Liz Schrenk 1/24/26 Liz Schrenk 1/24/26

Nicole & Ben’s Joyous Marriott Lincolnshire Wedding

Nicole and Ben first matched on Hinge in 2022 and had their first date at Figo Wine Bar in Chicago. What started as a first date of getting to know each other ended in them talking for hours on end and staying until closing time! Over the last few years Nicole and Ben shared nothing but wonderful memories – trips to Boston, Maine, and Florida, Summer boating days in Wisconsin, co-parenting their bulldog Phyllis, watching every Eagles game, and enjoying every plenty of ice cream along the way! On December 22nd, 2024, Ben took their relationship to the next level and proposed at the Chicago Botanic Garden with both of their families there to witness, and they started the exciting process of planning a wedding!

I first got to know Nicole and Ben at their engagement session last Spring, we met up at Graeter’s Ice Cream in Northbrook and had SO much fun together! Nicole and Ben are just the most joyful, loving and happy people, being in their presence is like a breath of fresh air! We were all SO excited to celebrate their wedding with them this December, it was a cold and snowy day and everything just felt perfect. We arrived at the Lincolnshire Marriott where Nicole and her besties were getting ready, everyone looked amazing thanks to the talented team at Rare Bird Beauties. Once Nicole was ready we arranged a series of “first look” moments inside at the hotel, she saw her Dad, future in-laws and bridesmaids for the first time in her full bridal look, each moment was sweeter than the one before it! It was just so special to be a part of this day, Nicole is clearly SO loved and it meant a lot to us to photograph each of these important people in her life celebrating her and sharing in her joy on her wedding day. Nicole was in high-spirits and said she was very much wanting to do pictures outside, even in her gorgeous strapless gown from Martellen’s. We took Ben outside first and then let the two of them have their first-look moment while we stood in the snow and captured the sweetness from a distance. Nicole and Ben chose to share private vows and we felt so honored to be present while they expressed their love for one another. Soon their wedding party came outside as well to join us for a few quick (and cold!) photos before we all loaded up to head to Our Lady of Perpetual Help for the ceremony.

This was my first time visiting Our Lady of Perpetual Help and I was in awe of how beautiful this church and its surrounding grounds are. I wish we could photograph every ceremony here!! Following their traditional Catholic ceremony we snuck outside for a few quick photos with the wedding party and newlyweds before the sun went down. After taking family photos inside of the church we made our way back towards the Lincolnshire Marriott but stopped quickly at the fountain in Wheeling for some pretty and festive nighttime photos with all the pretty Christmas lights. It was so cold but so magical!!

When we got back to the venue we connected with Marcella who had been working with the amazing Lincolnshire Marriott team to make the room absolutely perfect for Nicole and Ben’s reception. We were excited to see our old friend Rob from Monastero Entertainment, he did a great job as always serving as emcee and even treated the guests to a little Frank Sinatra during dinner! This was just the most amazing Winter wedding, we loved every moment celebrating this wonderful couple!

Congratulations, Nicole and Ben, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Nicole and Ben’s beautiful wedding photos click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue

DAY-OF COORDINATION
Something Blue

VENUE
Marriott Lincolnshire Resort

FLORIST
Flowers By KH

HAIR & MAKEUP
Rare Bird Beauties

WEDDING DRESS
Oxford Street

BRIDEMAIDS’ DRESSES
Revelry

ENGAGEMENT RING
Grown Brilliance

WEDDING SHOES
Dolce Vita

MENSWEAR
The Black Tux

Liz Schrenk 10/28/24 Liz Schrenk 10/28/24

Laura & Brian’s Gorgeous Loft 21 Wedding

Laura and Brian met on Hinge in July 2022; their first date was SEVEN hours long and spilled into the early morning hours of his 38th birthday. We can’t think of a better birthday . . .

Laura and Brian met on Hinge in July 2022; their first date was SEVEN hours long and spilled into the early morning hours of his 38th birthday. We can’t think of a better birthday present than finally meeting the love of your life! Laura and Brian both say that they fell in love right away, within a year they had moved in together and were engaged in Italy on New Year’s Eve 2023.

I met Laura and Brian over Zoom and could tell through the screen that they shared a unique connection. As we got to know each other leading up to their wedding I was struck by their shared sense of humor and deep love for one another. When their wedding day arrived Conrad, Christy and I were all excited to celebrate along with Laura and Brian’s friends and family! They had the best squad assembled in their fun-loving wedding party – after getting-ready photos and a sweet First Look at the Courtyard Chicago Lincolnshire we made our way to the endlessly gorgeous Chicago Botanic Garden for photos. It was a beautiful day at the garden, we could have stayed all day taking pictures for this wedding! Laura looked stunning in her Viktor and Rolf gown and Brian could not keep his eyes off his bride. We loved shooting near the Japanese garden and exploring a bit near the rose garden before heading back to Loft 21 Events for the festivities.

