Bari & Colin’s Chicago wedding at Morgan Manufacturing :

SO much color, a giant bull mural for portraits, fitting a 22-person wedding party into the United Center for photos with the Chicago Bulls championship trophies, and non-stop dancing ALL NIGHT! This was the wedding celebration we waited over 2 years for!

Bari and Colin, like so many other couples during COVID had to postpone their wedding. These two, however, only postponed the big reception. Their intimate backyard ceremony still happened and I am still so honored I was there to photograph it.

While their small wedding ceremony was definitely one for the books, this wedding was one I’ll truly never forget, especially with their adorable daughter included this time around.

The stunning details for the ceremony space were vibrant and colorful, but walking into their reception was something out of a dream. Hanging flowers, eclectic table placements, and endless amounts of candlelights. And the food! Well, the pictures below will explain it all. This was one epic wedding day.

Wedding Creative Team :
Venue : @morgan.mfg
Planner : Reva Nathan
Florist : @hmrdesigns @petalharder
Band : @arlenmusicproductions
Video : Xpress Video
Hair : @hairbyerinahern
Makeup : @kellylabanco_mua
Caterer : @entertaining_co
Cake : @cake_chicago
Shoes : @alexandrebirman
Dress : @aliceinivorybridal
Suit : @menswearhouse
Linens : @BBJlinen
Tabletop Decor : @thefestivefrog
Lighting & draping : @eleganteventlighting

A little about the lovely couple :

1.  When did you meet?  Where?  

They met in October 2012 while working together at the same Engineering Company. At the time, Bari was in charge of the Marketing and HR departments, so it was she that sent Colin his formal offer letter!
It wasn’t until 2015 though that they went on their first date!

2.  When did you get engaged?  Where? 

Colin asked Bari’s Dad for permission to marry her in January 2019 on the yearly family trip to Aruba. We then got engaged on May 11, 2019 in the Singer backyard in Long Grove, IL. We had planned to go there that day to celebrate Bari’s dad’s birthday, but little did she know, Colin (and the family) had other plans in mind! After Colin proposed, Colin had a few other surprises in store – Colin, Bari and her family went downtown to Gibson’s Italia for dinner followed by a surprise party at Sunda with all of their friends (because an engagement night without Sushi just doesn’t seem right when it comes to Bari and Colin).

3.  How did the proposal happen?  

We started our wedding process by hiring a wedding planner that came highly recommended by many friends and family friends (Reva Nathan). After that, we used her referrals and suggestions, as well as some others from our closest friends (hello – Liz!). Pre-covid, the process was fun and easy going! We enjoyed it a lot!

4.  What was the most important aspect for you two when planning?  

One of the most important aspects was creating/having an event that was fun for and included all of our friends and family. Next up was food! Both of us consider ourselves foodies, so having sushi for Bari and fried chicken sandwiches that resembled Doc B’s for Colin were a must!

5.  What is one thing about your spouse that many people might not know? Any funny, sweet, silly stories?

During the beginning of the quarantine not only did we work in the same room, but at the same desk. While that would be a recipe for disaster for some couples, it actually worked in our favor, and when we moved to a bigger space, we still share the same room. Not the same desk though!
Bari prides herself on being a foodie, yet is actually very picky.
Colin is actually the romantic one in the relationship.

6.  Any advice for future couples?  

 Don’t sweat the small stuff. Be flexible and open minded. At the end of the day, this is supposed to be about love and fun!

THANKS FOR SHARING!

The Siano Family : When a hot Summer afternoon ends with a family jump in the pool.

This beautiful family is always so much fun to hang out with and they only continue to grow in size! With baby boy #4 on the way, this gorgeous momma wanted to make sure we captured their last Summer together as a family of 5.

We met at their suburb home on an unusually humid evening. “Of course!” We all laughed off as we immediately started to sweat within seconds of walking outside. The hot weather didn’t seem to matter to the boys, though. With water bottles in hand, we ran over the bridge and they leaned over the side pointing out all the fish swimming below. The neighbors generously let them play around on their swinging bench nearby, and we laughed as each kid stood taking turns getting their photos taken.

