Dar & David’s Emotional Garfield Park Conservatory Wedding
Dar and David met on Bumble, where what was supposed to be a simple first date quickly turned into hours of effortless conversation about life, travel, and backpacking. By the third date, David apparently already knew he was going to marry Dar . . .
Dar and David met on Bumble, where what was supposed to be a simple first date quickly turned into hours of effortless conversation about life, travel, and backpacking. By the third date, David apparently already knew he was going to marry Dar — or at least that’s the story he tells. Dar took just a little longer to come around. Since then, they’ve built a life full of adventures together, from Greece, Israel, and the French and Italian Alps to the wildly glamorous backpacking trails of the Michigan and Wisconsin coasts. Along the way, they beautifully blended their homes (and chaos) with Cow, the cat, and Ulla, the dog, and are now so excited to welcome a new little adventure to the family this September! David proposed to Dar on a hike in the Santa Cruz redwoods — in very David fashion, probably at the absolute worst possible moment — but somehow it was also perfectly sweet, real, and beautiful.
Dar and David discovered us through a Google search that turned up the blog post and photos from our dear friends Ami and Conrad’s wedding at the Garfield Park Conservatory last Summer. The first time I spoke with Dar and David over the phone I was immediately struck by how genuine and kind they were, I felt like we immediately connected and was truly excited to be a part of their wedding day.
Photographing at the Garfield Park Conservatory is always a treat, but being there just after Conrad and Ami celebrated their first anniversary was really something special. It’s just magical there, the plants and architecture and atmosphere is so romantic. Dar is expecting and looked radiant as she (and her cute bump!) walked down the aisle to meet David. He carefully covered his bride’s face with her veil and then they walked together to their chuppah. They celebrated the traditional Jewish marriage rites under their pretty chuppah surrounded by their loved ones and covered in sunshine, it was just such a beautiful evening.
After taking pictures at the Conservatory we made our way to Bar Avec for the reception. Dar’s family worked hard to incorporate her traditional Jewish/Moroccan culture with beautiful costumes and sweets (and some wild late-night belly dancing!) that filled the gorgeous rooftop at Bar Avec and made their night that much more special. We truly loved being there to celebrate with these two (and their cute little bump!) and wish them all a lifetime of happiness together!
Dar and David also asked that we take some vintage 35mm film photographs on their wedding day, we just LOVE when couples want to include that in their wedding packages! Film is so beautiful and unpredictable and just FUN, you really never know what you’re going to get! If you want to read about WHY we love film photography visit this link. We loved pulling out the film cameras during Dar and David’s wedding, there were so many fun moments when it just made sense to snap a quick film photo, we are really glad that we did! These are some of our favorites:
Congratulations, Dar and David, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Dar and David’s beautiful (digital) wedding photos, click here
And to see all of Dar and David’s beautiful film photos click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
WEDDING CEREMONY
Garfield Park Conservatory
WEDDING RECEPTION
Bar Avec
WEDDING RINGS
Jordan Mantzke, Modern Goldsmith
WEDDING DRESS
Jenny Yoo for Anthropologie
BRIDAL SHOES
Sezane
Georgia & David’s Pretty Chevy Chase Wedding
Georgia and David met about a decade ago working at Starbucks. They became friends and after a few years realized there was something more than friendship there. They started our relationship long distance, while Georgia . . .
Georgia and David met about a decade ago working at Starbucks. They became friends and after a few years realized there was something more than friendship there. They started their relationship long distance, while Georgia was attending Indiana University, but eight years later, here they are! When Georgia and David finally settled in the same place, they bought a house and have spent the past few years enjoying life together and creating memories. David proposed right before Christmas in 2024 under heart shaped lights at the Botanic Gardens’ Lightscape in front of Georgia’s family.
Conrad first got to know Georgia and David at their engagement session, fittingly they decided to take their engagement pictures at the same place where they got engaged. After that beautiful day at The Botanic Garden he was excited to celebrate their wedding with them this Summer! Georgia and David have a sweet and steady presence, and it was just lovely to spend their wedding day celebrating with them and their loved ones!
Conrad and Lindsay arrived at Chevy Chase Country Club as Georgia was finishing getting ready, she looked beautiful in her gorgeous lace gown from Diana’s Bridal. We really liked the color of David’s suit from Mr. Tux, it was a great green that we don’t often see at weddings. David also wore a custom engraved watch for the wedding which is always a great detail. We had lots of time to take pictures of Georgia and David because they chose not to have a wedding party, it’s always nice when we get extra time just with the bride and groom!
After their ceremony Georgia and David walked into their reception to the song “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter while holding espresso martinis, it was a great nod to their early days working together at Starbucks! Later in the night Georgia put on a fun custom bedazzled jean jacket with her new married name, we just loved it! It was a beautiful day and we were so thankful to be there to celebrate Georgia and David!
Congratulations, Georgia and David, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Georgia and David’s beautiful wedding photos click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & DAY-OF COORDINATION
Something Blue
FLORIST
AGS Event Creations
HAIR & MAKEUP
Hairs 2 the Bride
WEDDING CAKE
The Baking Institute
WEDDING RINGS
Erica's Jewelry
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Diana's Bridal
MENSWEAR
Mr. Tux
Kristin & Dave’s Rocking Wild Onion Brewery Wedding
Kristin and Dave were truly made for one another. Their love story started like so many others – they met on Bumble – but after THE best first date EVER they both knew their connection was something special . . .
Kristin and Dave were truly made for one another. Their love story started like so many others – they met on Bumble – but after THE best first date EVER they both knew their connection was something special. They met at Whiskey Hill Brewing Co. and then went on a second date right away the next day at Beer on the Wall. They have been essentially inseparable ever since – they make each other laugh and have amazing chemistry, it’s so much fun to be around these two because they are just so perfect together!
Through local school functions and Beer on the Wall hangouts we have gotten to know Kristin and Dave pretty well over the years. We were SO excited when they got engaged and truly honored when they invited us to be a part of their wedding! Kristin and Dave’s main objective was to throw an awesome party to celebrate their love with their people, their wedding theme was ROCK N’ ROLL and we couldn’t wait to be a part of it!! In keeping with their theme they asked their guests AND vendors to wear concert t-shirts, how fun and awesome is that??! The vibes were automatically top-tier because we got to work in our comfiest concert tees!
When the big day finally arrived, Kristin was in such high spirits and honestly that effervescent joy carried us all. Kristin had miraculously found the most amazing pair of purple / love-themed Doc Martins that she laced up after putting on her beautiful wedding gown – the boots went perfectly with their rock n’ roll theme and coordinated with Dave’s purple Docs! Once they were both dressed they individually took a quick shot before their first look on the back deck of the beautiful Wild Onion Brewery. From that moment the infectious laughter and joy only multiplied as Kristin and Dave connected and didn’t let go of one another for the rest of the night.
