Liz Schrenk 12/21/25 Liz Schrenk 12/21/25

Tracy & Greg’s Beautiful Independence Grove Wedding

Tracy and Greg first met when they attended his cousin’s wedding, and while they got along great and had a blast celebrating together they went their separate ways after the wedding ended. They stayed connected through social media and in 2022 Tracy discovered the wonders of craft beer and the Lake County Libation Trail and this piqued Greg’s interest. Tracy and Greg reconnected with talks of beers and wine and agreed to meet for a friendly drink at Firkin. What was meant to be a casual outing turned into something much more. After a few dates, they knew this was something special and started introducing each other to friends and family. Everyone around them could see how happy they were and how different this was! After just a few months of dating, they spent the holidays together with their families. Tracy even brought Greg to meet her “sisters” Shannon and Rachel and still can’t believe Greg was willing to travel 12 hours to Virginia for Christmas break. Luckily, the drive was worth it and Shannon and Rachel welcomed Greg into their lives with open arms. It warmed their hearts to see how loved ones embraced and supported their relationship. The couple grew their love with date nights filled with tacos, Tighthead, movies and friends! Their favorite weekend activity is a walk at a park followed by lunch and a beer at a brewery. In fact, this is just how Greg proposed! The pair went for their usual walk at Independence Grove and planned to have lunch after. Midway through the walk, Greg pulled Tracy off the path and got down on one knee and asked Tracy to marry him!

I was so happy to get to know Tracy and Greg at their engagement session this Summer in downtown Libertyville. We made sure to stop by Firkin for some shots while also finding plenty of pretty pockets of light throughout the pretty downtown. I had such a great time with these two and could not wait to celebrate their wedding this Fall!

When the big day arrived Christy and I first connected with Greg at his parents’ home where he had a special bottle of George T. Stagg bourbon waiting to open and share with his groomsmen. After taking some fun photos with the guys we traveled to Tracy’s childhood home where she was getting ready with her closest girlfriends and sorority sisters. Tracy got dressed in her childhood bedroom where her Mom gifted her a pair of vintage diamond earrings in honor of her wedding day. Tracy looked radiant and we made time for a few bridal portraits outside before loading up and heading to Independence Grove.

We arrived at the venue we connected with their planner Brianna who helped make sure everything ran smoothly throughout the day. As Greg stood waiting patiently Tracy walked towards him for their first look before they shared the sweetest (and possibly longest?) private vows. Greg carefully typed up a nine-page history of their entire relationship and shared so many thoughtful moments with Tracy as they stood together near the native garden at Independence Grove.

The weather was a bit unpredictable on Tracy and Greg’s wedding day so they made the decision to move their ceremony inside. It didn’t end up raining and we were blessed with a gorgeous sunset after they were officially married. We took stunning pictures by the water before heading back inside for an unforgettable night of great food and Tracy dancing and singing to Taylor Swift with her besties – it was such a perfect day and we were honored to be a part of it!

Congratulations, Tracy and Greg, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Tracy and Greg’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue

VENUE
Independence Grove

CATERER
Relish Events

WEDDING PLANNER
Weddings by Danica

HAIR
Opal

MAKEUP
Rosie Hunter Artistry

DJ
BBs Best

WEDDING CAKE
Deerfield Bakery

WEDDING RINGS
Rollands

WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE
Kathryn's Bridal

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie

MENSWEAR
Vera Wang

Liz Schrenk 1/18/24 Liz Schrenk 1/18/24

Carlee & David’s Beautiful Independence Grove Wedding

Carlee and David met at work and connected through their shared appreciation for gaming. They hit it off and started seeing each other and fell in love with each other’s quirks and mutual loyalty to one another. Carlee loves all things Disney and David chose to propose to her in front of Cinderella’s castle at Disney World, and their fairytale love story truly began.

Conrad loved getting to know Carlee and David at their beautiful Starved Rock engagement session last winter. They explored the gorgeous state park together with with their sweet dog Copper. Conrad, Lindsay and I were all excited to be part of Carlee and David’s winter wedding at Independence Grove! Carlee had created a lot of sweet thoughtful details that we loved discovering throughout the day, but the thing we were all most impressed by was the amazing programs she made inspired by a Disney park map. Carlee is thoughtful and a caring friend, we saw that in the way she considered her bridesmaids and family throughout the day.

