Weddings
It all starts with a stellar first look! Julie & Michael’s emotional moment set the tone for a warm, inviting wedding day at the Newberry Library. It was a day full of laughter, tears, and the kind of hugs you only get on a special occasion like this. One of the (many) reasons we love Newberry Library is the great mix of indoor and outdoor spots. Give us all of the classic architecture next to romantic gardens — it’s a photographer’s dream.
So much of wedding day success comes down to to the WHERE. With the Hilton, St. Vincent DePaul, and Newberry Library — Julie & Michael made all of the right choices! We talked to Julie a bit about what made her fall in love with these spaces, the perfect backdrops to a gorgeous day.
Without further ado — let’s dive right in! Enjoy!
Tell us about your connection to your ceremony venue…
St. Vincent DePaul Church is a beautiful Catholic Church in Lincoln Park. Julie, an alumnus of DePaul University for undergrad, attended church here throughout her college days. After deciding to get married through the Catholic Church, we selected St. Vincent DePaul because of Julie’s fond memories of the church community here in college and its lovely Lincoln Park setting.
And Newberry Library. What’s your favorite part?
When Michael and I decided on a Chicago wedding, we knew we wanted a venue that would show off the city’s beauty and life. We met in Chicago and both lived there for 6+ years and are excited to add our wedding to our list of memories in this place. We decided on the Newberry Library because of its beautiful event space and its location in the Gold Coast neighborhood. Michael and I both love the green space and architecture of the Newberry and its surroundings. Additionally, the Newberry Library itself has been a long standing part of Chicago’s history. It is an independent research library established in 1887; we are excited for our guests to visit this downtown landmark.
The Wedding Day Team
Getting Ready Venue: Hilton Garden Inn | Ceremony Venue: St. Vincent DePaul Church | Reception Venue: Newberry Library | Printing: Minted | Bridal Gown: Hayley Paige | Bridesmaid’s Clothing: Amasale | Hair: Pin Me Up Chicago | Floral: Blumgarten Floral | Caterer: Jordan’s Food of Distinction | DJ: Toast & Jam DJs | Cake: Sweet Mandy B’s | Transportation: Echo Limo
Weddings
Alright, if you’re a #2018bride, #2019bride, or a Chicago #bridetobe — get ready for this Lincoln Park engagement session! Amy & Eamon prove that Chicago is photo ready any time of year!
Let’s be honest, our weather has been anything but predictable. One day it’s sunny and summer, the next is misty and cold. It makes it hard to plan for your engagement photos. Do you bring a jacket? Will a sundress be appropriate? Amy & Eamon are firm believers in the fashion mantra that classy NEVER goes out of style. Call it chic, call it elegant, call in plain good taste! Since we didn’t know whether it was going to be moody and gray or bursting with sunshine — tasteful neutrals were the obvious choice.
It was the romantic, soft pink of Amy’s first dress. It was the dapper navy blazer that Eamon wore. Every accessory was perfect for telling the story of this stylish couple in Lincoln Park. They’re hip Chicagoans who would look at home at a wine bar in Wicker Park, or strolling along the Riverwalk! The skyline was a great backdrop, and the chilly day was an excellent excuse for lots of cuddles!
Enjoy, friends! And congrats to Amy & Eamon on their engagement!
Want more Lincoln Park engagement sessions? Sure, you do!
Weddings
When we say that you can get fabulous engagement photos ANY time of year, THIS is what we’re talking about! Samantha & Markus made winter work, taking advantage of the natural backdrop and fully embracing the snow-kissed setting! A winter engagement session is not always buttoned-up. With proper planning, you can choose to cozy up indoors, or brave the day with an outdoors stroll. A fashionable coat is always photogenic — not the only option, though! If you and your significant other are ready to take the plunge, you can totally face the winter engagement photo challenge together. Take a deep breath, remove the coats, and grab each other’s hand — just go for it! We just need a few seconds to catch the perfect moment — plenty of time for the adrenaline to keep you warm!
And now back to the gorgeous couple! Markus & Samantha have such great personal style. From the grade-A accessorizing to the complementary colors of their outfits, these two know what they are doing! Their cream palette is such a nifty choice for the winter background, and it makes them look right at home in this winter wonderland. And Sam’s scarf, the nails, the lipstick — every color POPS! It draws us right in to every smile, every touch, and every laugh.
Join us in congratulating Samantha & Markus on a stylish, sophisticated session!
Take a look at more Gold Grid couples!
Weddings
Hey, Chicago friends — do you you need a little warmth this week? We’ve got a romantic engagement session that will melt your heart and shake those winter blues! Meet Emily & Calvin, the cutest couple to brave the Chicago winter to celebrate their upcoming nuptials! We first met these two at a bridal show last spring, and knew immediately that their story was special. The way they look at each, the way they make each other smile – it’s L-O-V-E! We took a stroll along Lake Michigan, visiting some of our favorite spots. Being right beside the lake only added to the sense of winter drama & romance. Don’t get us wrong — it was cold! But it was oh-so-worth-it to see Emily & Calvin against the backdrop of snow, ice, and the majestic Chicago skyline! And they did an excellent job of staying cozy and making it all look so easy!
Winter engagement sessions aren’t all coats & cold. It’s an excellent opportunity for snuggling, keeping each other warm, and seasonal fashion statements. We love the subtle complimentary plaids of Emily’s scarf and Calvin’s shirt. The pop of red in Emily’s nails is picture perfect, a bold stroke of genius in this winter wonderland! We had so much fun getting to spend time with these lovebirds, and we know you will too! Join us in congratulating them, and celebrating their love! Cheers to warm hearts and lots of love — any time of year!
Looking for more winter wedding inspiration? Yes, please!
Weddings
You can never go wrong with Lincoln Park! It’s a popular engagement session spot for a good reason. No matter how many times you visit Lincoln Park, there are ALWAYS new discoveries to be made! New paths, a different shade of sunlight, and an assortment of events and people-watching pleasures. It’s easy to relax and get a perfect mix of cityscape and natural serenity. This makes it an ideal backdrop for smiling, laughing, and showing off just how IN LOVE you are!
Friends, meet Emily & Brandon! They win the award for amazing fall/winter accessorizing, with cozy jackets, fabulous scarves, and lots of cuddling! Get to know their love story, and join them on this stroll through Lincoln Park!
On how they met:
We met the old fashion way….an online app! Two swipes right and the rest is history. Brandon swears he messaged Emily first but Emily knows she messaged him first and is considering requesting the messaging history through the app’s legal department to win the debate. Kidding…sort of.
Emily, on her favorite things about Brandon:
My favorite trait of Brandon’s is how deeply he cares about the things that matter the most to him. He’s extremely passionate and driven to be successful in his career. He cares deeply for his friends and family and would do anything for them.
Brandon, on what he loves about Emily:
So many things are amazing! She has amazing smile and beautiful eyes. She is intelligent, fun, outgoing, has great taste, cultured and probably the most important thing she makes me a better person!
On their favorite things to do together:
One of our favorite things to do as a couple is to explore our city. We both love trying new things together whether that’s a walking around a new neighborhood, trying a new restaurant, hitting up a local bar or whatever fun local activity is happening. We are both up for anything!
Want more engagement sessions? We’ve got you covered!
