Bari + Colin : An intimate backyard ceremony at home.
Sometimes, getting married in the backyard surrounded only by immediately family is the perfect wedding day. At least this was the case for Bari & Colin during the pandemic. So many couples experienced their own form of ‘change of plans‘ during this time, but somehow, these two still managed to create the most wonderful celebration with a much smaller guest list and venue. Walking through the front door I met Bari in the dining room finishing up her makeup. On the table in front of me were pictures of family and the married couple to be along with their wedding rings and unique invitations. I made my way upstairs with Bari to take her getting ready photos. I loved her short form-fitting wedding gown. It was perfect for a Summer wedding at home.
Once Bari was dressed, I made my way out front to meet Colin to place him for their first look. I loved the idea of Bari opening the front door and walking down the front pathway to meet him. It was so intimate and beautiful and you could tell how excited they both were to finally see one another. As we made our way out back to make sure everything was set for the ceremony, my jaw dropped as I looked out and the unbelievably gorgeous setting that was the backyard transformed. The petals, the chuppa, the flowers, the everything!
Oh and don’t get me started on Maki in his doggie tux! He stole the show for their engagement session too, but this was by far the cutest! So excited for their BIG wedding finally in 2022!
Everything was perfect.
The Creative Team :
Planner : #RevaNathan
Photography : @elizabethgrevephoto
Florals : @fragrantdesign
Music : @kenarlenevolutionorchestra
Makeup : @kelly_makeupartist
Hair : @sammartiranosalon
Video : @xpressvideoproductions
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 was your favorite thing about your wedding day?
Our mini wedding day was intimate. We felt we could really soak up the moments and spend quality time with our immediate families. We are still looking forward to a big party in 2021 though! (now 2022!)
6. 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.
7. 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!
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Lisa and Tom’s August wedding at Ruffled Feathers Golf Club : A note from the couple – “Our venue was the first thing we needed to secure after getting engaged. Lisa, being a teacher, wanted a summer wedding. This gave us a limited timeline since our engagement was in late August. Tom also has a huge extended family, so we would be inviting at least 250 people. We also knew we wanted an indoor ceremony and everything to occur at the same location. Tom’s sister, Kelli, had gotten married at Ruffled Feathers three years ago. Her wedding was beautiful, and the venue seemed to check all the boxes that we needed. When they told us they had an opening on August 9th, everything else kind of fell into place.”
This sunny day was exactly what the couple wished for. All in one place, we had ample time for photos and found shade when needed under the trees lining the golf course. The backlit ceremony space created a lovely glow and the blue bridesmaid dresses were a perfect contrast with the red and green florals.
The Wedding Creative Team:
Venue : Ruffled Feathers
Florist : Naperville Florist
DJ/Band : Non-Stop Entertainment
Hair/Makeup : Patty McGuire
Cake : Orland Park Bakery
Shoes : Stuart Weitzman
Dress : Bijou Bridal – Casablanca
Suit : Formally Modern Tuxedo
Congratulations friends!
A little about Lisa & Tom:
- Q. When did you meet? Where?
A. We both grew up in Naperville, attended the same elementary school, middle school and high school. However, our four year age difference prevented us from ever knowing each other. We first officially met in summer 2015. We were both were out with their respective friends at a bar. After meeting, we spent the entire night, talking laughing and enjoying drinks together. However, the romantic aspect of our relationship did not occur immediately. We remained good friends for about a year and then decided to finally make things official. - Q. When did you get engaged? Where? How did the proposal happen?
A. Lisa is a bit of a control freak and had already designed the engagement ring of her dreams. She then decided that her 32nd birthday would be the perfect occasion for me to pop the question. I had already planned a romantic birthday dinner in West Loop. Before leaving, I got down on one knee and asked Lisa to spend the rest of her life with me. Lisa, of course, said “Yes!” The rest of the night was filled with excitement, celebration and alcohol. - Q. How did you start your wedding planning process? Through referrals, planner, own research, etc.?
A. Both of us were really overwhelmed with wedding planning. Luckily, we had plenty of friends who had just gone through the same process. Our venue and many other vendors were largely based on referrals. Once the venue was official and we had a specific date, the rest of our timeline was set in motion. We did research on the side as well, google and yelp reviews were extremely helpful as a deciding factor. - Q. What was the most important aspect for you two when planning your wedding?
