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Beautiful Chicago days, there is nothing like them.

So when you’re able to spend one of those days exploring a couple’s favorite locations throughout the city weaving personal details in, it makes for a perfect engagement session. Dan and Christine met in Wrigleyville years ago at Dan’s birthday party and quickly began dating thereafter. Dan now works as a Civil Engineer so we made sure to visit the city’s best architecture locations, the Red Line (which he worked on), and home of our Cubs.

The two of them tie the knot next April and I can’t wait to spend time with them capturing even more personal, little details!

Ryan and Olivia met almost a decade ago when they were both casted in the same play. Ryan, casted as the handsome, strong hero, was required to catch Olivia during one of the scenes. Olivia’s mother, nervous for her teenage daughter to be falling during the play, mentions this to both Ryan and Olivia after one of the showings. Ryan replies with “Mrs. Bertsch, I’ll never drop your daughter…”. Melt.

Olivia told his story during the reception, and followed this with a surprise to her new husband, singing a song from that play. This was just one of the many, many little personal details woven in throughout this wedding. Olivia wore her grandmother’s dress for the ceremony (which her mother also wore for her’s), as well as her soon-to-be mother-in-law’s veil, and then changed for the reception.

I am again reminded why weddings are so meaningful, exciting, fun, and possess to much hertiage the lives beyond one magical day.

Thank you to Chris of Whonsetler Photography for helping me shoot this day!

Click here for the beautiful video of their day by Andrew Paul Davis! Their day was truly as beautiful as it looks.

Ceremony: Cornerstone Center for the Arts | Reception: Cornerstone Center for the Arts | Photographer: markit photography | Videographer: Andrew Paul Davis | Invitations: Abby Sells | Florist: Dandelions | Cake Artist: Greyhouse | DJ: DJ Sound Solutions | Makeup Artist: Audrey Bengert | Hair Stylist: Audrey Bengert  | Wedding Dress: Stella York | Brides Shoes: Caparos | Bridesmaid Dresses: Custom Design | Men’s Tuxes: After Six | Rings: Shane Co.

photo credits by Dave Lapham Photography on our most favorite day.

My babe turns 30 tomorrow. 30. Like, when did this happen? I’m sure he’d agree with me saying it doesn’t seem or feel like we should be getting to this age already.

But we are, and it’s awesome.

With tomorrow’s 30th birthday also comes 30 years of life experience, knowledge, pursuits, trials, and accomplishments. And I for one am so grateful for each of those things, as it’s made you the man you are today. The man I didn’t even realize I needed.

Birthday celebrations are already happening. Because I freakin’ love birthdays, and because I want him to feel extra special. I want the celebration to last past one day, and I want him to know he’s loved. To know that he’s the one I wake up for, work hard for, and want to impress everyday…

 

The one who takes on the roll of chocolate lover between us, but hates anything tart, and can eat more than I knew was possible. The big kid who stays up late playing video games and who makes the bed because he knows it makes me happy.

The one who refuses to let me carry luggage, even though I’m stubborn and think I’m tough enough to do it. Who can, somehow, rock a killer mustache alongside the cutest dimples you’ve ever seen.

Who loves all of the Fast and Furious movies, and his own “dad jokes”. Who I credit my new love for bourbon to, and is constantly inspiring me to experience new things. To the one who is the definition of James 1:19, prays each morning, and leads our family.

Who is my biggest supporter, late night driver, occasional second shooter, “should I buy this lens” consultant, and encourager. The constant, but gentle push I need to keep going in this journey.

My greatest travel companion, whom I want to see the world alongside.

To my hard working, loving, kind, smart, and wonderful husband, my partner.

Happy birthday.

 

 

Hiya! First post on our family excursion… 

Raise your hand if you knew I lived in London for about a year in 2008? No? Well let me tell ya, it was the greatest time of my life. Best thing I could have done. It was right after college, so the perfect time before life [ie: a job] hits. I nannied two of the sweetest little British boys, drove cars, traveled on the weekends, and simply lived life across the pond.

My parents were unable to make it over during my stint there, so we went while my brother was living there! My baby bro, Nick, was working at the C.S. Lewis Foundation in Oxford, England. 

We arrived on Saturday morning and simply walked the city, seeing every site we could squeeze in before watching the Arsenal vs. Hull City final football match. And watching it at a local pub near the Arsenal stadium. Go big right?

Day 2, we took the bus to Oxford to visit and tour C.S. Lewis’ home at The Kilns. Nick gave us the ground tour and we spent the rest of the day walking around, seeing his life, meeting his friends, and attending his church. I haven’t been to Oxford since 2005 and certainly not to C.S. Lewis’ home, so images were captured. Enjoy! Part two coming next! 

Back from our trip in London and catching up! Expect a few blog posts coming shortly but thank you for your patience while I was away on our family vacation. It was simply amazing, just how I remembered it.

Funny thing happened while I was out. Our beach-themed styled shoot was featured on Wedding Chicks! What a nice surprise to come home to.

Such an honor to be featured with some of the greatest fellow wedding photographers here in Chicago. We had so much fun planning and executing this shoot, and boy what a crazzzy day it was. See the original post and story here and thank you ladies for the feature! xo

I can’t imagine a more beautiful, intentional, genuine, and loving wedding to kick off the season than Bill and Tracy’s. Where to begin…

I suppose to begin, when Tracy and I had our final details meeting, she told me the wedding was going to be just a big ol’ party. That her girls were wearing white bridesmaids dresses, the main decoration were candles, and that there would be a sundae bar. And it only began there.

In addition to what sounded like the most beautiful party, Tracy MADE her dress, inspired by Zac Posen. What started as a stunning, strapless, A-line formal dress for their traditional Catholic mass, converted into a feathered, knee-length party dress for their dance-filled reception.

During the mass, the priest mentioned that between all 4 sets of Tracy and Bill’s grandparents and their parents’ equaled over 300 years of marriage–absolutely incredible!

These two were laidback, fun (they mixed a slow and fast dance for their first song, shocking the crowd!) and a simply gorgeous duo. I am forever grateful they trusted us to capture their most perfect spring day.

A hundred thank you’s and hugs to my assistant Jordyn of Navy Blue Photography!

Ceremony: The Basilica of Notre Dame | Reception: The Morris Inn | Brides Dress: the bride herself | Shoes: Sergio Rossi | Bridesmaids Dresses: Maggy London | Groom + Groomsmen Tuxes: Males Fashions | Caterer: The Morris Inn | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Band: Wendy Reed Band | Hair + Makeup: The Red Stiletto Salon

  1. Alicia Hauge said:
    Those. Shoes. Stop it.
    May 7, 2014  1:55 pm
    Reply
  2. Sarah said:
    Beautiful!!!
    May 7, 2014  5:57 pm
    Reply
  3. Kati Reed said:
    You nailed it! (The gorgeous couple helped)
    May 8, 2014  1:00 pm
    Reply