Emily & Kevin’s Cheerful Chevy Chase Country Club Wedding
Emily and Kevin met at Hersey High School, she had a crush on him but by the time they graduated they were just good friends. They stayed in touch throughout college and even into their mid-twenties . . .
Emily and Kevin met at Hersey High School, she had a crush on him but by the time they graduated they were just good friends. They stayed in touch throughout college and even into their mid-twenties, hanging out here and there. Then in June 2021 Kevin send Emily a DM just to say “hi” and ask how she's doing – soon they agreed to go to a Cubs game together on their first date.
Emily and Kevin dated over long-distance for nearly a year – he lived in Chicago and she was teaching in Champaign. But Emily moved back to the Chicago area and they continued to date seriously – they moved in together shortly before their 2 year dating-anniversary and then got engaged around their 3-year anniversary. Kevin proposed in the living room and Emily was SHOCKED. Even though they had been talking about marriage for years and it was decided as something that would for sure happen, she didn't know he had bought a ring!
I really loved spending time with Emily and Kevin at their engagement session last Fall – they wanted to keep things low-key and we shot their engagement pictures at Heritage Park near their house, I had such a great time finding pretty light amongst the Fall colors with them! I loved watching the way that Kevin makes Emily light up, these two are truly perfect together!
Sadly, a day or two before Emily and Kevin’s wedding I became quite ill and could hardly get out of bed. I realized that I would not be able to make it through a long wedding day and had to make the call to Emily that I never want to make for any bride. I can count on one hand the number of weddings I have had to miss over the last 13+ years, and it’s not something I would ever do unless it was absolutely necessary. It broke my heart to call Emily and tell her that I was too sick to shoot their wedding, but I was so grateful knowing that Conrad and Lindsay could step in to capture their wedding.
The weather was absolutely gorgeous for Emily and Kevin’s wedding at Chevy Chase, and when we arrived Emily and her girls were in great spirits as they got ready upstairs near the Devonshire Room. Emily had her favorite tunes blasting to get her hyped and was super chill during those getting-ready moments. After being pampered by the talented hair and makeup team from Bella Bridal Beauty Emily changed into her stunning floral gown from Bella Bleu Bridal and looked beyond amazing, this dress is 100% one of our favorites from this wedding season! The appliquéd floral details were just to die for, the handiwork was amazing and gave the dress to more unique texture!
The florals for Emily and Kevin’s wedding were also some of the best we have ever seen, the team from A Perfect Petal really outdid themselves with these cheery and colorful blooms!
When Emily and Kevin had their first look out near the water at Chevy Chase she snuggle up behind him, they were super sweet seeing each other and shared plenty of laughs. That joyful love-filled energy carried the day and it was just such a pleasure to be alongside these two as they started their forever together!
Emily and Kevin asked that we bring along some of our film cameras and capture some of the more fleeting and candid moments of their wedding day on 35mm film. We really love how more and more of our couples are requesting that we shoot with film for their weddings! These were some of our favorite film scans from Emily and Kevin’s wedding, we hope that some of these shots find their way into their wedding album!
Congratulations, Emily and Kevin, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Emily and Kevin’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
FLORIST
A Perfect Petal
WEDDING COORDINATOR
Northwest Weddings
HAIR & MAKEUP
Bella Bridal Beauty
WEDDING CAKE
Lovin’ Oven
WEDDING RINGS
CD Peacock
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Bella Bleu Bridal
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
Men’s Wearhouse
Ariana & Andrew’s Sweet Farmhouse Plainfield Wedding
Ariana and Andrew met four years ago – on their second date, Andrew told Ariana he may be relocated to Arizona for work. They continued to date for four months and then his company did . . .
Ariana and Andrew met four years ago – on their second date, Andrew told Ariana he may be relocated to Arizona for work. They continued to date for four months and then his company did relocate him to Arizona, but they decided their connection was worth pursuing. Ariana and Andrew dated long distance for two years, traveling from Scottsdale to Chicago until Andrew was finally able to move back to Chicago for work. After growing closer together despite the two years of long-distance Ariana and Andrew got engaged on a family vacation on the East coast at a beautiful lighthouse overlooking the water.
When Marcella, Ryan and I made our way to The Farmhouse in Plainfield for Ariana and Andrew’s wedding we were excited to celebrate with this sweet couple. Ariana and her friends were in high-spirits as they got ready in the bridal suite at The Farmhouse – I was surprised to realize later that her brides’-man was one of my former students! Ariana was absolutely gorgeous in her lace wedding gown, and her smile was radiant throughout the entire day.
Ariana and Andrew shared their first look and emotional private vows on the patio at The Farmhouse and it was our favorite moment of their wedding day. They have such a tender connection and wrote such thoughtful vows for one another, it really felt special to be present in that moment with them. After taking pictures with Ariana and Andrew’s fun wedding party on the beautifully manicured grounds of The Farmhouse we prepared for their ceremony. Ariana and Andrew exchanged their vows in front of their guests and then the celebration really began!
After cocktail hour Ariana and Andrew were introduced and went right into their first dance as husband and wife, it was beautiful with the sunlight streaming into the great hall. They were surrounded by the love of their friends and family and treated to some emotional toasts on their behalf. We couldn’t stop giggling when Andrew’s best man took a big bite out of the BIG cannoli that held countless little cannolis on their sweets table. And just before we departed we were grateful for some soft pretty sunset light for a few last photos of Ariana and Andrew together. It was a perfect day and we were so grateful to be a part of it!
Congratulations, Ariana and Andrew, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Ariana and Andrew’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
FLORIST
Flowers Just for You
HAIR & MAKEUP
Refined Beauty
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Love Theory Bridal
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
State and Liberty
Emma & Brett’s Beautiful Makray Memorial Golf Club Wedding
Emma and Brett first met when they were working together as camp counselors at the Palatine Park District during the Summer of 2017, before our junior year of college. They were friendly at first and then started texting before . . .
Emma and Brett first met when they were working together as camp counselors at the Palatine Park District during the Summer of 2017, before our junior year of college. They were friendly at first and then started texting before going out on their first date. Emma and Brett spent every weekday together at camp that Summer, and would hang out after camp many days, too. Luckily they both attended the University of Illinois so they easily transitioned their relationship to college. After dating for seven years Emma and Brett got engaged at the same park where they first met, how sweet is that?!