The weather was particularly brisk when the time came for Carlee and David to do their first look near the water at Independence Grove. Carlee looked beautiful in her gown and fur stole and once she saw David the cold winter wind felt like it was replaced by the warmth of their love. We quickly took photos outside with their amazing wedding party before heading inside so that Carlee and David could exchange private vows before their ceremony. Following their emotional ceremony Carlee and David entered their reception in Mickey ears and dashed around the room to get photos with all of their guests. We then enjoyed a delicious meal before the dance floor opened, it was a perfect day!! We were honored to be there to celebrate these newlyweds!

Congratulations, Carlee and David, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Carlee and David’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue

VENUE
Independence Grove

FLORIST
Locker’s Flowers

DJ
An Enchanted Evening

WEDDING CAKE
Lovin Oven

BRIDAL BOUTIQUE
Marien Mae

MENSWEAR
Men’s Warehouse

Liz Schrenk 8/7/22 Liz Schrenk 8/7/22

Samantha & Brandon’s Romantic Independence Grove Wedding

Samantha and Brandon met when they were both attending Buffalo Grove High School. They both tried out for cheerleading and were put into the same group together. After a year of being friends, he asked her to go to homecoming with him . . .

Samantha and Brandon met when they were both attending Buffalo Grove High School (Conrad and Christy’s alma mater!) They both tried out for cheerleading and were put into the same group together. After a year of being friends, he asked her to go to homecoming with him. In 2019 they went on a trip together to Florida. Brandon planned a day spent doing their favorite things and at the end of the day before dinner he proposed!

On their wedding day, Christy and I had so much fun hanging out with Samantha and Brandon and their incredible friends. The guys had stocked up on little Nerf guns and were having tons of fun using them at the hotel before the ceremony. After a little bit of rain we drove to St. Mary’s church in Buffalo Grove, Samantha’s church since childhood. Samantha did a quick and adorable reveal with the groomsmen before the ceremony, it was so sweet to see how happy the guys all were to see her as a bride. When it was time for Samantha to walk down the aisle, Brandon wiped tears away as the “flower guys” preceded his beautiful bride.

It was a beautiful and emotional ceremony with two beautiful songs sung by Samantha’s Dad and her twin brother. After the ceremony we left for Independence Grove. The Nerf guns came back out when we explored the gorgeous grounds of Independence Grove taking photos of the wedding party. We were all laughing and laughing together, it was just the best being with this crew!! When the time came to settle into the beautiful Audubon Hall for dinner and dancing Samantha was excited for her kids’ meal, some delicious looking chicken tenders and fries!! The food at Independence Grove is always amazing BUT we have to admit those chicken tenders looked SOO good! We were treated to a stunning sunset over the water before the guests danced the night away, it was truly the perfect day!

Congratulations, Samantha and Brandon, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Samantha and Brandon’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue

FLOWERS
Town and Country Gardens

DJ
Sounds Abound- Gary Hipperson

MAKE-UP
Hairs 2 the Bride

Liz Schrenk 7/20/22 Liz Schrenk 7/20/22

Maggie & Justin’s Beautiful Independence Grove Wedding

As all love stories start out, Maggie was the one that I didn’t see coming. Justin had just moved back from Paris, France and was living in Wicker Park. His roommate was having a birthday celebration at Sushi O Sushi, and let me tell you it was starting out as an amazing night . . .

We send a questionnaire to all of our Something Blue couples before their wedding; this questionnaire helps organize information so that we can prepare for the wedding day and later put together a blog post. We ask our couples to share their “love story,” and Justin took the time to write a lovely and touching synopsis of his love story with his bride Maggie, it felt right to share his words here:

“As all love stories start out, she was the one that I didn’t see coming. I had just moved back from Paris, France and was living in Wicker Park. My roommate was having a birthday celebration at Sushi O Sushi, and let me tell you it was starting out as an amazing night. Unlimited sushi rolls AND sake bombs? What more could I want.