After we finished taking pictures by the brewing tanks and on the grounds of the Wild Onion Kristin came back into the most amazing surprise when some devoted guests arrived in full Sergeant Pepper costumes. Soon it was time for Kristin and Dave’s ceremony, it was so sweet to watch them exchange their vows while surrounded by their loved one. Then the party really began and we were treated to delicious food and great tunes as we danced the night away to celebrate the newlyweds. We are so thankful that we could be a part of this unforgettable wedding!
Congratulations, Kristin and Dave, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Kristin and Dave’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Wild Onion Brewery
WEDDING COORDINATOR
Shannon Mikyska
FLORIST
Sarah Novak
HAIR
Pamela Marie Hair Artistry
MAKEUP
Aaron Gomez
WEDDING CAKES
Jarosch Bakery
Sweet T’s Bakery & Cake Studio
Allison & Ian’s Gorgeous and Unforgettable Wedding at The Crawford
Every now and again we are lucky enough to photograph a wedding that is truly unforgettable. Allison and Ian’s wedding day was just so fun and filled with joyful moments it hardly felt like work to be there . . .
Every now and again we are lucky enough to photograph a wedding that is truly unforgettable. Allison and Ian’s wedding day was just so fun and filled with joyful moments it hardly felt like work to be there making photographs and videos of these two with their family and friends.
Allison and Ian met at Clemson University during their Sophomore year. They moved to Minnesota following college graduation and got engaged the following Spring. Ian managed to pull off a complete surprise when proposing to Allison and invited some friends from college to join them in Minnesota to help celebrate. Their Clemson friends mean a lot to Allison and Ian and were so much fun to celebrate with on their wedding day! We got to know the Clemson fight song pretty well by the end of their reception!
Leading up to their May wedding, we had only connected with Allison and Ian over Zoom. When the big day finally arrived it was just wonderful to meet them both in person. Allison and Ian are both incredibly kind, easy-going, fun and silly – these two were made for one another and being around them is truly just a joy. We met Allison and her bridesmaids and Mom at Marquiz Salon in Wheaton for “getting ready” photos before making the short trip to the beautiful St. Michael Church in Wheaton for their traditional Catholic ceremony. St. Michael is such a gorgeous church, we were really happy to be able to shoot there!
Allison looked amazing in her appliquéd gown from The Crystal Bride, we were obsessed with the three-dimensional floral details on her wedding dress. She was excited to show off the pockets in her dress when she did a sweet “reveal” with her bridesmaids and made sure to show Ian the pockets as well after their ceremony. Ian was nervous leading up to the ceremony but all of that melted away once the two of them were together. It was really special to watch Ian as Allison walked down the aisle with her Dad. As they exchanged their vows the church was filled with love and joy to honor the love between Allison and Ian!
Following the ceremony we made our way to St. James Farm for pictures with Allison and Ian’s wedding party and immediate families. We just love shooting there, it’s such a special place with its rows of mature trees and pretty barn buildings. Allison and Ian had one of the nicest and most fun wedding parties we have had the pleasure of working with, we were all laughing and having the best time together at St. James Farm! Ian used to run cross country and was familiar with the sprawling property of St. James Farm so once the wedding party went back on the party bus he took us to a special pond for a few photos of just the newlyweds together.
We finished with pictures at St. James Farm and then settled in at The Crawford in Naperville. Conrad and I were excited to see that this venue space (formerly Noah’s) had been reimagined and was more beautiful than ever to host unforgettable wedding receptions! Allison and Ian arrived and went straight for the pool table, one of our favorite moments from their day was shooting while they played billiards at The Crawford. The playful energy between Allison and Ian is infectious and it was so much fun capturing those moments around the pool table!
The rest of the night was a dream – we loved eating the always delicious meal provided by our friends at My Chef Catering and watching Allison and Ian practice their first dance during dinner. Once the dance floor opened and Sounds Abound started doing their thing it was immediately filled with friends who came to party – this truly was an unforgettable day!
Congratulations, Allison and Ian, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Allison and Ian’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEOGRAPHY & DAY-OF COORDINATION
Something Blue
VENUE
The Crawford
FLORIST
Phillip’s Flowers
HAIR AND MAKEUP
Marquiz Salon
CATERER
My Chef Catering
WEDDING CAKE
Le Chocolat de Bouchard
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
The Crystal Bride
BRIDAL SHOES
Pashion
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Birdy Grey
MENSWEAR
Macy’s
WEDDING RINGS
Wayzata Jewelers
Colleen & Richard’s Beautiful Rolling Green Country Club Wedding
Colleen and Richard met online in Spring 2024 and became best friends immediately. They love golfing together and taking little weekend trips, especially to Lake Geneva. They got engaged over St. Patrick's Day weekend in 2025 and a few weeks later . . .
Colleen and Richard met online in Spring 2024 and became best friends immediately. They love golfing together and taking little weekend trips, especially to Lake Geneva. They got engaged over St. Patrick's Day weekend in 2025 and a few weeks later found out they were expecting a baby boy. Their son Rory was born in December 2025 and is just the happiest little baby, Colleen and Richard are amazing parents and we were so excited to celebrate their wedding this May!
We were graced with gorgeous Spring weather for Colleen and Richard’s wedding, we could not have asked for a more perfect day! Spirits were high when we arrived at Colleen’s parents’ house for “getting ready” photos, Colleen looked so pretty thanks to her talented glam squad, we really loved that she chose to wear a sweet white bow in her hair rather than a veil! Once she was dressed Colleen met Richard out back for their first look and the celebration really began!
Once everyone was ready they loaded into their pretty white trolley to make their way to Rolling Green for photos before the ceremony. It’s always fun when we have the opportunity to take pictures at Rolling Green, we are so lucky to have such a beautiful venue virtually right in our backyard! Brianna and Anna were the perfect hosts as always and we had such a great time celebrating there!
One of our favorite moments from Colleen and Richard’s wedding was their “first look” with their son Rory. He lit up when he saw his beautiful Momma, and it was really cute to see him show off his tummy-time skills for pictures in his adorable little suit!
After we finished with photos we made our way to St. Emily’s for Colleen and Richard’s traditional Catholic ceremony. Colleen and Richard chose to have family and friends perform the music during their ceremony which made it that much more special. And once they were finished and pronounced husband and wife they had such happy smiles together as they walked back down the aisle!
