Vibrant and colorful are immediately what come to mind when I think about Erika and Tem’s cross-cultural wedding. Tem is a Nigerian, so for the couple’s nuptials, they pulled from both her American and his African roots–combining classic traditions from each of their background.
I had such an amazing time documenting this wedding. from the colorful attire, to the energetic dance floor, it was a blast! Tem and Erika are the nicest couple and everyone made me feel like family! What an honor!
On a warm, spring day, Anna and Scott, couple of six years, married before friends and family in the beautiful, First Unitarian Church of Omaha, Nebraska with light spilling over them.
The decor was gold, black, and pops of cranberry. An elegant, mid-century modern feel, perfectly suited for the reception location at The Paxton Ballroom.
It was a special pleasure to photograph friends Anna and Scott’s nuptials. They’re such a sweet, grounded couple. I couldn’t be happier to document the day for them. Throughout the day I heard people say how kind, giving, reliable, and fun they are–cherished friends to so many around them. They’re a couple that are great individuals, but even better together! Congrats Anna and Scott!
On a wintery December Sunday, at Bond Chapel on University of Chicago campus, Tinie and Derek recited their handwritten vows to each other in front of an intimate group of close family and friends. As Derek made promises, to Tinie he slowly became more and more overcome with emotion until he leaned forward and gripped his soon-to-be wife in a tight embrace. I can’t imagine there was a dry eye in the chapel (including this photographer who definitely blinked away a tear or two).
The groom saves the day!
Following the ceremony, the couple darted out into the elements, were big puffy snowflakes fell, creating a fresh blanket of white. It was gorgeous, but for Tinie’s tiny feet, exposed in beautiful, open-toed shoes, quickly became too numb to walk. Derek did what anyone newbie husband would, he lifted his bride as though to carry her over the threshold, and skirted her to cover.
Reception at the Wyndham Grand
The reception was a joy-filled event. Family and friends celebrated the couple with touching speeches and live singing performance for their first dance.
The couple is both originally from the Philippines and only moved to Chicago within the last year. Many were unable to make the trip overseas for the wedding, so a video montage featured special appearances filmed in kitchens and bedrooms of friends and family back home, a touching and funny tribute to the couple.
All-stars and Fall colors for Laura and Danny’s Wedding at Independence Grove
Laura and Danny’s wedding was a perfect reflection of the couple’s fun-loving and laid back nature. The atmosphere was set in the morning while the girls got ready in “Risky Business” outfits complete with shades with a soundtrack of pop music. Everyone was so happy to celebrate these two, who met in college and have been dating for eight years.
All the details of the day were meticulously created by Laura, family, and friends. There were so many thoughtful elements, from a hand-sewn handkerchief embroidered with the date by Laura’s mom to Stetson whiskey (a tip of the hat to Danny’s last name). The reception at Independence Grove Forest Preserve was a full out dance party that just didn’t stop. All the girls of the wedding party even changed into all-stars to better bust their moves!
Congrats Laura and Danny! So happy for the two of you!
Thanks to these vendors who made the day possible:
Lindsay and Bob’s wedding day was full of family and friend’s celebrating their union. Lindsay’s sister honored her in a beautiful toast, remarking on her kind spirit. She noted how, even on her wedding day, Lindsay was thoughtful of others, choosing to where Toms’ shoes knowing someone else in the world would also receive a pair because of the purchase.
Bob’s best friend brought the house down, provoking belly laughs across the room with his dry wit.
There were also not one but two Irish wedding blessings, and fist pumping to the Illini fight song.
One of the best things about being a photographer is working with other amazing professionals, who in time, become close friends. I met Jaycie three years ago during a photo shoot for my sister portrait company Revealed Studios. Jaycie is local Chicago makeup artist brimming with talent, positive energy, and dedication. I’ve watched her grow her artistry from side work to a booming business. She is someone who makes people feel at ease immediately. That combined with great taste and a strong work ethic make her invaluable to us.
Throughout those three years, I heard bits and pieces about her relationship with a man named Bryan. Her face always lit up when she talked about him. The day she came in engaged she was beaming! Her eyes shown with joy and she was over-the-moon with excitement
The couple were married 10 years after they began dating. They’re love story began in high school and carried on through college, the beginning of their careers, a job change for Jaycie, the purchase of their home, and adoption of their dog Roy (featured in their engagement shoot).