After a lot of running around, we all decided that a final jump in the pool, clothes and all, would be the best way to end this sweet session. I for sure dunked my head as well. Best feeling ever!

These boys are all such beautiful combinations of their parents and I’m so excited to see what baby #4 looks like!

Alli & Joe’s Chicago wedding at Salvatore’s Restaurant in Lincoln Park.

“My wedding details are simple with minimal decor. I am all about just enjoying the moment and making sure everyone is having a good time. I really wanted to get a unique and ethereal vibe, especially through my dress and Joe’s suit (floral dress and light blue suit).”

When I read this wedding day vision I couldn’t wait to see her dress. These two were the epitome of what it means to be super chill on your wedding day. We met right outside the Lincoln Park Conservatory for photos. Alli walked up with her floral dress flowing in the wind looking like an actual princess out of a Disney movie. Joe’s light blue suit was a perfect contrast. They first saw each other in a big open field and made it seem like no one else was around. Their wedding party consisted of some of the sweetest and most attentive friends. After a few photos in the park, we made our way – literally walking – to their venue a few blocks North.

When I asked them about their venue, they told me the food was what convinced them to book there. The classic Chicago Italian restaurant and impeccable staff only solidified their choice.

From heartfelt speeches to the most vibrant dance floor, these two celebrate a perfect day as husband and wife.

Their Wedding Creative Team :

Venue: @salvatoreschicago
DJ: @djchicagogram
Hair/Makeup: @alyssalynnmakeup
Cake: @ecbg_studio
Dress: @bhldn
Suit: @suitsupply
Florist: Primrose

Ryan and Travis’s Chicago wedding at South Branch was colorful, detailed, personal, and fun! Just like so many others, these grooms had to make the decision to push their nuptials back 1 year due to COVID. I truly think it all worked out how it was meant to, though, as we had the most beautiful day on the lake for their engagement photos, and their wedding day could not have been prettier. They described their decision to push back the wedding when I sent over my wedding blog survey :

“Pushing it out to summer 2022 was our best option. We gave ourselves time to enjoy the engagement and started planning pretty quickly into the new year. We did our venue first to nail down a date and then moved to the other two major pieces: photos and music. We knew Liz was a great fit for us because of the referrals from friends, but also our zoom meeting that seemed like we were talking to a friend. It started with us and not our wedding. Liz then was very helpful and we found our DJ through the recommendation list she provided.” – The sweetest! We really did talk for quite a while on that Zoom call and it truly felt like I was chatting with old friends. 🙂

The weather was perfect! And that is especially needed when you plan lots of photos outside (which we did!) AND an outdoor ceremony. After a few photos of each groom getting ready at the W Chicago, Ryan and I jumped in an Uber to meet Travis at the south garden by the Art Institute. I had Ryan wait behind the gate entrance and made my way towards Travis to turn him around and get ready for their first look.

When you are ready, turn around Travis. 🙂 They both looked so amazing in their suits and immediately rushed to each other for a big hug and kiss. The rest of the afternoon was filled with the most joyous wedding party, walking all around Millennium Park, and ending at the iconic Buckingham Fountain, where I don’t know how it was possible on such a gorgeous day in June, but we had or photo spot all to ourselves!

Off to South Branch for family photos and lots of water before the guests began to arrive. Then, as the sun peeked through the surrounding buildings, Ryan and Travis made their way down the aisle surrounded by all their family and friends to officially say I DO. The ceremony was short, sweet, and emotional, officiated by close friends, and before we knew it, it was time to party!

Ryan & Travis’s Wedding Creative Team :

Wedding Venue : @southbranchchi
Florist : @catherinesgardens
DJ : @toastandjamdjs
Hair/Makeup : @blushandbraidsbeautybar
Suits : @suitsupply

The best day! Love ya’ll! 😉

A little more about Ryan & Travis :

When did you meet? Where?
A. We are one of the Tinder success stories. We were talking for a bit before agreeing to meet up in person. We had our first date at a bar in Lakeview and it’s been great ever since.