Conrad loved spending time with Emma and Brett at their engagement session last Fall and was so excited to celebrate their wedding with them this June! After a bit of a long engagement Emma and Brett were so happy to finally become husband and wife! It was quite hot on their wedding day but both Emma and Brett were troopers and made sure to take plenty of great photos outside on the beautiful grounds at Makray Memorial Golf Club. Brett carried his great-grandfather’s pocket watch and Emma wore fun blue shoes, we just love the little details that make each wedding special!
After their sweet first look alongside the ivy-covered stone wall at Makray Emma and Brett shared sweet private vows. They also wrote love-letters to each other and sealed them in a box with a bottle of wine to read on their anniversary. Their ceremony was filled with sweet moments and officiated by Emma’s friend and bridesmaid Maria who did a wonderful job, we love when the couple chooses someone close to them to officiate their wedding ceremony!
Once Emma and Brett were pronounced husband and wife everyone made their way upstairs to celebrate with a beautiful reception hosted by our friends at Makray. The dramatic twisting staircase was transformed with greenery by Twigs and Blooms, according to our resident green-thumb Lindsay these were some of the most stunning wedding florals we have ever seen. Emma and Brett were graced with a gorgeous sunset, we captured some pretty photos of them together outside before settling into a night of dancing to celebrate the newlyweds. It was the most beautiful day and we were so grateful to be a part of it!
Congratulations, Emma and Brett, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Emma and Brett’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VIDEOGRAPHY
Anthony Tortoriello from I Do Video by Leo
VENUE
Makray Memorial Golf Club
FLORIST
Twigs and Blooms
MAKEUP
Gianna D'Alesio
HAIR
Gina Brynes
WEDDING CAKE
Lovin Oven Cakery
ENGAGEMENT RING
Erica’s Jewelry
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Vanessa's Modern Bride
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Birdy Grey
MENSWEAR
Mens’ Wearhouse
Ashley & Shawn’s Gorgeous Chevy Chase Wedding
Ashley and Shawn met while they both worked at the bakery at Mariano's – the foundation of their relationship was strong, but they remained close friends for many years before they actually started dating. . .
Ashley and Shawn met while they both worked at the bakery at Mariano's – the foundation of their relationship was strong, but they remained close friends for many years before they actually started dating. They met in 2013 when Ashley was in Nursing school and Shawn was in X-Ray school, they didn’t start dating until 2020. After realizing that they had strong chemistry they dated for three years before getting engaged in Saint Pete Beach, Florida, they favorite vacation spot.
When I first met Ashley and Shawn I was struck by their natural connection, it was clear to me from the very beginning that they shared a deep friendship and beautiful love for one another. I loved getting to know Ashley and Shawn better at their engagement session last Summer. It was just such a beautiful and relaxed morning with them exploring the gorgeous grounds at Cantigny, I loved spending time with this laid-back and loving couple!
On their wedding day Ashley and Shawn got more gorgeous weather and Christy and I were so excited to celebrate their wedding with them at Chevy Chase! After taking some getting ready photos at the Westin we arranged for Ashley and Shawn’s first look to take place just outside the hotel – Shawn was SO sweetly emotional when he saw his gorgeous bride, their emotional first look and private vows really set the tone for the rest of the day. We are always so happy when couples show a lot of emotion on their wedding day, it makes our jobs extra special to capture those moments!
Ashley really looked absolutely stunning in her gown, and her beauty was only accentuated by the amazing florals by Sweet Pea Stems. We had a great time taking pictures with Ashley and Shawn’s wedding party, many of them friends that they made while at Mariano’s who played a big part in their wedding day. After their emotional wedding ceremony everyone was ready to celebrate, but before we could dance the night away we made time for a few more beautiful photos outside the Devonshire Room during sunset. Ashley and Shawn were just so happy to be with each other, and we were grateful for an amazing sunset for the newlyweds! It was the perfect day, we are so thankful to be alongside Ashley and Shawn as they started their forever together!
Congratulations, Ashley and Shawn, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Ashley and Shawn’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
DAY-OF COORDINATOR
Amanda Paige Events
FLORIST
Sweet Pea Stems
MAKEUP
Makeup by Francesca
WEDDING CAKE
Lovin Oven
WEDDING RINGS
Cottage Hill Diamonds
WEDDING DRESS
Martina Liana
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Diana's Bridal
BRIDAL SHOES
Aldo
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
Mens’ Wearhouse
Laura & Manse’s Lovely Glen Club Wedding
Laura and Manse met the old fashioned way – on a dating app – and bonded over their love of dogs and good food. They were comfortable with one another from the beginning . . .
Laura and Manse met the old fashioned way – on a dating app – and bonded over their love of dogs and good food. They were comfortable with one another from the beginning and found it easy to talk about anything and everything. They got engaged in their backyard and after she said yes they were greeted by their dogs Hazy and Copper and both sets of parents to celebrate!
Laura and Manse are kind and laid back, Conrad loved getting to know them at their engagement session downtown. They started at Bangers & Lace in Wicker Park for some fun casual shots at their favorite spot for drinks and food. Laura then changed into a pretty green dress and they headed to the Lincoln Park Nature Walk, it was such an easy and pretty day, Conrad was excited to celebrate their wedding the following Summer!
When the big day arrived Conrad and Lindsay met with Laura at her parents’ house for getting ready photos with Laura and her bridesmaids. These girls were amazing and helped make sure everything ran smoothly throughout the day, all while hyping Laura up and making Manse laugh. Laura’s faithful dog Copper was there and sweetly looked on as Laura changed into her sleek Sophia Tolli gown. Laura then shared the sweetest first look with her Dad before they made their way to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Glenview for the ceremony.
Manse was all smiles as Laura’s Dad walked her down the aisle, and he didn’t take his eyes off his bride for the rest of the day. After their traditional ceremony and a joyful trolley ride to The Glen Club we settled in for a perfect evening celebrating the newlyweds. We were graced with a pretty sunset where Laura and Manse could enjoy a quiet moment together to revel in their new status as husband and wife. It was such a lovely day, we were truly thankful to be a part of these moments!
Congratulations, Laura and Manse, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Laura and Manse’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
The Glen Club
FLORIST
Morning Glory
LIVE BAND
The Walk-ins
BRIDAL HAIR
Feeling Pretty Inc.
