Weddings
Bellies & Babies
Engagements
Families & Kids
Posted on October 27, 2011
I love these two. They’re such a beautiful couple, inside and out. I’m so happy to have met them and even more blessed to have been their photographer. When I had my Free Wedding Contest last year, my sister Fran, who went to school with Abbey, nominated them. And because of the amount of people who surrounded them, they won third place. I’m so glad they did! I’ve been to so many weddings, that they don’t really phase me anymore. I love them, but I don’t usually cry. I cried three times. Three. Thank goodness I have a camera I can hide my sniveling mess behind. Oh, and did I mention I LOVE Abbey’s pink and black theme? Yea. Love. Big-puffy-pink-heart love. Thanks so much for entering the contest last year, Abbey & Chad. I’m blessed to have been a part of your beautiful day.
Posted on January 24, 2011
I love these two. Just two incredible people, and one amazing couple. Erica’s sassy, fun and kind and Mike is funny, sarcastic and a geek to the core. My kind of people! I had so much fun at their wedding on Saturday. I have a few sneak peeks for you. I’ll have more pictures as soon as I have the rest up online! Enjoy!
Couple things you notice about this picture right off the bat: One, Erica’s smile will light up an entire room. She’s that gorgeous. And two, her dress is…pink!! So subtle, but unique and completely wonderful. I just LOVED it!
If you follow my blog at all, you must know I have a problem. I’ve come to realize I have a shoe fetish. The only problem with this is I cannot wear heels. Im usually in flats, sandals or maybe some kitten heels to spice things up. So, I live vicariously through all of you. So please, make your wedding shoes ah-mazing. Like these. Thank you.
A masquerade ball! How fun is that? Wait ’till you see the bride and groom in their gorgeous masks!
The gorgeous couple. Love you two. Thanks for being awesome. And having an awesome wedding. Have fun in Cozumel!
Posted on October 12, 2010
Warning: Seriously gorgeous couple.
I met Danielle’s sister Candi a few years ago on a ghost hunt (don’t ask). She recommended me to her sister, Liz, who’s wedding I did back in July of 2008. So I was SO excited to be able to do Danielle’s wedding too! I love being passed around among family and friends. It makes me feel a part of the family and trusted among their closest friends. The Fozard family was amazing enough to let me sit at their family table. I’ve gone to weddings where I’ve felt like just another vendor, but they went out of their way to make me feel like family. It really meant a lot.
Danielle and Chris met about six years ago through mutual friends. They have been really good friends ever since. Chris joined the Marine Corps five years ago but they managed to keep their friendship going even while he was stationed in Japan. In 2008, Chris was deployed to Iraq and they emailed back and forth as often as they could. After he returned home, their friends helped bring them together as a couple. He proposed in November of ’09, and tried very hard to surprise Danielle. He was successful, and instead of a “yes”, he got “Well, Duh!”
I had a fabulous time at this wedding. It was a bit of a hike down to Decatur, but an easy drive and one I’d make again for another future wedding (hint, hint, Lindsey)! 
Thank you both so much for letting me be a part of your gorgeous wedding! Best of luck and love!
And a BIG thank you to all the vendors that made this wedding day so beautiful!
Ceremony – New Beginnings Church of God
Reception – The Beach House
Hair – Attitudes Salon
Makeup – Danelle Rademacher – 910-987-8583
Dresses – David’s Bridal
Cake – Heavenly Delight Cakes
Posted on September 21, 2010
I love this story! Seriously, these two should pitch their story to a screenwriter. They would have the makings for the next romantic comedy! I was lucky enough to be there when they first met. I was the photographer at Maureen & Dave Richards’ wedding back in September of 2007 and Kaytee & David were in the wedding party. As I remember it, Kaytee was not particularly fond of David. He was picking on her vegan diet. I believe, at our initial meeting, she said she thought he was immature and obnoxious. (I love that part.) So, after the wedding, Kaytee went back to New York and things went back to normal. Until the newlyweds decided to hire David to put in some flooring in their home. David said he’d do it, if they got him a date with “that cute blonde cousin” of Maureen’s. Maureen called Kaytee and told her she had sold her for flooring! Kaytee came in and stayed with them and she and David went on their date. The rest is history!
