The National Chicago Wedding
Colleen and Andy met one cold Saturday night in February, 2013 at maybe the least romantic bar in Chicago, Mad River. Colleen was there to meet up with her childhood friend-for-life, Jessica. Jessica came to the bar with her boyfriend Rob, and Rob brought along his roommate, Andy. Despite learning that Andy was a Cardinals fan, as the night ended Colleen asked for his number anyways. Their first date was at Club Lucky in Bucktown--after a night of non-stop conversation in a cozy booth, they both knew they had something special.
April 9, 2017 was unusually warm for early spring in Chicago. Colleen and Andy woke up early and like many beautiful Sunday mornings, they decided to go for a run through the Lincoln Park Zoo. Since it was so early, all of the trainers were out with the animals. After watching the seals show off their skills, they made their way to the otter exhibit. Despite checking each and every visit, the otters were never, ever out. This morning was different. As Colleen watched a cute little otter amble towards the glass with a pinecone, Andy pulled the ring from a secret zipped pocket in his shirt. Shocked and overjoyed, she put the ring on her right hand, and they walked around the zoo the rest of the morning, floating on air.
For their wedding day, they envisioned a easy, sophisticated party that showed off our favorite city. The National delivered big time. The beautiful, lush courtyard in the middle of the loop made for a perfect ceremony spot and easily transitioned for dancing under the city lights. The lounge provided the cozy sophistication. They had passed apps and food stations from their favorite restaurants at Revival Food Hall, which is on the ground floor of the building. The whole night was perfect!
Wedding Planner - Anticipation Events
Venue - The National
Hotel - The Palmer House Hilton
Hair and Makeup - Elana Darrus Makeup & Hair
Florals - Flowers For Dreams
Band - The Gold Coast Orchestra
Palmer House Hotel & Chicago Symphony Center Wedding of Dan & Rob
Dan and Rob got married on July 1 at the gorgeous Chicago Symphony Center. Before they got married they got ready at the gorgeous Palmer House Hotel. This is also where they took all of the photos with their families and wedding party. What a pretty hotel it is and we really were able to capture some amazing images for them there. We then headed to the Chicago Symphony Center where we got to go on stage for some more photos and it was STUNNING. I had never been on a stage like that before. After that they exchanged their vows in the unique rotunda surrounded by all of their families and loved ones with Rev. Marian Hale. I have had the pleasure of working with her before and she does such a wonderful job! I was most impressed by their AMAZING glittered dancing shoes, hands down the best shoes EVER. After they said their I Do's we headed upstairs to the reception where their room was decorated with gorgeous deep blues. There was a macaroon tower filled with rainbow macaroon and a gorgeous wedding cake. They then danced the night away and ended it by watching the fireworks from the outdoor balcony!
Hotel - Palmer House Hotel
Wedding Venue - Chicago Symphony Center
Catering - Blue Plate Catering
DJ - Harsh Singh
Florist - Flowers for Dreams
Cake - Toni Patisserie/ Marissa Wilger
Harpist - Anette Bjorling
Officiant - Rev. Marian Hale
Second Shooter - Courtney Scheimann
Chicago Gay Wedding at the Wyndham on Wacker Drive
Some weddings just really show how in love a couple truly is and reminds you of what marriage should be. This was the case with Jon and Francisco, seeing how truly happy they make each other and how they always bring smiles to each others faces. They got married at The Grand Wyndham in downtown Chicago which is a stunning venue. The views from their reception room were just out of this world! So take a look at their gorgeous wedding!
Venue-Grand Wyndham Chicago
Flowers-Flowers for Dreams
String Quartet-Cloud Gate Quartet
Desserts-Bittersweet Bakery
Photo Booth- The Traveling Photo booth
Second Photographer-Ania Scheiman
Book Now and Pick One Special
For a limited time, I am offering one of the below specials when you book any of my three wedding packages from now until 2/1/2016. Wedding packages start at $2350 and all packages include the weddings high resolution digital images along with a book or album.
$200 Print Credit.
One extra hour of wedding day coverage.
Two week rush turnaround on your wedding images.
I have been photographing weddings since June of 2010 and have worked with many amazing couples in a vast array of venues and settings. From here at home in the midwest to the Atlantic Ocean, I offer dependable service, with years of experience, and professional equipment.
When you are ready to setup your consultation, please contact me bellow or call me at 708-218-5568. From there, we can discuss your wedding, style and review full galleries of my past wedding work. I look forward to working with you!