When we returned to Rolling Green the room looked gorgeous thanks to the beautiful florals by our friends at Blooming Flowers. Everything was in place for the perfect night spent toasting the newlyweds, we loved being there to celebrate Colleen and Richard with their family and friends!
Congratulations Colleen and Richard (and Rory!), we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Colleen and Richard’s beautiful wedding photos click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Rolling Green Country Club
FLORIST
Blooming Flowers
HAIR
Jess Pascazio
MAKEUP
Jen Flynn
WEDDING RINGS
Frank Darling
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Diana's Bridal
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
The Black Tux
BRIDAL SHOES
Naturalizer
Lexi & Jonathon’s Unforgettable Rolling Green Country Club Wedding
Lexi and Johnathon met in 2014 in college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. They worked together as resident advisors at Nugent Hall and reconnected after graduation – the rest is history! Every now and again we are lucky enough . . .
Lexi and Johnathon met in 2014 in college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. They worked together as resident advisors at Nugent Hall and reconnected after graduation – and the rest is history!
Every now and again we are lucky enough to meet a couple that we want to hang out with outside of their wedding. We really love what we do and have met so many amazing people along the way. But there are some couples we just really want to share a drink or two with well after their big day. The week before Lexi and Johnathon’s wedding we ran into them while bowling at Beverly Lanes – they were there with their friends (and another Something Blue couple!) Kait and Mark – it was really fun to share a few laughs at the bowling alley and made us that much more excited for Lexi and Johnathon’s wedding!
I joined Lexi and Johnathon and their closest family and friends on Friday night at their rehearsal dinner at Nostimo – Johnathon proposed to Lexi on a tiny island in Greece so this was the perfect spot for a pre-wedding celebration! We had the best time enjoying Nostimo’s always-delicious food and hanging out, it was the perfect way to kick off their wedding weekend!
We had gorgeous Spring weather for Lexi and Johnathon’s wedding day, the sun was shining and the energy was perfect Conrad and I arrived at their house to take “getting ready” pictures of Lexi. Just as she was about to get dressed her Mom accidentally got a smudge of lipstick on Lexi’s Robert Bullock satin gown – Lexi took it completely in stride and waited calmly while everyone scrambled to get the stain out of her dress. What would have been an incredibly stressful moment for anyone else was just a minor blip for Lexi, she is cool as a cucumber and looked absolutely radiant once she got dressed.
We arrived fashionable late to St. Edna’s for the ceremony and found Johnathon patiently waiting on his best friend. Their traditional Catholic ceremony was a lovely celebration of their connection and commitment to one another under the eyes of God. After the ceremony we took some beautiful pictures inside at St. Edna’s before heading out for some fun with the newlyweds. Lexi and Johnathon always get a heart-shaped pizza from Barnaby’s on Valentine’s Day, so it only made sense to stop in for a slice on their wedding day! The team at Barnaby’s made us feel so welcome and it was just so much fun to photograph a bride and groom while they enjoyed pizza together in a pub! We made our way down Route 12 to Kahala Koa afterwards for more laughs and some hand-crafted tiki drinks at one of our favorite spots in Arlington Heights. We just can’t imagine a more FUN way to spend the afternoon on your wedding day than pizza and tiki drinks!
When we arrived at Rolling Green Country Club everything looked gorgeous thanks to Brianna and Anna’s efforts and the incredibly talented Pala Floral who created the most stunning and unique florals we have EVER seen. Guests were treated to the best tune by DJ Faithful Anchor who spun vinyl all night and gave the newlyweds the 45 he played during their first dance. Later that night everyone enjoyed Jeni’s Ice Cream while dancing the night away. And long after we clocked out we met up with Lexi and Johnathon at Eddie’s for a couple drinks before calling it a day, the first time we have ever partied with a couple after photographing their wedding! We love Lexi and Johnathon so much and are so thankful to have been a part of their unforgettable celebration!
Lexi and Johnathon asked us to also shoot some rolls of film on their wedding day. If you’ve been following along, we have been LOVING the film photography trend and are always excited to carry our 35mm cameras when shooting a wedding! These are some of our favorite scans from Lexi and Johnathon’s unforgettable wedding day:
Congratulations, Lexi and Johnathon, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Lexi and Johnathon’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Rolling Green Country Club
FILM PROCESSING
Bellows
FLORIST
Pala Floral
WEDDING GOWN
Weddings 826
ENGAGEMENT RING
Classique Creations
MENSWEAR
The Black Tux
Claire & Mike’s Emotional Concorde Banquets Wedding
Clare and Mike first met 20 years ago at church. Sadly, Mike's wife died of cancer in February 2023. After not having seen each other for about a year, Mike asked Claire out in May 2025 and it was an easy "yes" for Claire . . .
Clare and Mike first met 20 years ago at church. Sadly, Mike's wife died of cancer in February 2023. After not having seen each other for about a year, Mike asked Claire out in May 2025 and it was an easy "yes" for Claire. Their dating quickly grew to include Mike's 3 boys (15, 13, 11). Mike proposed to Claire in October at Cooper's Hawk, a place that held special meaning for them while they were dating.
Conrad and Christy were honored to be a part of Claire and Mike’s wedding day and had a wonderful time photographing this beautiful day. Claire and Mike are so sweet together, and the love they share with Mike’s sons is just so special . Claire loves all of them so much and the boys all adore her!
Mike’s boys helped him get ready at The Orchard (where Claire works!) before the ceremony. Their guests were very present and engaged throughout their emotional ceremony, it was an honor to watch them all become a family in the presence of the Lord!
After the ceremony Claire and Mike were surprised with bag pipers who also then stayed for their introductions into their reception at Concorde Banquets. It was a beautiful day and we are so thankful that we had the opportunity to be a part of it!
Congratulations, Claire and Mike, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Claire and Mike’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Concorde Banquets
FLORIST
Annie Occasion
HAIR & MAKEUP
Every Kind of Beautiful
WEDDING CAKE
The Baking Institute
WEDDING RINGS
Persin & Robbin
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
The Altar
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
Vera Wang from Mens Wearhouse
Emily & Brandon’s Joyful Chevy Chase Wedding
Emily and Brandon met ten years ago when they both played in the Harvard University Band. They were friends for years before they started dating in the summer of 2019. They spent that Summer in Boston, and after . . .
Emily and Brandon met ten years ago when they both played in the Harvard University Band. They were friends for years before they started dating in the summer of 2019. They spent that Summer in Boston, and after Brandon took Emily out to a pasta dinner in the North End one night, they made it official. Emily and Brandon spent a few years doing long distance between Boston and Chicagoland, and then medium distance when they both moved to Michigan to attend different medical schools. Brandon proposed on January 13, 2024 on a cold and snowy day on the pond trail at the Brookfield Zoo and they started the process of planning their wedding day!