Jenni O’Connor from Lion’s Roar Media was my second shooter for this one. I’ve decided to put her on my permanent list of seconds! She’s amazing and I swear she’s in my head! If I see something across the room that I’m not going to be there in time to shoot, no worries. Jenni is already there getting the shot. Plus, she’s a fabulous friend, so that helps! She was such a trooper too, she was just getting off of a broken foot! Walking boot and all, she did a wonderful job! Thanks Jenni!
Kaytee & David’s wedding was absolutely fabulous. I felt like a kid in a candy store, like I was walking into a David Tutera creation. The color, the details, the flowers, the cake, the dress (Oh my, the Maggie Sottero dress!) and then to top it all off with a gorgeous couple. I couldn’t ask for a better wedding to photograph. Thank you both so much for allowing me to be a part of it all! I wish you both the best in your love & marriage! Oh, and if your story goes to the big screen, please remember to mention me! 
Posted on September 18, 2010
I first met Michael at his sister, Kathleen’s wedding. Here’s where it gets a little confusing. See if you can keep up. Michael is Kathleen’s brother. Kathleen is married to Brian. Brian is Kerri’s brother. Kerri is my husband’s cousin, Brad’s wife. Got it? I suppose it would be easier to say I was the photographer for Michael’s sister’s wedding back in May of 2007, but that wouldn’t be as much fun!
Michael and Melissa met on Match.com and they truly are the perfect match. Michael surprised her with a sweet proposal on a cruise and they set the date soon after. Their wedding was very beautiful. Simple, elegant and colorful. Melissa’s dress was gorgeous, and the flowers just made everything pop. And I love tea length dresses for bridesmaids! The food was delicious and the music was fabulous, the dance floor was packed the whole night! I have to say though, out of all the vendors (and they were all fabulous) the best was Marilyn Link, their wedding coordinator. Absolutely fabulous. At one point, Marilyn performed a last minute dress alteration so Melissa could walk in her dress without tripping!
Thank you so much to both of you, Melissa & Michael, for allowing me to be a part in your gorgeous day. I wish you both many years of happiness and love! Congratulations!
A HUGE thank you to all the amazing vendors who made Melissa & Michael’s day so fabulous!
Wedding Coordinator – Marilyn Link – 630-893-2249
Ceremony & Reception Venue - The Seville
Hair – Ann from Rock Star Salon
Makeup – Courtnie from Rock Star Salon
Wedding Dress – Veiled in Elegance
Bridesmaid Dresses – House of Brides
Florist – Jewel Osco
Cake Artist – The Seville (their supplier)
Posted on September 6, 2010
Sneak peeks are hard. And with a gorgeous couple like Danielle and Chris, it doesn’t get any easier. Seriously, I just closed my eyes and picked one. I can’t wait to post the rest!
Posted on August 17, 2010
When Jenni O’Connor of Lion’s Roar Media decides to second with me, I usually have soooo many pictures at the end of the night. It also makes it super hard to pick out one or two sneak peeks. She’s that good. I’ve decided I’m going to kidnap her and force her to come to all my weddings. Somehow, I don’t think she’ll have much of a problem with it. Meanwhile, here are some sneak peeks, two from Jenni, two from me from Kaytee & David’s wedding on Saturday. We had a blast, these two are hilarious. The story is fantastic too, so stay tuned for that and for more awesome pics!
Posted on August 2, 2010
I had such a blast at this wedding. These two are so adorable!! Can’t wait to show more!
Posted on July 27, 2010
These two have such a wonderful story. Serendipity, I tell you. Stephanie was born and raised right here in the south side of Chicago. Michal was born and raised in Slovakia. In May, 2009, they each planned a two week trip to the same resort in the Dominican Republic. Michal was supposed to go with a friend, but plans fell through and he ended up going alone. Stephanie planned to spend the first week with her mom, who lives in Georgia, and the last week alone. They had two chance meetings around the resort, both noticing the other was alone. After the second meeting, they ended up spending the rest of the week relaxing, adventuring and falling for each other.
In late September, Michal came to Chicago to visit and they planned a kayak trip down the Chicago river, Steph’s way of showing Michal around Chicago. Michal proposed to her under the Ohio Street bridge. The couple now live in Kent, England, but they plan to live abroad, possibly Australia or New Zealand.
