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!