Lisa & Will

Chicago North Shore Wedding by the Lake

Here’s to the bride who made her own wedding cake!
Also to the beginning of new wedding season of real, old fashioned actual parties!

Grace and Nick’s wedding opened the wedding season at Garfield Park Conservatory of Chicago, after a pandemic sized hole of quiet.

I love this beam of sunlight on the delicate details of Grace and Nick’s nuptials. Invitations and save the dates were designed by Grace’s mother, Leslie. Rings Matthew Erickson Jewelers

Thistle + Plume delivered designs that blew our minds! The bride feels like she just threw some color ideas and left rest to Grace, the florist, don’t confuse her with the bride ;) Don’t we all love a client that trusts us with our creativity! Grace credits her planner Christina of To The Nines Events for the recommendation to ditch the idea of silk florals and to go specifically with Thistle and Blume.

There do’s deserved a detail shot of their own! Bridesmaids and bride’s hair and make by Blush and Braids Beauty Bar

Here’s Grace’s beautiful group of bridesmaids!

Just wait till you see Grace’s dress from Mira Couture on her, but until then, here’s my favorite detail…. I know you think it is the pearls… but just look at the minimalist waste band and dramatic fold! Those are my favorites.

Grace’s wedding shoes have a little hint of the pearl theme in the heal! The heritage earrings under the shoes have ran from bride to bride in Nick, the groom’s family, in different ways. Grace had them in her hair.

Let’s peak into the world of the groom!

I loved the presentation of these groomsmen presents!

Here’s Nick all dressed up with some Jimmy Johns wrappers and a bottle of whiskey for the boys. Instead of the classic “taking the shot” image, which we did take, I chose to share this image because everything in it just happened to compliment this masculine groomsmen world. The simple pendant, the way the hard light hit Nick, his expression. One of those delightful cinematic photography moments.

I find something super adorable in these tying the tie moments. Usually just one or two groomsmen actually know how to tie one.
Well, even if you do know how, a little help is always golden.

Now to that special moment between mother and daughter.

Yes, it made mama cry. ♥️

Beautiful mom and daughter!

The veil was that “something borrowed”

And, yes, it’s still the pandemic. Getting ready to leave the room for a first look with bridesmaids and groom.

Bridesmaids in their mixy matchy set of dresses at the rooftop of Hyatt House in West Loop. I love that Grace told them one theme word, blush pink, and gave the bridesmaids the creative freedom to find the look that feels like them.

Then it’s Nick’s turn for the first look with his bride!

Here she is!
The two images above are by Nick’s brother, best man, Dave, who helped me capture the first look. Thank you!

Happy to see you too!

Chicago skyline from West Loop.

And then we head to the photo locations around town. Grace and Nick said they have no particular wishes in downtown Chicago, their only wish was to get a portrait in front of the last standing meatpacking facility in West Loop. West Loop was a meatpacking district and produce market for ages, Grace grew up visiting her dad’s studio here when the neighborhood was a fascinating mix of a few fancy restaurants, art galleries and the old produce and meat distribution store fronts. A lot of it has given way to new condo developments and more restaurants.

I absolutely love how fun this spot was!

Vogue

If you haven’t noticed yet, Grace and Nick make each other laugh, like a lot. But I knew I needed to get them to take a breath and just be there for it, if just for a split second , and also wanted one where Grace just gives me that shamelessly gorgeous model stare. Even though she is kind, and mellow, smiley and lover of all things simple, I knew she’s part superstar as well!

Continuing with the warehouse theme of the day, here’s another random location by the iconic Chicago L train.

This empty lot gave us chance for a more industrial Chicago skyline wedding portrait.

Grace and Nick agreed to one iconic downtown location. Milton Lee Olive Park. I love the old trees, still sans leaves, and a natural moment kind of chance to give a spotlight to how classic Grace’s dress is also from the back. Excuse me while I turn into paparazzi when my couples look like movie stars from the 40’s✨

View brought to you by Milton Lee Olive Park

Party all you want but do not fall!

After our urban adventures, we came to Chicagos favorite tropical oasis. Greeted by calm and breathing in that oxygen rich air of Garfield Park Conservatory I stepped into the empty dinner room just decorated my Thistle+Plume

the already lush and green space was complimented by the white and plush florals for some romance and earthy simplicity. Instead of an extravagant show, these table scapes make me appreciate every single delicate bloom and unique little bouquet.

Wedding arch was ready and looking perfect against the field of grass.

Grace and the girls at a quick portrait session in the tropics pre ceremony.

Bridal portraits in the Fern Room

Nervous groom?

Nah, totally just loving the moment!

Best Man and Maid of Honor

Grace walked down the isle with her mother and father.

I love these bridesmaids love for the bride!

And here they are.

“Just Married” kind of smiles.

I wanted a romantic shot of Nick helping Grace over the little creek. But it was Nick who needed the help, he slipped and almost fell, but no one was there to help, just laugh at him! Next time I’ll know to try it the other way around maybe. For Nicks sake, I’m glad this photo is not an epic capture of groom falling. I’m entirely happy with Grace’s expression.

Sometimes the unplanned becomes the hero image of the wedding, this one’s it for me. And it’s not unplanned per say, because I live for capturing candid moments and in essence, plan for them, wait for them. But this image had more things going wrong. The humidity got in my camera and the unedited version of this has a terrible haze all over it. I was able to rescue it with dehaze tool, but the result is rather grainy and strange still. But as I was playing with it, I fell in love with it’s imperfections and how they sort of match this moments candidness. And now it’s perfect in my mind!

Entering the party like it’s….almost post pandemic!

Mr. And Mrs. Introduced by Dj Emcee Music by Design

The speeches:

Father of the bride

Mother of the Bride

Maid of Honor

Best Man

Best man made groom tear up ♥️

The bride who made her own cake!

First Dance

Father Daughter dance was such a blast!

Mother son dance was tender and sweet.

Let them be kids ad show us how to dance!

No, wait, best man is getting ready…

I think little nephew there can see experience is key at times!

Party people

And no-one should forget Mother Daughter Wedding Dance 💃🏽

Family from across country were able to travel to this wedding. A cousin told me this is THE event everyone has been waiting for! Thank you Grace and Nick for this beautiful, heartfelt wedding!

photography by: Essi Photography