MAKEUP
Brittney Berglund
BRIDAL SHOES
Loeffler Randall
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Birdy Grey
MENSWEAR
BLVDier
WEDDING RINGS
Franz Jewelers
WEDDING CAKE
Deerfields Bakery
Jessie & Andy’s Unforgettable Mae District Wedding
Jessie and Andy met at a dance festival in Atlanta in 2022. On the last night of the event, they danced together for two hours! Jessie had a crush right away and wrote a long, heartfelt Instagram post about . . .
Jessie and Andy met at a dance festival in Atlanta in 2022. On the last night of the event, they danced together for two hours! Jessie had a crush right away and wrote a long, heartfelt Instagram post about the grounding, safe, and caring space Andy created during their dance. They started texting, but Andy was still unsure if he was romantically interested. At another Brazilian Zouk event in Chicago two weeks later, Jessie asked Andy to join her for dinner and boldly asked him to let her know if he was ever interested in a non-dance connection. They saw each other at two more events in December and kept having 1-2 hour long dances. Just as Jessie was about to give up and move on, Andy caught the feels at the Interfusion Festival in January. Suddenly, he couldn't stop imagining what it would be like to be together! Now, the tables were turned. Andy was 100% in (and in full puppy-dog mode) and Jessie was wary and surprised by his change of heart. But, they started having 3-5 hour phone calls every day, and they were both struck by how easy it was to communicate with one another, and how much their values were aligned. Jessie visited Andy in February for a dance weekend, and Andy asked if he could introduce her as his girlfriend. They went back and forth between Chicago and St Louis for several months, creating fun memories of Summer in Chicago and friends' weddings in California and Alaska. Jessie "imported" Andy to St. Louis in August. One year later, during their trip to Europe, Andy proposed on a mountaintop near Lucerne, Switzerland! Andy read Jessie a beautiful proposal card. She said yes, and strangers applauded as they looked on!
When I first met Jessie and Andy in person for their engagement session in Lincoln Park I was struck by their warmth and the intensity of their connection. As we walked and talked and took photos they seemed to be continually intertwined, holding tight to one another both physically and emotionally. Jessie and Andy love out loud and it’s beautiful. I will always remember that warm evening that I spent with them (and their adorable Pom Kumara!) along the lakefront – I was truly looking forward to Jessie and Andy’s wedding after their memorable engagement session!
On their wedding day, Christy and I arrived at the Marriott Marquis to take getting ready photos and were surprised to find Jessie and Andy in the hotel room together – they were each visiting and getting ready with friends and family in separate areas of the suite. When they needed to move in the space they coordinated and turned so that they wouldn’t see one another, it was this lovely little “dance” that spoke to the respect and love that they share. Once Jessie slipped into her beautiful sparkly seafoam Andrea & Leo gown we made our way to the hotel lobby for their “first look.” Jessie and Andy joyfully embraced once they saw each other and their wedding dance began, the rest of the day and night they were happily swirling together.
We braved the heat and Chicago traffic to take beautiful pictures at both Olive Park and the Wrigley Building. Once we finished we made our way to the historic Mae District where we essentially walked right into their wedding ceremony, we made it there with only a few minutes to spare before it was time for Jessie to walk down the aisle! Their emotional ceremony was officiated by Jessie’s close friend from Australia, and after their first kiss their guests shared greetings of love and well-wishes by tossing a turquoise ball of yarn to one another, creating a beautiful web for Jessie and Andy to walk under as they joyfully made their way back down the aisle.
Jessie and Andy’s reception was intimate and unique; during cocktail hour Jessie serenaded her groom with two stunning operatic pieces leaving the entire room speechless. Then guests were treated to a Zouk lesson, which came in handy later once the room exploded into dancing after dinner! But for me one of the most powerfully memorable things about Jessie and Andy’s wedding was the speech that her Mother gave during dinner. She shared about her journey to have Jessie and the story was just amazing, and the love she has for her daughter was something I will always feel touched by. This was truly the most unforgettable wedding, we were deeply honored to be a part of Jessie and Andy’s celebration!
Congratulations, Jessie and Andy, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Jessie and Andy’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Mae District
FLORIST
Flora
HAIR + MAKEUP
Pin Me Up Chicago
WEDDING CAKE
Alice and Friends
ENGAGEMENT RING
Earth's Treasury
BRIDAL SHOES
Adriana Gronow
GROOM’S SUIT
Indochino
Norah & Lewis’ Romantic Redfield Estate Wedding
Nora and Lewis share a remarkable connection, a love that knows no boundaries. When we had our first meeting about wedding photography Lewis came alone on behalf of his fiancé . . .
Nora and Lewis share a remarkable connection, a love that knows no boundaries. When we had our first meeting about wedding photography Lewis came alone on behalf of his fiancé – in all the years we have been doing weddings we have NEVER had a groom come to a meeting without his bride! That tells you what kind of a guy Lewis is, he adores Nora and would do anything for her. She was busy studying for finals and Lewis wanted to help ease some of the wedding planning stress, from that first meeting I loved Lewis and was so excited to be a part of this wedding!
When the day arrived for Nora and Lewis’ wedding we met at the beautiful Redfield Estate at The Grove and met Nora upstairs with her bridesmaids and Mom getting ready. I took Nora’s bridal details downstairs and was so surprised when I unzipped her wedding gown garment bag and found her stunning black celestial gown by Flora & Lane. I knew from that moment that we were in for a special day celebrating Nora and Lewis, I just love that they honored their relationship and chose to do things their way!
The moment when Nora and Lewis first saw each other on their wedding day was filled with sweetness and emotion. We took pictures with their wedding party before lining up for their ceremony by the gazebo. It was really special to watch Nora and Lewis exchange their vows and participate in a traditional hand-fasting ceremony before they were pronounced husband and wife. After their first kiss they walked back down the winding path and shared their secret handshake together, it was just the cutest!!
After we finished with pictures at The Grove we made our way to Top Golf in Schaumburg for their reception. Conrad and I love a good challenge when it comes to making beautiful wedding photos, and we were pretty excited to do some couples photos of Nora and Lewis in and around Top Golf! We found plenty of beautiful light and reflective surfaces to play with, we love how those photos turned out! It was a great night spent celebrating this wonderful couple, we were happy to have been a part of this unforgettable day!