I’ve known Stephanie for a long time. Steph, Amanda (her matron of honor), and my sister have been friends since Jr. High. So when she contacted me to do her wedding, I was thrilled! Since she was in England, we set up our meeting via Skype, my first of many Skype converations! It was easy to see how in love these two are. Michal was probably the class clown in school, and he absolutely loves to make Steph laugh, which he does often. The two of them share this connection, it’s palpable. It seems like they’ve known each other for years, when in reality, they’ve only been together a little over a year.
I’m so happy you both found each other, and I’m so thankful you asked me to be your photographer for your beautiful day! Thanks so much to Jenni O’Connor of Lions Roar Media for being my second. Your first wedding as a photographer (she’s been the videographer for many) was a huge success, and I’m hoping you have bookings lining up out your door! You did a fabulous job! The pictures below are a mix of both of our shots. I love that Jenni has the same style as me. This could be the beginning of a beautiful business relationship!
Enjoy!
LOVE this church. I could not stop snapping pics of it. The lighting was gorgeous!
The video shows more, but Michal is quite the goof. It makes for a very happy bride and some really great pictures!
Lots of tearful toasts. Had me crying too!
The reception was very intimate, held in Steph’s uncle’s barn and it made for some fun shots! My beautiful sister, Fran, down there on the bottom left with her boyfriend, Ray.
Posted on July 15, 2010
I knew something had to be up when I received a Facebook message from my dear friend Leah. She asked me if I was available on June 5th. She asked me on May 2nd. I had a potential booking, but nothing set in stone. Still, the fact that she was asking me sent me into a mini panic. Just a mini one. I told her I didn’t have anything booked officially, and asked her what was up. Then she told me the story, and I knew I couldn’t say no. Her niece, Ashley was set to get married in August. Had a photographer and everything. Then, they got the news that her fiancé, Josh, an Airman First Class in the Air Force, was going to be deployed to Iraq sometime before August. On top of that, Ashley also got the news that her father, a Warrant Officer in the Army, was also being deployed, so he might not be there to walk her down the aisle. The only date that the military would give them that was doable was June 5th. Unfortunately, their photographer had to drop out. She was going to ask a friend to take pictures with a point and shoot.
This is when I started a real panic. Of course I had to do it. Pull on my heartstrings why don’t you, Leah? Fiancé AND dad going off to war overseas? Wedding date moved up? No photographer? Point and shoot? Yea, I really had no choice. So, why the panic? Well, my daughter’s 5th birthday party was set for June 6th. Her 5th birthday is June 7th. The wedding was in Ohio, 5 hours away and I had to be back by 3pm the next day. Ok then. I could do this. I said a little prayer and sent Leah back a message saying I’d do it.
And I did. And it was fabulous. And I made it back in time for my daughter’s birthday party. I even had a nap before hand. Awesome.
Ashley and Josh started dating in eight grade when they were 13 and 14 respectively. Josh wrote her a note saying that he liked her and included a list of things that he was into. Seriously, how cute is that? In the note, he asked if Ashley would go out with him. She told him no. After her friends pushing her in his direction, she eventually said yes and they started dating a week later. She kept the note all those years. As a surprise to Josh, she had it framed and gave it to him at the rehearsal dinner. And adorably, as a surprise to Ashley, Josh sang a song to Ashley at the rehearsal dinner. George Strait’s “Check Yes or No.” Neither had any clue what the other’s gift was. Seriously, tear jerker!
These two are so completely in love. They still make puppy dog eyes at each other and I think everyone gets butterflies in their stomachs when they kiss. This picture that I posted in the sneak peeks, Ashley’s mother, Malena, has said that this pretty much encompasses Josh’s total devotion to Ashley. They’re made for each other, and everyone feels it. I was honored to shoot their wedding. I think my favorite photo from their wedding is this one, basically an unintentional tribute to our troops. The red, white and blue, and the little yellow flowers saying “Support our Troops.” Love that. Thank you Leah, Ashley, Malena, all of you, for asking me to come out and shoot this wedding. I had a blast. You are all a wonderful bunch of people and I’m so thankful you made me a part of your lives, and I am happy to call you my friends.
And I can’t wait for Breaking Dawn in 2011. Just sayin’.