I loved getting to know Emily and Brandon at their engagement session, they are both so kind and gentle and truly have the sweetest relationship. They are both very laidback and being with them feels comfortable and cozy. When their wedding day finally arrived Conrad and I were so excited to be alongside Emily and Brandon’s family and friends to celebrate their marriage. Emily looked beautiful in her Oleg Cassini gown that she accentuated with a unique gold hairpiece. We met up with Brandon at St. Mary’s and he was a bit nervous waiting for the ceremony to begin, but those nerves quickly melted into the biggest smile when he saw his beautiful bride walk down the aisle.
After their traditional Catholic ceremony we celebrated with a pretty bubble exit and pictures before heading to Chevy Chase. It was a beautiful Spring day and Chevy Chase was budding with beauty, it was so lovely taking pictures there before we made our way inside for the reception. Emily and Brandon’s wedding was so lovely, just like the two of them, we were very grateful to be a part of this sweet celebration!
Congratulations, Emily and Brandon, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Emily and Brandon’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
FLORIST
Sylvia's Amlings Floral
HAIR
Lisa at Peter DeLuca Salon
MAKEUP
Jaycie Ganek
DJ
Ready Set Dance Entertainment
WEDDING CAKE
The Baking Institute
WEDDING DRESS
Oleg Cassini
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie
Shawnda & Justin’s Unforgettable Fairlie Wedding
Shawnda and Justin met like so many couples do – they both swiped right on Hinge and the rest is history. As they spent more and more time together it became obvious that they were meant to be, and we were lucky enough to . . .
Shawnda and Justin met like so many couples do – they both swiped right on Hinge and the rest is history. As they spent more and more time together it became obvious that they were meant to be, and we were lucky enough to meet these two when Justin planned to propose to Shawnda at the lakefront in December 2024. Justin reached out to our friendors The Heart Bandits to plan the perfect surprise proposal for Shawnda. Conrad waited on the steps outside of the Shedd Aquarium and hopped into action just as Justin got down on one knee. It was such a sweet moment and we are just so thankful that Conrad was there to photograph their proposal! He came back from that shoot just raving about how incredibly kind and fun Shawnda and Justin are, and we were just thrilled when they decided to hire us to photograph their wedding!
After planning for over a year Shawnda and Justin’s wedding day finally arrived. We met up with Shawnda and her girlfriends and family at the Hyatt Wicker Park and everyone was in great spirits. The weather was beautiful for early April and we were excited to get Shawnda and her bridesmaids out onto the balcony for some fun champagne-soaked pics before Shawnda slipped into her chic Watters gown from Anthropologie. Shawnda looked radiant and was just beaming the entire day, it was such a joy to be around her and photograph each beautiful moment.
Shawnda and Justin wanted an elegant, classy and simply sophisticated wedding and found the perfect venue in the absolutely gorgeous Fairlie Chicago. The Fairlie’s website boasts of “unexpected splendor” and honestly we couldn’t think of a better way to describe this amazing venue. From the moment we walked into the Fairlie we fell completely in love, from their stunning bar to the exposed brick and dramatic staircase all the way down to the furnishings and light fixtures this venue checks every single box as the perfect place to celebrate a sophisticated Chicago wedding.
Shawnda and Justin chose to do their first look and exchange private vows at Fairlie in a quiet corner upstairs filled with beautiful natural light. Justin looked so dapper in his white tux jacket that he accessorized with the happiest smile that he wore from the moment he saw his gorgeous bride. Shawnda and Justin had asked their guests to wear all black to the wedding and the overall aesthetic was just perfection, everyone looked SO amazing and the photos turned out gorgeous!
After their first look we made our way to the river to take pictures by the Wrigley Building. Fate was smiling on these two as the sun peeked out just as the trolley pulled up and we had the place almost entirely to ourselves (super rare at one of the most popular locations in the city to for wedding photos!) We loved photographing their wedding party and immediate families (and even had some fun shooing away some nosy tourists who wanted to sneak phone photos and videos of the wedding party!) From there we went back to Fairlie and took a few photos by the bar before settling in for their ceremony.
The talented team at The Flower Girl Company had worked their magic while we were out taking photos and transformed the Fairlie into a magical wedding wonderland of greens and whites. They lit hundreds of candles along the aisle to create the most romantic backdrop for the ceremony. As Justin walked into the room the guests burst into joyful applause, the energy was just absolutely perfect. Shawnda’s brother Khalfani did a great job as their officiant and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room once Shawnda and Justin shared their first kiss as husband and wife.
Shawnda and Justin walked back down the aisle as newlyweds and happily jumped into Fairlie’s adorable rickshaw for a quick romantic ride together, it was just the cutest moment!! Once they came back inside the party really got started, it was the most unforgettable night! We are so thankful to have been a part of this perfect day, we only wish we could do it all over again!
Congratulations, Shawnda and Justin, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Shawnda and Justin’s gorgeous wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Fairlie
FLORIST
The Flower Girl Company
CATERER
Chic Chef
HAIR & MAKEUP
Crystal Eyez
WEDDING DRESS
Watters by Anthropologie
WEDDING RINGS
Ethan Lord
BRIDAL SHOES
Dolce Vita
Phoumany & Andrew’s Wedding in Paradise
Isn’t it every Midwesterner’s dream to escape the cold reality of Winter for a weekend away at a warm all-inclusive?! In 2014 I was lucky enough to visit The Moon Palace in Cancun with the most amazing family to . . .
Isn’t it every Midwesterner’s dream to escape the cold reality of Winter for a weekend away at a warm all-inclusive?! In 2014 I was lucky enough to visit The Moon Palace in Cancun with the most amazing family to document a sunny and joyful destination wedding that will forever be one of my favorite memories as a photographer. Dara and James’ wedding weekend was filled with sand, sunshine and endless love – it was an amazing getaway made even more unforgettable thanks to this big, loving family.
When I heard from my friends Noonie and Jennifer that their niece Phoumany was also planning to get married at the Moon Palace I was overjoyed at the idea of heading back to paradise with this fun-loving crew. And once I got to know Phoumany and Drew at their engagement session last Summer I just couldn’t wait for their destination wedding!!
Phoumany and Drew first met when they worked together at Target and their relationship was built on mutual connections along the way. They are adventurous and fun and love their “people” fiercely. Every beautiful moment of their gorgeous wedding weekend reflected that deep love for their friends and family. Christy and I were just so happy to be there to celebrate with everyone!
