Lindsay and Matt Married at Howes Memorial Chapel in Evanston

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

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

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 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

Laura + Doug=Married at A New Leaf. Pit stop at The Bean!

A friend and amazing travel photographer Laura McGlone was married last week in a Buddhist ceremony to Doug, her travel partner, friend, and love.

Laura was a stunning bride with a smile stretched across her face the entire time.

The two met while traveling through Southeast Asia. Their immediate connection was strengthened through Skype conversations and meet-ups in either Canada, where Doug lives, Chicago, or other countries like most recently Mexico over Christmas.

Their ceremony was held at A New Leaf. I couldn’t imagine a place more perfect for them to exchange vows. In the courtyard full of flowers, trees, and potted plants, a Buddhist monk lead guest in 15 minutes of meditation. The energy in the room was directed toward Laura and Doug, wishing them “peace, happiness, and love”.

It was a beautiful ceremony. I was especially moved by their handwritten vows. The intimate glimpse into their relationship was very special.

Laura’s mother read one of my favorite poems by Kahlil Gibran from The Prophet:

Love one another, but make not a bond of love
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each other’s cup, but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread, but eat not from the same loaf.

Sing and dance together and be joyous,
but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone
though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping;
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.

And stand together yet not too near together;
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

The Marriage of Linda + Steve

Linda and Steve are a radiant couple. They’re a pair everyone wants for best friends. With their easy smiles and joyful, generous spirits, it’s no wonder person after person sang their praises.

Thanks to Laurie Peacock for bringing me on as her second. As always, we had a blast while shooting. It was the first of the season for us together, but many more to come!