Settle in for this blog post, because it’s going to be a long one. You may remember Ryan and Maryna from their amazing engagment session (you can see that HERE). I knew this wedding was going to be blast since I basically knew the entire wedding party. My boyfriend is long time friends with Ryan and a groomsman in this wedding. So I knew Ryan before he even met Maryna.  I have to say that as soon they started dating  you could tell he was head over heels for her!  And I’d say he chose wonderfully because Maryna is one of the sweetest people I’ve met!

I am lucky to have gotten to know her better as they dated as well as some of her awesome friends (since I already knew most of Ryan’s friends).  It’s not often that I shoot a wedding in which I’m involved in all the pre wedding activites, but I’m thinking maybe I should crash these events because it’s so fun to know everyone beforehand! Hilary and I spent some quality time together at the bridal shower as myself and Michelle tried to make her a wedding gown out of toilet paper… it didn’t go well haha. And I attended the tasting with them and a few others to narrow down choices. It doesn’t hurt that I live a street over from the venue haha. I attend the rehearsal (which is rare as half the time I have shoots the night before a wedding), so I got to meet the church coordinators and Sandy from Splendid events the night before to make sure we had all the final details squared away.

When the wedding day rolled around I knew it was going to be amazing! We started the day at Club Quarters hotel where everyone was getting ready before the ceremony at St. James. From there it was trolley time for some photos in the West Loop near the Kinzie Bridge. I love the contrast of this area! A quick stop at Lincoln Park and we were off to the reception at Salvatore’s.  I remember talking about venues with Maryna when they first got engaged and they wanted something ” Old Chicago” . I think they nailed with Salvatore’s! It’s an amazing intimate venue nestled in Lincoln Park with wonderful Italian food that has been in business for decades. These two didn’t stop smiling and laughing the whole day and the photos of the toasts are very true to how they are all the time.  Guests traveled from all over the world to be there and it was very apparent how surrounded by love these two are.

Thank you so much to Ryan and Maryna for allowing me to capture your wedding day! I look forward to watching your relationship grow and probably sharing many bottles of wine together in the future! Cheers!

** A special thanks to Michelle and Amanda for helping me with some lighting after I let my assistant leave!

Ceremony: St. James Lutheran Church

Reception: Salvatore’s Restaurant

Event Planner: Splendid Weddings and Events LLC

Assistant Photographer : Sami Bowden

Videographer: Denise with 1st Wedding Video Productions

Florist : Allure Floral Design

Transportation: Windy City Trolley

Cocktail Hour Music : Di Arte Entertainment

DJ : Mark Rankin with DJ Chicago

Cake : Oak Mill Bakery

Yes they unknowingly bought each other the same pre-wedding card!

A bonus of having two photographers is that we were both able to capture these moments!

Ryan might kill me for posting this photo, but I love it 🙂

Loved that the girls wore different color and styles – so cute!

My favorite image below 🙂

Of course I can’t resist this photo of my bf …. he’s pretty cute 🙂

This next series is devoted to the Maid of Honor Hilary… way to get that bouquet girl!

That’s mean you’re next right?!!…. I might know a photographer  😉

Congrats to Michelle and Don who just got engaged!!

Ryan is about to get serious about this flash mob!

I literally laughed out loud when I got to this photo during editing… thank you Doug for being awesome!