A. When planning, we tried to think about what our guests would enjoy. We wanted a fun night that everyone would remember. We definitely succeeded, our family and friends all had an amazing time! We were so happy that all our hard work came together. - Q. What was your favorite thing about your wedding day?
A. It was so amazing for us to see all our hard work and planning come together. We could not have asked for a smoother wedding day. Every single person we worked with was so professional, kind and accommodating. It definitely was a relief once the ceremony and pictures were over so we could finally let loose and have fun with our friends. - Q. What were the first dance songs? (Newlyweds & Parents)
A. Bride and Groom – Our Song (Ellie Goulding)
Father/Daughter – Somewhere Only We Know (Keane)
Mother/Son – Remember Me Young (Thomas Rhett) - Q. Where did you (or plan to) go for your honeymoon?
A. With the school year starting, we did not have time to take our honeymoon right after the wedding. Instead we compromised on a minimoon to California. We spent four days in San Diego and four in San Francisco. It was so much fun to get some quality couple time right after the wedding. Next summer, we are trying to plan a trip to Italy for our official honeymoon. - Q. Can you give any advice for future couples planning a wedding?
A. As stressful as the wedding planning process can be, try and enjoy it. It’s super overwhelming making all these huge decisions, but it’s also exciting. When you finally see everything come together, it’s really rewarding. Trust that people know what they are doing and will do their best to make your day perfect. - Q. How did you hear about/find your photographer (ME!) Elizabeth Greve Photography?
A. We were referred by Tom’s sister, Kelli. She had a good friend who used Liz several years back. We met with a few different photographers (all referrals), but we definitely felt the most comfortable with Liz. She was easy to communicate with and also listened to all of our questions and concerns. Plus, all of her photos looked amazing!
Caitlin and Chris’s Cincinnati wedding at the Bell Event Centre.
PURE JOY!
These two are the embodiment of what joyful couples look like. From their engagement on North Ave Beach in Chicago to their wedding at the iconic Bell Event Centre in Cincinnati, traveling with these two for their big life moments has been a dream.
Getting ready in the beautiful Phelps Hotel downtown with amazing skyline views was such a treat. We started on the rooftop for an unforgettable first look. Immediately after, we met up with their wedding party and had so much fun exploring the streets of Cincinnati for photos. Inside the Event Centre for a candle-lit ceremony, outside for golden hour cocktails, and then we danced the night away with the amazing Reggie Sullivan band.
This wedding was epic!
Wedding Creative Team :
Florals : @piepmeiertheflorist
Venue : @belleventcentre
Video : @petiteproductions
DJ/Band : #cscspecialevents / @thereggiesullivanband
Hair/Makeup : #salonconcepts / @blendartistryohio
Cake : #sweetsinsations
Dress : @blushbridalohio
Shoes : @badgleymischka
Suit : @theblacktux
Get to know the couple :
Q. When did you meet? Where?
A. We met at Matilda’s in April 2016
Q. When did you get engaged? Where?
A. Steak 48 on October 21, 2017
Q. How did the proposal happen?
A. Chris had special menus made at the restaurant with “Ti Amo, Vuoi Sposarmi” written on them, which means “I love you, will you marry me” in Italian. Caitlin had been learning a little bit of Italian given some of Chris’s relatives speak primarily in Italian, and realized immediately that this wasn’t an ordinary date night. Chris had a speech prepared and a bottle of champagne ready to celebrate as Caitlin said yes!
Q. What’s one thing about your spouse that made you realize you wanted to marry them?
A. Caitlin: Chris has a million things that make him stand out as amazing: he is hilariously quick-witted, incredibly kind, the most loyal friend, and one of the most thoughtful people I have ever met. I could go on, but I really knew we would be great teammates for life when I realized our priorities were the same – our faith, family, and friends.
Chris: Caitlin has the most positive and kind spirit of anyone I have ever met. She is generous, loving, and kind to anyone she meets. She is also fiercely loyal to her friends and family. This made her infectious to be around and was unlike anyone I have ever met. This made me realize pretty early on I wanted to marry her because being around her made me a better person.