When did you get engaged? Where? How did the proposal happen?
A. We got engaged in October of 2020. We had just closed on our first place together and Travis made an off the cuff comment to Ryan about how getting out of a mortgage was harder than getting out of a marriage. A day later, Ryan proposed as Travis “unpacked” a very important box.

What was the most important aspect for you two when planning your wedding?
A. For us, we wanted our guests to have a great time. We had a lot of friends from out of town come in and we wanted to not only showcase the city of Chicago, but also our life there. Our rehearsal dinner was at our local bar (shout out to Toons!) and then opened it up to everyone to just enjoy time together. We really enjoyed this extra time to be with our guests. After that, our venue being on the river and outside for most of it really helped sell the case of why we live in Chicago. The food/drink/music combo was also excellent, so that helped our guests have a good time.

How did you choose your wedding venue(s)? (Price/location/availability/etc.?)
A. We got married at South Branch Grille and Tavern and we really enjoyed the option to be outdoors for most of it while being surrounded by the downtown buildings.They were great to work with and we enjoyed everything about the venue. Being a restaurant, it’s our plan to go there for dinner on our anniversaries.

What was your favorite thing about your wedding day?
A. We loved how our worlds collided and everyone matched so well. This was a time where two families (and yes, our friends are included in that) really became one.

What were the first dance songs?
A. We danced to “Take the World” by JOHNNYSWIM. The song doesn’t hold anything particular meaning, but does have some beautiful lyrics.

Where did you (or plan to) go for your honeymoon?
A. We were fortunate enough to spend a good amount of time away because of Ryan’s teaching schedule and Travis holding onto some vacation time. We spent about 16 days in France and Morocco. It was such a great time to be together and experience new parts of the world.

What is one thing about your spouse that many people might not know? Any funny, sweet, silly stories?
A. Ryan – There’s a lot of great things about Travis, but one of the things I love the most is how great of a friend he is to everyone. He is great at keeping in contact with people and keeping up with them. He truly feels honored to have these people as his friends and works hard to keep them in his life.Travis –

– Ryan can anticipate (and prevent!) problems better than anyone I know. He has like a sixth sense for being able to think things out fully and completely and is always prepared. All weather, all scenarios, all contingencies – he’s undeterred.

Can you give any advice for future couples planning a wedding?
A. Something will go wrong and no one will notice. Don’t stress about the day being “perfect.” There were things at our wedding that didn’t go as planned and no one noticed until we brought it up to them. People will remember the great memories, not the tiny mishaps. And make sure to eat!

THANKS FOR SHARING!

Hannah & Ricky’s wedding at the Morton Arboretum

“For both of us, the most important aspect of our wedding planning was finding a great photographer so that we could remember our special day forever!“

When I first met Hannah and Ricky, the detail in which they planned their day was impressive to say the least. I was so happy to be a part of it all. Talking over their day, I could immediately tell how perfect they were together. They both were involved with every step of the process, including taking photo suggestions from me and giving their input in return. I loved listening to them talk about how they envisioned their day.

When Hannah and Ricky told me they were getting married at the Morton Arboretum, my only reaction was excitement. The grounds are gorgeous there, especially in the Summer, and I knew so many of the spots we chose would be a stunning backdrop with this sweet duo.

As soon as I walked into Hannah’s hotel room on the wedding day, I was met with the biggest smile. Everyone was so happy and excited. They even hung a ‘Future Mrs. Huddleston’ banner for her to celebrate. After they both got dressed and put on their final touches, we were driven to the first look spot. Hannah’s dad drove us around the park for photos. It was the absolute sweetest!

Hannah slowly made her way down a quiet tree-lined pathway to where Ricky was waiting at the end of the bridge. After a little tap on the shoulder and a quick turn around, you could see the nerves melt away and the smiles widen. They were both so ready to see each other! We took some time for photos of just the two of them and then made our way to one of my favorite spots in the park to meet the entire wedding party, the Spruce Tree Lot. The light that day and the colors were out of this world. I was a happy photographer. 🙂

After lots of smiles, a lot of photos with their adorable dog Taz, even more family portraits, and a little time to freshen up, we made our way down the pathway from their venue to their outdoor ceremony on the water. The weather was perfect! Happy tears all around and shouts of joy as they said I DO and off we went to dance the night away.

