Wrigleyville Engagement Session: Teresa & Sean

Wrigleyville Engagement Session: Teresa & Sean

Alright, sports fans! It’s time for a romantic trip to Wrigleyville! One of our favorite things to do before an engagement session is find out what each couple loves.  For Teresa & Sean, it was clear right away: sports, music, and each other. They knew that the Chicago Music Exchange was ideal, and we are all so happy that CME was on board for their session. Before sitting down with the guitars there, it was first time for a stroll around Wrigley Field! Is there any place in Chicago that is more about love and devotion? No one knows about commitment and loyalty like a Cubs fan!

Teresa’s subtle Cubs love was perfection for this session — the bright blue sweater, the fierce red nails! Yes, pops of color! And these two were so much fun. Laughter & smiles abound!  And they’re already thinking like a married couple: we heard rumors from their friends that the Wrigleyville session was a compromise — they’ll be headed to the United Center for part of the wedding day! Now, THAT is thinking like a team! There’s enough love to go around!

Enjoy! And join is congratulating these two sports fans! Go, love, go!

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San Francisco Engagement: Julie & Michael

San Francisco Engagement: Julie & Michael

Oh, San Francisco! How we love thee! As the leaves start to turn in Chicago and we pull out our winter coats — we are all about Julie & Michael’s engagement photos! Get ready for warm, golden, San Francisco light!
Julie & Michael met in Chicago, and will be headed back here for their wedding next May. We’re looking forward to seeing them in the Windy City for their celebration at Newberry Library (one of our favorites)! These two lovebirds are currently living in San Francisco. We’d talked about possibly doing their engagement photos while they were back in town, but were jazzed to make this West Coast session happen! With so many locations to choose from (Baker Beach, Golden Gate Park, Embarcadero), San Francisco is a photographer’s destination dream!
We took a romantic walk through the woods, and then made our way to the water. All the while, the sun made magic! Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Julie & Michael are absolutely adorable!
Join us in congratulating Julie & Michael! We can’t wait to welcome you back to Chicago and celebrate your wedding!

 

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Loyola Wedding: Kristine & Ben

Loyola Wedding: Kristine & Ben

We’ve been so excited about Kristine & Ben’s wedding day! Ever since their stylish downtown engagement session, we have known that this Loyola wedding was going to be elegant and chic. Kristine went to college at Loyola University Chicago, and would sometimes attend mass in the breathtaking Madonna della Strada chapel.  In many ways, this day was a homecoming. It was an opportunity for Kristine to return to her alma mater, and for these two families and cultures to come together.  This Loyola chapel is not only a gorgeous indoor spot — it’s walking distance from Lake Michigan and all the natural beauty of the beaches and parks nearby.

There are beautiful touches of Kristine’s heritage throughout the day. We started the day at the luxurious Warwick Allerton before heading up to Loyola for a ceremony full of Filipino traditions. Also, did you know that Ben likes to dance? Well, get ready! This groom managed to bust a move during almost every part of the wedding day! He led a cool crew of groomsmen to the ceremony, where he showed off his skills! And no reception would be complete without some public displays of…improvised choreo?? Take a look at how much fun this happy couple is having at their reception. There’s so much joy that they literally cannot contain themselves. These candid dance moments led into a HALL OF FAME bouquet toss that you MUST see!

Enjoy this magical day, and join us in congratulating Kristine & Ben!


 

Meet the Team:

Caterer/Venue: Warwick Allerton Chicago  |  Ceremony Venue: Loyola University  |  DJ: Remix Entertainment Inc.  |  Wedding Cake: Vanille Patisserie  |  Florist: Bride’s Choice Flowers  |  Transportation: Absolute Dream Limousine  |  Make-Up: Makeup by Renata  |  Hair: Brides by Becky 

Nature Museum Wedding: Rebecca & Paul

Nature Museum Wedding: Rebecca & Paul

One of the most rewarding, emotional parts of the wedding day is getting to see everyone come together.  For most couples, the wedding is an opportunity to bring together their families and friends. It is a chance to have your past and present help your celebrate your future. Usually, the sense of reunion is for our loved ones. For Rebecca & Paul, there was an extra layer of celebration. In addition to bringing their families together, their gorgeous day at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum was time together for the two of them. After being long-distance for so much of their relationship, Becca and Paul were elated to finally start living in the same city as newlyweds.

When we asked Rebecca & Paul why they chose the Nature Museum, the answer was easy!  “We are outdoorsy, nature-loving people! We want our wedding to reflect how we feel about the earth. The butterfly haven is the best!”  We were so happy that they mentioned the Nature Museum’s Butterfly Haven, because the wedding day brought a very special surprise.  The Nature Museum of course offered sunshine and the kind of green and floral background brides dream of having on their day. But you have to scroll down to see the cameo appearance Mother Nature made at the Butterfly Haven.

Enjoy the smiles, the laughter, and join us in congratulating Rebecca & Paul!

 

 

Meet the Team

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Peggy Nortebaert Nature Museum  |  Coordinator: Lisa Gordon Events

 

Evanston Engagement Session: Sara & AJ

Evanston Engagement Session: Sara & AJ

Take a break from the US Open, tennis fans! There are more courts (and courtships) to celebrate this week! Get ready for Sara & AJ’s Evanston engagement session!

When we start planning engagement sessions, we always ask couples what they enjoy doing. We have plenty of ideas for great locations and fab backdrops, but the perfect session is all about you! Whether it’s an activity you enjoy or a spot that’s important to your relationship, familiarity can be the key to success! It’s always easier to smile and let loose when you’re in your element. A session should be fun and full of genuine moments of delight. That’s why we are so excited about Sara & AJ’s session. They had let us know that AJ was a big tennis fan. Northwestern University in Evanston is a GORGEOUS campus — but we’d not been by the courts for a session. This was a perfect example of taking a classic location and making it their own. After meeting at the courts, we strolled around campus. The lakeside walkways led to the Ryan Center for Musical Arts — a stunning piece of architecture.

The other exciting thing is that Sara & AJ will be getting married at the Orrington this fall. So this Evanston session was an excellent scouting expedition for the wedding day. When we return to Evanston in October, these lovebirds will be absolute pros!

Game. Set. Match. There’s some pun about “love” to be made, but we’ll leave that to you. Enjoy!

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A Garden Engagement: Katharine & Leon

A Garden Engagement: Katharine & Leon

As the seasons start to shift in Chicago, there’s no better way to celebrate summer than Katharine & Leon’s garden engagement. This session is all about the soft romance of flowers and garden greenery. Katharine’s long dress was delicate and charming, a perfect fit in more ways that one. Pair that with Leon’s crisp white shirt and this dynamic duo is ready for a garden party, a park stroll, or a brunch just for two.

The amazing thing about Lincoln Park (and Chicago summer) is the wealth of variety. No matter how many times we visit, we always discover new spots that are just begging for a Kodak moment. The Katharine’s dress, a floral background was a must. The bright yellow and green background is one of kind, and a match made in heaven for this session.

Be sure to look out for all those perfect pops of color you only see in nature, and a special appearance by a butterfly (a sure sign of luck and good fortune). And once the garden walk commences, these two take a break. Surrounded by the gorgeous architecture and a hint of Chicago skyline, get ready for some of the best laughing photos. Genuine love and laughter are some of our favorite moments to capture, and Katharine & Leon’s joy is oh so amazing!


 

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