A Perfect Setting for Family and Friends: The night before at Quartino Ristorante in Chicago with Rachel and Adam.
The magic began as soon as the guests entered Quartino, a cozy yet elegant space known for its rustic charm and delicious Italian fare. The welcoming atmosphere immediately made everyone feel at home. The restaurant’s inviting ambiance, with its warm lighting, wooden beams, and lively energy, provided the perfect setting for a wedding rehearsal dinner. The restaurant’s signature blend of comfort and sophistication felt just right for this special gathering of family and friends.
The evening was filled with an air of excitement and anticipation. The couple’s closest loved ones gathered together for the first time in celebration, sharing stories, laughter, and moments of joy as they prepared for the big day ahead. Family members who hadn’t seen each other in years reunited, while friends caught up and made memories that would last a lifetime.
Let’s get you two married tomorrow!
Greg & Mark’s intimate wedding ceremony at Adalina Chicago. This sweet duo wanted their day to feel personal with a fun Chicago/Speakeasy vibe. Their choice of venue was perfect with the ceremony taking place in the Rose Lounge and the dinner to follow in the Dahlia Room upstairs.
A gorgeous early December wedding day surrounded by their nearest and dearest. Mark and Greg started their day out at the iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel. They helped each other get ready with every personal detail, including stunning cuff links gifted to them. After a few portraits on the balcony looking over Chicago’s winter views, they were greeted warmly in the lobby by family.
Before making our way around the corner to the restaurant, we snuck out for a few portraits of the grooms alone. The glistening Christmas tree at the hotel entrance and the streets lined with lights were the perfect backdrops for these dapper gentlemen.
Walking out of the elevator hand in hand, Greg and Mark made their way through their seated guests in the Rose Lounge. Greeted by a beautiful flower display by City Scents Chicago donning the chandelier above, the couple stood in front of everyone to say their vows. After a lot of emotions, and even more hugs, Greg, Mark, and all of their guests celebrated with delicious cocktails and food.
We all made our way up through the restaurant to their intimate dinner setting in the Dahlia Room, and one by one, all of their guests stood to share love, toasts, and fun memories of the duo.
Mary & Steve’s November wedding at Bridgeport Art Center: A day full of color and lots of favorite Chicago locations for photos.
Mary & Steve created a perfect fall wedding day in the city.
We started their photo adventures at Museum Campus with their adorable dog, Basil for their engagement session. I knew right away these two would be so fun to photograph. They were so comfortable with one another, and the smiles were so natural. I loved hearing about how they envisioned their upcoming wedding and watching how they interacted with each other. They couldn’t help but get excited about all the details.
From the bride: “I want the vibe to be fun, not super formal/romantic, etc. My ideal wedding will be maximum time dancing, having fun, and talking to people.”
I can truly say their day was 100% full of color. The amazing flowers from Ki House alone stood out as soon as we walked into the room. The details of the day were simply elegant and vibrant. My kind of vibe.
I started the day at their home, being greeted with huge smiles, and everyone was finishing up makeup and hair with Windy City Glam. There was so much excitement in the room. After an adorable first look with her bridesmaids, Mary walked outside to see her dad for a few quiet moments together. First looks with dads are honestly some of my favorite moments.
We then made our way to Lincoln Park for Mary and Steve’s first look at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. The green palms inside are the perfect backdrop for wedding day portraits. After their first look, I immediately saw the sun setting through the windows. It was amazing light and made for some of the most gorgeous portraits.
The wedding party joined in after for a few indoor portraits, and then we made sure to get the classic Chicago skyline photo just outside the Conservatory entrance. We lucked out with gorgeous weather and blue skies.
The amazing team from Stunning and Brilliant Events did a phenomenal job setting up the ceremony and reception space at Bridgeport. It was absolutely gorgeous. Mary and Steve mingled and danced the night away alongside their friends, family, and the very talented Hey Jimmy Band.
Kat & Tony’s Chicago wedding at Salvatore’s Restaurant: A black and white and classic Chicago wedding day.
The weather was cold, gloomy, and honestly, quite on point for a late October date in the city. It made for some amazing clouds over the lake for photos later. After a busy morning, everyone made their way to the iconic Holy Name Cathedral for an unforgettably gorgeous ceremony.
The architecture alone of this church brings tourists from all over the world to visit. Being able to photograph a wedding inside is truly a gift. Walking in, you can’t help but look straight up in awe. Then being able to watch your couple walk down to each other for the ceremony is quite an experience.
After their first kiss, Kat and Tony solidified their vows with a double high-five and the biggest smiles.
We made our way to the Lake for a few portraits of the entire wedding party under some iconic stormy clouds and made sure to work quickly with the fast-dropping temperatures. Kat and Tony were amazing. They never once complained about how cold or windy it was. Not unlike their cold afternoon for their engagement session, they simply enjoyed themselves. They were the best to work with!
The reception took place at Salvatore’s Restaurant, an amazing Italian location in Chicago. After a delicious dinner and a few very emotional speeches, Kat and Tony were off to the dance floor showcasing their choreographed dance for all of their guests.
Their wedding was intimate, romantic, and emotional. The best of two beautiful people coming together to celebrate their life. It was perfect.
Rachel and Anthony’s wedding day started with lots of rain and crazy wind. Gotta love IL weather. It was quite the opposite of their sun-filled engagement session on the water up in Wisconsin. Regardless, these two didn’t let any concern or stress show for a second.
I was met with the biggest smiles in both hotel rooms from Rachel and her girls and Anthony and his guys. They were so excited to celebrate come rain or shine. I was also so happy to be greeted by their adorable dog, Ruger again. Hey was the star of the show during their engagement and let me tell you, in that custom dog tux, he did not disappoint for the wedding day either. This day and all of the decor was centered around this beautiful family of 3. From the cake topper to the table centerpieces, Ruger was present throughout.
