Chicago Wedding and Elopement Photographer

The One When Brandon Wed Shital: 7/12/19

May 12, 2021

I haven’t blogged since July 2020. I don’t even know what to say about it. I had a crazy busy 2019 and then it spread into 2020 with the busiest February ever (all the 2/2020 dates) so things got behind to say the least.

And then Covid happened and I just shut down. At first I thought “Oh great, I’ll catch up on blogging”. But the longer it went on, the harder and harder it was to go back and look at these happy joyous carefree weddings not knowing when I would be able to do my job again. So I just didn’t do it. And when we finally reopened I was so busy with the elopement side of my business that I once again just put it off.

So here we are. There is no way I’ll ever catch up on every single wedding or session I haven’t blogged, but I want to make an effort to get back into it. I’m going to share a few from 2019 at some of my favorite venues or places that I hadn’t photographed before.

We’re jumping back into it with Brandon and Shital’s brunch wedding at Little Goat. These two are big Friends fans (see their engagement session HERE). So of course they incorporated some of that into their wedding day. They had coffee in the morning and watched part of an episode before getting ready. The programs for the day were titled “When Brandon Wed Shital” and there were of course a couple shout outs in their vows to some favorite lines!

Shital wore a pearl necklace that Brandon’s grandmother wore on her wedding day as her something borrowed. They opted for a brunch event and I asked them earlier in the day what they were most looking forward to and without hesitation they both said “Pancakes!” haha.

They ended the celebration with a choreographed dance and some toasts from their nearest and dearest. It was the perfect day!

Venue: Little Goat Diner – Hidden Goat

Flowers: Christine Janda Design & Events

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Intimate Chicago Cultural Center Wedding: Azaria + Ray 6/15/19

July 20, 2020

One of the best kept secrets in Chicago is that you can get married at the Chicago Cultural Center for just $10!! (well not in 2020, but hopefully again in 2021).

That’s right. One Saturday of each month 10 lucky couples get married on Saturday morning as the gorgeous Chicago Cultural Center instead of doing City Hall. I will say it’s pretty competitive to get a spot for this as you have to schedule it and they go fast, but it’s a gorgeous space that usually costs thousands to use!

Azaria and Ray were joined by their immediate families for their ceremony (you’re allowed 20 people for these ceremonies). We had some fun waiting our turn watching all the happy couples coming out before them. And before we knew it, it was their turn. A judge is present to marry the couples, just like they do at city hall.

Post ceremony we explored the building and of course took some with the gorgeous Tiffany dome. It was raining so we opted to stick around there a bit longer instead of our other outdoor stop. Azaria went for a quick dress change and we headed to River Roast for their brunch. The rain briefly stopped so we popped out to the Lasalle Bridge right outside and did a few photos there as well.

Congratulations to the newlyweds!

** Unfortunately COVID has cancelled this option for 2020, but we hope it will return next year.

Ceremony: Chicago Cultural Center

Reception: River Roast

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Chicago Botanic Garden Wedding : Victoria + Mick 6/14/20

June 10, 2020

Since it’s their almost one year anniversary, it’s about time I blogged this gorgeous wedding!

I have known Victoria since our IU volleyball days where she played on the varsity team and I played on the club team. We would occasionally scrimmage together and became friends over the years! I was thrilled when she reached out to me about photographing her wedding day. And got to meet up with Mick beforehand and see how amazing they are together. Shout out to OK Cupid!

Although I’ve photographed a couple of sessions out at Chicago Botanic Gardens I had been wanting to do a wedding here forever! The grounds are so beautiful that there are almost TOO many places to go for photos. I met the girls at their hotel while Mysi hung out with the guys.

We arrived at the gardens for a first look with the couple and then spent some time strolling around with everyone for photos before their ceremony in the English Walled Garden. It’s one of my favorite spots there. They said their I do’s and the champagne was popped…. with a saber! They snuck off with their wedding party for a quick drink and private dance before rejoining everyone.

Most of the day was perfect for an outdoor event. Not scorching hot, not too cold or windy and some clouds in the sky. After cocktail hour guests moved to the tent for the reception. And just in time as it started raining shortly after! Which made for some fun for the kids playing out in it and a few really cool rain photos at the end.

I loved that they named their tables after places that were special to them. And everyone enjoyed a special serenade before the dancing started. The tent was still rocking when we headed out!

Congrats to the newlyweds. Enjoy some (ok a lot) of photos below and the largest bridal bouquet I’ve ever photographed!

Ceremony and Reception Location: Chicago Botanic Gardens

Flowers: Flowers for Dreams

Wedding Planner: Michelle Teta

Band: TVK Orchestra

Videography: Amor in Motion

Hair & Makeup : Rare Bird Beauties

Second photographer: Mysi Grubbe