Category: Wedding

Weddings are the beginning of a new life together.  For Tova and Jason, there was no better day to start then the cusps of a new year. On December 31, 2014, the two signed their ketubah, said their vows, and of course kissed at midnight as newlyweds.

Tova was absolutely stunning in her rosé champagne colored dress and sweet curls. The men were sharp in black tuxedos and bowties that no one could keep straight. A close family, both sides shared words of gratitude for the union during speeches. Jason’s sister couldn’t hold back tears when Tova turned for the first time in her dress, then after the ketubah was signed, and certainly during the ceremony.  At one point she said to me, “I’m going to be like this all day.”  But when it came time for her to join the band on stage for a draw dropping rendition of Etta James’s At Last, she kept the tears at bay as Jason and Tova danced to the very special serenade.

As the clock struck twelve, hugs and kisses were made all around, and the newlyweds began 2015 with hearts of love.

I get the chance to learn a little about my bridal clients the year leading up to their wedding.  Through phone calls, emails, and engagement sessions details about their love stories start to come out.  Wendy and Todd have such a charming tale of meeting and “remeeting.”  If you’re a local Chicagoan, especially a northsider, you might be familiar with a late night bar called Beaumonts in Lincoln Park.  It was while waiting in line at the very popular spot that Wendy first met the man she’d eventually marry.  After “dancing into the wee hours of the night,” Todd walked the lovely Wendy home like any gentleman should.  All was going well, Wendy even offered him her number as he bid her farewell.  The only problem, he forgot to unlock his phone as he type in her numbers (remember this WAS a late night).

Thankfully, Todd’s a resourceful man.  The very next morning, just around 7am Wendy received a facebook request from the dark haired man.  The following week they had their first date (at Starbucks) and have been together ever since!

When described Todd in this way, he is “super laid-back and brings a sense of calm to my sometimes anxious self.”

The two really compliment each other.  It was wonderful to see the smiles each brought to each other during their wedding!

Big thanks to my second, Michael Boyd for his help on this wedding, as well as these vendors:

Reception- Exmoor Country Club | Flowers-A Stem Above | Music- DJ Akib | Cake- Bent Fork Bakery | Hair/Makeup- Beauty on Call; Hair: Gina Scalpone; Makeup: Agata Piekarska | Transportation- Masters Transportation

On a perfect summer day, Amanda and Chris were married before their friends and family.  The occasion was everything they hoped for, “A BEAUTIFUL DAY! Classic and fun! Full of nature, family, friends, laughs, smiles, happy tears, dancing, food, drinks, and love!”  I can’t imagine Amanda looking more stunning.

Their romance began nine years ago when they first met as college students at the University of Illinois.  Throughout the years, the fun loving couple have made memories in Chicago, Baltimore, Australia, and Urbana Champaign. They’re happy to be in Chicago more permanently, enjoying their lakeside view with “the love of their lives,” Paulie, their cat.

A New Leaf Wedding Photography | Greg and Dalia’s cross-cultural ceremony.

One of the many reasons I love being a photographer is the chance to witness and capture important moments in my friends’ lives. Like Dalia and Greg, whom I met at the beginning of the summer, when I developed an instant adoration for the couple. Being their wedding photographer confirmed all my warm and fuzzy feelings I had for these two.  Throughout their day I say countless moments when they were bringing people together or making sure everyone was having a great time.  They are uniters, and it’s so great to be within their reach.

Greg and Dalia met during a less than ideal way when both their businesses burned down a few years ago.  Greg owns Chicago Bagel Authority and Dalia owns Milio’s, the hair salon just above his store (don’t worry, both have since been rebuilt and things are going great).  As unfortunate as the fire was at the time, they found a silver lining in their shared circumstances.  Soon these two business owners, creatives, and general fun lovers were engaged and ready for their ultimate party.

Their wedding incorporated elements from Dalia’s Assyrian Heritage, including a pay off from Greg’s mom in order for Dalia’s departure from her parents home, traditional dancing to a live horn and drummer, and shaking of a thin, ornately adorned fabric called the Yalekhta. It was such a blast!