These huge Star Wars fans paired just enough of their favorite details with the beautiful backdrop of the floor-to-ceiling windows facing out to the water. You could still see their ceremony chairs set up as the sun was starting to set.

Hannah and Ricky, your day was a beautiful walk in the park…quite literally! I loved every detail!

Venue : @mortonarb
Florist : @blushbloomsco
Dress : @adriannapapell @brilliantbridal
Suit : @josabank
Hair : @debrapetrielli.team
Makeup : @daniveneziamua

Get to know a little more about the couple :

• Q. When did you meet? Where?
  A. Ricky and Hannah met in downtown Denver, in the summer of 2017. Hannah began as an intern at the company Ricky worked for and after about 4 months, near the end of her internship, Ricky finally asked Hannah out on a date! They walked along the 16th Street mall, had dinner together, and shared a piece of cheesecake!
• Q. When did you get engaged? Where? How did the proposal happen?
  A. Ricky proposed to Hannah while they were on vacation in Pensacola, Florida on New Year’s Day, 2021! Ricky had gone to walk on the beach early in the morning under the guise of searching for shells, but he was really scoping out a proposal spot to carve “Marry Me!” in the sand! When Hannah came looking for him, after sleeping in, he brought her up to his caving and before she knew it, Ricky was down on one knee with a spectacular diamond ring!
• Q. How did you start your wedding planning process? Through referrals, planner, own research, etc.?
  A. Our wedding planning started with a spreadsheet Hannah’s sister had put together for her wedding a few years prior. From that point on, there was a ton of Pinterest research and googling! We found a wedding venue and everything fell perfectly into place after that!
• Q. How did you choose your wedding venue(s)?
  A. When choosing our wedding venue, we prioritized the location. We fell in love with the ceremony spot and picked a wedding date based on the availability they had.
• Q. What was your favorite thing about your wedding day?
  A. For Hannah, her favorite part was dancing all night long with her friends and family.
  For Ricky, his favorite part was the first look and seeing Hannah for the first time in her wedding dress, looking beautiful.
• Q. What were the first dance songs?
  A. Newlywed first song: Imperial March by Samuel Kim
  Mother / Son: My Wish by Rascal Flatts
  Father / Daughter: You’ll Be in My Heart by Phil Collins + Crank That by Soulja Boy
• Q. Where did you (or plan to) go for your honeymoon?
  A. We went to Bali, Indonesia for a two-week honeymoon! We spent the first half on the north eastern coast in the town of Tulamben scuba diving and the second half exploring the jungle of Ubud.
• Q. What is one thing about your spouse that many people might not know? Any funny, sweet, silly stories?
  A. One thing many people might not know about Ricky is that he is an animal whisperer. At every gathering and get-together, every dog and cat wants to sit in his lap and be pet by him.
  One thing many people might not know about Hannah is that she is not a very good cook. Before she met Ricky, she was a cereal and mac & cheese kinda girl, until he taught her the basics and now they make proper dinners together, almost every night!
• Q. Can you give any advice for future couples planning a wedding?
  A. Our advice for future couples planning a wedding is to plan together? Involve your partner in the wedding planning process. It should be a joint effort, and both of your preferences and ideas should be considered. Additionally, we would recommend doing thorough research on vendors, venues, and other services you’ll need for your wedding. Compare prices, read reviews, and ask for recommendations to make informed decisions and get the best value for your money.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING!

Michelle & Doug’s Chicago Wedding at The Rookery

“Food, music, and the venue.” These were the three most important aspects for Michelle and Doug when planning their wedding.

