Weddings
Mike & Phil’s wedding at the Keith House in Chicago was the kind of intimate, emotional affair that wedding photographers love! It gives us an opportunity to get to know the couples’ family & friends, and have a great time capturing what is so unique about the day!
Now, Murphy’s Law states that if something can go wrong, it probably will go wrong. Such a statement is always a wedding day fear, and rain is probably the most well-known example of Murphy’s adage. It did indeed rain on this day, though you wouldn’t know it from Mike & Phil’s smiles, and from all the laughter and love at their ceremony and reception.
We talked to their photographer Alissa to get a closer look!
What makes Mike & Phil a unique couple?
Alissa: They have such a strong bond, and their personalities complement each other completely. From the moment I met them, I could just feel the happiness radiating from them!
How would you describe their wedding day?
Alissa: Mike & Phil wanted an intimate, classy wedding to celebrate with close friends and family. I was excited to hear they were interested in in capturing authentic, memorable moments.
What was your favorite moment from their day?
Alissa: Definitely their vows! Both Mike & Phil crafted deeply personal expressions of commitment. They had the whole room in happy tears & laughter.
What’s the silver lining of something like rain on the wedding day?
Alissa: Rain didn’t stop us! Everyone was game for grabbing umbrellas & walking around for some pretty spring rain photos. It’s important to be prepared for weather, and just roll with it. Different weather means you have unique visual opportunities, like reflections on the pavement and interesting colors!
What do you love about intimate weddings?
Alissa: I love when guests are able to spend quality time with each other, as well as the couple. It often means the schedule is a bit more relaxed, allowing for more organic moments and photo opportunities. The key is to think about what you truly want that makes your day special for you.
Vendor Team
Venue: The Keith House // Printing: Minted // Musicians: Chris White // Florals: Mariano’s South Loop // Caterer: Connie’s Pizza // Dessert: First Slice Pie Cafe
Enjoy seeing more Gold Grid couples on the Gold Grid blog, including Mike & Phil’s engagement session!
Weddings
Katie & Ryan are getting married at a golf club this fall, so a crisp spring day in downtown Chicago made a perfect contrast for their engagement photos! The Chicago Riverwalk is one of our favorite locations, with its array of historic buildings and waterside views. And since Katie studied architecture in college, this area seemed like the perfect backdrop to capture all of the beautiful angles of Katie, Ryan, and their engagement story!
While planning for their Chicago Riverwalk session, we talked to Katie & Ryan about everything from how they first fell in love to the big holiday proposal!
When you think about your fiance, what is your favorite trait?
Katie: Ryan is a very easy-going and sincere person. He can strike up a conversation with anyone he meets. His smile & laugh is contagious and always puts me in a great mood.
Ryan: Katie has a great laugh and smile, serious yet lighthearted, thorough and to the point, but full of joy and so much fun to be around. She keeps me on my toes which makes her the best, and makes me a better person.
What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
Both: Relaxing on the couch after a long day of work and watching our favorite shows. We always have the best time doing simple things.
What is your happiest memory together?
Katie: When we got engaged. He proposed while we were with my entire family on Thanksgiving. We were at my aunt & uncle’s house in Pittsburgh. Everyone was taking family photos out on their balcony, and he asked for everyone’s attention and popped the question. It was such a great moment that we were able to share with my entire family.
We’ll be sharing more of Katie & Ryan’s story after their November wedding at Mistwood Golf Club. You can see more Gold Grid couples here!
For more information about Gold Grid Studios’ collections & availability, contact us! We’d love to hear from you!
Weddings
We are always happy when couples say that they are “detail oriented”. We look forward to hearing about all of the choices they have already made, and are happy to offer our own recommendations during the planning phase. We know that every wedding day decision is part of the bigger picture, and helps you realize your vision for the wedding day. We love the little touches that help tell your story!
Our job is to help you document these decisions, and remember why you made all of these small (very important) choices. From choosing the perfect backdrop that showcases your ring, to taking a step back so that the full room is in view, we’re here to capture your full story. And we know that all of the love that went into these choices is an important part of that story!