Thanks to my second shooter Liz Dwenger for helping and all the great vendors who made it a perfect day, especially dear friends Chihsuan Yang and Matthew Santos, check out their amazing music here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHCYXy7EuyE

Venue & Florist – A New Leaf  | Catering – Limelight  | Dessert – Shatila Sweets | DJ Services –  Okyne media lab | Video: Cinaesthetic

I love getting to know my clients before their big day.  When Angela and I first met, I got a great feeling about her-confident and kind, she and David were a joy to photograph, starting with their engagement session.  Chatting with them the year leading up to their wedding, I developed a great deal of respect for this couple-both are attorneys, meeting in law school and becoming a dynamic force as partners in different projects together. During this past year of planning their wedding, they were living in different states (David’s been in California while Angela started her career in Chicago) and Angela also had to study for, then take,the bar exam in California, mere weeks before their wedding.  They handled everything with grace, keeping their focus on the joy they’d feel when the day finally arrived!

Their wedding, at the beautiful Riverside Reception in Geneva, was gorgeous, reflecting their love of architecture and nature.  We had a ball exploring the surrounding parks, snapping some super fun portraits along the river, before heading back for some amazing, hilarious, and touching speeches from friends and family.  It was a beautiful day, which achieved exactly what Angela and David set out to do, create a day that was “focused on our faith and our appreciation for our families and friends.”

Thanks to these amazing vendors for making it a great day!

Event Planning: You Name it Events | Photobooth: Conquest Entertainment | Florist: Freda Hsieh | Videography: Studio One Photography & Video | DJ: Show on the Road | Catering: Riverside Reception | Cake: The Cakery

Chicago wedding photos taken at Westin Chicago Northwest 

With each bridal client I work with, different words come to mind–fun, creative, classic, goofy.  When I think of this Westin Chicago Northwest wedding couple,  Caitlin and David, I think of kind. With Cate’s self-proclaimed “crying” family, I witnessed loving and well-natured parents, who raised her to be the same.  While David’s parent were just as kind, I saw in them where his fun-loving spirit comes from (see his mom taking a pull from a handle of whiskey) or Dad making moves tracks on the dance floor.

It was a beautiful wedding with a more beautiful bride!  I’m so honored to have been chosen to document this day for them!  Congrats Caitlin and David! Shout out to my sister company, Revealed Studios‘ makeup artist, Jaycie Kurfess for her amazing work on Caitlin’s hair and makeup!                                  
     
                 
                                                                                                    Big thanks to these vendors for making the day so great! Makeup/Hair: Jaycie Kurfess DJ/Photobooth: Music By Design   Florist: Kio Kreations Chair Covers: The Chair Couture Cake: Lovin’ Oven Rabbi Michael Zedek Ideal Transportation Management, LLC

It was their love for Hawaii, where the two were engaged and also planned to spend their honeymoon, that inspired Jenna and Chris’ wedding.  Their ceremony and reception incorporated the exotic flavors, colors, and feel of the tropics–from the aqua bridesmaid dresses, floral arrangements bursting with orchids, and soft, relaxed melodies, that, with closed eyes, could transport guests to the soft, white sand beach of honolulu.

In Jenna’s own words, Hawaii was a slice of heaven for her, so this was her way of bringing that same feeling to her family and friends. It was such a beautiful day, Jenna was simply stunning!  Big congrats to the happy newlyweds!

Kristin and Jason were married in a beautiful ceremony at the Danada House surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant flowers.  Their family and friends witnessed these two share their vows, during which a single tear fell from Kristin’s cheek, which her sweet groom gently wiped away.

It was a joy filled day, with tender embraces from their family and friends.  When it came time for it, the dj packed the dance floor with tunes that anyone would love wear their shoes out to.

Congrats Kristin and Jason!  So happy for you two!

Dominika and Matt were married before their dear friends and family at the gorgeous the Kemper Lakes Golf Course. Dominika spent many hours planning through the day, creating a theme of wine and cigars.  The vibrant, colorful flowers were arranged in old cigar boxes, the napkins were tied with corks, empty wine barrels created the entrance before the ceremony, all inspired by their shared love of good food, good wine, and good times!  Dominka and Matt are as kind as they are great as planning an amazing wedding.  It was such a pleasure capturing their day!

The two met while Dominika managed the residency Matt was living in.  She was interested in him for quite sometime, before finally approaching him on her last day on the job.  It’s a good thing she did!  It wasn’t long before they fell in love and we’re adopting two dogs together!

Congratulations Dom and Matt!  I’m so very happy for you!