After getting spending a few hours coming up with ridiculous sake bomb chants, we decided to hit the town. I’m not sure if you’ve experienced Sushi O Sushi, but leaving there to go to another bar is what some might call “aggressive”. But we were in our 20s, so we lived for the nights. On our way to the next bar, there was someone trying to get my attention as I went past Hopsmith. I was pretty drunk, so I was content with continuing on my way. But wouldn’t you have it, Maggie made sure to get my attention.

A little background for those who don’t know, but Maggie and I met when we were in college at the University of Illinois. We became friends my junior year, and we kept in contact through the years after graduating. She even used my apartment in Paris with her friends on their Euro Trip, but I was off exploring Ireland with some friends when they were passing through so we hadn’t seen each other in person for a few years.

We started talking, exchanged numbers, and then went on to join our friends at different bars. Fast forward to a little later in the night, and I sent her a text asking if they were still at Hopsmith. Fast forward a little more, and we’re at the bar talking and dancing. Next thing I know, we were talking every day and making weekend plans with each other.

Date nights turned into travels to new destinations. New destinations turned into moving in together (a different new destination). Next came our amazing dog, Wayne. And finally, we said yes to forever while overlooking the beach in South Haven at sunset.

On a night where I was content with shouting “Sake, Sake, bomb!” I ran into the girl that I quickly realized I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. There’s plenty more to the story, but you’ll have to come to the wedding to find that out. And there’s one thing that I’m sure you’ll see: our love for each other has and keeps growing every day.”

We met Maggie and Justin in person for the first time on their wedding day. When we arrived at Maggie’s parent’s house she was just glowing, she looked so beautiful and happy even in her robe! After some “getting ready” photos with her bridesmaids, we left to make the long drive to St. Mary’s in Mundelein for the ceremony. Justin was so sweetly emotional when Maggie walked down the aisle, and he didn’t take his eyes off her for the rest of the day.

Once we settled in for the reception at Independence Grove it was clear that this was the perfect wedding. The light on the veranda outside Audubon Hall was radiant and golden during cocktail hour. We were treated to a gorgeous sunset before enjoying a delicious dinner paired with moving and funny toasts. And then as the dance floor opened and we said goodbye we left feeling so thankful to have been part of this unforgettable day.

Congratulations, Maggie and Justin, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Maggie and Justin’s beautiful wedding photos, click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue

FLORIST
Pollys Petals

HAIR & MAKEUP
United Hairlines

WEDDING DRESS
Blue by Enzoani

BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES
Davids Bridal

MENSWEAR
Vera Wang

WEDDING CAKE
Oak Mill Bakery

DJ
Something 2 Dance 2

Liz Schrenk 11/23/21 Liz Schrenk 11/23/21

Jess & James’ Gorgeous Independence Grove Wedding

Jess and James met on the first day of their Freshman year at Stevenson High School. They were introduced by a mutual friend while riding the bus to school – little did they know that bus ride was the beginning of an epic journey. Over the next several years, they maintained their friendship and were completely oblivious to the signs of compatibility between them. Friends pointed out the chemistry often, but James and Jess always insisted they were just close friends.

That all changed their senior year of high school. They officially began dating, much to the excitement of their families and close friends, and attended their senior Prom together. They were eager to begin their futures at Texas Christian University and Indiana University for college, but were unsure of what that meant for their newfound relationship.

Thousands of video calls, visits when possible, phone calls, love letters, care packages, and text messages later... college graduation was upon them. James had accepted an offer in Mansfield, Texas and Jess had accepted an offer in Chicago. They were not thrilled about the ongoing long distance, but they were confident they would find the best solution together.

After 8 months of being apart, Jess quit her job, packed up her belongings, and drove to Texas to move in with James. Since moving in together, their journey together has blossomed and grown in ways they could not have imagined. Conrad was on hand to photograph James’ romantic and snowy proposal to Jess, she was completely surprised by the thoughtful moment that he had planned for her.

They got married on the hottest day of the summer, but it was the most perfect day to celebrate their love. After their “first look” Jess and James exchanged private vows (our FAVORITE wedding “trend”). James showed Jess that he carries a picture of her from when she was little, it was the sweetest moment. From that emotional first look to their ceremony (officiated by our friend Brad of Love Story Weddings) to their amazing Independence Grove reception this was a wedding we won’t forget.