaky faucet that a plumber oughta fix
The Pyramids are really just a dusty pile of bricks
The Taj Mahal a fixer upper
The Grand Canyon just a hole
The Grand Canal in Venice an Italian toilet bowl
I've seen the seven wonders
if you give or take a few
But all them seven wonders
well they can't compare to you
I've been a lot of places
Yes I've traveled near and far
But now I know that home is where you are
The Aurora Borealis just a night light on the fritz
And Stonehenge it's just a bunch of rocks
La Brea's tars the pits
I've seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa it looks like somethin' up and broke
Mount Rushmore someone climb up there and tell them boys a joke
Yes my travellin days are over
You get the check I'll pay the bill
Cause I see all the wonder in your eyes
Just standin' still.
I've been a lot of places
But I've learned now near and far
There's no need to roam
Cause home is where you are
There's no need to roam
cause home is where you are
yes now I know that home is where you are.
Paul + Dave
I am excited to introduce you to Paul and Dave, I had the pleasure of photographing them at the Brookfield Zoo a few weekends ago and have the honor of photographing their wedding this weekend at the Brookfield Zoo.
Paul and Dave met while they were both out with friends the night before Thanksgiving in 2000. They started talking early in the night and before they knew it, it was last call.
During the weekend, we like to shop, play games with friends and family (especially mah jongg) and go up to the place they share with family in Michigan.
Dave grew up in Elmhurst and went to Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. Paul grew up in Deerfield and went to Brandeis University in Boston. Dave can easily find his way around the western suburbs but gets lost up north. Paul can find his way easily around the northern suburbs but gets lost out west. That's why they say they are so perfect for each other. And they have a cat named Delilah.
