Same-Sex Brookfield Zoo Wedding
I had the pleasure of photographing Dave and Paul's gorgeous zoo wedding this weekend! What a gorgeous setting for a wedding and no one could of asked for a more perfect day. The weather was amazing, not too hot, not too cold, just right! Their ceremony and reception were filled of laughter and joy. One of the readings from their ceremony you can read bellow their images and was just the most amazing lyrics from a song sang in the musical "Catch Me if You Can". They had delicious signature drinks at the cocktail hour with the giraffes, followed by an awesome reception with some amazing musical choices for the dance floor. If you have never heard Downtown and Mrs.Miller, listen to it....you are in for a serious treat!
A Special thanks to the Officiant, DJ Benson, the couples great friend"She really made it personal and gave us a chance to turn around and take in the crowd. It was a breathtaking moment." said Dave
The venue for the wedding was the gorgeous Brookfield Zoo
The DJ was their friend's brother Jeff Beilfuss
The flowers were by Bride's Choice Wedding Flowers in Lisle. Mary Kenny was the flower designer.
Invites were through WeddingPaperDivas.com.
The cake came from Lezza Bakery in Bellwood which Brooke did.
The suits were through Formally Modern Tuxedo in Countryside. http://www.formallymodern.com/ Carmelo helped them in particular
Also a huge thanks to Ania Scheiman for being my amazing second shooter for the day!
I've seen the seven wonders
if you give or take a few
But all them seven wonders
well they can't compare to you
I've been a lot of places
Yes I've traveled near and far
But now I know that home is where you are
Niagara Falls a leaky faucet that a plumber oughta fix
The Pyramids are really just a dusty pile of bricks
The Taj Mahal a fixer upper
The Grand Canyon just a hole
The Grand Canal in Venice an Italian toilet bowl
I've seen the seven wonders
if you give or take a few
But all them seven wonders
well they can't compare to you
I've been a lot of places
Yes I've traveled near and far
But now I know that home is where you are
The Aurora Borealis just a night light on the fritz
And Stonehenge it's just a bunch of rocks
La Brea's tars the pits
I've seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa it looks like somethin' up and broke
Mount Rushmore someone climb up there and tell them boys a joke
Yes my travellin days are over
You get the check I'll pay the bill
Cause I see all the wonder in your eyes
Just standin' still.
I've been a lot of places
But I've learned now near and far
There's no need to roam
Cause home is where you are
There's no need to roam
cause home is where you are
yes now I know that home is where you are.
Peninsula Hotel Brunch Winter Wedding
I met Jennifer while shooting Sara and Steves wedding this past summer, You can even see her in an image with Sara and all the girls at the end of my blog post! I was so excited that she wanted me to shoot her engagement shoot and wedding. Once we started talking the details about her wedding I was instantly excited, from the wire cake rack filled with donuts, her one of a kind ensemble, to her gorgeous custom made engagement ring I was hooked! They had a fabulous wedding in the early afternoon followed by brunch. I think more people should have brunch weddings, they are just so laid back and fun! We even braved the freezing cold to get a few show in the city! So take a peak at her wonderful wedding day! Happy 1 week anniversary Jennifer and Bob!
Venue- The Peninsula Hotel www.peninsula.com/chicago
Flowers - Steve's Flower Market, owner Mary Ziemba, www.stevesflowermarket.com
Donuts - Doughnut Vault, worked with Jessi DiBartolomeo, www.doughnutvault.com
Rings - Love and Promise Jewelers, worked with Shirley Kam, www.loveandpromisejewelers.com
Dress - designed by Stephane St Jaymes. Contact at +1 (908) 502-2092
Officiant -Yolanda Valle Yolanda.valle@cbre.com
Graphic Designer - for invites, programs, placecards, etc was Michael Krzewicki, www.mdsgnchgo.com
Joliet Patrick Haley Mansion Fall Wedding
I met with Matt and Candice last winter to talk to them about their fall wedding they were planning in one of the most gorgeous venues I have been to. It was a really warm October day, unseasonably warm, which was just perfect. Rain was in the forecast but it held off just long enough so they were able to get married outside as they had planned. As Candice and Matt read their vows there was not a dry eye in the entire place. They were surrounded by their loved ones on their special day and we even made the rain work for some fun shots outside! Congratulations Matt and Candice!!!
Liberty Tree in Harbour Town Hilton Head Island Wedding
I was so excited to fly out to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina to photograph the wedding of Mark and Carol. The weather was amazing, so nice. First, we headed to the bank to get the marriage license signed, and in South Carolina, that is where you can become legally married, just by signing the paper with the notary. Then it was off to get ready for their big day. They got married under the Liberty Tree in Harbour Town and it was just magical, there are no other words to describe it! The reception was gorgeous and the food was divine. Beef Wellington....yes....amazing. The party went on until the wee hours of the night and it was just an amazing day, Congratulations!