We kicked off the weekend with a beautiful welcome party on the beach on Friday night. Phoumany and her girls wore traditional Laotian costumes, Phoumany’s was woven with gold thread and she looked absolutely gorgeous. After rehearsing their wedding ceremony we relaxed on the beach together and enjoyed the most delicious food and drinks.
On Saturday morning Christy and I loaded up on a delicious breakfast before connecting with Phoumany and her girls. Sophie and Noonie got everyone ready and did a great job with the girls’ hair and makeup. Phoumany looked gorgeous in her sparkly lace dress from Wolsfelt’s, it was the perfect dress for the perfect beach wedding.
Drew got ready and enjoyed a drink with his guys at The Pub while Christy snapped some fun pics. Drew was a bit nervous as he waited on the beach to see his bride – after their sweet first look we had so much fun photographing the wedding party together before the ceremony. Phoumany’s “Uncle” George did an amazing job officiating the wedding and had everyone laughing and crying as Phoumany and Drew made things official in front of their closest friends and family. Before long they were hitting the dance floor and celebrating with their people – it was the most amazing night filled with great food, music, DRINKS and ending with fireworks on the beach. We will always cherish the memories we made with Phoumany and Drew and their loving family!!
This weekend reminded us that we really have the greatest jobs in the world. We are so thankful to be wedding photographers and spend our weekends doing what we love with the most wonderful couples! Phoumany and Drew’s wedding weekend was one we will never forget, we are just so grateful to have been able to celebrate with them and their people in paradise!
Congratulations, Phoumany and Andrew, we love you SO much and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Phoumany and Drew’s gorgeous wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
Something Blue Photography
VENUE
Moon Palace Cancun
WEDDING DRESS
Wolsfelts
BRIDAL SHOES
Bagdley Mischka
MENSWEAR
Express
WEDDING RINGS
Gage Diamonds
Kristen & Zach’s Beautiful Concorde Banquets Wedding
Kristen and Zach first met in high school in 2013 via a mutual friend – they dated for two years before they broke up, but remained friends and in each other's lives. They rekindled their love . . .
Kristen and Zach first met in high school in 2013 via a mutual friend – they dated for two years before they broke up, but remained friends and in each other's lives. They rekindled their love in the Summer of 2018 and have been together ever since. Kristen and Zach share such a beautiful connection, they are supportive, silly and ultimately so loving with one another. In October 2024 they took a trip together to Mackinac Island where Zach proposed and they started planning their wedding together!
I loved meeting Kristen and Zach and was so looking forward to their engagement session last Spring, but the chaos of life (and an early morning fender-bender) meant that Conrad was the one who got to connect with Kristen and Zach to take their photos at Wilder Mansion. We were all looking forward to Kristen and Zach’s big day, it was our last wedding of 2025 and we just knew it would be gorgeous!
The temperature on Kristen and Zach’s wedding day was unbearably cold, but after their sweet first look we convinced them to dash outside of the hotel for a few quick photos before leaving for the venue. We are SO glad we did, the snow and tall grasses made for such gorgeous wintry photos! Christy, Conrad and I worked quickly and took a lot of pretty pictures before we all felt almost completely frozen, we were happy then to spend the rest of the day cozy inside at the Concorde. It looked beautiful in their lobby with all the holiday decor set up! We took plenty of pictures of Kristen, Zach and their wedding party before moving upstairs for their ceremony.
After Kristen and Zach said “I do” everyone was ready to celebrate. The room looked gorgeous thanks to their talented vendor team, and we all had so much fun dancing the night away. It was the perfect Winter wedding and we were so grateful to have been a part of it!
Congratulations, Kristen and Zach, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Kristen and Zach’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Concorde Banquets
FLORIST
JSW Floral
HAIR
The Beauty Team
MAKEUP
Hairs 2 the Bride
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
Mr. Tux
WEDDING CAKE
The Baking Institute
Nicole & Ben’s Joyous Marriott Lincolnshire Wedding
Nicole and Ben first matched on Hinge in 2022 and had their first date at Figo Wine Bar in Chicago. What started as a first date of getting to know each other ended in them talking for hours on end and staying until closing . . .
Nicole and Ben first matched on Hinge in 2022 and had their first date at Figo Wine Bar in Chicago. What started as a first date of getting to know each other ended in them talking for hours on end and staying until closing time! Over the last few years Nicole and Ben shared nothing but wonderful memories – trips to Boston, Maine, and Florida, Summer boating days in Wisconsin, co-parenting their bulldog Phyllis, watching every Eagles game, and enjoying every plenty of ice cream along the way! On December 22nd, 2024, Ben took their relationship to the next level and proposed at the Chicago Botanic Garden with both of their families there to witness, and they started the exciting process of planning a wedding!
I first got to know Nicole and Ben at their engagement session last Spring, we met up at Graeter’s Ice Cream in Northbrook and had SO much fun together! Nicole and Ben are just the most joyful, loving and happy people, being in their presence is like a breath of fresh air! We were all SO excited to celebrate their wedding with them this December, it was a cold and snowy day and everything just felt perfect. We arrived at the Lincolnshire Marriott where Nicole and her besties were getting ready, everyone looked amazing thanks to the talented team at Rare Bird Beauties. Once Nicole was ready we arranged a series of “first look” moments inside at the hotel, she saw her Dad, future in-laws and bridesmaids for the first time in her full bridal look, each moment was sweeter than the one before it! It was just so special to be a part of this day, Nicole is clearly SO loved and it meant a lot to us to photograph each of these important people in her life celebrating her and sharing in her joy on her wedding day. Nicole was in high-spirits and said she was very much wanting to do pictures outside, even in her gorgeous strapless gown from Martellen’s. We took Ben outside first and then let the two of them have their first-look moment while we stood in the snow and captured the sweetness from a distance. Nicole and Ben chose to share private vows and we felt so honored to be present while they expressed their love for one another. Soon their wedding party came outside as well to join us for a few quick (and cold!) photos before we all loaded up to head to Our Lady of Perpetual Help for the ceremony.
This was my first time visiting Our Lady of Perpetual Help and I was in awe of how beautiful this church and its surrounding grounds are. I wish we could photograph every ceremony here!! Following their traditional Catholic ceremony we snuck outside for a few quick photos with the wedding party and newlyweds before the sun went down. After taking family photos inside of the church we made our way back towards the Lincolnshire Marriott but stopped quickly at the fountain in Wheeling for some pretty and festive nighttime photos with all the pretty Christmas lights. It was so cold but so magical!!