Chicago J2 Gallery Wedding
Jesse contacted me last year about photographing her destination wedding in Chicago. Both she and Sarah now live in Las Vegas, but it was in Chicago where they met and fell in love. They got married at J2 Gallery in Chicago which made an awesome wedding venue. I had never had the opportunity to photograph a wedding at an art gallery and now I can cross that off my list!
Their ceremony was emotional! Hearing the letters that they had written to each other expressing their love brought me to some tears behind my camera.
Jesse and Sarah were down for anything photo-wise, so we headed outside to get some great urban images showcasing Chicago. Congratulations you two! It was an amazing day!
Venue - J2 Gallery
Crepes - Flip Crepes
Divine Providence Church and Maggiano's Wedding in Oak Brook
Carol and Mauricio married on a beautiful September day in front of friends and family at Divine Providence Church in Westchester. All of their guests were in for a treat after the ceremony, three trolleys were waiting to take us all around Chicago to tour the area and take photos along the way. If that isn't a wedding photographer’s dream I don't know what is. We ended our day at Maggiano's in Oak Brook where Jim Perona, an amazing guitarist helped them with their first dance which they had choreographed with the help of Brenda from May I Have This Dance. Brenda then taught a salsa dancing class to all of Carol and Mauricio's guests, How cool is that?
Peninsula Hotel Brunch Winter Wedding
I met Jennifer while shooting Sara and Steves wedding this past summer, You can even see her in an image with Sara and all the girls at the end of my blog post! I was so excited that she wanted me to shoot her engagement shoot and wedding. Once we started talking the details about her wedding I was instantly excited, from the wire cake rack filled with donuts, her one of a kind ensemble, to her gorgeous custom made engagement ring I was hooked! They had a fabulous wedding in the early afternoon followed by brunch. I think more people should have brunch weddings, they are just so laid back and fun! We even braved the freezing cold to get a few show in the city! So take a peak at her wonderful wedding day! Happy 1 week anniversary Jennifer and Bob!
Venue- The Peninsula Hotel www.peninsula.com/chicago
Flowers - Steve's Flower Market, owner Mary Ziemba, www.stevesflowermarket.com
Donuts - Doughnut Vault, worked with Jessi DiBartolomeo, www.doughnutvault.com
Rings - Love and Promise Jewelers, worked with Shirley Kam, www.loveandpromisejewelers.com
Dress - designed by Stephane St Jaymes. Contact at +1 (908) 502-2092
Officiant -Yolanda Valle Yolanda.valle@cbre.com
Graphic Designer - for invites, programs, placecards, etc was Michael Krzewicki, www.mdsgnchgo.com
Cuneo Mansion and Gardens Wedding of Angela and Singer Matt B
This was truly a royal wedding. I met Matthew and Angela through Bella Baby where I also work and we immediately clicked. I could never get over how photogenic they both were and how adorable their son was. Well, fast forward a few months, after a few more sessions with their adorable son they said how they were going to be having a wedding! I was so excited when they wanted to look at my work and book me. The day was nothing short of a Royal wedding, They got married at the Cuneo Mansion and Gardens in Vernon Hills and this venue was the perfect backdrop for their special day! Angela got ready with all her gorgeous bridesmaids at the mansion and put on her first of three dresses, this one was truly stunning and unlike ANY wedding dress I had ever seen, it seemed to come right off the runway from a fashion show. Matthew sang "All of Me" by John Legend as she made her way down the aisle out of her horse-drawn carriage. It was like nothing I have ever witnessed, the love they shared in their vows was felt by all. After that, the reception began, and it was also just as wonderful filled with laughter, and even more, singing by Matthew and his brothers, they were really amazing, I wished I would of recorded some video of it! The day ended with their son taking the stage with Dad playing the song "Happy" and they were whisked away in their old school car to the after-party. Congratulations Matt and Angela!!
Venue
Cuneo Mansion and Gardens: http://www.luc.edu/cuneo/
Hair and Makeup
Flawless Beauty by Nicole: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Flawless-Beauty-by-Nicole/343330125739198
Rose Alexander: https://www.facebook.com/pages/FACES-by-ROSE/278463683505
Donte Mitchell: https://www.facebook.com/BeUtiful.PEOple
Heaven Stewart: https://www.facebook.com/heaven.stewart
Videographer: http://idofilms.com
Catering: http://www.bauerscatering.com
Cake: http://www.oakmillbakery.com
Florist: http://www.weddingflowerlady.com
Horse & Buggy: http://www.horsedrawncarriages.com
Photo Booth: http://photoboothofthestars.smugmug.com
Getaway Car: http://classicweddingcar.com
String Quartet:
2nd Photographer: Kimberli Nelson