Congratulations, Nora and Lewis, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Nora and Lewis’ beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
CEREMONY VENUE
The Redfield Estate at The Grove
RECEPTION VENUE
Top Golf
HAIR & MAKEUP
Beaute Luxe
WEDDING DRESS
Flora & Lane
WEDDING RINGS
Helzberg
GROOM’S SUIT
Ted Baker
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
David's Bridal
Ami & Conrad’s Dreamy Garfield Park Conservatory Wedding
I first met Conrad when he was just seventeen years old, finishing high school and willing to come alongside my burgeoning business to help me photograph weddings and edit photos. Little did I know then that I was meeting my best friend, someone who would help carry the weight of this business in ways I could have never imagined. Conrad is the most loyal, steadfast and supportive person I have ever known and I truly cannot imagine how Something Blue Photography could exist without him.
I first met Ami in 2019, not long after I left the hospital following my traumatic MS diagnosis. I was using a walker and felt vulnerable and weak, but Conrad invited me and my husband on a double-date with his new girlfriend Ami. Meeting Ami was a revelation, and for all the love I have for Conrad I knew after being with Ami for just one night that my friend had found his forever person. I knew that night that we had just met Conrad’s future wife, and I couldn’t be happier for my friend.
Ami and Conrad share an easy and peaceful connection that is rooted in shared respect and an appreciation for the good things in life. It has been so wonderful to be friends with these two over the years, they are like family to us and I am so thankful for all the memories we have together.
When Conrad was planning to propose to Ami he had the idea to pop the question in Paris, because truly what could be romantic than that?! He set the bar high and picked the most gorgeous ring for Ami, and Christy and I decided that we could use their proposal as the perfect excuse to get away to Europe for a week to photograph this moment for our dear friends. We tried to be sneaky and plan the proposal with Conrad over text and FaceTime but Ami caught a glimpse of us seconds before Conrad popped the question – even so it was the most beautiful and romantic moment watching Conrad ask Ami to marry him with the Eiffel Tower in the background. We celebrated together with wine and cheese (and pickles!) under the Eiffel Tower, and then woke up super early the next morning to take more pictures while the sun rose over Paris. Christy shot one of our favorite photographs EVER as Ami and Conrad happily strolled together along the Trocadéro while a flock of birds took flight all around them. This trip and these moments will forever be so special to us, we are so grateful for the opportunity to have celebrated Ami and Conrad’s proposal in Paris with them.
Ami and Conrad decided to take their time planning their wedding and over the next two years they chose to celebrate their marriage quietly with family and friends around the country. The last stop of their wedding celebration tour was Chicago, and they chose the gorgeous Garfield Park Conservatory for their wedding ceremony. Ami looked beautiful in her simple sheath from Anthropologie while Conrad chose a crisp brown suit and a floral tie that we jokingly said looked like upholstery from a vintage Grandma couch – they both looked amazing and very “them.” Their first look was so sweet, Conrad was so happy to see his beautiful bride and from that moment on they did not leave one another’s side.
The talented team at Flowers for Dreams set up the most gorgeous chuppah to serve as the perfect backdrop for Ami and Conrad’s ceremony. Ami’s Dad David served as their officiant and had us all laughing and crying simultaneously as he lovingly spoke about his daughter and new son during their ceremony. Finally the moment arrived and Ami and Conrad were officially pronounced husband and wife, we were just all so happy for them!! After taking pictures in the Conservatory we celebrated with an intimate dinner in Logan Square, and the next day we came back downtown for another round of pictures before enjoying their bigger party at Lonesome Rose. All along the way we felt so happy for Ami and Conrad and grateful to be a part of these beautiful celebrations!
The only way we could really properly capture Ami and Conrad’s wedding weekend was by shooting with film cameras, Christy and I had lots of fun snapping 35mm shots of each big moment throughout the weekend! I’m sort of obsessed with how these all turned out, I just love that film is having a moment right now!
We love you so much and wish you a lifetime of happiness together, Ami and Conrad!! Thank you for sharing your wedding memories with us!
To see all of Ami and Conrad’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
CEREMONY VENUE
Garfield Park Conservatory
FLORIST
Flowers for Dreams
WEDDING DRESS
Anthropologie
SPECIAL THANKS
Quality Time Bar
Red Hot Ranch
Melinda & Ron’s Makray Memorial Golf Club Wedding
Melinda and Ron made us feel like old friends from the moment we first met them. They told us all throughout their wedding planning process that it was really important for their friends and families to . . .
Melinda found her wedding dress at Volle’s in Lake Zurich and later had the opportunity to go back there and meet Randy Fenoli, how cool is that?! She shared photos from her wedding with Randy and was so excited to be able to show off just how gorgeous she looked on her wedding day!
Melinda and Ron made us feel like old friends from the moment we first met them. They told us all throughout their wedding planning process that it was really important for their friends and families to have the best time ever celebrating their wedding, and that generous hospitality even extended to their wedding vendors. When we arrived at Makray we were told that Melinda and Ron had purchased a bar package for us, how sweet is that?! We had such a great time with Melinda and Ron, from their adorable first look to their emotional ceremony to their rocking party (where Melinda’s nephew played with the band!) this was truly a perfect day!
Congratulations, Melinda and Ron, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Melinda and Ron’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
Sarah & Nolan’s Beautiful Wild Onion Brewery Wedding
Nolan and Sarah met on a Christian dating app in 2022 and spent six hours talking to each other on their first date. They haven’t stopped talking since; they love playing trivia together, movie nights, spending time . . .
Nolan and Sarah met on a Christian dating app in 2022 and spent six hours talking to each other on their first date. They haven’t stopped talking since; they love playing trivia together, movie nights, spending time with friends and family, and talking, talking, talking about everything. These two were made for one another, and we were so honored to be a part of their beautiful wedding day!
Sarah is just as sweet as can be, Marcella and I were excited to get to know her better on her wedding day. What we didn’t realize when we arrived at First United Methodist Church (just down the road from our Studio!) was just how much Sarah LOVES the color pink. When I found her pink confection of a wedding dress hanging in the church basement my jaw dropped – over the years I have photographed over 600 weddings and I can only think of ONE other wedding dress that wasn’t white or ivory. But Sarah chose this amazing pink dress before she was even engaged to Nolan, and as we got to know her throughout the day we realized just how perfect this pink dress was for her. She was beaming in that gown, one of the most joyful brides we have ever been around. It was great fun to watch Sarah as she celebrated with her bridesmaids, Mom and Grandmas, there was just so much love in the air!
