Liz Schrenk 10/10/25 Liz Schrenk 10/10/25

Courtney & Ryan’s Pretty Cog Hill Wedding

Courtney and Ryan were very close friends during high school and into their college years. She has fond memories of him visiting her at Durbins while she worked as a waitress and him visiting her at ISU. Ryan stood out in their friend group as one of the first to obtain his driver's license and his own car. Courtney will never forget the time they were pulled over by the police, and Ryan claimed she was his girlfriend in hopes that the police would let them go. Who could have known then what life had in store for them!

When Courtney and Ryan entered their mid-twenties, life led them on separate paths and they didn't see each other for a few years. However, fate had other plans for Courtney and Ryan. They unexpectedly ran into each other at a wedding in 2022, and after that Ryan texted Courtney inviting her to dinner to catch up. Their reunion over dinner at Deja Brew marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. From that moment onward, Courtney and Ryan’s relationship deepened, blossoming into a profound and enduring love story.

Conrad was so excited to meet Courtney and Ryan when they chose Something Blue to photograph their big day. Courtney worked hard to make sure every detail was perfect for her wedding day, but she was most excited for that moment when she walked down the aisle with her Dad to see Ryan for the first time. We loved being alongside this social and super friendly couple as they started their forever together at Cog Hill, this was a beautiful day!!

Congratulations, Courtney and Ryan, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Courtney and Ryan’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue

VENUE
Cog Hill

FLORIST
Catherine's Gardens

DJ
DJ Cano

WEDDING RINGS
Martin & Martin Jewlers

WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Wedding Design Studio

Liz Schrenk 9/18/25 Liz Schrenk 9/18/25

Gabby & Gabe’s Sweet Metropolis Ballroom Wedding

Gabby and Gabe met at Elmhurst University the Summer of 2018 when they were both involved with the school’s orientation program. They got to know one another through training sessions, long talks and ice cream – Gabby knew on their first date that Gabe was the one. That first date led to six years of dating through long distance, Covid, and grad school for Gabby, until they got engaged on Gabe's 28th birthday on the campus where it all started. Gabby knew they would get engaged because Gabe was so nervous that day, plus he had planned to randomly walk around campus when it was 90 degrees out. In the Kranz Forum right after her grandma's favorite song played on the church bells (unknowingly), he got down on one knee and proposed. The rest is history!

Conrad loved getting to know Gabby and Gabe at their beautiful engagement session last Fall at the Naperville Riverwalk. These two complement each other perfectly and made it SO easy for Conrad to photograph them! We were excited to join Gabby and Gabe to celebrate their wedding this Summer, it was a hot but perfect day! Gabby and Gabe chose to have their wedding ceremony at the chapel at Elmhurst University, a sweet nod to the early days of their relationship. After their traditional ceremony the newlyweds took a quiet walk together before we took pictures of them around campus. Conrad, Lindsay and Ryan went along with Gabby and Gabe to the spots that were important to them at Elmhurst, including their first date spot by his dorm where he proposed. It was so nice to have just that one-on-one time with Gabby and Gabe at their favorite place!!

After wrapping at Elmhurst University we made our way to the Metropolis Ballroom in our hometown for Gabby and Gabe’s fun and lively reception. It was the best celebration of their love, we were so thankful to be a part of this special day!

Congratulations, Gabby and Gabe, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Gabby and Gabe’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue

VENUE
Metropolis Ballroom

FLORIST
Silvia's Amling's

HAIR & MAKEUP
Opal Hair + Makeup

DJ
My Chicago Wedding DJ

WEDDING CAKE
Jarosch Bakery

ENGAGEMENT RING
Diamonds Direct

WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Volle's Bridal

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Christina Wu Celebrations

MENSWEAR
Ike Behar

BRIDAL SHOES
Badgley Mischka

Liz Schrenk 9/14/25 Liz Schrenk 9/14/25

Nikki & Aron’s Joyful Drake Oakbrook Wedding

Nikki and Aron met the old-fashioned way – on Hinge – and she fell in love with him after he made her homemade pizza from scratch for the first time. There is a sense of levity and . . .