Q. What was the most important aspect for you two when planning your wedding?
A. Keeping logistics simple and staying flexible / laid-back. We wanted to enjoy the wonderful experience and maximize the time we had with our friends and family.
Q. How did you choose your wedding venue(s)? (Price/location/availability/etc.?)
A. The Bell Event Centre is a beautiful venue that offers wonderful inside and outside locations for guests and is right in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, so we knew it would be gorgeous and the logistics would be easy. What we didn’t count on was how incredible all of the staff would be – they made everything so simple and stress-free, and the night couldn’t have been easier or more perfect!
Q. What was your favorite thing about your wedding day?
A. Caitlin: it’s hard to pick one favorite thing! Our first look was very special, as was saying the vows in our ceremony. The last hour of the reception will always be memorialized in my mind as one of my happiest moments as well – surrounded by family and friends with a great band!
Chris: The first look was definitely a favorite of the day. It was special to turn around and see Caitlin in her wedding dress. It was also great to have a few minutes together privately before the craziness of the day began. I also loved the toasts as well as when The Reggie Sullivan Band started playing after dinner.
Q. What were the first dance songs? (Newlyweds & Parents)
A. Newlyweds: When I Get my Hands on You by The New Bassment Tapes
Mother & Son: What a Wonderful World by Louie Armstrong
Father & Daughter: The Girl You Think I Am by Carrie Underwood
Q. Where did you (or plan to) go for your honeymoon?
A. Italy! We visited Lake Como, Cinque Terre, Florence, Tuscany, and Positano
Q. Can you give any advice for future couples planning a wedding?
A. You’ve got this! Good luck!
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Summer wedding at Newberry Library :
It’s rare that I get to spend more than 1 day photographing a couple if they choose not to take engagement photos, but Melissa & Joe switched it up. Instead of engagement photos, they had me take photos of their rehearsal day. This was so fun to be a part of because I got to watch the wedding party practice what they would do the next day and see exactly where everyone would be standing. Of course all of this information can be discussed with planners and/or the church the day of as well. However, covering these moments the day before the wedding made me feel even more included and helped prepare me even more so for the wedding day.
I really do think it helped to alleviate some last minute nerves for the these two as well. Getting used to the camera watching your every move can be unsettling, but with practice and the right direction (from yours truly), you soon learn to relax, let go, and really enjoy your day to the fullest.
I started with Melissa & Joe both getting ready on different levels of the coolest boutique hotel in Lincoln Park, the Villa D’ Citta. Located in the heart of the neighborhood, we were able to not only do their first look right on location, but we didn’t have to travel far for photos in the park.
From here we hopped on a Chicago Trolley and made our way to the gorgeous Newberry Library to celebrate the night away. I love the architecture in this building and the vaulted ceilings make the reception room stand out so perfectly.
But to start, check out the gorgeous St. Alphonsus Church in Lakeview.
Beautiful speeches, first dances, and an amazing dance floor. Melissa and Joe created such an unforgettable Chicago wedding day.
A little about the lovely couple :
1. When did you meet? Where? January 10th, 2009 at McFaddens Bar. Yes, seriously!
2. When did you get engaged? Where? June 24th, 2012, at our condo
3. How did the proposal happen? After a long, stressful day (for many reasons) Joe made a nice romantic dinner and proposed shortly after. It was very sweet.
4. Wedding Ceremony & Venue location – St Alphonsas Church in Lakeview and the Newberry Library in downtown Chicago
5. Honeymoon? Where to? We left shortly after our wedding for a honeymoon along the coast of Croatia and capped off the trip with a few days in Italy.
6. What was your favorite thing about your wedding day? Seeing each other for the first time- Joe seeing Melissa surrounded by sunlight as the church doors opened and Melissa finally getting to see Joe and hold his had at the alter after the long walk down the aisle.
7. If you could do it all over again, what would you change, if anything? Eat more hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail hour. They were amazing!
8. What was your first dance song? Crazy Love – cover by Audra Mae
9. Any advice for future couples? Enjoy the wedding process even when it seems stressful because it really is a special time that will come and go much more quickly than you think.
10. 3 words to describe your husband/wife Melissa – beautiful, loving, intelligent; Joe – generous, loving, chivalrous.
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