When we got back to the venue we connected with Marcella who had been working with the amazing Lincolnshire Marriott team to make the room absolutely perfect for Nicole and Ben’s reception. We were excited to see our old friend Rob from Monastero Entertainment, he did a great job as always serving as emcee and even treated the guests to a little Frank Sinatra during dinner! This was just the most amazing Winter wedding, we loved every moment celebrating this wonderful couple!
Congratulations, Nicole and Ben, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Nicole and Ben’s beautiful wedding photos click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
DAY-OF COORDINATION
Something Blue
VENUE
Marriott Lincolnshire Resort
FLORIST
Flowers By KH
HAIR & MAKEUP
Rare Bird Beauties
WEDDING DRESS
Oxford Street
BRIDEMAIDS’ DRESSES
Revelry
ENGAGEMENT RING
Grown Brilliance
WEDDING SHOES
Dolce Vita
MENSWEAR
The Black Tux
Cyrena & JD’s Unforgettable Victoria in the Park Wedding
Cyrena and JD first met through mutual friends at Bogarts in St. Charles when their mutual friend connected the two of them at his Super Bowl party. They hit it off right away and after a few years of dating they . . .
Cyrena and JD first met through mutual friends at Bogarts in St. Charles when their friend, Amir, connected the two of them at his Super Bowl party. They hit it off right away and after a few years of dating they got engaged while backpacking in Colorado. Cyrena and JD are a perfect match, they complement one another and share such a beautiful connection. Conrad loved getting to know these two at their engagement session last Winter when he visited their home and got to meet their fur babies Bowie and Boots. Spending time with Cyrena and JD is just comfortable, they are so kind and loving and make everyone feel welcome! They are adventurous, caring and joyful and their connection is just so special!
We were all so excited to be a part of Cyrena and JD’s wedding at Victoria in the Park. When we arrived Cyrena and her girls were in high spirits and Cyrena looked absolutely STUNNING in her gorgeous boho Jenny Yoo gown with fun detachable sleeves. While it was a chilly November day Cyrena and JD agreed to sneak outside for their first look and a few photos, we are so glad they braved the elements so we could get some Fall color in their gallery!! After their first look we went back inside and watched as Cyrena and JD exchanged sweet private vows in the whiskey room at Victoria in the Park. We finished with photos before the ceremony just as the sun was starting to set and were graced with THE most vibrant and unforgettable sunset of 2025.
After Cyrena and JD were married it was time for the celebration to really begin, we love love love a Palestinian wedding and absolutely epic dance floor! Awtar DJs made sure that the night was filled with joyful music and Cyrena and JD spent tons of time dancing, it was the most unforgettable celebration!
Congratulations, Cyrena and JD, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Cyrena and JD’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
DAY-OF COORDINATION
Something Blue
VENUE
Victoria in the Park
FLORIST
YJ Decorating
HAIR & MAKEUP
Your Haven Bridal
WEDDING CAKE
Sweet T’s
ENGAGEMENT RING
Alexis Russell
WEDDING DRESS
BHLDN Anthropologie
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie
Birdy Grey
GROOMS’ SUIT
Indochino
Michelle & Jake’s Stunning Makray Memorial Golf Club Wedding
Michelle and Jake’s love story started as most modern day love stories do: on a dating app. After a few text exchanges and promising conversations Michelle and Jake planned their first date – the only problem . . .
Michelle and Jake’s love story started as most modern day love stories do: on a dating app. After a few text exchanges and promising conversations Michelle and Jake planned their first date – the only problem? It was on Valentine’s Day weekend during Covid. The first time Michelle and Jake met in person they had masks on and could only see each other’s eyes. But from the very beginning they both had a feeling this was the start of something amazing.
Fast-forward four years later and Jake proposed at the same restaurant where they had their first date. Jake completely surprised Michelle both with the proposal and an engagement party right afterwards with their family and friends, it was such a magical night!
Christy and I were so excited to celebrate with Michelle and Jake on their wedding day. Leading up to their November date the weather suddenly turned from unseasonably warm to brisk and blustery. We were watching the weather closely all week and hoping to still get outside for pictures on Michelle and Jake’s wedding day, she had her heart set on a Fall wedding with lots of color! Well, we ended up getting all of their photos in before the weather really turned cold and wintry and it was all perfect! The Fall colors were on full display at Makray, this wedding may well have been THE most gorgeous we have ever seen this beautiful venue! All in all it was a perfect day, we were so grateful to have been there to celebrate Michelle and Jake!
Congratulations, Michelle and Jake, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Michelle and Jake’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Makray Memorial Golf Club
FLORIST
Lake Zurich Florist
HAIR & MAKEUP
Tamara Makeup and Hair Artistry
WEDDING CAKE
Lovin Oven Cakery
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Crystal Bride
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Birdy Grey
Katie & Jake’s Fun Storybook Gardens Wedding
Katie and Jake’s love story started on the softball field – what began as time spent playing in a simple co-ed league turned into something that neither of them expected – a match made in humor and heart. After each game they would end up . . .
Katie and Jake’s love story started on the softball field – what began as time spent playing in a simple co-ed league turned into something that neither of them expected – a match made in humor and heart. After each game they would end up in the parking lot, talking for hours, conversations that became the foundation of their relationship. Through their similar quick wit, playful sarcasm, and shared outlook on life, Katie and Jake discovered a connection that felt easy and natural from the very beginning.
As time went on, Jake became Katie’s rock—someone who not only shared her sense of humor but also grounded her when life got overwhelming. Jake is the calm in Katie’s storm, the person who reminds her to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the simple moments. And when she looks at him, she feels like she is exactly where she’s supposed to be. Together, Katie and Jake have learned that the best relationships are built on trust, laughter, and a whole lot of sarcasm. Their love story might have started with a game, but it’s grown into something far more special than either of them could have imagined. And as they take this next step together, they couldn’t be more excited for the adventures ahead, knowing they will always have each other—on and off the field.
Conrad was happy to spend time getting to know Katie and Jake at their engagement session earlier this year and was excited to make the trip to Storybook Gardens in Rochelle for their wedding this Fall! November weddings always bring unpredictable weather but Katie was up for anything and we managed to get SO many beautiful photos even with the conditions being less than ideal. With cute umbrellas and a bit of fortitude we managed to make it work! We were so happy to be a part of this beautiful and fun day!
Congratulations, Katie and Jake, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Katie and Jake’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Storybook Gardens
FLORIST
Jewel Osco South Elgin
HAIR & MAKEUP
Charlotte Renee Beauty
WEDDING CAKE
Shelby Cakes
WEDDING RINGS
Kay Jewelers
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Savy’s Chic Bridal
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
Men’s Wearhouse
Tracy & Greg’s Beautiful Independence Grove Wedding
Tracy and Greg first met when they attended his cousin’s wedding, and while they got along great and had a blast celebrating together they went their separate ways after the wedding ended. They stayed connected through social media and in 2022 Tracy discovered the . . .