Their wedding was such a celebration, bringing together their two families in honor of the couple. It’s apparent from the speeches given during the reception how many memories their friends and families share with each other. The love stretches beyond Jaycie, Bryan, and Roy, encompassing all their guests. Bryan’s Dad said their union was fate, I couldn’t agree more.
Congrats you two! I wish you many, many years of happiness!
Kate and Pat had not one, but two missed connections. In college, they lived on the same dormitory, but never met each other. They also studied abroad in Rome the same semester without knowing it. It wasn’t until at a friend’s party, during a game of euchre, that they finally made eye contact.
They were married on the same campus they played euchre. In the Madonna Della Strada Chapel at Loyola University they exchanged their vows, drawing tears from Pat’s sister and cheers from the guests after they sealed the deal with a kiss.
The two are self-professed Chicago lovers. Their dream was to be married in the city, so during their portrait session, we made sure to visit some of the most iconic spots in the city at museum campus, the terraces behind the Planetarium, and the Chicago River bridges. During the reception, we had the most beautiful sunset, which made a stunning backdrop for pictures on the lake. Then, to top it all off, we snuck off to the library for some fun pictures in the stacks. So much fun!
Big thanks to these vendors who helped make Kate and Pat’s wedding so special!
Cake by Bittersweet , Flowers by A Stem Above , Loyola University Chicago , Catering by Loyola , Make-up Artist: Tracee Badway, Hair Stylist: Dottie Salamone , Toast and Jam DJ’s
During Katie and Joel’s ceremony, the priest who married them mentioned, in prepping for their wedding, he took the opportunity to visit their facebook pages. What he found were dozen of images of the two together enjoying life by dressing up in various costumes; in one photo they wore feathered boas, another head-to-grow green; there were santa outfits, oversized sombreros, and hats made out of balloons. These two really love to have fun. In each other they found life long best friends and a partner ready and willing to go all out on any occasion.
When it came to their wedding day, I expected nothing less than that same 100% commitment to details. Katie looked divine, like a catalog bride. Joel was dapper in black. The bridesmaids were elegant in the color of summer 2013–coral. It was a beautiful affair with their closest friends and family members celebrating the union of two beloved people. Congrats Katie and Joel! Cheers to #Machoran!
Tina and Manny first caught sight of each other at a Starbucks on Taylor street. After running into each other again and again, they finally made plans for a date, which of course, started at that same Starbucks. After the date ended, Tina told her sister, “He’s a nice guy! He threw away my coffee cup for me.”
They two spent countless hours at that Starbuck’s studying beside each other, supporting one another through med school and CFA exams. After four years, they decided to commit to a lifetime of coffee drinking together!
Their wedding was a blast! Check below for descriptions of all their unique details and cultural traditions. Congratulations Tina and Manny! Cheers to a long and happy life together!
Also, big Thanks to Alex Matzke for assisting with this wedding! And a shout out to these vendors:
-Hair stylist: Heath and Company, DJ: DJ Sultan, Videographer: Sterling Wedding Cinema, Makeup: Justina Wiegel of Eventful Makeup
The two celebrated their nuptials with details special to their relationship-the table names were various Starbuck’s drinks, their candy table was a nod to their sweet tooth’s, and their location, a beautiful winery in Michigan, was chosen a mutual love of nature. The event was a multicultural affair, weaving in traditions from their background, including the Mexican Lazo ceremony followed by a traditional Persian ceremony. When you see the women holding the canopy above their heads in the pictures, that is part of a blessing where loved ones sprinkle sugar over them to bring sweetness to their marriage.
The Sofreh Aghd is a wedding spread, decorated with flowers and set with a luxurious spread for the couple.
The reception included additional cultural traditions, including a knife dance (Manny did his best to steal the cutlery from Tina’s dancing friend’s, before eventually having to pay them off); and a Mexican chair dance, where female guests first tried to knock Tina off the chair, followed by the males attempting the same. Things moved fast, but Manny held tight and triumphed! None-the-less, the gents got the best of him, tipping him onto his back and tossing him high in the air to huge cheers by onlookers!