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 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
WEDDING CAKE
Lovin Oven
BRIDAL BOUTIQUE
Marien Mae
MENSWEAR
Men’s Warehouse
Madeline & Kevin’s Joyful Westin Chicago Northwest Wedding
Madeline and Kevin met their first week of college at the University of Illinois. They joined the same business club and quickly became friends. About two years later, it became clear they both had feelings for each other and Kevin worked up the courage . . .
Madeline and Kevin met their first week of college at the University of Illinois. They joined the same business club and quickly became friends. About two years later, it became clear they both had feelings for each other and Kevin worked up the courage to ask Madeline on a date over winter break of their junior year. Since then, Madeline and Kevin have been together – they graduated college, Kevin moved to San Francisco (and they did two years of long-distance) and they then moved into their first place together in Chicago in 2020. In April 2022, Kevin said they were going to dinner in Lincoln Park, where he dropped down to one knee and asked Madeline to marry him. They had a great celebration with close family that night and quickly set out to plan our wedding!
I first got to know Madeline and Kevin at their beautiful Fall engagement session in Lincoln Park last year. I was struck by how perfect Madeline and Kevin are for each other that lovely evening, and I was so excited to celebrate their wedding along with Conrad this Summer! When we arrive at the Westin Chicago Northwest in Itasca the mood was amazing in Madeline’s room, her bridesmaids and Mom were all so welcoming and sweet to us. Madeline looked SO. GOOD. in her sleek Caroline Herrera gown (she bought it off the rack at Second City Bride!) Once Madeline and Kevin did their first look the whole day just went so smoothly, these two made our jobs so easy!! The sunshine was bouncing between the buildings surrounding the Westin and gave us so many beautiful spots for photos, it was such a perfect day!!
Congratulations, Madeline and Kevin, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Madeline and Kevin’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
FLORIST
Floral Expressions & Gifts
HAIR & MAKEUP
Zano’s Hair Salon
WEDDING CAKE
The Baking Institute
BRIDAL GOWN BOUTIQUE
Second City Bride
WEDDING RINGS
Ethan Lord
MENSWEAR
The Black Tux
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES
David's Bridal
Nicolete & Terry’s Unforgettable Silver Lake Country Club Wedding
We first met Nicolete and Terry at his sister April’s wedding last Fall. April and Chris’ wedding was one for the ages, we absolutely love them and had the best time with their family and friends. But one thing we won’t forget . . .
We first met Nicolete and Terry at his sister April’s wedding last Fall. April and Chris’ wedding was one for the ages, we absolutely love them and had the best time with their family and friends. But one thing we won’t forget from April and Chris’ wedding was Nicolete roasting her future father-in-law while he gave his father of the bride speech at The Beverly Country Club. Nicolete came prepared with a sign that said “Wrap it Up” that she held up for Terry Sr. to see after he had spoken for about five seconds LOL.
When we learned that Nicolete and Terry were engaged and we would be photographing their wedding we were so excited. I loved getting to know Nicolete and Terry at their beautiful engagement session at Montrose Beach over the summer. Nicolete absolutely slayed her outfit for her engagement session (including a custom “Mrs. McMahon” denim jacket that she bought for herself LOL), but the best part of that day was getting to see the love between these two. They are both kind and considerate and just perfect for each other.
When Nicolete and Terry’s cold November wedding day came around, Conrad and Lindsay and I made our way back to the McMahon’s home for getting ready photos. Nicolete looked gorgeous and was wearing THE cutest satin pajama short set with their custom wedding date. After she got dressed in her beautiful Essense of Australia gown we made our way to St. Christina’s for the ceremony. Nicolete had the sweetest “first look” with her Dad down the aisle at St. Christina’s, they both cried as she privately shared a letter of gratitude she had written for her Dad.