Tracy and Greg first met when they attended his cousin’s wedding, and while they got along great and had a blast celebrating together they went their separate ways after the wedding ended. They stayed connected through social media and in 2022 Tracy discovered the wonders of craft beer and the Lake County Libation Trail and this piqued Greg’s interest. Tracy and Greg reconnected with talks of beers and wine and agreed to meet for a friendly drink at Firkin. What was meant to be a casual outing turned into something much more. After a few dates, they knew this was something special and started introducing each other to friends and family. Everyone around them could see how happy they were and how different this was! After just a few months of dating, they spent the holidays together with their families. Tracy even brought Greg to meet her “sisters” Shannon and Rachel and still can’t believe Greg was willing to travel 12 hours to Virginia for Christmas break. Luckily, the drive was worth it and Shannon and Rachel welcomed Greg into their lives with open arms. It warmed their hearts to see how loved ones embraced and supported their relationship. The couple grew their love with date nights filled with tacos, Tighthead, movies and friends! Their favorite weekend activity is a walk at a park followed by lunch and a beer at a brewery. In fact, this is just how Greg proposed! The pair went for their usual walk at Independence Grove and planned to have lunch after. Midway through the walk, Greg pulled Tracy off the path and got down on one knee and asked Tracy to marry him!
I was so happy to get to know Tracy and Greg at their engagement session this Summer in downtown Libertyville. We made sure to stop by Firkin for some shots while also finding plenty of pretty pockets of light throughout the pretty downtown. I had such a great time with these two and could not wait to celebrate their wedding this Fall!
When the big day arrived Christy and I first connected with Greg at his parents’ home where he had a special bottle of George T. Stagg bourbon waiting to open and share with his groomsmen. After taking some fun photos with the guys we traveled to Tracy’s childhood home where she was getting ready with her closest girlfriends and sorority sisters. Tracy got dressed in her childhood bedroom where her Mom gifted her a pair of vintage diamond earrings in honor of her wedding day. Tracy looked radiant and we made time for a few bridal portraits outside before loading up and heading to Independence Grove.
We arrived at the venue we connected with their planner Brianna who helped make sure everything ran smoothly throughout the day. As Greg stood waiting patiently Tracy walked towards him for their first look before they shared the sweetest (and possibly longest?) private vows. Greg carefully typed up a nine-page history of their entire relationship and shared so many thoughtful moments with Tracy as they stood together near the native garden at Independence Grove.
The weather was a bit unpredictable on Tracy and Greg’s wedding day so they made the decision to move their ceremony inside. It didn’t end up raining and we were blessed with a gorgeous sunset after they were officially married. We took stunning pictures by the water before heading back inside for an unforgettable night of great food and Tracy dancing and singing to Taylor Swift with her besties – it was such a perfect day and we were honored to be a part of it!
Congratulations, Tracy and Greg, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Tracy and Greg’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Independence Grove
CATERER
Relish Events
WEDDING PLANNER
Weddings by Danica
HAIR
Opal
MAKEUP
Rosie Hunter Artistry
DJ
BBs Best
WEDDING CAKE
Deerfield Bakery
WEDDING RINGS
Rollands
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Kathryn's Bridal
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
Vera Wang
Katie & Sean’s Gorgeous Morton Arboretum Wedding
Katie and Sean met in high school during their Freshman honors geometry class, where Katie was very confused and Sean kindly let her copy his homework. They remained friends and only started dating in 2021 after . . .
Katie and Sean met in high school during their Freshman honors geometry class, where Katie was very confused and Sean kindly let her copy his homework. They remained friends and only started dating in 2021 after spending time talking over Zoom during the pandemic. In November 2023, Sean surprised Katie by proposing in front of Mount Fuji while they were vacationing in Japan. Sean and Katie now live with their two cats, Zoey and Pedro Purrscal, and enjoy spending time with friends and traveling together.
I had the best time getting to know Katie and Sean at their pretty engagement session last Fall at The Morton Arboretum. Katie is so full of life and laughter and the love she and Sean share is so special, it was wonderful exploring the trails and spending time with them at the same spot where they would get married less than one year later. When their big day arrived Conrad, Ryan and I were all excited to celebrate this sweet. couple with their family and friends! Spirits were high when we arrived for getting ready photos and Katie looked absolutely gorgeous, she is one of those people who just radiates beauty from the inside and looked truly radiant as a bride. We left the hotel and made our way to the Thornhill Education Center at the Morton Arboretum where Katie and Sean had their first look and sweetly shared private vows with one another.
It was just a perfect Fall day and everything looked so beautiful, we were obsessed with the bridesmaids’ jewel-toned dresses and the stunning florals by the talented team at Piscasaw Gardens. Katie shared a really sweet moment with her Dad when he saw her for the first time as a bride not long before he walked her down the aisle. After the ceremony we were blessed with a gorgeous sunset before settling inside for an unforgettable night of food and dancing to celebrate the newlyweds. Katie and Sean treated their guests to a round of trivia during dinner hosted by Gabe Ortiz – Conrad, Ryan and I had so much fun playing and answering questions while we ate our delicious meal! This perfect day was filled with so much laughter and joy, we only wish we could do it all over again!
Congratulations, Katie and Sean, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Katie and Sean’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Morton Arboretum Thornhill Education Center
FLORIST
Piscasaw Gardens
HAIR
Clare Curran
MAKEUP
Carolina Valenzuela
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie
Birdy Grey
WEDDING CAKE
Le Chocolat Bakery
WEDDING RINGS
James & Sons Fine Jewelers
Alexis & Bennet’s Perfect Seven Bridges Wedding
Alexis and Bennet first met in college at ISU but didn’t start dating until years later. Building on the strong foundation of their close friendship the realized they were meant to be . . .
Alexis and Bennet first met in college at ISU but didn’t start dating until years later. Building on the strong foundation of their close friendship the realized they were meant to be together, and after dating long-distance while he lived in Arizona and she was finishing graduate school they moved in together. In March 2023 Bennet brought Alexis back to ISU where he proposed with the help of their college friends.
After Conrad shot Alexis and Bennet’s engagement session at The Morton Arboretum last Fall we were both really excited for their wedding day. Conrad told me about how Alexis and Bennet are so at-ease with one another and how they were such fun to photograph – they truly are soulmates and being in their presence feels like such an honor. When it came time to celebrate their wedding Conrad and I kept commenting to each other throughout the day that it hardly felt like work at all, we just had the best time being in the presence of this perfect couple. Alexis looked absolutely gorgeous and Bennet’s response to seeing her was adorable. After their first look they shared emotional private vows – what little we could overhear only confirmed that these two were made for one another.
