Wedding: Gina + David – Elmhurst/Oak Brook, IL 6/1/13

When I first met Gina and David I instantly knew that I like them. They are a fun easy going couple and their wedding day certainly reflected that. They got married at Epiphany Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elmhurst and their reception was at Pinstripes in Oak Brook. At our first meeting they were telling me about the reception and I’d heard of the other Pinstripes locations, but wasn’t familiar with the Oak Brook….. it turns out that’s because it wasn’t even built yet! They booked before the Oak Brook location even opened! I was excited about the fun possibilites for bowling and bocce photos and it didn’t dissapoint!

This June seems to have been the rainiest on record for years and June 1st was no different. Despite some showers in the am we managed to get through the majority of the day rain free. We were dodging sprinkles and dark looming clouds during our photo time. We managed to make it to our second stop when they sky decided to open up and it started pouring rain. It was a mad dash to the cars with all of our gear. I did manage to snap one photo of the couple making a run for it which was one of my favorites of the day…. not posed…. just spur of the moment, running in rain and still smiling from ear to ear!

Congratulations again to Gina & David and thank you for allowing me to be a part of your day!

Ceremony: Epiphany Evangelical Lutheran Church – Elmhurst, IL

Reception: Pinstripes – Oakbrook, IL (Thanks to Laura and her team for being amazing!)

Hair Stylist: Jennifer Ward

Flowers: Town and Country Gardens

Cake: La La Li Bakery & Patisserie

Bridal Gown and bridesmaids dresses: The Crystal Bride

Tuxes: Gentleman’s Quarters Formalwear

DJ : Matt with A Posh Production

Photography : Becky Brown Photography

Gina’s half brother and his wife were nice enough to let all the girls get ready at their house that’s just a couple blocks from the church. Even better for me was that their front room was blue which matched the wedding colors!

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Gina’s dad and brother stopped by right after she had gotten in her dress…. love these reactions!

We headed out to the gorgeous backyard for some photos with the girls before heading to the church.

In case you haven’t noticed yet Gina is an identical twin 🙂

I headed over to the church to meet the guys for a few shots before the ceremony.

Ceremony time!

epiphany evangelical

From there we headed to downtown Elmhurst for some photos near the York Theatre!

Chicago suburbs wedding photographer

Chicago suburbs wedding photography

And then we made it to the park for about 5 photos before the downpour came….

RUN FOR IT!!!!!

We arrived at Pinstripes and I was soaked from head to toe haha. After drying off a bit we heading into the bowling alley for a few fun shots during cocktail hour.

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Chicago suburbs wedding photographer

Some of the reception details before everyone got in the room.

Chicago wedding photography

Chicago wedding photographers

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A Notre Dame Wedding : Elizabeth and Andy – South Bend, IN 5/11/13

I have been so excited about this wedding since the moment I met Elizabeth and Andy! They were getting married at the GORGEOUS Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of Notre Dame which has been on my list of places I wanted to shoot. And it made it even better that they are an amazingly sweet couple who are surrounded by wonderful friends and family. It seems as though it’s basically a sport to try to book your wedding there!

You may remember them from their engagement session in Chicago last August (you can see that HERE). I drove down to South Bend the day before to scout out some locations on campus. Although I’d been there before, it had been years. Although the morning of their wedding was a little cold and drizzling rain, it cleared up beautifully in time for our portraits on campus. Everything was starting to bloom and it was gorgeous no matter where you turned. I could shoot on this campus every day and be a happy photographer!!!

Here are a few from their their amazing wedding day! Congratulations again to Elizabeth and Andy!

Ceremony: Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, IN

Reception: South Bend Country Club

Flowers: Poppies by Polly

Hair and Makeup : Salon Nouveau

Cakes: Mrs. T’s Bakery – Bremen, IN

Bride and Bridemaid’s dresses: David’s Bridal

Tuxes: Tommy Hilfiger

DJ: In- Tune DJ Service

The lace hankerchief was Elizabeth’s something old and something borrowed. It was brought back from Poland on Andy’s side of the family many years ago and his mother let Elizabeth borrow it for her wedding day 🙂 On the right is the bracelet that was a gift to all the bridesmaids.

Her mom gave her a St. Mary’s pin to put on her bouquet. Gotta represent your alumni!

Time to get the dress on!!!

And then I was off to meet the guys on campus for some shots before the ceremony!

Ceremony time! See what I mean about how gorgeous this place is?!!!

Time for photos on campus!

What’s a wedding at Notre Dame without a stop at the Grotto?

And off to the neighboring Saint Mary’s campus for a few!

Off to the reception! The couple chose to have an individual cake on each table in a variety of flavors. Their table numbers (that Elizabeth made) included a photo of each of them when they were that age. Super cute!

Andy is an identical twin and his brother gave one of the best one liner’s I’ve heard in a best man speech ever. I’m sure I can’t do it as much justice, but it went a little something like this – “Since we’re twins people always ask us if we used to pull practical jokes and switch places as kids, but we weren’t good liars it so it never worked out. ….But I have to say we sure picked one hell of a day to pull it off!”

This is the photos of the speech and the next image is his parents reaction… classic 🙂

I always try to sneak outside at sunset if I can. This was one of the best! Although it involved me driving to drive a golf cart to the lake, while holding my gear and trying not to get attacked by ducks and swans it was totally worth it!

And back to the reception!

And of course there was a Fighting Irish hand puppet at the reception!

They also had a “Sweet Home Chicago” table full of goodies from Chicago based companies such as Wrigley’s and Garret’s Popcorn!

And lastly me with the wonderful couple!

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A City Wedding : Emma and Michael – Chicago, IL 4/27/13

Finally spring decided to show up for Emma and Michael’s late April wedding! It was a gorgeous 60 degree sunny day in Chicago – the perfect setting for their downtown wedding. Although they are now living in St. Louis, they chose to get married in Chicago where they used to live and had fallen in love.

I met everyone in the morning for hair and makeup with the amazing team of Jody and Christina from Tamara Makeup and Hair Artistry. The ceremony was at the gorgeous  and historic Holy Family Parish where Emma walked down the aisle in her custom made gown by Victoria Sdoukos . From there we stopped in the West Loop area for photos and the iconic Chicago Board of Trades.  Then it was off to the gorgeous reception at Hotel Allegro. KT and her team there did an AMAZING job. The venue was perfection with flowers from Stemline Creative and cake from Alliance Bakery. Dustin with Style Matters kept the place rocking all night! Thank you to my assistant Robyn for being amazing as always!

Congratulations to Emma and Michael and thank you again for allowing me to capture your wedding day!

Chicago wedding photographer

Chicago wedding photographer

Meanwhile in the guys room…..

Hotel Allegro wedding

Man cave at hotel allegro

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Time to put the dress on!!!

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Victoria sdoukos dress

Time for the ceremony!

Chicago wedding photographer

Wedding photographers in Chicago

Wedding photographers in chicago

chicago wedding photographer

wedding photographers in west loop

And then it was back on the trolley to head to Chicago Board of trades

Board of trades wedding

Board of trades wedding

Chicago wedding photographer

Time for the reception at Hotel Allegro!

During Cocktail hour guests were encouraged to leave their thumbprints and sign creating leaves on the tree and a wonderful piece of art!

I’m declaring this guy the winner of the dance off…..

And lastly me and newlyweds!

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