Meet Stefanie and Chris! I think I feel in love with these two the first time I met them for coffee. They are so much fun and so full of love and laughter. I cannot wait for their June 2015 wedding! But in the meantime we got together for some engagement photos at Northerly Island and Museum Campus with a final stop for some night photos at Buckingham Fountain. I seem to be spending a lot of quality time there lately, but it is an amazing city view!
Here are some of my favorites from their session!
And then we got photobombed by a segway tour……
Brace yourselves for an abundance of yellow and laughter!!! This wedding was so much fun. I think my cheeks hurt by the end from so much smiling and laughing!
We started the day at Hotel Lincoln for some getting ready photos and first look. Our videographer friends from Love’s Reel were with us for this wedding so it’s always a guaranteed good time! I love this funky boutique hotel in Lincoln Park! And luckily for us it is in walking distance to south pond and the nature boardwalk at the park because we had a “bit” of a transport situation haha. It’s not a good sign when the party bus driver calls to say he’s stuck in traffic out by O’hare when he is supposed to be arriving to pick you up! Being at O’Hare in Saturday traffic might is pretty much like saying you’re coming from Wisconsin haha. Luckily Julia and Max rolled with it and we went for a stroll in the park and switched up our photo locations a bit. Thanks to all the bridesmaids for literally going the extra mile in your heels!
We were finally picked up in time to stop at the beach at Fullerton for a skyline shot and hit up the Lilly Pad Pond across the street from their venue. It was a perfect day for their ceremony and reception at The Peggy Notebaert Nature Musum. I love an outdoor ceremony and this setting was perfection. It’s not every wedding that we have the option to photograph from behind the couple which made for some awesme shots of guests that we can’t always get without being a distraction! And then the party really got started as the dance floor was packed all night!
Thank you to Julia and Max for allowing us to be a part of your day!! And for my first wedding cake of the year (whoohoo for gluten free caterers!)
Ceremony and Rception Venue: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Cake and Catering : Berghoff Catering (all gluten free menu!!!)
Flowers: Nancy Krause Floral Design
Hair and Makeup : Pin Me Up
Bridal Gown: Volle’s Bridal
Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids
Tuxes: Joseph A. Banks
Videography : Love’s Reel
Wedding Favors: Garrett’s Popcorn
Second Photographer : Sami Bowden
I call this “The many faces of Max” series haha. He may hate for this, but I couldn’t resist!
I always have a second photographer with me at weddings and I don’t see their images until I’m at home editing.
I wish someone was video taping me when I came across this gem for the first time!
I posted this shot below on Facebook already, but in case you missed the story behind it I’ll tell it again. This was pre-ceremony and myself and the video guys were down below trying to figure out our gameplan for the ceremony. All the sudden I start to hear the Titanic song….. and then I look up to see this…. so obviously I had to take shot of it!
I’ve been soooo excited for this wedding knowing that Mal and Tom are a blast to be around and their reception was taking place at the Planetarium which provides the best skyline views of the city! You might remember them from their engagement session (you can see that HERE). Their wedding day was amazing. Perfect weather, perfect couple, and all star lineup of vendors!
We met them at the hotel for some getting ready photos and first look. I love that Mal had her Dad walk her down to see Tom for the first time…. it was an emotional one! From there we hopped on the party bus for photos around the city before their ceremony at the gorgeous St. Alphonsus Church. Then it was out to the Planetarium for cocktail hour as the sun set over the city. I can’t imagine a more perfect backdrop for cockail hour. I think I overhead at least 20 people saying how amazing it was! Dinner, toasts and dancing followed with a quick break to watch the fireworks they set off at Navy Pier on Saturdays which of course meant we had to do some night photos 🙂
When all was said and done it was a perfect day…. even with the crazy Phish concert next door at Northerly Island! (it made for some good people watching at the end of the night!) I have to give a big shoutout to the staff at the Planetarium. We work at a lot of places as vendors and we’ve never been treated as nicely as we were at this wedding. And despite the mess from the concert they did everything they could to make guests comfortable while waiting for the shuttles to get through the traffic from the concert. Thank you!
Congrats again to Malorie and Tom! Here are some of my favorites.
Ceremony : St. Alphonsus Catholic Church
Reception: Adler Planetarium
Hair & Makeup: Blueberry Moon Salon
Wedding Planner : Shannon Gail Weddings and Events (Carolynn)
Florist : Stemline Creative
DJ: Style Matters (Dustin)
Cake/Cupcakes : Sweet Mandy B’s
Catering : Food for Thought
Bridal Gown : Vwidon
Bridesmaids Dresess: House of Brides (Designer: Bill Levkoff)
Tuxes: Joseph A. Banks
Lighting : Art of Imagination
Transporatation: Windy City Limo
One of my favorite shots of Mal… might need to get a canvas of this one 🙂
Two thumbs up from Dad! I gues that means it’s time to get married!
Time for the Ceremony!
This is easily the best photo I’ve taken with one of my couples! Can’t beat that backdrop!