Wedding Archives

Lindsey and Jon are married!

Lindsey and Jon’s wedding brought their closest family and friend’s together in celebration of their love. It was Jon’s grandfather, a retired pastor, who married the two. He spoke to the couple of the joy, beauty, and commitment of love. Friends and classmates at Garrett Evangelical Theology Seminary ushered guests to their seats, and one performed a song of worship that brought tears in the chapel.

From here, Lindsey and Jon will say goodbye to the Evanston campus and continue their journey in Michigan, where Lindsey will start her new pastoral position. Good luck to you both and warmest wishes to your lives together!

Lots of gratitude goes to my second, Michael Boyd. Thanks Michael!

Big Thanks to these vendors:

Florist: Flowers Flowers (Evanston, IL)

Cake: Rose’s Bakery and Oak Mill Bakery

Caterer: Hilton Garden Inn

Wedding Service: Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Chapel of
the Unnamed Faithful

DJ: Enchanted Evening

Dress: Tara Keeley

Tux: Men’s Wearhouse

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

by Maggie Rife Ponce

“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

Agustina and Johann’s Day After Portrait Session in Uyuni, Bolivia

by Maggie Rife Ponce

A few days after Agustina and Johann’s wedding, we jumped in a pickup truck with our guides, Joaquin and Dani, gas tank loaded on the back of the bed, and headed North. After two days of driving, we arrived in Uyuni, Bolivia. Llama farms dotted the countryside and locals sold hand woven fabrics along the road. After having a quick bite of local fare, we headed outside of town to the salt flats. This celestial terrain stretches for miles as far as the eye can see. The expanse of salt is remnants left over from what once was an ocean or sea.

On the dry cracked land, dressed in their wedding attire, I snapped pictures of the newlyweds. It was a beautiful setting for a couple that radiates. Thank you for having me along to document your wedding and experience Bolivia and Argentina!

A few Outtakes:Our guide Dani strikes a pose. He wanted to be a part of the portrait session. Dani and Joaquin smile for a photo.

Dani uses a stick and plastic tube to siphon gas into the tank. This was a first for me!

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

Stefanie + Andrew’s Belmont Harbor Engagement Session

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Andrew and Stefanie are a blue-eyed duo who share a love of travel (currently pinballing their way through Europe) and business (both recently finished University of Chicago-Booth’s graduate program). Stefanie looked radiant in her royal blue dress and Andrew made me smile and chuckle a bit when referencing poses from other e-sessions on my blog. I’m excited to hear tales from their most recent travels…and a little green with envy. I hope they took lots of pictures!

Andrew and Stefanie lake michigan belmont harbor engagement session by Maggie Rife Photography Inc.

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

Wedding Rings

Groom looks out window into sanctuary after the ceremony has supposed to start
Father-of-the-bride and bride prepare to procede down aisle

Bride and Father of the bride walk down the aisle

Flower girl looks around during the wedding ceremony

Bride smiles during the ceremony at husband

Bride hugs man

Bride smiles alongside groom after they were just married

groom checks iphone after ceremony

Detail of brides dress

Chicago-wedding-photographer-Lisa + Rob-Oak Park-Wedding-12

Bride holds veil so it won't blow away while crossing street

Waitress' open windows at the 19th century club in oak park

table setting at reception at the 19th century club in oak park

guest escape heat of reception outside on patio of the 19th century club

Couple feeds baby ice cream at reception at the 19th century club in oak park

Guest use photo booth during reception at the 19th century club in oak park

Bride and grooms first dance at the 19th century club

Groom dances with grand-daughter during reception at the 19th century club in oak park

Guest and bride dance at reception 19th century club in oak park

Guest and bride dance at reception at the 19th century club in oak park

Chicago-wedding-photographer-Lisa + Rob-Oak Park-Wedding-27

guest dance at reception at the 19th century club in oak park

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

by Maggie Rife Ponce

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

by Maggie Rife Ponce

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!