Pinch me please!
I have so much love for our tomboy bridal shoot and it’s feature on Green Wedding Shoes, just in time for March Madness. I’m so happy that it caught more wings and has been featured on Brides.com, helping to inspire brides, and featuring the BEAUTIFUL cake by Hands on Sweets! It was truly a magical day, and I’m so proud off the work that went into this by our oh-so talented vendors and visionary design by Ashton Events.
Le Sigh. Just when you think rain will be an issue throughout your entire day, it holds off JUST until speeches begin. Magic. Prayers answered indeed.
Kristen and Neil’s downtown Chicago wedding turned out to be everything we talked about leading up to the big day. I can’t image a wedding day going more smoothly, organized, and more beautiful. Their traditional Catholic ceremony at St. Clement in Lincoln Park held so much tradition, followed by a fun and Chicago-traditional trolley to Lincoln Park and the Wrigley Building downtown for pictures.
To end the evening a reception at TheWit brought more fun than I can remember at a reception. Literally to the point where I didn’t want to leave! My second shooter and I left feeling like we couldn’t feel our feet/wanted to go dancing.
Thank you for bringing us alongside your day to simply hang out and capture the memorable moments of your wedding. It was absolutely one for the books, one to remember, and one to remind me how much I love this city and its couples. xo
Ceremony: St. Clement Catholic Church | Reception: theWit Chicago | Videographer: Love’s Reel | Coordinator: Bollo Hollow | Invitations: Minted | Florist: Fab Flora | Makeup Artist: Carly Pribich | Hair Stylist: Mother of the Bride | Wedding Dress: Hayley Paige | Bridesmaids Dresses: Bari Jay | DJ: MaryMonica Music | Caterer: theWit Chicago
Coming to you, the biggest news and change we’ve experience as an almost two-year married couple. After countless prayers, dinner dates, phone calls with our closest family and friends, Luke and I are excited to announce that we’re headed to Austin next month (!!) for my smart and passionate hubby to pursue an MFA degree at Texas State.
This news comes with joy, anxiety, sadness and excitement. Chicago has been home to both of us for 5 years, where we reconnected, dated, had our first kiss, and fell in love. It holds thousands of memories, our closest friends, and our Logan Square neighborhood we’ve called home the last two years.
I’ve officially shared the news with work about my mid-August departure, communicated the move to my fall brides (yes, I’ll be flying back and forth!) and even secured an apartment this past weekend with my parents. So yes, it’s all so real. And my tears after Luke picked me up from the airport on Sunday night proved just how real and emotional this move is.
We’re so very grateful for the sweet and kind words from everyone and very much look forward to this next chapter in the Helm Haus adventure book. So, if you know of anyone in the area looking for a wedding photographer or couple who loves to try new restaurants, cocktail bars and host Sunday Fundays send them our way! See below for a few shots from our trip this past weekend and follow along on instagram for real-time updates on our last month as Chicagoans and exciting move to the Lone Star state!
Much love,
Luke and Kristi
Dang, this shoot. These two.
What we thought was going to be a totally rained out and cancelled engagement shoot ended up being the best of evenings (albeit alongside a sweaty photographer) spent with Mitch, Andrea, and their gorgeous pup Cheif. We walked the beautiful Buffalo Crek Trail and downtown Paletine, just blocks from their home.
I cannot wait for October, to capture their wedding at our city’s Chicago Wyndam Hotel! xo
This couple, wedding, wedding party and families will forever hold a special place in my heart. I can’t even tell you how much it means to me to become friends with a couple even before their big day, their most perfect day, hoping to capture every little detail so that one day you can go back and say “Oh yeah, I remember my dad’s face the first time he saw me in my dress…”. Amazing.
Dan and Christine, thank you for all of the effort you put into making us feel so cared for. For your attention to our meals and a goody bag, letting us ride on the party bus, not letting the rain get you down, and having just the most excited of spirits on your wedding day. I should have known it would be that great when receiving a hand-written note after shooting your engagement pictures.
I pray this next phase of you lives together as husband and wife is filled with joy and love, I assure you it’s the greatest adventure. xo
Ceremony: St. Raphael Catholic Church | Reception: Chicago Marriott Naperville | Videographer: Aria Films | Invitations: Minted | Florist: Ocie Florals | Makeup Artist: Tamara Hair & Makeup Artistry | Hair Stylist: Mezzaluna Salon | Wedding Dress: Eva’s Bridal of Oak Lawn | Brides Shoes: International Concepts | Bridesmaids Dresses: House of Brides | Men’s Tuxes: Lorenzo’s Formalwear | Rings: The Classic Gem | DJ: White Label DJs | Mariachi: Mariachi Perla de Mexico | Transportation: Cloud 9
Any guy who gives a girl a sapphire engagement ring is alright by me.
It makes me so excited to see couples just be themselves at engagement shoots, unique in every way. Which makes me love getting to know them. From that first meeting, to a quick touch base a few months later, to engagement shoot, to wedding. I can’t wait to see how Shannon and William’s October wedding comes together at River Roast. It’s going to be just the most beautiful celebration of love and seeing two people come together, committed to each other.
Shannon, William and I hit the most beautiful parts of Chicago (saving the other most beautiful for the wedding of course) touring Lincoln Park, and then my old ‘hood of North Ave beach. I love this dang city, and it’s couples, so much.