As their ceremony began, Terry’s reaction to seeing Nicolete walk down the aisle was just amazing. This south-side cop let the tears flow as he watched his gorgeous bride walk down the aisle with her Dad, it was the more beautiful moment. During the unity candle ceremony Nicolete extinguished the candle with her fingers as all of the guests laughed. Afterwards we recreated April and Chris’ epic veil moment from last year (possibly making it that much more epic and dramatic – we absolutely love shooting in this gorgeous light-filled church!)
When we arrive at Silver Lake Country Club we had to rush taking photos because we were all freezing our asses off, I don’t know if I have ever been so cold while taking pictures!! After a pretty sparkler “send-off” just before the cocktail hour we settled in for an awesome dinner and party. When Terry requested Celine Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” the dance floor filled for an unforgettable singalong that ended with Nicolete sliding across the dance floor in her wedding gown! It was just the best day and one that we will always remember!
Congratulations, Nicolete and Terry, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Nicolete and Terry’s beautiful wedding photos click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Something Blue
FLORIST
Redberry Floral
BRIDESMAID DRESSES
Kennedy Blue
MENSWEAR
Calvin Klein
HAIR AND MAKEUP
Makeup by Caroline O
WEDDING CAKE
Orland Park Bakery
Kaylee & Michael’s Beautiful Makray Golf Club Wedding
Kaylee and Michael met at Purdue University during band camp auditions for the All-American Marching Band – by the second home game they were officially together. After dating all during college . . .
Kaylee and Michael met at Purdue University during band camp auditions for the All-American Marching Band – by the second home game they were officially together. After dating all during college their first jobs separated them – Kaylee went to Chicago and Michael ended up in Bloomington, Indiana. Kaylee relocated to Bloomington after 1 year of distance and they were finally living together. During the pandemic Kaylee worked for Indiana University from their apartment while Michael was instrumental in the production of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.
After nearly nine years together Kaylee and Michael were so excited to finally celebrate their wedding at Makray Memorial Golf Club. Kaylee and her bridesmaids had such positive energy when we arrived for their “getting ready” photos – we love a good champagne pop to start the party!! Kaylee looked gorgeous in her Essense of Australia gown, and her bridesmaids’ reaction to seeing her as a bride was just the sweetest. After a goofy fake First Look with Kaylee and Michael’s shared bestie and officiant Eric, Kaylee and Michael shared the sweetest and most romantic First Look outside at Makray. Michael’s emotional reaction to seeing Kaylee in her wedding dress was just the best.
We had a lot of fun taking pictures with this wedding party on the course at Makray before heading back toward the building for their ceremony. There were many more tears to come during Kaylee and Michael’s beautiful ceremony, their hand-written vows seemed to make just about everyone cry. After the ceremony we moved upstairs for the perfect party, it was an unforgettable day.
Congratulations, Kaylee and Michael, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Kaylee and Michael’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VENUE
Makray Memorial Golf Club
FLORIST
Fabbrini Flowers
HAIR AND MAKEUP
Patty Maguire Hair and Makeup
WEDDING RINGS
Blue Nile
WEDDING DRESS
Brides by Young
BRIDESMAID DRESSES
David’s Bridal
MENSWEAR
Jos A Bank
WEDDING CAKE
Lovin Oven
Mackenzie & Killian’s Picture Perfect Chevy Chase Wedding
Mackenzie and Killian met in 7th grade, she was the first person to welcome him to his new school. They went to high school together but didn’t talk much as they had different friend groups and interests. During college, they reconnected . . .
Mackenzie and Killian met in 7th grade, she was the first person to welcome him to his new school. They went to high school together but didn’t talk much as they had different friend groups and interests. During college, they reconnected via Facebook while Killian was stationed in the Navy in Japan. After talking via video chat for a few months, Killian relocated back to the States and Mackenzie flew to meet up with him in person. They knew they had found something special and continued their long distance relationship for the next year. Mackenzie moved to New Jersey to be with Killian in 2020 during the pandemic. In May of 2021, one day after her birthday, Killian got down on one knee and proposed at the beach on Jersey Shore. Mackenzie’s mom was visiting from Illinois and was able to celebrate and witness the whole thing.
