Swooning over this candlelit wedding at The Quadrangle Club

Photographed with Kelly Feldmiller under my sister company, Revealed Studios.

The ceremony was brief. Like five minutes brief. But in those five minutes, Akiko and David had everyone packed snuggling into the library at The Quadrangle Club on the campus of the University of Chicago welling up with tears.

There were no readings. There was no homily. The vows were short. This left little else to note (well, that’s not entirely true. the setting was breathtaking) other than a quiet sense of love between these two.

On getting to know the bride and groom.

Over the last year knowing Akiko and David, we’ve come to adore them. It’s hard not to. Incredibly thoughtful, kind, and easily disarming, we swooned right along with everyone else throughout their wedding. Like during a tug-at-your heart-strings moment when David open his gift from Akiko–Big Sur, a place they held dear, depicted through the painstakingly detailed, 1,000 miniature cranes she folded night after night while David traveled for work. Or the moment David’s sister, representing his late father, spoke at the reception about how clear it was they were meant for each other. We could go on, but wahhh, this is already bringing the tears back.

The vibe at The Quadrangle Club combined romance with abstract elements.

So, let’s get to the photos! We started at The Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, where the bride and groom were getting ready, then headed to the Science and Industry Museum and the campus of The University of Chicago, before ending at The Quadrangle Club. Definitely check out the decorations–a graphic designer by trade, Akiko’s vision, a stunning combination that was at once romantic and vintage and modern abstract, was brought to life by Juliet Tan Floral Design.

You can find the full list of vendors who made this wedding possible listed at the end of this post.

We hope you enjoy these as much as we do! xoxo-Maggie & Kelly

Interested in seeing more of our wedding photography?  Check out the links below and visit our dedicated wedding photography site for more information.

Vendors:

Hotel: Hyatt Regency McCormick Place

Chicago florist: Juliet Tan.

Wedding Venue: The Quadrangle Club

Band: Harlem Natural

A romantic, elegant wedding at Chicago’s University Club.

In a beautiful ceremony in downtown Chicago, Madison and Matt said “I do.”  They were radiant. It was hard to glimpse them without a smile, happy to finally make their nuptials official.

The decor was stunning thanks to the location and talents of florist Anthony Gowder Designs, Inc.  With all-white bouquets, candles floating in glass votives, and gold chevalier chairs, the effect was romantic and charming, the guests were nice and sophisticated and with great gifts from sites as Top9Rated.com.

It was a perfect day made even better because I got to photograph it all alongside my best friend and associate shooter at Revealed Studios, Kelly Feldmiller. It was so lovely to share the experience of capturing Matt and Madison’s wedding with her.

To see more wedding photos, click here.

Backyard wedding photography in Elkhart, Indiana

I met Dane about eight years ago while waiting for the Red Hot Chili Peppers to come on stage at Lollapalooza.   He was in the handicap section, sitting in a wheelchair after having surgery just before the festival and I was pressed against the fence separating him from the crowd. The wait for the rock band dragged on for hours, so eventually, we struck up a conversation.  After the show, we kept in touch via Facebook, using the site for years like modern-day penpals.  As happens in life, we eventually fell out of touch.

Our friendship started with social media, and it was social media that reconnected us.  When I joined Instagram a few years back I got to catch up on Dane’s life through pictures.  Most of his photos at that time were of his very handsome dog with a charming personality. After a while, a beautiful girl with a striking smile became peppered into the mix. That was Malee–the person who became his wife this past September.  From posts of her, I could see she was a kind and unique spirit. She complimented Dane’s energy…even enhancing it, like salt in a recipe.

When Dane called to ask me to photograph their wedding, I was completely surprised and touched.  It’d been years, but I still had a great fondness for my friend and was thrilled at the prospect to capture this special day for him.

The wedding was an intimate affair, taking place on their property along the river in Elkhart, IN. The guest list was small–close friends and family, the details handmade, and the vows were written by the couple.

Malee was even sweeter in person than I imagined. Dane was full of tears throughout the day, so happy and overwhelmed by it all.

Dane’s dad, his best man, gave a great speech, reminiscing about the first time he met Malee. He described it like a movie scene in which she speeds toward their dock on a wave runner,  backlit, with cottonwood seeds waft through the air behind her.

The first dances were touching for all.  Malee’s Dad made it through the whole song, before getting choked up at the very end. Dane’s mom danced like no one was watching, embracing her son with the love of a mother.

As though specially designed for the couple, the day was capped off with a breathtaking sunset-a perfect storybook ending.

Scroll down for all the photos from their backyard wedding.

Dane’s works on his vows only hours before the ceremony.

A traditional Iranian wedding at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Omid said he always admired Golli before they started dating, but when they fell in love, she blew away the vision he had of her in his mind.  After knowing each other for more than a decade and fostering a relationship across state borders, the couple couldn’t have been happier when they officially began their life together as husband and wife in a touching ceremony including Iranian traditions.

They were a joy to document for so many reasons, but especially because of their deep friendship and love for each other. Congrats Golli and Omid. I’m so happy for you two and wish you all the best!