Sarah was really excited to get married at her home church, it was so special to watch her walk down the aisle with her parents knowing that she had grown up attending First United Methodist. Nolan was beaming when he first saw his beautiful bride and then couldn’t take his eyes off her for the rest of the day. Nolan’s Grandpa helped to officiate their ceremony which made everything that much more meaningful. Once Sarah and Nolan were pronounced husband and wife they took a few moments to themselves before we started taking formal photos – we were cracking up because Nolan was really thirsty and the only vessel we could find for water was the vase that Sarah’s bouquet came in!
We had a lot of fun taking pictures at FUMC before leaving for Wild Onion for their reception. Once we arrived we shot a few more of just Sarah and Nolan before setting in at Wild Onion for the night. Sarah surprised her guests by changing into a second reception dress during dinner – Nolan sweetly said that she looked like a princess by day and then transformed into a queen at night. We danced the night away celebrating this sweet newlyweds, it really was a perfect day!
Sarah and Nolan asked us to bring along our film cameras to snap some candids throughout the day, we are OBSESSED with how these turned out! There’s something magical about the unpredictability of film!
Congratulations, Sarah and Nolan, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Sarah and Nolan’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Wild Onion Brewery & Banquets
FLORIST
Eiffel Flower
HAIR & MAKEUP
Appease
DJ
WedStart
WEDDING CAKE
Jarosch Bakery
WEDDING DRESS
Boom Babies
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
GenerationTux
Brittany & Jake’s Romantic Kemper Lakes Wedding
Brittany and Jake first met in Tahoe, CA where they lived next door to each other. They worked together at an adaptive sports program and started dating after that May after . . .
Brittany and Jake first met in Tahoe, CA where they lived next door to each other. They worked together at an adaptive sports program and started dating after that May after getting to know one another through skiing and hot tub and lake parties. Their love grew through plenty of adventures – mountain biking, skiing, hiking and swimming trips forged the foundation for their relationship. Brittany and Jake weathered quarantine together when the world shut down and welcomed their dog Juno to their adventures in love.
I first met Brittany and Jake over Zoom and loved their laid-back energy, I was so excited to get to know them both at their wedding at the beautiful Kemper Lakes! It was a beautiful Saturday when Conrad, Ryan and I arrived at Brittany’s grandparents’ house for getting ready photos. Their large and beautiful backyard was the perfect spot for Brittany and Jake’s emotional first look and private vows, such sweet moments set against the prettiest Midwestern backdrop! After taking some fun pictures with their wedding party and adorable dog Juno we made our way to Kemper Lakes. Everything looked so pretty at Kemper Lakes and we enjoyed their sweet ceremony overlooking the water (complete with a unity shot ski!)
Once Brittany and Jake were officially married we took just a few more photos before the celebration really began. The sun graced us with beautiful golden light just before the reception started and we got a lot of really pretty pictures of Brittany and Jake cutely practicing their first dance together out by the water. What a true joy it was for us to be around this adventurous, kind, and light-hearted couple on their wedding day!
Congratulations, Brittany and Jake, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Brittany and Jake’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
FLORISTS
Aberdeen Flowers
Marigold Blooms
HAIR & MAKEUP
Sands Bridal
WEDDING CAKE
Lovin’ Oven
BRIDE’S RING
Brilliant Earth
GROOM’S RING
Bluestone Tahoe
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Birdy Grey
MENSWEAR
Joseph Abboud
Sophia & Nick’s Stunning Morgan’s on Fulton Wedding
Sophia and Nick met at work in 2018 and became fast friends, frequently going on afternoon coffee breaks to catch up on life outside the office. Their first unofficial date was to see . . .
Sophia and Nick met at work in 2018 and became fast friends, frequently going on afternoon coffee breaks to catch up on life outside the office. Their first unofficial date was to see a Of Monsters and Men concert in Chicago, which they soon followed up with an official date at a ramen place in Lakeview. They bonded over their musical tastes, love of travel and shared values. Fast forward five years and Nick proposed on a beautiful sunny morning on Siesta Key Beach and they began planning for their wedding!
Sophia and Nick wanted an intimate celebration with their closest friends and family and chose to celebrate at Morgan’s on Fulton (one of our favorite city venues!) We were so excited to have Marcella along to manage day-of coordination and help make sure everything was just perfect at Morgan’s on Fulton! While Marcella worked her magic we met up with Sophia and Nick at Union Station and The Wrigley Building for the sweetest first look and portraits. Sophia looked absolutely perfect in her Renhue gown and metallic Prada heels, this will easily go down as one of our FAVORITE bridal looks EVER! And Nick looked amazing in his timeless black tux from Jack Victor, it was so fun and easy to photograph this beautiful couple amongst Chicago’s most iconic architectural settings.
After finishing with pictures we made our way to Morgan’s for their ceremony. It was so special to witness the moment when Sophia and Nick became husband and wife, and afterwards everyone was ready to kick back and celebrate! Their guests enjoyed a hearty cocktail hour lit by golden early Summer light on Morgan’s gorgeous terrace, it was the most beautiful night. We are so grateful to have been present at this unforgettable wedding!
Congratulations, Sophia and Nick, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Sophia and Nick’s gorgeous wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & DAY-OF COORDINATION
Something Blue
VENUE
Morgan’s on Fulton
HAIR & MAKEUP
Pin Me Up Chicago
WEDDING GOWN
Renhue
GROOMS’ TUX
Jack Victor
Tess & Jeff’s Gorgeous CD+ME Wedding
Tess and Jeff met through a mutual friend and were friends for several years before they were both single and decided to go on a first date. Tess was finishing a masters . . .
Tess and Jeff met through a mutual friend and were friends for several years before they were both single and decided to go on a first date. Tess was finishing a masters program in Chicago and Jeff received a job offer in Baltimore, so they did long distance for a year before Tess moved out to Baltimore to be with Jeff. After living together for a year and a half they got engaged at Glacier National Park and are excited to be moving back to Illinois to be closer to friends and family!
We were first connected with Tess and Jeff through her friends Elise and Garret (whose gorgeous Seven Bridges wedding we photographed in the Fall of 2023). I met with Tess and Jeff over Zoom and was so excited to get to know them on their wedding day this May! Tess told us that her Mom had been working to get their backyard picture-perfect for wedding photos, but nothing could have prepared us for how beautiful it was at Tess’ childhood home. We were fully in awe of the wisteria and annuals that created a magical space behind Tess’ childhood home, it was the perfect backdrop for her first look with Jeff and pictures with their wedding party!
