Liz Schrenk 9/11/26 Liz Schrenk 9/11/26

Candi & Fred’s Lovely Conn Mansion Wedding

Candi and Fred first met through a shared love of music (specifically trumpets), faith and their shared alma mater. Over time they became friends and then colleagues, often playing professional gigs together in various groups. Candi and Fred are both involved in the music industry and crossed paths at several events over the years. Time passed and they became the best of friends and eventually they realized there was more to their friendship. Fred proposed last year on a beach at sunset in his home state of North Carolina.

I got to know Candi because she is one of three talented Band teachers at my kids’ middle school and worked with my son in Wind Ensemble. She is kind, talented and endlessly supportive, and I was thrilled when I heard the great news that she was engaged to Fred. I was then truly honored when she asked me to photograph her wedding, it meant so much for me to be there! Conrad and I made the drive to the beautiful and historic Conn Mansion in Elkhart, Indiana to be a part of Candi and Fred’s celebration. I’m always happy to work with Conrad but a roadtrip wedding is extra fun for us!

Candi had planned an elegant and romantic celebration for her and Fred with only their closest family and friends in attendance. We arrived at the gorgeous mansion and were in love with all of the details throughout this historic home. Musicians filled the wrap-around porch and music floated through the air as everyone prepared for the ceremony. Candi was radiating joy as she got dressed with her cousins and best friend, we could have made portraits of her in the mansion for hours it was just so fun and special to photograph her as a bride in this place.

After taking some pictures with the girls and guys separately upstairs it was time for the ceremony to begin. Candi and Fred were both just so sweetly happy when they saw each other for the first time as she walked down the aisle. The ceremony was rooted in God’s word and stayed true to Candi and Fred’s faith, something that is really important to each of them. Once they were pronounced husband and wife they happily made their way inside for the sweetest cake cutting. Surrounded by their guests Candi and Fred enjoyed their first “meal” as husband and wife, surely the first of many, many more to come. We loved being part of this beautiful day!

Congratulations, Candi and Fred, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Candi and Fred’s beautiful wedding photos click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue

VENUE
Conn Mansion

FLORIST
Camille's Floral Shop

WEDDING CAKE
Adam's Cake Shop

WEDDING RINGS
Athens Jewelers

Liz Schrenk 2/7/24 Liz Schrenk 2/7/24

Holly & Mike’s Amazing Allure on the Lake NYE Wedding

New Year’s Eve weddings are some of our favorites, we truly love ending our year and kicking off a new one with our Something Blue couples!! We knew that Holly and Mike’s NYE wedding would be extra special after their amazing engagement session at the Lyric Theater in Blue Island. Holly and Mike have a special connection and are the kind of people who make you can immediately make you feel like close friends; we are so grateful for their genuine warmth and kindness!

Holly and Mike were introduced by their mutual friend who thought they would be a good match. They had their first date at Dog Haus in Lincoln Park and spent the evening talking and getting along splendidly. After that night they quickly became inseparable and soon had a shared catchphrase "well.. just one more…." Holly and Mike share a love of sports, travel and Taco Bell, and before long they both knew that they would be together forever.

Leading up to New Year’s Eve it had been painfully brown in the Chicago area, but that day flurries started to fall leading up to Holly and Mike’s wedding. The snow made our drive to Indiana that much more picturesque, and the beautiful Allure on the Lake looked so pretty as we arrived. Holly and her girls were cozy inside getting ready, Holly looked SO amazing thanks to the glam squad at Primp Studio. After a few fun shots with the girls and their cute disco ball champagne glasses Holly slipped into her gorgeous gown from Here Comes the Bride.

While Holly and her bridesmaids were getting ready, Mike and his guys were waiting across the way with their elderly dog (who was just THE sweetest!) Holly and Mike had their first look near the chic and spacious bar inside the reception space, with the snow falling and wind blowing we were really thankful for that beautiful area to take photos! After their sweet first look (where Holly playfully grabbed Mike’s butt!) they exchanged private vows near the windows, it was a beautiful and tender moment. From there we ventured outside so that Holly and Mike could add their “love lock” to the fence outside near the water. We love when both old and new traditions are incorporated into a wedding day!

We didn’t last long outside in the blowing snow while taking pictures, but we are happy to have taken some in the flurries. After coming inside we finished near the beautiful bar before heading in to the ceremony. Holly and Mike’s wedding ceremony was filled with touching moments, and before long they were officially husband and wife! Right after the ceremony a guest approached me to tell me to take a picture of the gift she had brought for Holly and Mike – it was a bottle of champagne from the “Condom” region in France. We both got a good laugh and I was delighted to later see this same guest up front for the New Year’s countdown, sipping champagne with her festive sunglasses on! It’s so much fun for us to celebrate with you and your guests, and this amazing wedding was one we will never forget!