Categories: Wedding

It started with a game of pool and ending in a marriage: Rose and Stu’s Chicago wedding at The James Hotel

I get really excited by beautiful light and graphic elements when shooting.  I love the way light will carve out a detail, reveal it’s shape, and accentuate human emotion.  You can imagine my joy when I stepped into the room Stu and and his groomsmen were “getting ready” in.  Mostly they were playing pool, passing around old high school pics, and orchestrating a round of five-hour energy shots.  Stu’s such a great, laid back guy, and his buddies were just as cool.

When it was time for the first look, Stu and I made our way downstairs to wait in the lobby.  I could sense his excitement.  Every 30 seconds or so he’d cast a glance over my shoulder at the stairway to see if Rose was on her way down yet. When she did tap his shoulder from behind, a grin the size of Texas spread across his face, proving, as his speech would claim later, he was the happiest man alive that day.

Rose and Stu’s wedding was so beautiful.  The Hotel (The James), the church (Holy Name Cathedral), the details!  It was all amazing.  The DJ totally rocked it out.  I couldn’t keep myself from dancing.  She had me at Hot chip. Muchas Gracias Steve Koo!  It was great to shoot with you, as always!






Maggie Rife Ponce

Maggie Rife Ponce is the owner of Rife Ponce Photography. She specializes in day-in-the-life family photography, chicago wedding photography, and portrait photography.

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Maggie Rife Ponce

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