Once we finished with pictures at Tess’ parents’ house we made our way to CD&ME to settle in before the ceremony. We took some more pictures by the gentle waterfalls outside of “The Mica” and then watched as Tess and Jeff exchanged their vows overlooking the water. Their joy was palpable when they were finally announced as husband and wife, and the rest of the evening felt like the most perfect celebration. It was such an honor for us to be alongside these two as they began their forever together!
Congratulations, Tess and Jeff, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Tess and Jeff’s gorgeous wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
CD&ME
FLORALS
DIY via Chicago's Wholesale Flowers
HAIR
Emily Pom Hair
MAKEUP
Patty McGuire
WEDDING RINGS
Nelson Coleman Jewelers
WEDDING GOWN
Crystal Bride
BRIDAL SHOES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
Suitshop
WEDDING CAKE
Orland Park Bakery
Our Love for Film Photography
Film photography is definitely trending, and we are SO here for it! All of us first learned photography using film cameras – developing film by hand and making prints in the darkroom was such a magical way . . .
Film photography is definitely trending, and we are SO here for it! All of us first learned photography using film cameras – developing film by hand and making prints in the darkroom was such a magical way to fall in love with photography! But as technology changed and digital cameras became more accessible it only made sense that the wedding photography industry drifted away from film and has been almost entirely digital for the at least the last twenty years. But film encompasses a unique aesthetic, tactile experience and deliberate creative process that digital photography often lacks.
More of our Something Blue couples are asking us for film coverage on their wedding day and it has been an absolute blast to work this way! We bring along a few vintage film cameras and snap analog pics throughout the day; typically we tell couples we will shoot up to three rolls of film in addition to the standard comprehensive digital coverage that we always provide. It’s always so much fun to see the results after we send the film off to the lab to be processed!
Film photography offers a distinctive visual style characterized by grain, soft tones, and subtle imperfections that evoke nostalgia and emotional depth. The process itself encourages a more mindful approach, fostering intentionality and a deeper connection with the moment. There is beauty in the unpredictable aspects of shooting film with vintage cameras – we love seeing light leaks, motion blur and unexpected surprises that each roll of film provides! Here are some of our favorite film images from three recent weddings, we hope you love them as much as we do!!
Jenny & Kevin’s Beautiful Covenant at Murray Mansion Wedding
Jenny and Kevin met the old-fashioned way – on Tinder lol – and spent their first date watching a horror film when neither of them like watching horror films. But from that first date things became pretty serious . . .
Jenny and Kevin met the old-fashioned way – on Tinder lol – and spent their first date watching a horror film when neither of them like watching horror films. But from that first date things became pretty serious pretty quickly, these two just knew from the start that they were meant to be together.
We were first connected with Jenny through Conrad’s wife Ami, her and Jenny grew up together and shared a sweet friendship. We are so glad to have gotten to know Jenny and Kevin through her! I visited Jenny and Kevin at his family’s lakehouse in Wisconsin last September for the sweetest engagement session and loved spending time with them. They describe themselves as “anxious, introverted and sleepy” but to me their connection is deeply rooted in peace, comfort and love. Their engagement session was so calm and lovely, it was a treat to see them in their element enjoying quiet time together by the lake and playing a hand of cards on the porch.
From their engagement session I had a glimpse of how much family means to Jenny and Kevin as his cousin was on-hand for support (and help with their sweet dog). On their wedding day that family support system pitched in by helping with flowers and set-up at the gorgeous Covenant at Murray Mansion in Racine. Jenny envisioned a bright and cheerful wedding and created all of the beautiful centerpieces, floral arrangements and printed details on her own, everything looked amazing! We loved how the magenta and orange florals popped against the beautiful background of the chapel adjacent to the Murray Mansion!
Jenny also chose the most gorgeous floral veil to wear, we were truly obsessed with the delicate and colorful embroidered flowers. While every detail looked perfect the best thing about Jenny and Kevin’s wedding day was just being in the presence of their deep connection. Conrad and I loved quietly photographing Jenny and Kevin from the corners of the Murray Mansion as they exchanged private vows and romantic moments. Conrad carried several cameras throughout the day to take traditional film photographs of Jenny and Kevin as well – scroll through their digital photos to see how their film scans turned out! This was such a wonderful wedding, we are so thankful to have been a part of it!
Both Conrad and I are trained as “traditional” photographers, meaning that film photography has a special place in our creative hearts. Conrad carried three film cameras on Jenny and Kevin’s wedding day to make a ton of beautiful exposures, we are obsessed with how these film scans turned out!
Congratulations, Jenny and Kevin, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Jenny and Kevin’s digital wedding photos, click here
And to see all of Jenny and Kevin’s film scans, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
DIGITAL & FILM PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
The Covenant at Murray Mansion
BRIDAL HAIR
Ruffalo’s Salon & Spa
WEDDING GOWN
Studio Levana
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Rare Bridal Bar
ENGAGEMENT RING
Keyzar Jewelry
MENSWEAR
Men's Wearhouse
Liz & Mathew’s Beautiful Chevy Chase Country Club Wedding
Liz and Mathew’s love story is the stuff rom-com dreams are made of, they lived two doors down from one another and met in the hallway of their building. When the time came for Conrad to meet up with Liz and Mathew . . .
Liz and Mathew’s love story is the stuff rom-com dreams are made of, they lived two doors down from one another and met in the hallway of their building. When the time came for Conrad to meet up with Liz and Mathew to take their engagement photos it only made sense to start in that same hallway. It was so much fun for him to get to know this sweet couple at the home they share!
Conrad was then so excited to join Liz and Mathew at Chevy Chase Country Club for their wedding this May! It was an absolutely perfect Spring day for Liz and Mathew’s traditional Catholic ceremony at St. James, we always love photographing ceremonies at this gorgeous church just down the street from us! Mathew was so sweet watching his bride walk down the aisle, and after they were pronounced husband and wife they were inseparable for the rest of the day. It was so cute to see them just talking and hugging and laughing together in the lobby after their ceremony before they exited the church!
When we arrived at Chevy Chase the light was absolutely gorgeous for pictures of the newlyweds, it was magical photographing Liz and Mathew together! Their love really shone through in each moment of their wedding day and it was just such a joy for us to be a part of this celebration!