When we arrived at Loft 21 we reconnected with the amazing Lauren and her team from Stunning and Brilliant Events. Lauren is a talented wedding coordinator and truly made Laura and Brian’s wedding both stunning and brilliant! The space downstairs at Loft 21 was transformed into a vision of romance by the amazing crew from La Fleur Decor, we don’t know if we have ever seen a more beautiful space for Laura and Brian’s traditional Jewish ceremony. Before the ceremony began we gathered together upstairs for an intimate ketubah signing. Their rabbi made this moment personal and it was truly something special to be in the room as Laura and Brian took part in this nearly 2000 year old tradition.

Once the ketubah was signed we moved together into the candlelit ceremony, it was an honor to be alongside Laura and Brian and their parents as they exchanged vows under the chuppah. The room was buzzing with excitement once Laura and Brian were officially married and it was time to celebrate! While the Loft 21 staff flipped the room to make it reception-ready Laura and Brian’s guests enjoyed cocktails and appetizers upstairs, it was a fun and dramatic moment when the balcony doors rolled open to reveal the gorgeous reception space! Laura and Brian chose an East Coast style reception and danced throughout dinner thanks to the energy of H.Y.P.E Productions. Once dinner was over they danced the hora and rejoiced under a surprise burst of confetti, it was truly the perfect day!

Congratulations, Laura and Brian, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see all of Laura and Brians’ beautiful wedding photos click here

VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue

VENUE
Loft 21 Events

WEDDING COORDINATOR
Lauren Bowles, Stunning and Brilliant Events

FLORIST
La Fleur Decor

HAIR
Dahlia Rose Salon and Spa

MAKEUP
Glamour Girl Airbrush Tan + Beauty

DJ
H.Y.P.E. Productions

WEDDING CAKE
The Baking Institute

WEDDING RINGS
New York Jewelers Chicago

WEDDING DRESS
Viktor & Rolf for BHLDN

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Azazie

MENSWEAR
Men’s Wearhouse

Liz Schrenk 10/20/21 Liz Schrenk 10/20/21

Michelle & Eric’s Beautiful Marriott Lincolnshire Resort Wedding

Michelle and Eric grew up on the same street in Lake Zurich, their lives separated by only few houses and years in school. Their paths didn’t cross until they happened to both attend the same wedding in November 2017. Eric was a groomsman while Michelle was invited as a last-minute guest. When Michelle arrived alone at the wedding Eric’s parents kindly invited her to sit with them. And the rest, as they say, is history.

As their relationship and their love grew, Michelle and Eric developed a strong foundation and knew they were soulmates. Through their shared qualities of faith, balance, and support they had for one another, they knew they could be together forever. Two years after they first met Eric proposed to Michelle (while they were out with their friends celebrating their anniversary!) and together they began planning their future.

I was struck by how relatable and kind Michelle and Eric both are when we first met. Their shared love for each other and their families is something that has left an indelible mark on me. We started Michelle and Eric’s engagement session in their parents’ neighborhood, taking pictures to mark their paths finally crossing. I met their parents that night and could feel the powerful love they have for their children.

When Michelle and Eric’s wedding finally arrived, every detail had been carefully considered. As Michelle finished her hair and makeup I took photos of her beautiful mother helping her gorgeous gown from Bon Bon Belle. Little did any of us know that the next night Michelle’s Mom would tragically pass away.

The day was perfect; Michelle was whisked away to their ceremony at St. Francis de Sales in a Rolls Royce with her Dad, just like he had done with her Mom on their wedding day. After an emotional ceremony and beautiful bubble exit. Michelle and Eric returned in the Rolls to the Marriott Lincolnshire for an unforgettable celebration. We loved every minute of this beautiful wedding, but were especially happy to see Michelle and Eric’s adorable dogs show up outside the Lakeside Pavilion for some photos before the reception!

Just 36 hours after Michelle and Eric’s wedding I got an unbelievable phone call from Michelle – her Mom had passed away unexpectedly at home on Sunday night. Michelle and Eric had flown to Hawaii for their honeymoon only to turn back around to start making preparations for her mother’s funeral. They said their goodbyes to her in the same church they were married in just one week earlier. Three months later I’m still in shock. Michelle’s beautiful Mom was fully present at her daughter’s wedding, earnestly working to make sure every detail was perfect. And on the dance floor she let loose and was having the best time celebrating with their family and friends. Her tragic passing is such a powerful reminder that life is precious, and the everlasting memories of the people we love most can best be preserved in photos and videos. How humbling to know that we took the last photographs and videos of Michelle’s mother. It’s an honor to know you and your families and to make these images for you.