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 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.