Congratulations, Liz and Mathew, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Liz and Mathew’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Chevy Chase
FLORIST
Wild Haven Flower Farm
WEDDING CAKE
Lovin Oven Bakery
WEDDING RINGS
Diamonds for Love LLC
Olivia & Dan’s Sweet Spring Georgio's Banquets Wedding
Olivia and Dan both grew up on the South side and knew each other’s families for years, but they didn’t meet until July 2020 at a block party. That night they stayed out together until 5am and then started hanging out every weekend after that. . .
Olivia and Dan both grew up on the South side and knew each other’s families for years, but they didn’t meet until July 2020 at a block party. That night they stayed out together until 5am and then started hanging out every weekend after that. Olivia said that they just “always loved each other and knew they were going to get married.” And that’s really the way it feels to be around Olivia and Dan – their love is so natural and perfect it just feels like they were made for each other. They got engaged at their favorite restaurant on their 3 year anniversary and celebrated with friends and family at a party afterwards.
I loved getting to know Olivia and Dan while taking their engagement photos last Summer at the Indiana Dunes. Olivia looked SO good in her white engagement dress and I couldn’t get over how striking Dan’s eyes are, but the real beauty of this couple is in the connection they share with one another. It was just so easy to be with them and to take their photos, I was beyond excited to see them again this Spring for their wedding!
Conrad, Lindsay and I made the trip to the South side of Chicago on a sunny Spring day for “getting ready” photos at Olivia’s childhood home. Their family’s adorable husky was there watching over the controlled chaos and was happy to get pets from the bridesmaids and us whenever possible! Olivia’s textured ponytail by Marlo Salon was the perfect fit for her sleek gown from Eva’s International, and her makeup was on-point thanks to the talented Caroline Olenick. Once Olivia was dressed and ready we did a sweet reveal with her bridesmaids and Dad before heading to Water’s Edge for the “first look” and pictures with the wedding party.
Olivia rode separately to Water’s Edge but stopped in with her girls on the trolley for a fun quick dance party before heading out to see Dan. Dan looked a little bit nervous when we met up with him, but those nerves quickly went away as soon as he saw his gorgeous bride. His expression after seeing Olivia was priceless!! After their first look Olivia and Dan were inseparable for the rest of the day.
Once we finished with wedding party and family photos at Water’s Edge we made the trip to St. Christina’s for Olivia and Dan’s ceremony. This was our fourth wedding at St. Christina’s and we just LOVE shooting at this gorgeous church – the light inside of the sanctuary is always stunning thanks to the abundant stained glass and reflective marble surfaces. Olivia and Dan chose to celebrate with a short ceremony, and once they were pronounced husband and wife we made time to take some beautiful photographs of them with that striking prismatic light.
After finishing with pictures at St. Christina’s we made our way to Georgios Banquets to celebrate the newlyweds. The party was packed and the reception hall was bursting with love – Olivia and Dan gave the sweetest welcome speech and remarked on just how amazing it was for so many of their friends and family to be gathered together to celebrate their love. It was truly just the perfect day, we were so honored to be there in honor of Olivia and Dan!
Congratulations, Olivia and Dan, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Olivia and Dan’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Georgios Banquets
FLORIST
Redberry Floral
HAIR
Marlo Salon
MAKEUP
Caroline Olenick
WEDDING GOWN
Eva’s Bridal International
BRIDAL SHOES
Elegant Park
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
Boss Formal Wear
WEDDING RINGS
Martin & Martin
WEDDING CAKE
Nova’s Bakery
Alé & Joe’s Sweet Chez Hotel Wedding
Every now and again we meet a couple who truly seems like they were made for one another. From the first conversation we had with Alé and Joe it was clear that these two were perfect for each other. . .
Every now and again we meet a couple who truly seems like they were made for one another. From the first conversation we had with Alé and Joe it was clear that these two were perfect for each other. They share a deep connection marked by love and joy and it is just a joy to be in their presence.
Alé and Joe met in through mutual friends in 2022 but didn’t start dating until February of 2023. Their first date was on Valentine's Day after Joe took a chance and asked Alé out at a Superbowl party. From that day on they were inseparable and spent nearly every day together. After dating for just over a year they took a road trip to the path of totality for the total eclipse on April 8 2024 – Joe has always been a self-proclaimed space nerd and was determined to fully experience this once-in-a-lifetime moment. Little did Alé know that Joe had planned the perfect proposal for just moments after totality – what an unforgettable time to pop the question!!
We were so excited that Alé and Joe invited us to be a part of their wedding this Spring. Christy, Conrad and I met Alé at the newly refurbished Chez Hotel in Arlington Heights and were blown away by the gorgeous lobby when we arrived for “getting ready” photos. Alé was relaxing with her bestie Purvi as the talented team from Beauty by Daniela finished their hair and makeup. Joe’s sister Malissa arrived with her adorable girls Grace, Emma and Margaret and everyone looked just perfect. Once Alé slipped into her gorgeous gown from Brides by Young (we LOVE a wedding dress with sleeves!) we were off to Saint Stephen the Protomartyr where Joe was happily waiting for his bride.
It took a bit longer we expected to finish getting ready, which often happens on a wedding day, so I texted Joe while we made our way to the church to tell him things were running behind. His response was one of the sweetest things I have ever heard from a groom – he texted me back right away saying “Thank you for the update! She is running on her time that’s OK!” To me, that simple text said so much about who Joe is – always smiling, go with the flow, and deeply in love with Alé. Joe had the sweetest reaction to watching Alé walk down the aisle, and from that moment he didn’t take his eyes off his beautiful bride for the rest of the day.
After their traditional ceremony we ventured out of the church for photos with the wedding party. We are really glad that Alé and Joe were willing to brave the blustery weather for photos at Busse Woods; it was cold and windy but really pretty out! The newlyweds were all smiles as they snuggled close for pictures, and soon we were on our way back to the beautiful Chez Hotel. We took a few more pictures inside the gorgeous lobby during cocktail hour before settling into the grand ballroom for their reception. Fun fact, I photographed my first event ever in this beautiful grand ballroom!! We enjoyed a delicious meal while toasting Alé and Joe – his brother’s speech brought just about everyone in the room to tears. After dinner the dance floor opened and thanks to our friend DJ Chav everyone had an amazing time partying and celebrating Alé and Joe. We ended our night with a quiet moment with Alé and Joe on the stunning rooftop of the Chez Hotel, this was such a perfect day!!