“We are huge foodies, so having delicious food was important. A unique venue made our special day stand out and it sure helped that Doug already had that one figured out prior to even getting engaged. The band we chose was sensational and truly made the night one to remember!“

Their April wedding day started with a room full of close friends and family all beyond excited to see Michelle in her dress. And let me tell you, after walking in and hanging it up for photos, I was too! The detail was amazing. And then add in the colorful bridesmaid dresses and gorgeous flowers from Steve’s Flower Market and I knew this day would be so fun to capture.

I had first met Michelle way back before I was even a full time photographer. We worked together in downtown Chicago off Michigan Ave in Grant Park. Little did we both know that one day she would be contacting me for engagement and wedding photos. And I’m so glad she did! After meeting Doug and seeing these two together, it was more than apparent that they were each other’s perfect person. Add in Winston, aka Sir Winston Meatball, and this adorable family of 3 made for some of my favorite city engagement photos.

After a lot of excitement and then dodging multiple wedding parties also taking photos on LaSalle, we lined up Michelle and Doug in front of the Rookery building, stood back, and watched them see each other for the first time all dressed up. Doug’s reaction was the cutest! Nerves were calmed, gifts were exchanged, and after a few photos of just them, their amazing wedding party joined in. We finally had the entire street to ourselves!

My favorite part was climbing the famous Rookery building winding stairs to catch some iconic photos inside. According to Michelle, “Doug was a guest at a wedding at The Rookery Building a few years prior and talked about how incredible it was for a few years. The moment we got engaged, Doug asked me to go see it. We saw one other venue and there was no competition. We did not even look at any others!”

I had to agree! Those stairs are so cool and the building is gorgeous. After many, MANY photos inside the Rookery, Michelle and Doug and their friends and family hid away as the final details were set up for the ceremony at the bottom of the grand staircase. A short and sweet ceremony and quick reception room change up later, and we were cheering Mr. & Mrs. Andrew in down those very stairs to dance the night away.

Here are the highlights from their unforgettable wedding day.

Wedding Coordinator : @bustleandlace
Florist : @stevesflowermarket
Band : @maggiespeaksband
Hair : @tamaraholdenhair
Makeup : @emilywolfmua
Caterer : @jewelleventscatering
Shoes : @loefflerrandall
Dress : @bellabiancabridalcouture
Suit : @stitchandheartchi
Lighting/Design : @art_imagination

A little more about Michelle & Doug :

1.When did you meet? Where?
We connected on the dating app Hinge in 2018. Our first date was shortly after at The Bad Apple in Lincoln Square. Michelle was late, per usual.

2. When did you get engaged? Where? How did the proposal happen?

We got engaged in 2021 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico over Valentine’s Day weekend. Doug somehow made it through customs with the ring and surprised Michelle with a sweet proposal by the beach just a few short hours upon their arrival. We got to celebrate all weekend long and were just on cloud 9 the entire trip!

3. How did you start your wedding planning process? Through referrals, planner, own research, etc.?

Michelle is a planner at heart and took to her own research right away. Doug already had the venue picked out and the moment they saw it, they both knew it was perfect for them. As the date got closer, Michelle hired a day of planner, but she rocked out all of the details, big and small, on her own with a million spreadsheets and basically taking on a part time gig as wedding planner!

4. What was your favorite thing about your wedding day?

We both adored our first look and our first dance. These were two uniquely special and memorable moments we shared together that we will cherish forever. Having all of our family and friends in one space, celebrating our love, is also something we will never ever forget.

5. What were the first dance songs?

Michelle & Doug: “The Luckiest” – Ben Folds. This was also played with only instrumentals (violin and piano) during our ceremony as Michelle walked down the aisle and as well as post ceremony after we said our “I do’s!”

Michelle and her Dad, Allan: “My Girl” – The Temptations

Doug and his mom, Evelyn: “Close to You” – Carpenters

6. Where did you (or plan to) go for your honeymoon?

A few days after the wedding, we had the most breathtakingly beautiful honeymoon in Hawaii. We started off in Kauai and ended our trip in Maui. Our honeymoon was the perfect combination of adventure, activities, relaxation and romance and we loved every minute of it!