Rachel and Anthony and their amazing wedding party made do with whatever weather we were given. I found a covered spot for photos, and they nailed every single one. The best part of the day was arriving at CDandME and the storm, out of nowhere, completely stopped in time for family photos. We rushed to get as many photos as possible up to the start of the ceremony. The sun even came out for a few! It was perfect. Shortly after, deciding to move the ceremony indoors became the best decision as round 2 of this crazy rainstorm began minutes before.
After a sweet ceremony with the beautiful backdrop of the grounds at CDandME, Rachel and Anthony kissed and were announced husband and wife. The rest of the night included a bridal dress change, night portraits, lots of fun group portraits, and an epic dance floor.
There is something amazing about Chicago in the springtime. The bright blue sky is EVERYTHING!
I met Mary and Steve on the steps of the Field Museum, one of my favorite spots in the downtown area. Everyone is always inside the museums, so taking pictures outside with the iconic architecture is perfect because it feels like we have it all to ourselves. These two were so cute together and willing to go along with all the silly and quirky prompts I threw at them. They laughed at themselves and jumped around and danced and the pictures, if I may be so bold, speak for themselves.
They also brought their adorable dog Basil along which only made the afternoon more enjoyable. I always say YES to my couples when they ask about bringing their dogs along for photos. Not only do you get photos of you with your furry family member, but it always helps to put you more at ease when you are in front of the camera. The smiles and laughs become more genuine, and you honestly just have more fun.
Of course that’s only my opinion, but, scroll through this sweet session and tell me I’m wrong. 🙂
Congratulations Mary & Steve! I cannot WAIT for this wedding and more pictures with sweet Basil!
HUGS!
Kat & Tony’s Chicago riverwalk engagement : When you plan to meet for photos at the end of February in Chicago, you really never know what weather to expect. One thing was for certain, however. We knew there wouldn’t be that many people walking around and we would have the city to ourselves.
WELL, THE SUN WAS OUT!
We completely lucked out with a gorgeous sunny afternoon on the riverwalk. It even kept us warm enough to stay out longer than we originally expected. Add that winter sunshine reflecting off of the city skyline and Chicago river, and we got the most beautiful day for their engagement.
These two were so much fun to photograph. You could tell how easy it was to make each other laugh, and for me, that was all I needed behind the camera. One of my favorite moments was putting them up on the median in the middle of Michigan Ave and a truck honked at them for congratulations. Their faces were priceless!
Congratulations you two! Thank you for enjoying an unexpectedly gorgeous afternoon in Chicago…IN FEBRUARY…with me. 🙂
Samantha and Brian’s wedding rehearsal at the iconic Osteria Via Stato : a night surrounded by friends and family and a venue decked out for the holidays. The evening was intimate yet full wall-to-wall with amazing guests and delicious food.
Rehearsals are always the best way to incorporate more speeches for the couple in a unique way. You can create an evening where several friends and family members share stories that might not get the time on the wedding day. It’s a time to celebrate the festivities to come.
And what better way than in a beautiful Chicago restaurant setting with amazing food?!
Cheers friends!
Rachel & Anthony’s Wisconsin engagement session on the Lake : Boats, cars, dogs, and pumpkin heads. Enough said. This gorgeous Fall afternoon up in Wisconsin was a literal dream. Rachel and Anthony had originally talked about the different locations back near Chicago they thought would work nicely for photos, but when they asked if I’d be willing to travel to a lake house and go out on a boat, I knew no other spot would compare.
After a couple hours of driving from Chicago to Elkhorn, and through some of the prettiest and most colorful areas, I made my way to their neighborhood where the gorgeous backyard view gave us the perfect lakeside backdrop for photos.
When I first arrived, my attention went directly to the bright red BMW in the driveway and some pumpkin heads (already carved) at the front step. I knew this photoshoot was going to be fun.
ENTER RUGER. <3
I always tell my couples that if your dog is part of the family, bring them for photos. You will never regret it! And Ruger for sure outshined us all…even on the boat! This session and these two were absolutely adorable and I’ll always remember this day with a big smile.
So excited for their October 2023 Wedding!
HUGS!
Holly & Ewan’s Wedding at Scottsdale Plaza Resort: A full sun day with 100+ temperatures, colorful Arizona plant life, and the most gorgeous bride and groom.
I love that we started in Chicago for their proposal and engagement and ended in Scottsdale for their wedding.
Driving into the resort, you are met with a beautiful palm tree-lined road leading up to the rooms. As a photographer based out of Chicago, this view in itself was amazing enough. Then I met up with the wedding party and I knew that with the colorful background created by the resort’s landscaping, the pictures were going to be so fun to create.
Holly and Ewan planned a first look followed by a private vow exchange, and when the idea was presented to me, I was so excited to witness it. They gave themselves time to be alone, read their vows, cry, and hug with no one else around. It was so unique and special.
Finding whatever shade we could, we explored the grounds with the wedding party, dodging the 100+ degree Arizona heat. With all the excitement, though, none of us seemed to notice just how hot it was. As the guests began to arrive, we noticed storm clouds coming in and gratefully accepted any cloud coverage and breeze provided.
The skyline quickly changed from open blue skies to stormy clouds just in time for the ceremony’s start. After lots of tears and cheers, we welcomed the newlyweds into their outdoor reception space, where a gorgeous post-storm sunset greeted us all. The rest of the night was full of non-stop dancing, lots of family photos, and one very happy bride and groom.