During their ceremony Alexis and Bennet chose to fill a time-capsule with items that were important mementos from their relationship. They thoughtfully described each item – a picture of their cat, a receipt from her engagement ring, pictures of their new home together – while wiping away tears and laughing together. It sort of felt like they were the only ones in the room all day long, like their love was the center of the universe. After their ceremony we were treated to a gorgeous sunset before settling into an unforgettable night of eating and dancing to celebrate the newlyweds. It truly was the most perfect day and we are so grateful to have been a part of it!
Congratulations, Alexis and Bennet, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Alexis and Bennet’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
FLORIST
Cresco Stems
HAIR & MAKEUP
Hairs 2 The Bride
WEDDING RINGS
Crescent Jewelers
WEDDING CAKE
DeEtta’s Bakery
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Crystal Bride
BRIDAL SHOES
Dolce Vita
MENSWEAR
Men’s Wearhouse
Danielle & Jordan’s Emotional Eaglewood Resort Wedding
Danielle and Jordan first met on Hinge and bonded immediately over their love of rum and the Chicago Bears. In 2021 they moved in together and adopted THE cutest little corgi . . .
Danielle and Jordan first met on Hinge and bonded immediately over their love of rum and the Chicago Bears. In 2021 they moved in together and adopted THE cutest little corgi puppy named Payton (after Walter Payton from the Bears!) After six joyful years together Jordan proposed to Danielle in front of her entire family at her grandmother’s lake house in Delavan, Wisconsin. Everyone was so happy for these two to start their forever together!
I loved getting to know Danielle and Jordan (and even spending time with sweet Payton!) at their engagement session at Graue Mill last Fall. I think that session may well have been blessed with THE most strikingly gorgeous Fall colors EVER, the beautiful scenery nearly stole the show during their engagement session! But Danielle and Jordan’s love was the real star, and we were all so excited to celebrate their wedding with them this Fall at Eaglewood Resort!
When we arrived Danielle and her girls were in great spirits even though the resort had a water main break and didn’t have running water! But the girls rolled with the punches and Danielle looked gorgeous thanks to the talented team at Every Kind of Beautiful and Glam Luxe Artistry. Danielle and Jordan waited to see each other at the aisle but we made time for pictures of them with their respective wedding parties before the ceremony. We also took a few sweet pictures of Jordan reading the letter Danielle wrote to him and Danielle spending a few emotional moments sitting next to the chair that was set aside for her father who had passed away.
As Danielle walked down the aisle Jordan teared up, it was so special watching these two exchange their vows. We then enjoyed watching them sign their ketubah before taking just the newlyweds out on golf carts for some pretty pictures on the course. It was a beautiful day and we were so thankful to be a part of it!!
Congratulations, Danielle and Jordan, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Danielle and Jordan’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Eaglewood Resort
FLORALS
Sola Wood Florals
WEDDING CAKE
Delish Cakes
WEDDING RINGS
David’s Fine Jewelry
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Crystal Bride
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
Men’s Wearhouse
Melissa & Kyle’s Epic Haight Wedding
Melissa and Kyle first met their Junior year of high school at Hoffman Estates High School. They had a ton of mutual friends and went on their first date to Nickel City on Valentine’s Day in . . .
Melissa and Kyle first met their Junior year of high school at Hoffman Estates High School. They had a ton of mutual friends and went on their first date to Nickel City on Valentine’s Day in 2010, Nickel City is an amazing old- fashioned video game arcade – Melissa went with her group of friends (many of whom ended up in her bridal party!) to meet Kyle and his friends at the arcade. It was a complete set up by everyone. As Melissa walked through the front door, Kyle going absolutely wild at DDR. With his quick reflexes and stellar moves, she knew right away he was the one. The next day Kyle asked Melissa to be his girlfriend, and the rest is history!
We first met Melissa through her work when we were hired to take headshots for In2Great Pediatric Therapy. Melissa and Kyle were dating then and getting more serious, we had them in at the Studio for a holiday session or two before hearing the good news that they got engaged (in Ireland no less!!) Conrad was thrilled when Melissa and Kyle officially asked us to be their wedding photographers (and videographer!) and was excited to start the process of planning for their wedding! Last November Conrad met Melissa and Kyle at The Lilac League, one of our favorite cocktail bars, for their epic and unforgettable engagement session. After taking some stunning shots at the bar they made time to take some pictures at a local arcade with video games for good measure, it was all reminiscent of that first date 15 years ago!
When the day finally arrived for Melissa and Kyle to get married the weather was absolutely perfect, Conrad, Ryan and I were all really excited to connect with everyone at The Haight in Elgin for the celebration! We met up with Allison of ACG Productions and captured so many gorgeous moments together throughout the day, it was honestly just all so perfect and unforgettable! Melissa looked just perfect, and we realized throughout the day that she had literally thought of EVERYTHING to make her wedding to Kyle the day of her dreams! Our friends at Fabbrini’s Flowers did an AMAZING job on Melissa and Kyle’s gorgeous and dramatic contemporary Fall florals, her bouquet was breathtaking and his over-the-top floral lapel set the bar really high for groom style moving forward!
After Melissa was dressed she met Kyle on the rooftop for the sweetest first look and private vows. Kyle could not take his eyes off his gorgeous bride, it was so cute to see just how happy and in love he was! We crossed the river with their wedding party to do some pictures in the pretty Fall light before coming back up to the Haight rooftop for their beautiful ceremony. Honestly this day was just one picture-perfect moment after another. Conrad and I shot more photographs at Melissa and Kyle’s wedding than any other this entire year!!
Once they were pronounced husband and wife Melissa and Kyle joined their guests for cocktail hour, but before everyone settled in for dinner we made time for some really dramatic smoke photos near the ceremony site. Those were some of our favorite captures of the day! Then Melissa and Kyle shared their amazing choreographed first dance with their guests before heading in for a delicious dinner – My Chef Catering treated everyone SO well and made just about the best wedding meal we have EVER had! Really, this was just the perfect day, we only wish we could do it all over again!!
Congratulations, Melissa and Kyle, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Melissa and Kyle’s gorgeous wedding photos click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
The Haight
CONTENT CREATOR
ACG Productions
FLORIST
Fabbrini's Flowers
MAKEUP
Austin Mark
WEDDING CAKE
Eye Candy Bake Shop
WEDDING RINGS
New York Jewelers Chicago
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Bella Bianca Bridal Couture
BRIDAL SHOES
Bella Belle
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
Indochino