7. What is one thing about your spouse that many people might not know? Any funny, sweet, silly stories?

We are both are super goofy together and often break into song and dance over the most random things. Keeps us laughing and always entertained!

8. Can you give any advice for future couples planning a wedding?

Make a timeline and stick to it. It gets stressful as the date gets closer, so the more you can do spread out over time, the better. Also, enjoy every minute of your big day. The cliche “it goes by so fast” is SO true. Make sure you participate in your wedding- enjoy the band/DJ, dance your little face off, eat the food, enjoy your new wife/husband and make memories that will last a lifetime!

THANKS FOR SHARING!

Kira & Tyler’s Chicago wedding at The Geraghty: Just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s more! Walking into this beautifully decorated space at the Geraghty was something out of a dream. The colors alone were mesmerizing, but the DETAIL! The detail was out of this world.

There were unforgettable food displays including a custom sushi bar and tequila bar, and a life-size cut out of Kira’s late father that later made its way to the dance floor.

As you began your walk through the candle-lit entrance to the reception, you felt as though you were walking through an enchanted forest. As you turned the corner, you immediately saw the bride and groom’s sweetheart table, and the amazing band greeting you warmly with live music as you looked over the colorful details of each table placement.

I asked Kira to tell me what they envisioned their ideal wedding to be like. Here is what she said :

“This is our reception for last years’ ceremony (which we held at our home with our immediate family). All of the guests streamed our ceremony from the comfort of their own homes. The idea is to make it a big party to celebrate our marriage and all of our family and friends finally being able to be together. We are surprising our guests with an airbrush artist as a funny nod to the forgotten days of bar/bat mitzvahs and to add a memorable, fun, and unique flair to the event.

My husband and I developed a renewed appreciation and love for trees and florals during the pandemic on all of our walks around the neighborhood, so I wanted to bring that theme into the wedding decor. I told Mathew I want guests to feel as if they are walking into an enchanted forest when entering the reception room, and I am excited to see what he comes up with!

My mom’s must have is a tequila bar. We decided to give the tequila bar a dia de los muertos theme to honor the culture of the neighborhood our venue is in and to do something unique and special to honor our deceased loved ones. For all events, my dad was always big on honoring the memory of lost loved ones by creating beautiful memory tables. Since he unfortunately is now on that list of lost loved ones, I really wanted to make sure that we honored his memory by creating a really special memorial “table.” I am also showing a little photo montage of pictures of my dad and I during the first half of what would have been our father/daughter dance. The song I chose is Jackson Browne’s “For a Dancer,” which is one of my dad’s (and my) favorite songs and has a really beautiful message about loss, death, and life after death. I also have a life-size cut-out of my dad (which was also at the ceremony) because that was the type of humor my dad (and I) have. My mom thinks I should dance with it (our family has weird humor lol) but I think that will be a game-time decision.

My whole life I looked forward to the father-daughter dance and the speech my dad would give at my wedding (he is the king of funny speeches!), so it has been difficult imagining a wedding without him and those things…but to be honest all of the changes with the pandemic kind of make everything a little easier because nothing is what it should be.

The majority of the details of the event is a surprise to both guests and even my husband – from the cocktail hour (e.g. sushi bar), to the air brush, to the frozen lemon/lime cocktails, to the Lou Malnatis pizzas. The only things my husband knows about are the band (which he chose) and the air brush artist. Everything else is a surprise (even the decor!). It has been hard to keep everything a secret from him and my family/friends, but my mom and I are excited to see their faces when they see everything!

We told the band we wanted the party to be like a big concert, and gave them complete creative freedom to jam out on any and all songs they want, for as long as they want. So it should be a-rockin’ good time!

We just want everyone to have fun and be happy :-)”

And fun and happy it was!

Their wedding creative team:

Venue : @thegeraghty
Design/lighting/Florist : @kehoedesigns @mathew_lahey
Caterer : @entertaining_co
Band : @goldcoastallstars
Makeup : @toshiszpyra
Hair : @erinahernbeauty_salonbuzz
Dress : @ultimatebridechicago / Dresser: Gwendolyn
Suit : @suitsupply
Video : @mirarweddings
Planner : #RevaNathan

Photo Booth: Record-A-Hit
Air Brush: Record-A-Hit
Late-night snack: Lou Malnati’s Pizza

Danielle + Ryan : An afternoon engagement from Montrose Harbor to Museum Campus.