Congratulations, Ale and Joe, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Ale and Joe’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Chez Hotel
FLORIST
CR Flowers
HAIR AND MAKEUP
Beauty by Daniela
WEDDING DRESS
Brides by Young
BRIDES’ SHOES
Converse
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
Gentlemen's Quarters Formalwear
WEDDING RINGS
R.C. Wahl Jewelers
Momo & Dave’s Two-Part Wedding Celebration
Momo and Dave first met when she worked as a server at his bar on the southside, O’Rourke’s Office. It didn’t take long for Dave to fall for Momo, she’s gorgeous and fun and together the two of them make the perfect pair. . .
Momo and Dave first met when she worked as a server at his bar on the southside, O’Rourke’s Office. It didn’t take long for Dave to fall for Momo, she’s gorgeous and fun and together the two of them make the perfect pair. Momo and Dave are silly and love to laugh, and we were lucky enough to spend not one but TWO days celebrating these two – we first shot their wedding ceremony at the end of 2024 and then met with them and their friends and family again early in 2025 for their wedding reception.
In November we met Momo, Dave and their closest friends and family at the beautiful St Cajetan Church in Chicago. Momo looked beautiful in her simple white dress as she walked down the aisle on her Dad’s arm, Dave could not take his eyes off his gorgeous bride once she made her way to the altar. After their joyous traditional Catholic ceremony we stopped by O’Rourke’s Office for a couple drinks to celebrate the newlyweds before pausing the party to reconvene in a couple months.
This February, we arrived at You Glow Girl to take getting ready pictures with Momo and her lovely bridesmaids. Momo looked amazing in her official Jimme Huang wedding gown and was having the best time hanging with her girls. Once everyone was ready we made our way to Lake Katherine for a “first look” with Dave – this picturesque location was important to them as it was the last place they had taken family photos with Dave’s Mom before she passed away. It was chilly and damp but still gorgeous outside for photos, it was such a delight to take pictures of Momo and Dave together along with their wedding party and family.
After we finished at Lake Katherine we made our way to DiNolfo’s Banquets to start finally the official celebration for these newlyweds – we loved their welcome sign that simply said “We’re Married. Let’s Party.” It was honestly the best night, filled with delicious food, memorable toasts and plenty of dancing. We were so sad to say goodnight we asked if we could possibly have a THIRD opportunity to photograph this wonderful couple again sometime soon – here’s hoping that Momo and Dave continue celebrating their love and that we will be lucky enough to photograph them again someday!
Congratulations, Momo and Dave, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Momo and Dave’s beautiful wedding photos click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
RECEPTION VENUE
DiNolfo’s Banquets
FLORIST
Redberry Florals
HAIR & MAKEUP
You Glow Girl
WEDDING DRESS
Eva’s Bridal International
WEDDING RINGS
Martin & Martin
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie
MENSWEAR
Modern Tuxedo
Josie & Denis’ Romantic and Intimate NYE Wedding
Josie and Denis met at a Christmas party in 2022 where they spent the evening chatting about the National Parks. Although they left at the same time and hugged in the hallway . . .
Josie and Denis met at a Christmas party in 2022 where they spent the evening chatting about the National Parks. Although they left at the same time and hugged in the hallway, they didn’t exchange phone numbers.
It wasn't until that Summer when Josie and Denis reconnected when playing on the same softball team. They started dating that Summer and never looked back. In March of 2024 Denis and Josie went on a Spring Break trip with Josie' brother and his girlfriend to explore a few National Parks. On the last day of their trip, they took a boat to Channel Islands National Park. After a short hike, at the most beautiful viewpoint overlooking the ocean, Denis got down on one knee and proposed. Caught off guard and excited, Josie replied "thank you.! After quickly clarifying that "thank you" is a yes, they all celebrated with splits of Champagne that her brother had been sneakily hauling around in his hiking pack.
When Josie and Denis planned their wedding they decided to keep it small by inviting only their immediate families to join them as they were married on New Year’s Eve. Conrad and I love NYE weddings and were honored to be a part of this intimate celebration! When we arrived at the gorgeous St. Hyacinth Basilica we were excited to realize our connection to Denis was through his sister Emily whose wedding we shot in 2021. It was so great to see Emily and her husband Mark again and meet their adorable baby boy!!
St. Hyacinth was filled with poinsettias and lights leftover from Christmas, making for the most romantic backdrop for Josie and Denis’ traditional Catholic wedding ceremony. Josie looked gorgeous as she walked down the aisle with her Dad. Josie's mom passed away in 2011 but her spirit was in that church as Josie married the love of her life. Josie beamed as her brother adjusted her beautiful satin gown at the altar while Denis lit up when he slipped the wedding band on Josie’s ring finger.
After the ceremony we had a tiny bubble “exit” in the foyer to avoid the cold rain outside. Josie’s Dad had brought a gorgeous light-blue vintage Cadillac for the newlyweds to leave the church in, we wish the weather would have cooperated a bit more for photos with this beautiful car! Maybe someday we can do an anniversary shoot for these two with the Caddy!
We had lots of fun exploring downtown Chicago with Josie and Denis’ family on the trolley, it was wonderful catching up with Emily and Mark on our way to take photos at Union Station. When we arrived we took some pretty pictures of the newlyweds both outside and then inside the stunning Beaux-Arts building. Once we wrapped with photos we made our way to Osteria Via Stato where the party officially began! The cozy room looked beautiful lit with candles and decorated with greenery and white flowers. Josie and Denis cut their house-made cheesecake and listened to the sweetest toasts before sharing their first dance together as husband and wife. Then Conrad and I took them out front for a fun champagne “exit” to ring in the New Year and toast the bride and groom – it was such a perfect day!! We can’t think of a better way to say goodnight to 2024 and kick off 2025!
Congratulations, Josie and Denis, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Josie and Denis’ beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
CHURCH
St. Hyacinth Basilica
VENUE
Osteria Via Stato
FLORIST
Athena Flowers
BRIDE’S RING
DaValle Jewelers
GROOM’S RING
Ballyea Celtic Jewelry Designs
BRIDAL GOWN BOUTIQUE
Bon Bon Belle
GROOM’S SUIT
Men's Wearhouse