Nikki and Aron met the old-fashioned way – on Hinge – and she fell in love with him after he made her homemade pizza from scratch for the first time. There is a sense of levity and lightness between Nikki and Aron that I really admire, they are just so pleasant to be around and share such a beautiful connection. I loved getting to know Nikki and Aron at their engagement session last Fall, they brought their adorable dog Jasper along and I completely fell in love with him!! He’s just the best boy and it made me really happy to have him come with Nikki and Aron when we met again before their wedding this Summer!

I also got to know Nikki and Aron a bit more at her sister Carly’s wedding this Spring. Being with their family for that celebration made me that much more excited to see everyone again for Nikki and Aron’s wedding this July!! It was a hot and humid day but Nikki and Aron decided to keep their ceremony outside as originally planned, and we are SO glad they did! Everything was absolutely perfect for their wedding – from the stunning florals by Blush & Blooms Co. to the gorgeous setting at The Drake Oak Brook this was a wedding we will always remember!

Congratulations, Nikki and Aron, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Nikki and Aron’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue

VENUE
The Drake Oak Brook

Day-Of Coordinator
Sarah Kathleen Events

FLORIST
Blush Blooms & Co.

HAIR & MAKEUP
Hairs 2 the Bride

DJ
Sounds Abound

WEDDING CAKE
Creative Cakes

WEDDING RINGS
TC Jewelry

WEDDING DRESS & BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
David’s Bridal

MENSWEAR
Men’s Wearhouse

Liz Schrenk 9/2/25 Liz Schrenk 9/2/25

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

VENUE
The Farmhouse Plainfield

FLORIST
Flowers Just for You

HAIR & MAKEUP
Refined Beauty

DJ
Okyne Media Lab

WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Love Theory Bridal

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie

MENSWEAR
State and Liberty

Liz Schrenk 8/25/25 Liz Schrenk 8/25/25

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 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

DJ
Amp Event Professionals

WEDDING CAKE
Lovin Oven Cakery

ENGAGEMENT RING
Erica’s Jewelry

WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Vanessa's Modern Bride

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Birdy Grey

MENSWEAR
Mens’ Wearhouse

Liz Schrenk 10/8/24 Liz Schrenk 10/8/24

Christine & Mason’s Gorgeous Morton Arboretum Wedding

I first met Christine when she helped her good friend Stephanie with her dog at her engagement session in the Fall of 2022. Christine and Stephanie are besties from college and I knew right away that they had a special friendship, I mean how many people would give up a weekend afternoon to help manage their friend’s dog during a photo shoot?! But that’s the kind of person Christine is, selfless and kind and willing to go the extra mile for her friends.

I was thrilled when Christine invited us to photograph her wedding to her fiancé Mason! We had a lovely afternoon together during their engagement session last Summer at The Morton Arboretum where we would return in 2024 for their wedding day. I loved exploring the beautiful sprawling property with Christine and Mason and finding pockets of pretty light with them, that session made me so excited for their wedding!

When the big day arrived Conrad and I met Christine upstairs at the Morton Arboretum where she was waiting with her Mom and sister Rachel. Christine looked gorgeous in her gown from Bri’Zan Couture, and her hair and makeup was perfect thanks to the talented team from The Bridal Beauty Team. After the beautiful flowers arrived from Shamrock Garden Florals we were ready to move outside – Christine first had a sweet and emotional reveal with her Dad before her First Look with Mason. Once everyone had seen Christine we moved across the Arboretum to the Thornhill Education Center for photos. Christine and Mason chose a small wedding party – only her sister Rachel and his best friend Jake – and we had the best time taking pictures with these four. We just love small wedding parties, there’s something so intimate and comfortable about spending time with the people you love most on your wedding day. After taking pictures outside we were given the opportunity to make some beautiful photographs inside the Thornhill Education Center, those were some of our favorite moments from the day!

