I have a ton of beautiful moments and details to share over the next few weeks. To keep up on previews from my latest weddings, tune into my Facebook page, where I typically post small previews weeks before I get around to posting full recaps on this blog.

I’m always in awe of the personal energy and creativity that goes into the weddings that I get to photograph. Kristen and Alex had some really fun ones—their flowers were from a local farmers market, and they were mixed in with flowers that Kristen knitted herself. How cool is that? Beyond that, their vintage inspired rings were insanely unique and beautiful, Kristen’s headband was a perfect touch and the backdrop at Architectural Artifacts provided just the right vibe for a fun, laid back wedding.

Kristen and Alex—thank you so much for letting me be a part of such a perfect evening (and thanks to Jose Uribe and Sonia Stein for helping out with photography).

Vendors:

• Venue: Architectural Artifacts, Chicago
• Catering: Hearty Boys Catering (one of the best salads I have ever tasted)
• Cake: Dinkel’s Bakery (right next door to the Chicago Photography Center where I used to teach—I’m a big fan)
• Band: Megitza Quartet

If you were a guest at the wedding, you can view the wedding gallery and order prints in my shop (the password is the bride’s maiden name, all lowercase).

Architectural Artifacts is a great venue for multiple shooters—Sonia shot from above, Jose stood above and behind and I took the ceremony floor.

Love this detail from the Architectural Artifacts store floor (thanks Jose and Sonia!).

More great angles—Jose and Sonia stood across the atrium while Kristen and Alex walked across toward me.

Knitted flowers!

Thanks to Jose and Sonia for the detail on the far right.

Sonia grabbed some awesome dancing photos from the floor and atrium.

Malgorzata Babiarz from Megitza Quartet took a break from singing to show off some dance moves.

 

 

 

Sheila and Michael hosted one of the most beautiful weddings imaginable. The event was surrounded with grand architecture, from the arched ceiling of Holy Family Parish to the stunning courtyard and ballroom of St. Ignatius College Prep. Not to mention the Eiffel tower ice sculpture (Sheila and Michael were engaged in Paris) and largest dessert table I’ve ever seen. Love love love.

This wedding was also particularly special for me because I had help from one of the most amazing people I know. Stephanie Zilles and I went to high school together in DeWitt, Michigan, and we were always coming up with crafty ideas in our independent study art class (we had lots of fun with screen printing and other random materials). She lives in Arkansas now, but she was in Chicago for this wedding, and it was such a delight! I wish you lived in Michigan, Steph! We’d be a little dream team.

Sheila and Michael—thank you for letting us be a part of your wedding day. And Michael, I’ve never seen such an impressive mother, son dance. Maybe it’s time for me to get back to dance lessons!

If you were a guest at the wedding, you can view the wedding gallery and order prints in my shop (the password is the bride’s maiden name, all lowercase).

Stephanie grabbed the shot of the perfume below on the left and the fun detail shot of the bridesmaid’s shoes below while I was with Sheila. Teamwork for the win!

Stephanie also snapped the detail photo below on the right and stayed with Sheila and the bridesmaids on the limo bus while I ran over to the church to get some shots with the guys. Love that lace.

More teamwork below—I stayed near the front of the aisle, while Stephanie stayed back (right shot).