“Ever since I was a  little, I’ve dreamed of a black and white wedding…” Audra explained when asked about her design influence for her wedding day. Audra and Dan’s elegant winter wedding was like a fairytale – everything was grand, gorgeous and just perfect. From Audra’s ah-mazing Rosa Clara gown from Mira Couture to her princess like walk down the long aisle of the gorgeous Holy Family Church and everything in between, Audra and Dan’s wedding was simply stunning, and little Audra’s dream wedding was a reality.

I met the ladies in their gorgeous suite and the JW Marriott Chicago just as the finishing touches to hair and makeup were applied. The natural light was just incredible as Audra got into her gown and made for some gorgeous images.

We took a few minute before heading to the ceremony to capture some portraits at the JW Marriott. The beautifully restored landmark building designed by Daniel Burnham made for a stunning backdrop for a stunning bride.

The incredible orchid bouquets and grand floral arrangements at the reception were created by The English Garden.

Audra and Dan chose not to see each other until she walked down the aisle. I love the nervous anticipation that wait creates! But we did arrange for them to give each other a blind hand squeeze just minutes before the ceremony start.

Here she comes!

Holy Family was still decorated for Christmastime theme and the dramatic lighting filled the church with a warm glow. It made Audra’s fairy princess walk down the aisle even more magical.

Audra is the varsity girls  lacrosse coach for St. Ignatius College Prep as well as the director of the Chicago Youth Lacrosse league. Her girls participated in the wedding day by creating a grand exit from the church with their decorated lacrosse sticks.

Despite the cold January temps, Audra and Dan braved the winter chill to get some shots along the lakefront. It was really important to them to get a wedding photo here – this spot is exactly where Dan proposed more than a year ago!

Audra and Dan’s wedding reception was held in the historic Rookery Building, another of Daniel Burnham’s masterpieces with interior details designed by Frank Llyod Wright. The elegant architectural details of the light court are simply gorgeous and added greatly to the grandeur of the day.

How fun are the guys argyle socks?! And a nice tie in to the other lime green accents.

Dan and Audra’s parents making their grand entrance into the reception…

One of my favorite traditions of Lithuanian weddings takes place as the bride and groom are formally announced at the reception.They walk through a series of sashes but cannot pass through some until they kiss – makes for some great photos!

After an amazing dinner, several meaningful toasts and first dances – the dance party went into full swing!

Audra & Dan ~ thank you so much for having me be a part of your fairytale wedding. It was such a joy to capture the love, excitement and beauty that filled your day!

More vendor info…

A big thanks to my second photographer Deonna Caruso who is not only amazing behind the lens but without her camera too!

Hair & Makeup: Tamara Hair + Makeup Artistry

Videographer: Jaysin at NightOwls Media - I loved working with Jaysin and his video from this wedding is amazing – highly recommend!

Wedding Cake: Toni’s Patisserie

Nida and Nate were married just a few days before Christmas, right about when the holiday glow and excitement were reaching their peaks. The Christmas decorations everywhere made their beautiful day even more magical. While it was the gigantic smiles on both of their faces that had the most impact on the beauty of their day, their Victorian themed locations added to the beauty too. They were married in the Old Central Church, built in 1895 and now located on the Illinois Historic Registry for it grand architecture. And their reception was held at the gorgeous Patrick Haley Mansion. Also built in the 1890s, the stately mansion is filled with authentic Victorian furniture and decor. The addition of a conservatory style ballroom allows for large celebrations and Nida and Nate’s guests rocked that Victorian house! It was an absolutely gorgeous wedding day for the lovely Nida & Nate!

Nida & Nate – thank you the opportunity to capture your beautiful wedding day – it was such an honor and a pleasure! I wish you so much joy, love and laughter during you lives together.

(And a big thanks to Ernst Jacobsen, my second shooter, for not only being a swell guy to shoot with but for some awesome images too!)

One of the numerous reasons why being a photographer is the best job ever is getting to check out how different couples get married. Everyone is doing the same thing, becoming husband and wife, but every wedding is unique in its details. In my opinion, the best have the couple’s personality shining through – and Sarah Jane and Jack’s did just that. OMG – did I love this wedding!! Sarah Jane and Jack tied the knot at Chicago’s hippest brewpub Revolution Brewing in Logan Square. Their ceremony was short and sweet, performed by their friend who’s credentials came via the internet. One of the hors d’ouevres was bacon fat popcorn and the beverage choices included an Anti-Hero IPA. Sarah Jane did an amazing job with all the details – I loved her mix of vintage and funky. The night was intimate, relaxed, warm and filled with love. Here are just a few of my many favorite images….

Jack wasn’t  into the whole photo thing – which I totally understand and respect, I’m the same way. So we kept the portraits short, simple and as pain free as possible – and I love them. Here is the happy couple just before they became husband and wife!!

Loved the use of playing cards as place and table cards!

Sarah and her stole!

Their wedding cake – it just makes me smile.

Sarah and her dad as the ceremony begins…

Sarah gets a little teary…

And then very giddy!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Kaplan!! It was an honor and a joy to be a part of your awesome wedding and I wish you so much love, happiness, laughter and good fortune in your lives together.

previous post: jimena & kurt ~ ritz-carlton, st. louis wedding

Not quite complete, but I just couldn’t wait to share the gorgeousness!! The story of Jimena and Kurt’s beautiful wedding at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis is to come, but for now – enjoy the images…

previous post: hillary & nate ~ lincoln park, chicago marriage proposal

next post: sarah jane & jack ~ chicago revolution brewing wedding

It wasn’t long after I booked Mary & Steve’s wedding that I discovered I was pregnant and due just three weeks after their wedding day. Eeek! They quickly became some of the first people to hear our big news as I wanted to give them the opportunity and ample time to find another photographer – one who wasn’t going to waddle down the aisle on their big day. To my surprise, Steve and Mary embraced my news with total enthusiasm and were comfortable taking the risk of keeping me on as their photographer despite the fact that I might be replaced at the last minute.