We’re excited to share a few of our recent favorite shots! These are photos that tell you something unique about each couple, decisions that are worthy of having their own Gold Grid moment! Take a closer look and enjoy. This is dedicated to the little things that make a big impact!
Click here to find out more tips from the Gold Grid Studios team!
Weddings
From unexpected proposals to gifts on the wedding day, we love seeing couples surprise each other! Our very own Alissa has been engaged to her partner Bethany for over a year. The two are in the planning stages for their destination wedding in Greece! That European affair will be in spring 2017, and we can’t wait to be a part of it!
So what sort of surprise can be planned when you’ve been engaged for a year, and your wedding is almost a year away? Well, celebrate the anniversary of your engagement, of course! We talked to Alissa, who orchestrated this surprise adventure at Chicago’s Field Museum, and she gave us all the details!
Where did you get this idea?
Bethany proposed to me a year ago in Los Angeles, on a mountaintop overlooking the city. This year, on our anniversary weekend, I wanted to return the gesture with a surprise ring for Bethany, and incorporate close friends and family. The day before, we were actually in the David Yurman store, looking at the exact ring! Little did Bethany know, I had already purchased it! It was hard to not giggle as she looked at the very same ring in the store.
Why the Field Museum?
Bethany is a history buff, and I love cool artifacts. Plus – who doesn’t love a big T Rex?
What sort of planning goes into a surprise like this?
This was admittedly a last minute plan. I had to collect phone numbers from Bethany for close friends in the area, and try to get everyone in the loop with the plan. Everyone was to arrive at the museum a bit before the surprise, and hide themselves around the proposal point until I got down on one knee. The morning of, I had to make sure she was wearing something nicer without giving it away, so I told her we’d be taking a lot of selfies and I wanted her to look dapper!
What was your favorite part of the experience?
Surprising Bethany is my favorite thing ever. Seeing her excitement as her besties emerged from their hiding spots and I gave her the ring was priceless! Then we all went to a family & friends dinner to celebrate together. It was a perfect day!
I was so glad to have Gold Grid there to capture this moment. My friends’ cell phone photos, while great to have, can’t compare to these perfect candids of Bethany’s surprised face!
Weddings
One of the advantages of working with Gold Grid Studios is the team experience. What does that mean? Well, in addition to your fabulous photographer, you have an in-house team at Gold Grid Studios who are always available to provide assistance and answer your questions. Throughout the process, we provide guidance and make suggestions that ensure you are set up for success on your wedding day.
Here is a brief, general outline of exactly what you can expect from Gold Grid Studios from the moment we first meet. And we do mean “brief” and “general”…every new couple brings their unique needs, and we are always excited to work with you! After all, that’s what being a team is all about!
YOUR GOLD GRID TIMELINE
Day 1: The consult with Derek, the Gold Grid studio manager
The next week: Meet your perfect fit photographer
4 weeks later: Derek will help you plan your engagement session with your photographer
8 weeks later: The engagement session with your photographer
10 weeks later: Showing off those stellar engagement photos (including an ordering party at our studio)
Every wedding is different, and each couple’s planning is unique. From here on, we’ll look at a typical timeline and how far in advance of the wedding day these milestones usually happen.
12 weeks before: Wedding day schedule & questionnaires. Our studio manager Derek will email these to you, so that we can look at the details of your day.
6 weeks before: Finalizing wedding day schedule and portrait list with Derek.
1 week before: Talking to your photographer, and getting excited about…
YOUR WEDDING DAY
6 weeks after: Relive the big day at the Gold Grid Studios office! You’ll view your photos for the first time and we will help you design the perfect wedding album.
7 weeks after: Your images appear on our blog (feel free to share!)
12 weeks after: Your album arrives, and you get to share with family & friends!
52 weeks after: Happy anniversary! We are always only a phone call or email away. Christmas presents, parent albums, maybe maternity & newborn photos? You name it, we’re there. Even if it’s not photo related!
