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
Katie & Pat’s Romantic Biltmore Country Club Wedding
Katie and Pat were set up on a blind date by her hair dresser. They met at Emerson’s Ale House in Mount Prospect for their first date and spent over three hours talking. After that first date they grew closer . . .
Katie and Pat were set up on a blind date by her hair dresser. They met at Emerson’s Ale House in Mount Prospect for their first date and spent over three hours talking. After that first date they grew closer and fell in love. They share a love of travel and hiking; Pat proposed on the top of Squaw Peak and surprised Katie by having their families there to celebrate her saying “yes!”
When I first met Katie and Pat over Zoom I was so excited to be a part of their wedding. They are warm and kind and absolutely perfect for each other. We connected for their engagement session in his parents’ backyard and it was there that I learned how important family is to Katie and Pat. Their love for their families was central to their wedding celebration at the beautiful Biltmore Country Club. Katie DIY’ed the wedding invitations and decor (and did an AMAZING job, just look at that gorgeous invitation suite!) It was the perfect day, from their emotional ceremony at St. James to drinks with the wedding party at Emerson’s to the most gorgeous golden hour at the Biltmore – we were so thankful to be a part of it!
Congratulations, Katie and Pat, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Katie and Pat’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VIDEOGRAPHY
Vivid Visual
BRIDAL HAIR
Darlene Powell Hair Design
MAKEUP
Angela Makeup Chicago
WEDDING GOWN
Reddington Bridal
FLORIST
Blooming Flowers
WEDDING RINGS
Monson Jewelers
Sarah and Dean’s Long-Awaited Makray Wedding Reception
Sarah and Dean met at the University of Illinois (her parents and sister also fell in love at U of I, and, fun fact, I met my husband there too!) Their original wedding date was scheduled for 4/18/2020, making Sarah and Dean one of our first “Covid couples”. . .
Sarah and Dean met at the University of Illinois (her parents and sister also fell in love at U of I, and, fun fact, I met my husband there too!) Their original wedding date was scheduled for 4/18/2020, making Sarah and Dean one of our first “Covid couples.” In the end, When the Shelter in Place order was issued, Sarah and Dean moved their Spring ‘20 Makray Memorial Golf Club wedding to December – at the time we all assumed that we would be in the clear by then. Well, of course the pandemic had other plans for all of us. As things became more complicated Sarah and Dean decided to get married at Holy Family in Inverness and celebrate a very small micro wedding in her parents’ backyard. They then rescheduled their Makray reception for September 11, 2021.
After riding the emotional roller coaster of planning and replanning their wedding, Sarah and Dean were very ready to FINALLY celebrate with their friends and family this fall. We were happy to see Sarah and Dean (and their immediate families) again, and it was so great to finally meet all of their friends and family! Following a beautiful vow renewal ceremony at Holy Family we to Makray for pictures and their long-awaited celebration. There were plenty of nods to the U of I throughout the day – the navy bridesmaids’ dresses with orange sprinkled throughout their beautiful bouquets, an emotional rendition of the Alma Mater during dinner, and of course, masks with the U of I logo on them. It was a perfect day and one we won’t soon forget.
Congratulations, Sarah and Dean, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Sarah and Dean’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
FLORIST
The Flower Studio
BRIDAL GOWN
Enchanting by Mon Cheri
BRIDAL GOWN BOUTIQUE
All About the Gown
WEDDING CAKE
Lovin Oven
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES
David’s Bridal
Michelle and Eric’s Rom Com Love Story
One of my favorite things about engagement sessions is that I get TIME to talk with each couple. Time is fleeting, especially for me, especially in this busy fall season. But in an engagement session I am gifted with a beautiful little window of opportunity to slow down and really just talk with each couple as we explore and make beautiful photographs together.
Michelle and Eric both grew up on Sandy Pass Road in Lake Zurich. Their childhood homes were just down the street from each other. And while they weren’t close, they played capture the flag and tag together as kids. Their parents were friends and their neighborhood was closely bonded together.
Fast forward to their early 20s, and Michelle and Eric didn’t know one another, wouldn’t recognize each other. Michelle was invited to a friend’s wedding and went alone on a bit of a whim. She was sitting in the church waiting for the ceremony to start when a sweet couple asked to sit in her pew. They asked Michelle if she was alone, and told her that she could be part of their family for the day so she didn’t have to feel alone at the wedding. That sweet couple then told Michelle their son (Eric!) was standing up in the wedding as a groomsman. Michelle and Eric “met” that day and there was an immediate connection, like a good gentleman he walked her to her car after the reception and they starting texting and then dating soon after that. I just love their story so much, I think it would make an amazing romantic comedy! This was such a beautiful love-filled evening, I am so thankful for this wonderful couple!
Michelle and Eric, thank you so much for sharing this beautiful evening with me and for sharing your epic love story. I can’t wait to celebrate your wedding with you next year!!
To see all of Michelle and Eric’s fall engagement photos, click here