details Archives

Patti and Alfred’s Winter Wedding at Old St. Mary’s

“We have been a couple since before either of us was of a legal drinking age. We met at the recreation center of our college.”

Eleven years later, the couple, who scored higher than anyone EVER for knowing the other best in their marriage preparation class, sealed the deal. This self-described quiet, introverted couple, said their vows in an intimate winter ceremony in front of their immediate family and very close friends.

In an e-mail to me before their wedding, Patti wrote, “we really just enjoy each other’s company.” I could see this from our first meeting. They laugh easy, and seem utterly comfortable with each other. It was a joy to see them marry and celebrate at their reception afterwards.

I have to give the couple props (especially Patti-you’ll see why in the pictures) for bearing the cold during their portrait session. They were troopers! Thankfully, their reception was quite cozy at the Keith House also known as the Prairie Avenue Gallery. In this beautiful building in one of Chicago’s historical districts, they shared in laughs, cheers, dancing, and even a little karaoke! Congrats Patti and Alfred. All the best to you both!

I’d like to give a big shout out to the following vendors:
Cake: Amy Beck’s Cake Designs. cakes@amybeckcakedesign.com

Caterer: Maisondbarranco22@yahoo.com

Florist: Flowers-Flowers. www.flowers-flowers.comjoanne@flowers-flowers.com

Venue: Prairie Avenue Gallery – Keith Houseevents@prairieavenuegallery.com

Black Hearts Hair House- 773.525.4344

Makeup Artist: Esther Soto-esther.soto@yahoo.com

Bride’s Dresses:

Ceremony Dress – Allure Bridal

Reception Dress – David’s Bridal

Bride’s Maids Dresses-David’s Bridal

Tuxes: Formally Modern Tuxedo

Lindsay and Matt Married at Howes Memorial Chapel in Evanston

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Lindsay and Matt’s wedding was full of International flair and cultural tradition. Their love for travel and learning was expressed through their details. Guests arriving to the wedding, picked up small blue programs that looked just like a passports. They were charmed during the ceremony by a guitarist playing one of Lindsay’s favorite acoustic melodies. Family and friends were introduced to a Afrocentric marriage tradition during the Yoruba tasting ritual, representing four elements of marriage. The ceremony shows that despite hardships within a marriage, represented as sour, bitter, and spicy, there is sweetness overall.

At the reception, a collection of Brazilian musicians created drum heavy beats for guests to dance too. Above the sambaing crowd, hung rows of white Mexican paper decorations, and behind the dance floor, a dessert table was covered with an assortment of Italian cookies. Chiwara figurines, a tradition of the Bambara people of Mali were the cake toppers. Lindsay’s father hand carved the pair of antelope that represent renewal, abundance, and teamwork.

Lindsay and Matt brought their love for culture and travel to their wedding. It was truly a distinct, unforgettable experience. Congratulations to you both!

Also, quick shout out to my second Tom Root. Thanks for all your help!

Cake: Janet Lee, Flour Cake & Pastry –flourcakeandpastry.com/

Makeup/Hair: Angelica Rivera, Tigerlilie Salon-www.tigerlilie.com/

Musicians:

Luciano Antonio–www.lucianoantonio.com/

Felipe Fraga-www.felipefraga.com

Geraldo de Oliveira-www.geraldodeoliveira.com/

Reception: Campagnolawww.campagnolarestaurant.com

Second: Tom Root www.tomroot.blogspot.com

Becky + Darnell’s Arlington Heights Wedding

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Becky and Darnell were married 30 minutes outside of Chicago in Arlington Heights, IL. I was able to spend sometime with the couple a little before their wedding during theirengagement session. They’re fun, funny, and kind people. I love Becky’s easy going laugh and Darnell’s quiet sense of humor.

Their day was full of family-including three lovely flower girls who wooed myself and second shooter Tom Root. They were Becky’s little helpers dressed like mini-me’s in layered white fabric. One of my favorite moments was when Becky captured their attention, and like magic, had them all sitting patiently as she spun them a fairytale-patiently for two minutes, but hey, that’s a lot for a day full of hustle and bustle!

Big thanks to Tom Root who seconded with me on this one!

Caterer: Heba-Hilton Rosemont

Florist: CR Flowers

DJ-Something 2 Dance 2

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

by Maggie Rife Ponce

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!

Groomsmen at The James Hotel pool table Groom looks through old high school photos Groom hangs with buddies before wedding
Detail shot of rings in bookshelf Old high school pictures of the groom and friends Bride walks down stairs of The James Hotel in Chicago Illinios Bride and Grooms first look at The James hotel in Chicago Illinois Bridal Party in downtown chicago Groomsmen adjust cufflinks of the groom Groomsmen relaxes before wedding Bride sits in waiting before the wedding ceremony Bridesmaid sits with daughter sleeping in lap Bride and bridesmaids take elevator to sanctuary Mother of the bride adjust the bride's veil before the ceremony Bride and Family wait before the ceremony Detail of a sanctuary in chicago illinois at the Holy Name Cathedral Bridal party places fabric over bride and groom during ceremony at the Holy Name Cathedral Detail shots during the sanctuary of the Holy Name Cathedral Bride and Groom make offering to Virgin Mary at the Holy Name Cathedral Bride and Groom kiss after their marriage Stained-glass window of Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois Guest of wedding blows bubbles after the ceremoy Portrait of flower girl outside of wedding Cartoon name and table assignment Details for Stu and Rose's wedding at the James Hotel Candle and Table setting
Details for the reception at the James hotel tree
Detail of the Cake fiddle heads the james hotel
Dancing at the reception at the James hotel in chicago illinois
mother of the bride and mother of the groom share a moment while dancing Detail of the cityscape wall at the james hotel Flower girl holds up dollar bill to the groom during the dollar dance Groom taking the garter off

It was a hot affair…literally, but tons of fun!

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Come rain or high water, nothing could keep Lisa and Rob from walking down the aisle and having an amazing party afterwards. Nearly seven inches of rain fell in the early morning hours of their wedding day. The downpour flooded the interstate and cut power, creating obstacle after obstacle for the couple.

How did they handle it? With an amazing sense of humor and unwavering optimism. They kept a smile even after learning their reception hall, the 19th Century Club in Oak Park, was operating on a single generator and would not be able to run the air conditioner – clearly the time to call specialists from HVAC repair from http://topcoolingguys.com. At one point in the night, Rob said, “Well, it makes for a memorable story and interesting pictures.”

Gotta love their attitude!

Guests were all in good cheer, slurping down ice cream before it melted and dancing till they sweat…well…ok, maybe they were already “glistening,” but everyone still cut a run. It just goes to show how good energy is contagious! Thanks Lisa and Rob for bringing it, and of course, the fantastic Steve Koo, whom I photographed alongside for this wedding!

Bride looks up at wedding dress while getting ready