chicago wedding photography Archives - Rife Ponce Photography

Lindsay and Bob’s Wedding Day Story

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.

Congrats Lindsay and Bob!

Cheers to these vendors!

Mark Rankin DJ Chicago ; Cake-Gladstone Bakery ; Florist-The Flower Studio ; Dress-Vannesa’s modern bride

Kate and Pat’s nuptials at Loyola University

by Maggie Rife Ponce

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

Married! Katie + Joels’s nuptials

by Maggie Rife Ponce

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!

Engagement Session in Highland Park

by Maggie Rife Ponce

On a perfect sumer evening, I drove down a willow tree lined driveway to meet Laura and Danny for their engagement session. After parking, I grabbed my cameras, then hopped out of my car to take in the property. In one direction, ducks paddled slowly across a pond and in another, chickens pecked away in their coop. I was blown away–Laura and Danny picked out this beautiful, country estate, a place Danny visited with his family growing up. Shortly after I arrived, the two walked out from a nearby barn, “Hi guys! Wow, this place is AMAZING! Great choice.”

The setting was perfect for a laid back couple, who love the outdoors. It even came with a friendly pooch who couldn’t resist popping into a few pictures, making the scene all the more charming.

Laura and Danny were great–comfortable with each other and casual throughout the session. They laughed when the horse on the property sauntered over and nuzzled them up from their blanket and eagerly climbed the fence for a picture against the vivid sunset.

Tina and Manny’s Vineyard Wedding Willow Harbor Vineyards in Michigan

by Maggie Rife Ponce

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!

A New Leaf Wedding – Erin + Alister’s nuptials

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Erin met Alister in 1992 when he flew from Amsterdam to Chicago with his family. More than a decade later in 2010, they reunited in Amsterdam while Erin was traveling with her sister. From there, it was long distant phone calls, flights back and forth, and skyping at odd hours until Allister proposed. When she said yes, he sold his flat and moved to Chicago to live with his bride and plan their wedding (the last of the year at A New Leaf-lucky them!)

The day was just lovely, marked with tearful speeches and raucous laughter. Cheers, Erin and Allister!

Congrats Erin and Allister!

An Assumption Catholic Church Wedding and Swiss Hotel Reception – Guy and Jen’s nuptials

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Each wedding I photograph, I always ask the couples for their story. Here is Guy and Jen’s “Jen and Guy met at Will’s Northwoods Inn in Chicago, IL on October 22, 2008. Jen was at Will’s playing in a Euchre league and Guy was there interviewing people for an internet video. Guy stopped Jen to question her about playing Euchre in the bar adorned with dead animals on the walls but eventually the interview led to him asking if she had a boyfriend. The answer was “no,” so the segment continued. After the interview wrapped up, Guy was too nervous to ask Jen out so he sent his friend over to read her a note which asked Jen to join him for a steak dinner. The note included Guy’s phone number so it was up to Jen to call if she was interested.

After going on a lot of bad dates, Jen wasn’t sure about this strange dude with a video camera she just met at a bar but her friend Amanda encouraged her to go for it. So she did.

Jen and Guy went on their first date on October 30, 2008 at Piece Pizzeria. The date started at 7pm and lasted until after 2am – the two going through numerous pints of beer and an entire pizza. They even sang karaoke to Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.”

Almost three years later, on October 1, 2011, Guy proposed to Jen in Cincinnati, OH on the Roebling Bridge – a spot they walk to every year when Jen takes Guy to a Bengals game for his birthday.”

Thank you, Jen and Guy for sharing your story! Congratulations and best wishes!

A Prairie Productions Wedding – Engy and Jason’s nuptials

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Amongst bright pops of orange and green, draping fabric, and smiling faces, Engy and Jason shared their vows in a short, but heart felt ceremony at Prairie Production in Chicago, Il. Afterward, Jason wiped away a few stray tears from Engy’s cheeks. Later, in the night, Engy would say to me how overwhelming and emotional those thirty minutes were.

The glass brick walls and white walls of the space illuminated guest’s eyes, creating a twinkle in their jovial expressions. During the speeches, Engy’s maid of honor sang her message a capella to the rhythm of Train’s–Soul Sister. Her two step routine and bended-knee finale delighted the audience, ALMOST as much as the frozen yougart brought in shortly after.

Then to the trolly, where the wedding party lip synched to Kesha, Bieber, and Gaga. In between versus, they jumped off the trolly, making pit stops at Bansky’s falling carriage, the Chicago Board of Trade, and North Avenue Beach before ending the night at Sushi Samba. What a blast! My second, Tom Root, and I had so much fun with this crew! Thanks Engy and Jason! You two are great. All the best to you both!

Jason’s mom and sister check out the wedding dress.

Engy’s Mom greets her for the first time on their wedding day. First look time.
The String Quartet played Little Mermaid.Jason’s Mom lit a candle in memory of his Father.

Frozen yougart bar! So good!

Jillian + Michael-Married! Arlington Heights Wedding

by Maggie Rife Ponce

I first hung out with Jillian and Michael taking their engagement pictures in downtown Chicago. I titled their blog post, “Jillian and Michael are all smiles during their engagement session.” We’ll the same was true for their wedding day. This couple, who met in high school while living on cad corner blocks were so so happy to finally say their vows. As I took their pictures throughout the day, I was touched by their deep friendship with each other, and how generous and kind they were to everyone around them. I’m so happy for them; Jillian and Michael, many blessings to you both.

Big thanks to Tom Root, my second for the day!

Jennifer and Jason’s Rockefeller Chapel Wedding Photos

by Maggie Rife Ponce

So much love! See all of Jennifer and Jasons’ Rockefeller Chapel Wedding Photos

Jennifer and Jason’s wedding took place at the stunning Rockafeller Chapel on S. 57th in Chicago. The location was breathtaking, as was the bride. The reception was held at the historically classic, University of Chicago’s Quadrangle Club, where guests were able to play pool during the cocktail hour, before heading upstairs for dinner.

The highlight of the night for me was the father-daughter dance where Jen and her Dad lip-sang together while dancing to The Bangles “Eternal Flame.” At one point, friends and family even started waving candles back and forth rock concert style to the heartfelt ballad.

Congrats Jen and Jason! I’m thrilled for you two! You’re a wonderful, kind pair. It was a delight being a part of your wedding day!