Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Grace & Ian’s Perfect Glen Club Wedding

Grace and Ian met at their residence hall during their Freshman year at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. They quickly became friends and spent a lot of time together throughout their first two years of college. Grace and Ian officially started dating Junior year when Grace took the leap . . .

Grace and Ian met at their residence hall during their Freshman year at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. They quickly became friends and spent a lot of time together throughout their first two years of college. Grace and Ian officially started dating Junior year when Grace took the leap and grabbed Ian's hand during a football game. They walked home to Grace's apartment and spent the whole day laughing and talking and have been inseparable since. Ian chose to propose at the Terrace in Madison to honor where their love story first began.

When I first met Grace and Ian I was struck by how beautiful and joyful Grace is. She is truly a treasure, and her and Ian fit together perfectly. I loved getting to know this sweet couple (and their incredibly cute puppy!) at their engagement session last Fall. We had so much fun exploring together in spite of the unpleasant Chicago Fall weather! Fast-forward to their wedding day this October and sadly the midwest weather was not on our side again. But Grace, in her awesomeness, was up for anything and wanted to power through and still take photos outside at the Chicago Botanic Garden as planned!! After Grace and Ian did their first look at The Glen Club we made our way to the Botanic Garden – it was raining on the drive there but thankfully it let up just as we were parking. Grace bounded out of the party bus with a broad smile on her face, she was ready for anything and happy to drag Ian and the rest of their wedding party along for photos : ) It was blustery but so beautiful at the Botanic Garden, we would joyfully photograph there every weekend if we could! Grace looked radiant and Ian was so happy to be alongside his gorgeous bride, it was such a special afternoon.

After we finished photos at the Botanic Garden we went back to the Glen Club for Grace and Ian’s ceremony. Everything looked so beautiful thanks to the talented team at Flowers by Stem, these were some of the most gorgeous wedding florals we saw all year. Grace and Ian exchanged their vows under a magnificent chuppah that was later transformed into the prettiest head table for their reception. We snuck outside for a few more pictures of Grace and Ian once they were officially husband and wife, the grounds at the Glen Club are beautiful and we had a really dramatic sky thanks to that unpleasant midwest weather from earlier.

When it was time for the reception we were treated to emotional toasts from Grace’s Dad and sister. After a delicious meal and amazing cake from The Baking Institute (with THE most intricate sugar flowers!) we were surprised by an adorable choreographed first dance. Grace and Ian are just magical together, we loved being part of this unforgettable day!

Congratulations, Grace and Ian, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Grace and Ian’s gorgeous wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue

WEDDING VENUE
The Glen Club

FLORIST
Flowers by Stem

DAY-OF COORDINATOR
Valerie Burian

HAIR & MAKEUP
Beauty by Anne Krause

DJ
Yazz Events

WEDDING CAKE
The Baking Institute

WEDDING RINGS
I Gorman Jewelers

BRIDAL GOWN BOUTIQUE
Diana’s Bridal

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Lauren and Kevin’s Perfect Royal Melbourne Wedding

Lauren and Kevin met on a dating app and she went into their first date thinking "there is no way I'm going to marry someone named Kevin anyway" since Kevin is also her brother's name – well, the joke was on Lauren . . .

Lauren and Kevin met on a dating app and she went into their first date thinking "there is no way I'm going to marry someone named Kevin anyway" since Kevin is also her brother's name – well, the joke was on Lauren . . . Within a few minutes of meeting Kevin she already knew she really liked him and was hoping they would go out again. Just two days after their first date, Kevin left the country for 2 weeks, which Lauren thought was his excuse to not see her again despite saying he wanted to. A very convenient way to ghost her! A few days before Kevin was supposed to fly back home he texted Lauren to see if she was still interested in a second date. They have been together ever since and the rest is history!!

Conrad loved getting to know Lauren and Kevin at their pretty Cantigny fall engagement session last year. It was clear from that day that these two are made for one another, and their love was on full display at their perfect Royal Melbourne wedding. Lauren and Kevin’s friends and family were all so kind and supportive, Conrad and Christy had a wonderful time photographing this wedding from start to finish. Every detail was perfectly considered thanks to the support of the amazing team at Love Story Weddings, Jelena is truly the best. After the ceremony the overcast sky cleared just enough for some beautiful sunset photos on the course, Jelena even stepped in to help hold lights for us! It was the most beautiful wedding, we wish we could relive this day over and over again!!

Congratulations, Lauren and Kevin, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Lauren and Kevin’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue

VENUE
Royal Melbourne Country Club

DAY-OF COORDINATION
Love Story Weddings

MAKEUP
America Freese

HAIR
Pin Me Up Chicago

DJ
Style Matters

WEDDING DRESS
Reddington Bridal

WEDDING CAKE
The Baking Institute

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Meredith and Okoye’s Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session

I first met Meredith and Okoye at her friend Catherine’s wedding years ago. I remember snapping this picture during the cocktail hour and telling them that I wanted to shoot their wedding one day!! Because, COME ON, HOW ADORABLE ARE THESE TWO?!

I first met Meredith and Okoye at her friend Catherine’s wedding years ago. I remember snapping this picture during the cocktail hour and telling them that I wanted to shoot their wedding one day!! Because, COME ON, HOW ADORABLE ARE THESE TWO?!