A romantic setting for Megan and Dave’s wedding photos at Independence Grove

Megan and David met as freshman in college when David knocked on the door of her dorm room and invited Megan and her roommates to a party.  Over the course of four years, they became best friends.  David even became close to Megan’s family, but neither thought anything more of their relationship until senior year.  To their own surprise, they realized they both had feelings for each other, and with a foundation that makes for long and happy marriages, the two started dating.

Already in their time together they’ve experienced a great depth of human emotion, from the loss of parents to the joy of close friendship. They have an easy rapport with one another that makes those around them feel settled and balanced by their grounded relationship. I see this come through in so many of their pictures, especially those of them together outside and during their first dance. There’s pure affection in each of their eyes.

It’s a joy to see wonderful people commit to each other. I’m so happy for Megan and David and wish them a lifetime of happiness.

See all their wedding photos below and check out Independence Grove for your own wedding venue.

See more wedding posts below:

• Golli + Omid’s Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Wedding
• Akiko + David’s Quadrangle Club Wedding
• Madison + Matt’s University Club Wedding Photos

Cheers to these vendors for all their work making these wedding so lovely!

Florist:  Joseph’s Florist

DJ:  Elite DJs

Catering:  Catering by Micheal’s

Cake:  Oak Mill Bakery

Makeup:   Jenessa Blaine  

Hair:  Catherine Tsakalis 

Trolley:  Second City Trolley 

Dunham Wood’s Riding Club Wedding Photos

The scene looked almost like a fall day for Lauren and Matt’s summer wedding. I loved shooting their Dunham Wood’s Riding Club Wedding Photos in this enchanting outdoor venue.  Beneath a beautiful oak tree with fallen leaves dappling the grass, the two said “I do” after 11 years together. It was a very touching ceremony, officiated by the bride’s aunt. Happy tears were shed and family and friends were delighted to celebrate Lauren and Matt’s union.

What I love most about Liz and Sean is the way they look at each other.  These shared gazes back and forth, full of affection, come easily between the two.

Their relationship started virtually, over messenger at their workplace. It wasn’t long before their friendly chats carried the promise of something more. Soon they were out on dates in New York City, sharing stories of their shared alma mater, Villanova, and drinking margaritas.

When it came time to plan their big day, despite loving where they live, they envisioned a country rustic wedding in Liz’s hometown of Barrington Hills.  Everything came together better than imagined.  It was an absolutely perfect day for pictures and we were given access to the most charming farm, complete with horses and ducks grazing in the background. Could we have been any luckier?

I’ve loved getting to know Liz and Sean over the last year during phone chats and their amazing NYC engagement session last fall. They’re such a great couple, who make you feel like an old friend instantly.  I couldn’t be happier for them!  Congrats Liz and Sean.  I wish you all the best.

Big thanks to Tom Root, my second shooter on this wedding! And thanks to these vendors for their lovely work:

Toast & Jam – https://toastandjamdjs.com/

Lovin Oven Cakery – https://www.lovinovencakery.com/

Shuttle Bus – https://www.elitechicagolimo.com/

Hair and Make up – Amy Goodman & Brandi

It’s been so nice getting to know Ashley and Dan.  Ashley is this spunky, super smart, and completely warm person who feels like your longtime friend after only five minutes with her. Dan reminds me a little of a gentle giant, easy going, kind, and I gather from all the speeches, super loyal. They first met in high school through their sisters, who are close friends. Over the years two found themselves drawn back together.  I love the way they look at each other.  There’s such deep love between them.

Union Station St. Louis Wedding Photos

This wedding was a particular joy to photograph because the groom, Max, is my bff’s little brother. It was so special to see him marry the beautiful, talented, kind, and spunky Lia before their friends and family. Having known Max for nearly a decade, I couldn’t help choking up many times throughout the day–when he and Lia were both overcome as she walked down the aisle or when Max danced with his mom and stepmom in turn, a touching moment for their family.

The day wasn’t all happy tears, it was also filled with big time laughs and fun moments.  Like when the groomsmen sent Max sky-high during pictures, or a quick pit stop to toast over tequila shots that first brought the couple together.

It was inspiring  to shoot in a new city, criss-crossing St. Louis to various spots before arriving at the stunning Union Station. The gorgeous venue, once a working train station, now serves as a hotel and event center. It felt like I’d traveled back to the 1920’s as I took in the intricate art deco details, rich colors, and sprawling midway.

Lia, an incredible baker, embraced the romantic feel and created hundreds of desserts inspired by the space–from lemon wedges dusted with powdered sugar to blush colored macaroons, mini-chocolate and vanilla cupcakes and mouth-watering cookies, tiered on gold and crystal serving stands or arranged on vintage platters. I’ve never seen such a beautiful spread of desserts. The true piece-de-triumph though was the floating cake, designed and assembled by Lia. It was almost as breathtaking as the bride.

The day was just perfect. I’m so happy for Max and Lia, as well as both their families. Wishing you two many, many, many years of happiness.

Love,