Christine and Mason’s ceremony took place at the Grand Garden and was absolutely stunning – this gorgeous site felt like an Italian vista and was the perfect spot for this sweet couple to exchange their vows. After their ceremony we moved into the Ginko Room to celebrate the newlyweds, our very own Ashley and Marcella had gone above and beyond as day-of coordinators to help make the room look party-ready. We snuck away during the reception to enjoy beautiful golden light across the pond before the sun set and the dance floor opened. Christine and Mason’s guests danced the night away (the party was so much fun that we had to give some wedding crashers the boot!) It was an amazing day and we were so grateful to share in Christine and Mason’s love story 💙

Congratulations, Christine and Mason, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Christine and Mason’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue

DAY-OF COORDINATION
Something Blue

VENUE
The Morton Arboretum

FLORIST
Shamrock Garden Florals

HAIR + MAKEUP
The Bridal Beauty Team

WEDDING CAKE
DeEtta's Bakery

DJ
Music by Design

WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Bri'Zan Couture

Liz Schrenk 9/27/24 Liz Schrenk 9/27/24

Claire & Jesus’ Sweet Rolling Green Country Club Wedding

Claire and Jesus met in 2017 while working at the same restaurant downtown. They worked the same shifts and would go out after work, and the more they hung out and got to know each other they realized. . .

Claire and Jesus met in 2017 while working at the same restaurant downtown. They worked the same shifts and would go out after work, as they hung out more and got to know each other they realized how much they wanted to be together. In 2021 they welcomed their first baby, the sweetest little boy named Julian. In November 2022, Claire and Jesus got engaged at Harmony Park in downtown Arlington Heights and had a party right after at La Tasca with their friends and family. Then in 2023 Claire and Jesus welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Sophia – we were so excited to come alongside this beautiful family for their wedding celebration!

Conrad spent some time with Claire and Jesus and their kids at a pretty family / engagement session earlier this Summer. Claire’s amazing Mom came along to help with Julian and Sophia, it was wonderful to see them all again once Claire and Jesus’ wedding day rolled along! Due to a last-minute change of plans the celebration was moved to the gorgeous Rolling Green Country Club, but first we met with the girls for some “getting ready” photos at the hotel. Claire’s friends and close female relatives were gathered together to get ready and were SO supportive of the beautiful bride – their reaction to seeing Claire in her perfect dress from Vanessa’s Modern Bride was one of the best we have seen! The girls kept their hype-energy high throughout the day and it was just so much fun to be with them to celebrate!

Claire’s Mom lovingly served as her florist and created all of the centerpieces along with Claire’s bouquet and Jesus’ boutonniere. We always appreciate a DIY effort on a wedding day but this was particularly impressive! After Claire and Jesus’ emotional first look together we explored the course and took some photos out on the bridge, we could have spent all day photographing this sweet and loving couple together. Later Julian and Sophia arrived and looked absolutely adorable in their fancy wedding clothes! Julian is a man on the move and spent a lot of the day getting his little boy energy out, while sweet Sophia wanted to be close to her Momma.

After capturing some family photos it was time for the ceremony under the shade of the oaks near the clubhouse. Claire’s friend and maid of honor Maddy officiated their wedding, she said she was nervous but absolutely crushed it and the ceremony was filled with beautiful and emotional moments. Once Claire and Jesus exchanged vows and rings the party really began! Lively music played on the back porch during cocktail hour before guests were treated to a delicious dinner thanks to the wonderful staff at Rolling Green. During their first dance Claire and Jesus had their kids join them for the sweetest moment as a family, we can only imagine how special those photos will be to Julian and Sophia when they are older! We snuck outside during golden hour for some stunning sunset pictures of the newlyweds before dancing the night away. It was the most perfect day, we were truly thankful to be a part of Claire and Jesus’ wedding!