After first meeting over Zoom during the height of Covid, I was so happy to meet Mackenzie and Killian in person for their engagement session at Independence Grove early this Summer. I had a great time getting to know them that afternoon and was so excited to celebrate their wedding at Chevy Chase in August! Mackenzie looked beautiful and was so happy, Killian is more reserved but was clearly having a great time with his groomsmen as we took photos out on the course together. It was a beautiful day topped by a gorgeous sunset, we are always thankful for the opportunity to photograph weddings at Chevy Chase!
Congratulations, Mackenzie and Killian, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Mackenzie and Killian’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOTGRAPHY
Something Blue
FLORIST
Sylvia's Amling's Flowers
HAIR & MAKUP
Beaute Luxe
Meredith and Okoye’s Romantic New Year’s Eve Wedding
I vividly remember the first picture I ever took of Meredith and Okoye. I was photographing the cocktail hour at her friend Catherine’s wedding at Chevy Chase Country Club and snapped this quick picture of Meredith and her boyfriend Okoye . . .
I vividly remember the first picture I ever took of Meredith and Okoye. I was photographing the cocktail hour at her friend Catherine’s wedding at Chevy Chase Country Club and snapped this quick picture of Meredith and her boyfriend Okoye:
After I shot this I joked that they needed to call me when they got engaged. We got to know Meredith and Okoye over the years through mutual friends, and they kindly once modeled for a special styled shoot we did at Room 1520 in 2018. When Okoye popped the question last summer I was SO excited when Meredith reached out to ask if I would photograph their wedding!!
Meredith and Okoye chose the beautiful Hyatt Lodge in Oakbrook for their New Year’s Eve wedding. When we arrived it was SO great to reconnect with Meredith and her bridesmaids, anyone would envy this incredibly supportive girl-squad! I absolutely LOVED their reactions when they saw their gorgeous friend as a bride! First looks will always have a special place in our hearts, and the moment when Okoye saw Meredith on their wedding day was so incredibly sweet. After some quick (and chilly!) pictures outside of the Hyatt Lodge we traveled to Visitation Parish in Elmhurst for their traditional and emotional ceremony.
After making things official then the party kicked off, I can’t think of a better way to ring in the New Year than celebrating a wedding with friends!! We settled back in at the Hyatt Lodge for a night of delicious food, drinks and dancing, it was the perfect night!
Congratulations, Meredith and Okoye, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
To see all of Meredith and Okoye’s beautiful wedding photos, click here
VENDOR DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Something Blue
VIDEOGRAPHER
Vanilla Video
WEDDING COORDINATOR
Danielle Kolb Events
VENUE
Hyatt Lodge Oakbrook Chicago
FLORALS
Pesche’s
HAIR AND MAKEUP
Pin Me Up Chicago
WEDDING GOWN
Van Der Velde
WEDDING SHOES
Loeffler Randall
WEDDING RINGS
Ed Schmelzle & Sons
WEDDING CAKE
Creative Cakes
BRIDESMAID DRESSES
Hayley Paige
MENSWEAR
Emanuele Tuxedo Elmhurst
Michelle and Andrew’s Glam Chicago Riverwalk Engagement Session
Michelle and Andrew met through mutual friends in college. And while they didn’t attend the same school their connection grew stronger and their long-distance relationship soon became something more. Next summer . . .
Michelle and Andrew met through mutual friends in college. And while they didn’t attend the same school their connection grew stronger and their long-distance relationship soon became something more. Next summer these two will say “I do” at the River Forest Country Club, and after getting to know them both at this perfect engagement session I am SO excited to celebrate their love next year!!
To see all of Michelle and Andrew’s gorgeous engagement photos, click here