We started in the early afternoon on a beautiful fall day at the Marriott Downtown on the Magnificent Mile.
There were so many wonderful moments while she was getting ready, the laughter and high energy were contagious!
Once they were all ready we hopped into their transport bus, and headed to St. James Chapel for the ceremony. On the way she was serenaded by her friends with a rousing version of ‘Going to the Chapel’.
After the ceremony we went to Millennium Park. While we were taking the photos of Kristen and her bridesmaids a guy walked up to congratulate her, and asked to have his picture taken with the pretty bride. This request happens all the time, and I usually steer them away from the bystanders, but they agreed to take a photo with this guy. It was a hoot, and the women all had varying reactions to the request- as you can see in their faces and body language : )
We hopped back onto the bus for a quick trip to the Kinzie street bridge for a few more photos. Then it was party time! The reception was held at the Carpenters Union Ballroom on Erie Street. What a very fun night!
Early on a Thursday morning I met Noah and his family at the Central Avenue Synagogue in Highland Park for his Bar Mitzvah rehearsal. Along with the rehearsal was the morning prayer. It was fascinating to watch, as the men wore the tefillin, while the women were separated from them by a curtain. You could feel the joy in the room when the women were dancing!!
We met again on Saturday night for his celebration. The party was fun, and had a psychic for the entertainment. He was really good, and the crowd was mesmerized by his accuracy.
A New Years Eve Wedding!
It was a blast shooting their wedding on this particular holiday. Not only were the guests excited to witness the nuptials, but they also got to attend a fabulous party with a big countdown at midnight. Sometimes at evening receptions, the excitement wears down, and the crowd thins out as it gets closer to midnight-but not at this reception. Everyone, I mean everyone was crowded on the dance floor moments before midnight-even a handful a wedding crashers!!
The balloons dropped down at midnight and the crowd went wild!
We started the day at the Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church in Palatine just before dusk. We had a wee bit of time for some outdoor portraits of the two of them before the start of the ceremony.
The ceremony was candlelit only. This was hands down the darkest ceremony we have ever photographed. They wanted the photos to reflect the mood, and look of the actual ceremony-hence no flash unless absolutely necessary.
That’s why there is movement, grain and warmer tones in the images of the ceremony. One of my favorites is the second one down. I just love the combo of the stillness-especially her dad, and the movement of the people around him. Just love it.
The reception was held in Palatine at Hotel Indigo. It was a perfect place for the last party of the decade!
We wish them all the best.
This morning we met Jim & Jen at the Starbucks where they had their first date about 18 months ago. Though it was more of a reconnection as they had dated 10 years earlier.
Today we took their engagement photos, and they sat on the same loveseat as they did that fateful date a year and a half ago. Awwww…it was as sweet as it sounds : )
Then we headed over to the Target that they both managed over 12 years ago. It was here that they started dating the first time. While we were shooting it started to flurry, and Jim’s sweater was a snow magnet. Good thing Jen LOVES the snow!
Lastly, we went to a park in Woodridge, and shot for a bit but the cold and the wind got the best of us. We’ll go back out on a day that’s a little warmer, with hopefully little or no wind.
They are getting married in December and we wish them all the best!!