Hilton Head Island Rehearsal Dinner on a Boat
So it isn't often I photograph rehearsal dinners....but when that dinner is on a boat you can count me in!! The boat was just gorgeous, so much character, and what was even cooler is Mark had images of it when it was a working boat and when it was being built back in 1901. It is a Chesapeake buy boat used to transport oysters from the oyster bed ad back to Chesapeake bay. It was a gorgeous day in Hilton Head Island, Hot but not too hot! The appetizers where to die for, goat cheese pot stickers happened....and it was divine! Those came from a restaurant called NEO The band playing was Mike Walters Orchestra and they where so good that they had an audience on the harbor sitting and watching while enjoying the music. Mark joked we should charge a cover. So take a peak at their start of their wedding weekend! More to come from their wedding in the next few weeks
Caterer-NEO
Chapel in the Pines Same Sex Elopement
Pam contacted me at the beginning of the summer to see if I would be available to photograph her and her Leslie's wedding at Chapel in the Pines in Sycamore, Illinois. I was excited to be able to and she even moved the time a bit so I could be there! I had never been to the venue before but it was just gorgeous. The perfect setting for them as they both love the outdoors, trees, and flowers. The weather was perfect, a gentle breeze and not too hot and not too cold. Their love for each other was easily seen. They warned me they weren't good at having their photos taken but I quickly realized that was not the case. They were naturals and through these images I hope you can feel a little bit of the love that there was that day.
Congratulations Pam and Leslie!
Chicago Lake Shore Drive Outdoor Wedding and The Signature Room
I met Sara almost 6 years ago at my job, she was actually my manager and a wonderful one at that. So I was flattered when she reached out to me to see if I was available to photograph her wedding and engagement I was so excited. Her ceremony took place right off Lake Shore Drive overlooking the city on one side and the lake and beach on the other. She wore Steve's family heirloom dress for the ceremony, a dress worn by not just his mother, but also his grandmother too. After the ceremony, we head back to the hotel for a quick outfit change and then headed back outside for some more photos of the couple together. After we finished, we head to their reception, a delicious brunch at The Signature Room. The views were amazing to say the least. The love was all around the room as they celebrated with family and friends and I hope you enjoy the images from your day!
Cuneo Mansion and Gardens Wedding of Angela and Singer Matt B
This was truly a royal wedding. I met Matthew and Angela through Bella Baby where I also work and we immediately clicked. I could never get over how photogenic they both were and how adorable their son was. Well, fast forward a few months, after a few more sessions with their adorable son they said how they were going to be having a wedding! I was so excited when they wanted to look at my work and book me. The day was nothing short of a Royal wedding, They got married at the Cuneo Mansion and Gardens in Vernon Hills and this venue was the perfect backdrop for their special day! Angela got ready with all her gorgeous bridesmaids at the mansion and put on her first of three dresses, this one was truly stunning and unlike ANY wedding dress I had ever seen, it seemed to come right off the runway from a fashion show. Matthew sang "All of Me" by John Legend as she made her way down the aisle out of her horse-drawn carriage. It was like nothing I have ever witnessed, the love they shared in their vows was felt by all. After that, the reception began, and it was also just as wonderful filled with laughter, and even more, singing by Matthew and his brothers, they were really amazing, I wished I would of recorded some video of it! The day ended with their son taking the stage with Dad playing the song "Happy" and they were whisked away in their old school car to the after-party. Congratulations Matt and Angela!!
Venue
Cuneo Mansion and Gardens: http://www.luc.edu/cuneo/
Hair and Makeup
Flawless Beauty by Nicole: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Flawless-Beauty-by-Nicole/343330125739198
Rose Alexander: https://www.facebook.com/pages/FACES-by-ROSE/278463683505
Donte Mitchell: https://www.facebook.com/BeUtiful.PEOple
Heaven Stewart: https://www.facebook.com/heaven.stewart
Videographer: http://idofilms.com
Catering: http://www.bauerscatering.com
Cake: http://www.oakmillbakery.com
Florist: http://www.weddingflowerlady.com
Horse & Buggy: http://www.horsedrawncarriages.com
Photo Booth: http://photoboothofthestars.smugmug.com
Getaway Car: http://classicweddingcar.com
String Quartet:
2nd Photographer: Kimberli Nelson
St.Charles Creek Bend Nature Center Jewish Wedding
I Love love love outdoor weddings, especially ones that are at 5:30pm! The light was gorgeous and the couple was great. I had known them from three previous family shoots I have done for them, one being this very morning! It was a small service filled with love and details that had a British Literature theme which was very romantic. So take a peek at their wedding and enjoy!
Green Mill and 90 Miles Cuban Cafe Wedding
I had the pleasure of meeting up with Sandra and Greg after they got married in Chicago. We first started at a bar, where they where waiting for me at right next to the Green Mill. I figured why not start the shoot there, the place where they where first sharing a drink as husband and wife! Sandra and Greg are both poets so the Green Mill was a very important place for them as they have both preformed there and that it was also where they would be saying their vows the following night! Next we went to Montrose beach for some shots of them together and then finally to 90 Miles Cuban Cafe for their reception! So I would like to share with you some highlights of their day!