Mary and I talked many times during the months leading up to the big day. It was fun for me  to hear about all the nitty gritty of her wedding planning and to offer suggestions and words of calming assurance that she would indeed get it all done and it would indeed be the most fabulous day of her life.

As their wedding week came, we found ourselves in a brutal heat wave, with temperatures and heat indexes over 100 degrees. Not ideal for the late afternoon outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour they had planned at Makray Golf Club  and certainly far from optimal for a 37 week pregnant photographer. We watched the weather all week as it seemed like we might get a break in the heat but wouldn’t you know it, the day came and woowee was it hot – heat indexes were in the 105 degree range. Thankfully I was feeling good and had armed myself with a fabulous second shooter, Alaina Bos, who helped ensure the day was completely covered.

A few tweaks to the wedding plans and the show went on – and what an incredible show it was. Mary put so much thought into the details and planned a very special wedding ceremony with a lot of participation from their family and friends. The result was a very intimate and personal ceremony that made you forget all about the heat.

After the ceremony – it was time to party! The reception had a movie theme, complete with a gourmet popcorn bar. Lots of laughter, dancing and love filled the reception.

Mary and Steve – it was such an honor to be a part of your wedding day and I’m so, so glad I didn’t go into labor at your wedding – although it would have been a really great story . It was an absolute pleasure to get to know you and I look forward to continuing the friendship. I wish you much joy and love as you begin your  new life together and Mr. and Mrs. – we certainly know there will be plenty of laughter! I love how much you make one another smile and laugh… Congratulations on your marriage and beautiful wedding!

♥,

tracy

Katherine and Jonathan were married at the historic and oh so gorgeous Pfister Hotel. The elegance and class of the hotel were a perfect accompaniment to this lovely couple on their big day. Their love for one another is abundant and overflowing – making their wedding an absolute joy to capture.

The amazing flowers were by Bobby of Marius Bell Floral.

Congratulations Katherine and Jon ~ your wedding day was absolutely gorgeous and made so by how in love you are. I wish you all the best in your new life together (and lots of babies )

♥,

tracy

previous post: janie & jack holiday portrait promotion

Carolyn and Kevin were married in an intimate ceremony at Flourish Studios in Chicago. It was truly an expression of them – casual, full of style, unique details and heartfelt emotions. It was an absolute pleasure to capture their beautiful ceremony.

Loved, loved, loved Carolyn’s whole look. Just wait until you see the rest of her dress!!

The kids in the bridal party. Yes, it was my idea to do the crazy faces but they were totally game!

They had a friend perform the ceremony – shot of Colin rehearsing just one last time before the ceremony.

Loved the grey and yellow color scheme and that the bridesmaids carried pinwheels!

Here she comes! They did not see one another prior to the ceremony so this was Kevin’s first glimpse of his bride.

As soon as the rings went on the fingers, Kevin moved in to kiss his bride, he just couldn’t wait!

Do you see the tears streaming down Carolyn’s cheek? These two are so in love and so happy!

After the ceremony, all the guests – including their dog Lola – headed to the reception just a few blocks away waving ribbon wands and a few pinwheels. A few guests of honor got to ride in style in pedicabs.

Congratulations Carolyn & Kevin – your ceremony was just as cool as you two are! Wishing you much love, joy and laughter in your life together.

♥,

tracy

previous post: stephanie & steve ~ wedding photography 

Every wedding is unique, but every now and then you get something really fun. I had an absolute blast shooting Steve and Stephanie’s wedding at the Hard Rock Hotel in Chicago.  Again, major props go out to rockstar Deonna of Deonna Caruso Photography for having me as her second shooter. Love you, girl – thanks for having me part of Stephanie and Steve’s rockin’ wedding! The Hard Rock Hotel was such an amazing place to shoot in – loved it!

Steve – the groom. And the best man – Waterbed. I swear to god, that is his name. I refrained from asking how he got that name – but aren’t you dying to know?!

Steve’s dog Tucker is all decked out for the ceremony. I know, completely awesome!

The party favors were drumsticks and guitar picks…

No guestbooks here! Sentiments were left on record albums or the guitar.

previous post: jennifer & daniel ~ chicago wedding photography

I had the honor and pleasure of second shooting Jennifer and Daniel’s wedding for the f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s Deonna Caruso.

I am so lucky to have Deonna in my life! She gave me a chance to work with her when I was first starting off, and despite screwing up royally on my first job with her (damn flash!), she gave me another shot. And now thanks to her, I can rock it! She has taught me so much, her patience and willingness to share her knowledge with me has been such an important part of my growth as a photographer. Deonna is an amazing photographer – and an absolute honor to work with.

So this is the wedding day of Daniel and Jennifer, two of the nicest people you can ever know. It was such a joy to capture their beautiful day!

Quite possibly the CUTEST flower girl and ring bearer ever.

previous post: brendon ~ chicago newborn photography

Another fab wedding with the fab Deonna Caruso! Lucky me got to hang with the guys while they got ready at the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg- this was a fun group of guys! After all the ties were tied and the cuffs were linked, we captured  a few group shots before heading to the ceremony held at St James Parish in Arlington Heights.

Ted was a little nervous before the ceremony…

And Colleen became a tad emotional before the big walk down the aisle. 

Colleen had a little trouble getting Ted’s ring on!

Back to the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg for the beautiful reception…

Congratulations Colleen & Ted ~ wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness as a married couple!