Chicago Wedding Photographer Cocktail Hour

Fast-forward a year later and we needed to find two beautiful people to model for a styled shoot we were putting together in honor of Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding. Meredith and Okoye generously came and modeled for us and our dream team of vendors for this gorgeous Royal Tea Party styled shoot at Room 1520. And we all officially fell in love with Meredith and Okoye that day, these two are just the kindest most generous people and so truly in love with one another. I remember when Meredith came out in the beautiful tea-length dress that Concetta of Cettina Bridal and Okoye became emotional seeing her as a bride. He told me later that he was glad that the “look” of this styled shoot was so different from their personal style and that it didn’t spoil the idea of what Meredith would look like on their real wedding day. SWOON . . .

Chicago Styled Shoot Room 1520 Wedding Photographer

Fast-forward another couple of years and Okoye FINALLY popped the question to Meredith in July and I squealed with excitement when I saw the news on social media. I was even happier when Meredith reached out and they asked if we would photograph their wedding on New Year’s Eve next year, what a truly bright spot for me in this otherwise difficult year!

I met Meredith and Okoye at the Lincoln Park Nature Conservatory for their engagement photos at the end of October. It was a perfect fall day, and we had so much fun together exploring the boardwalk and taking these beautiful pictures. I truly can’t wait to be there when these two exchange their vows and become husband and wife, it will have been SO worth the wait!!

Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
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Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Lincoln Park Fall Engagement Session

Congratulations, Meredith and Okoye, I am so honored to be a part of your love story and can’t wait to celebrate your wedding next New Year’s Eve!!

To see all of Meredith and Okoye’s gorgeous engagement photos, click here

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

Nora and Alex’s Stunning Seven Bridges Country Club Wedding

Nora and Alex feel like family to us. I first met Nora years ago, when she was still single, at a boudoir session. I admired her strength and beauty then, she boldly did that session for herself but joked during and after that the photos would one day be a gift to her husband.

Nora and Alex feel like family to us. I first met Nora years ago, when she was still single, at a boudoir session. I admired her strength and beauty then, she boldly did that session for herself but joked during and after that the photos would one day be a gift to her husband.

Fast forward to 2017 and Alex reached out to let us know he would be proposing to Nora and wanted to do it during a couple’s session we had planned for that Spring. Conrad and I had the most fun at their proposal and were so honored to be a part of that beautiful moment in their lives.

Nora and Alex had planned to get married in the fall of 2019 but decided to hold off because they bought their first house together. But they could have never realized what was to come in 2020, and when the time came for their fall wedding they had to dramatically change their plans. When their wedding day finally arrived, Nora and Alex managed to limit their guest list to comply with regulations regarding the pandemic. They changed venues and chose Seven Bridges Golf Club in Woodridge because Alex’s grandma’s home backs up to the course. Nora and her girlfriends got ready at Alex’s grandma’s house, they all looked amazing thanks to the team at Windy City Glam. One of my favorite moments was when Nora’s niece Emma saw her aunt in her gorgeous gown from Volle’s and said she looked just like a princess.

After Nora finished getting ready, she had a special plan in place for her first look with Alex. She had her Mom, his Aunt, Mom and Grandma come out to give him special “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” gifts. It was so sweet to watch Alex receive all of these thoughtful gifts before he finally saw his bride!! Of course when Nora came out then we were all emotional, it was just the sweetest moment.

When we arrived at Seven Bridges the scene was set for a gorgeous ceremony. Walden Floral in Downers Grove did an amazing job decorating the ceremony space and creating the most beautiful bouquet and boutonniere. Nora’s cousin officiated the socially-distant ceremony, it was so sweet to see him emotional as he talked about having the honor of serving as the officiant for his cousin’s wedding.

After the ceremony, we took some family photos before heading inside for Nora and Alex’s lunch reception. They had the most DELICIOUS chocolate peanut butter cake from Molly’s Cupcakes in Naperville. Nora had given up carbs for a while before the wedding, it was hilarious to watch her sneak the entire cake away to their sweetheart table after getting a taste! As lunch wound down we snuck out onto the golf course for some beautiful photos with Nora and Alex, including an epic drone moment on one of the seven bridges. It was just the perfect day and we were so honored to be a part of it!!

Seven Bridges Golf Club Fall Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Fall Wedding Details
Seven Bridges Golf Club Fall Wedding Details
Seven Bridges Golf Club Fall Wedding Details
Seven Bridges Golf Club Fall Wedding Details
Seven Bridges Golf Club Fall Wedding Details
Seven Bridges Golf Club Fall Wedding Details
Seven Bridges Golf Club Fall Wedding Getting Ready Photos
Seven Bridges Golf Club Fall Wedding Getting Ready Photos
Seven Bridges Golf Club Fall Wedding Getting Ready Photos
Seven Bridges Golf Club Fall Wedding Getting Ready Photos
Seven Bridges Golf Club Fall Wedding Getting Ready Photos
Seven Bridges Golf Club Fall Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Fall Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Fall Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Fall Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Fall Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Wedding First Look
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Wedding First Look
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Wedding First Look
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Wedding First Look
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Wedding Photographer
SBP89043.jpg
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Photographer
Seven Bridges Golf Club Woodridge Illinois Wedding Drone Photographer

Congratulations, Nora and Alex, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Nora and Alex’s gorgeous wedding photos, click here

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Liz Schrenk Liz Schrenk

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!

Chicago Engagement Photographer Childhood Sweethearts
Chicago Fall Engagement Photos
Chicago Engagement Photographer
Chicago Engagement Photographer
Chicago Fall Engagement Photos
Chicago Engagement Photos
Chicago Engagement Photographer
Chicago Engagement Photographer
Chicago Engagement Photographer
Chicago Engagement Photographer
Chicago Engagement Photographers
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Photographer Fall Engagement Session
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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

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