My two favorite spots to see the city skyline and I got to photograph this sweet couple at both! When Danielle contacted me for photos she had a vision in mind of exploring around the city as they were planning a destination wedding the following year. Chicago photos were important to them, as was including their adorable Yorkie Poo.

I LOVE when couples bring their dogs along for photos! I also love when they contact me nervous trying to convince me they are “very awkward in front of the camera“. I can whole heartedly say without a doubt that these two NEVER looked awkward throughout the entire evening in their photos. Not once. They had fun, we laughed at their adorable dog Conrad, and enjoyed the sunset and city view. I love proving to anyone and everyone that we all might feel the same awkwardness when it comes to getting our photos taken, but with the right photographer, you will almost always be pleasantly surprised when you see your pictures. 😉

We started at Montrose Harbor Bird Sanctuary on the north side watching sail boats go by and taking in the unusually warm, but very welcomed, Fall weather. This spot is always so peaceful and quiet walking through the sanctuary trails.

To finish, we made our way South on Lake Shore Drive towards Museum Campus. I love suggesting this area to everyone. You get the greatest views of the city and during the week especially, it’s rarely busy. You get the iconic museum architecture as your backdrop on one side, and an amazing view of the Chicago skyline on the other.

For the museum location, Danielle and Ryan changed into a more formal outfit. I loved that they looked like newlyweds in a white dress and a black suit. They even had a bow tie for Conrad! It was the perfect spot to watch the sun go down, city lights come on, and use the headlights of the cars driving by as an added backdrop bonus.

Thank you both, and Conrad, for such a lovely evening in the city!

Ryan + Travis : Chicago Lakeview Engagement :

When I tell you I never stopped smiling during this shoot…I NEVER STOPPED SMILING!

Blue skies and the sweetest duo makes for one very happy photographer. I met Ryan and Travis on Zoom the year before talking about their vision for their wedding day and right away, I knew they would be fun to work with. They both were so easy to talk to, open to any suggestions, and best of all, excited for a LOT of photos. Music to my ears!

For their engagement, they wanted to stay near the neighborhood where they lived, incorporate the iconic Chicago skyline in the background, and finally, end their session at their favorite bar down the street from their house, Toons.

We walked along the lake shore, explored throughout the beautiful Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond and Nature Museum across the street, relaxed at home, and toasted celebratory drinks together at their favorite bar.

These two prove why engagement sessions are my favorite thing to photograph. I got to know Ryan and Travis more personally both individually and as a couple. Watching how easily they made each other smile and laugh and put one another at ease was probably the best part of the entire afternoon.

That, and the sunglasses pictures. 😉

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CANNOT WAIT FOR THE BIG DAY AT SOUTH BRANCH TAVERN!

Celebrating the last days of the Summer with the sweetest couple.

I met up with Rachel and Nick in front of the iconic Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, Chicago. With literally no clouds in the sky, we embraced the sunshine and the amazingly clear view of my favorite city skyline.

Look at the beautiful blue sky!

Picking the best location for your photos can be a big decision. Or, you can simply pick a familiar place that makes you feel at home. That’s what makes it the best choice. Rachel & Nick live close to Grant Park and go walking with their dog there all the time. It made It extra special to celebrate their engagement there.

I love Grant Park and all of the little walkways and gardens that surround it. You really don’t have to go far to get different backdrops, and with that skyline view so close, it’s always the best close up view of the city.

We made our way a few minutes North of Grant Park along Lake Shore Drive by Oak Street Beach. The architecture alone is stunning. Add in the lake shore and water views and it’s the perfect Summer afternoon. The waves crashing up on Rachel and Nick were even a cool, be it unplanned, welcome on an unexpectedly hot day.

I love looking back at these photos with this cute duo!