The lovely modern-yet-traditional wedding of Stephanie & Ethan at Pier Wisconsin is featured on Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book blog today!  Head on over, check it out, and leave them some love in the comments please!

I am so honored to have my work featured on the beautiful wedding blog, Ruffled today!

So, take a moment and revisit the lovely wedding of Abby & Greg over on Ruffled.

Julie & Tucker’s wedding was one of my favorites this year.  Not because of their unique and fun vintage style, not because of the incredible reception location of my dreams – Salvage One, not because they were married in one of my favorite Chicago catholic churches – Holy Family, not because of Tucker’s southern drawl, not because of their super fun wedding party – but because of Julie and Tucker themselves.  They are the sort of couple you get sucked into orbit with and find yourself magnetized to.  You are riveted because they are so rich in life, so deep in love and so much freakin’ fun.  They are a couple you wish you were cool enough to be friends with.  And yeah, some of those other things might help.

Julie and Tucker got ready at The Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel – so, so, so gorgeous, and just the right fun and posh start to their day.

The ceremony was at my favorite Chicago catholic church – Holy Family.  I’ve shot there before, and its just gorgeous every time.  Beautiful light, an amazing dramatic but friendly interior, and one of the nicest priests you’ll ever meet.

Starting from this moment below, Julie smiled thru the entire ceremony, and really the entire day.  Seriously, she was giddy with love and happiness, and it was clear on her face.

This picture below is what every church wedding should be.  Fun, full of life and personal, as well as traditional and reverent.  Julie and Tucker brought in an episcopal priest close to Tucker’s family who co-officiated, and adding this personal element made their ceremony just that much more them.  This moment right after their vows, as everyone transitioned to the next step, with Julie & Tucker overtaken in laughter and the business of a ceremony unfolding around them, epitomizes their comfort and joy.   Most church ceremonies feel stiff and unfamiliar – but not this one!

See what I mean about that light?

The photo below – all Julie & Tucker’s idea, and all them.  Easily a favorite of mine, forever.

I don’t usually include outtakes or silly photos in the blog post.  But, this shot below is just so the type of humor you encounter with Julie & Tucker every couple of minutes, that I couldn’t leave it out.

Ah, so now we get to Salvage One.  My dream wedding reception venue.  (Okay, well, one of them)  An architectural artifact and found object store/warehouse in downtown Chicago that hosts events within the store. What could be better for exploring and partying?  Oh, how I love this place!  So much fun, so much to work with photographically, and so much personality oozing out of every corner.

Each table setting was a different feel and era of furniture, so I felt it only fitting to immortalize these choices with some chair portraits:

Tucker’s mom is a pottery artist and made all of the vases for the centerpieces:

On the left below – hangover cures for each guest to take on their way home – so adorable!

The Alabama vs. LSU game was the same day as Julie & Tucker’s wedding.  And well, from what I understand, being a ‘Bama boy means being a fan from birth – so I loved it when Tucker’s Mom checked in on the game with him during dinner from her phone.

Recipe for a rockin’ reception?  Awesome setting, dramatic lighting, a jammin’ band, and a relative who can take to the microphone and the harmonica and totally take over the crowd!

The Credits:

Ceremony Venue: Holy Family Catholic Church

Reception Venue: Salvage One

Getting Ready Venue: Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel

Florist: Asrai Garden

Makeup and Hair: Pin Me Up Chicago

Catering: J&L

Band: The Homewreckers

Cake: Alliance Bakery

Bride’s Gown: Lazaro

Bridesmaids Dresses: J. Crew

Groom’s Suit: Balani

Julie & Tucker – where to start?  I wish our time together hadn’t already come to an end.  I loved working with you both and getting to know you this past year!  You are so fun, and so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends who love and support you, but also add to that level of fun.  May the joy, blessings and wonderful memories of your wedding day be only the beginning of a spectacular married life together!

Gina and Jason’s story is all about finding the divine in unexpected places.  They met on a day and in a moment that neither one thought would lead to anything.  And their wedding vows were spoken at a church that is truly gorgeous, and definitely a hidden, unknown gem on Milwaukee’s north-west side – St. Francis of Assisi.  They celebrated on Halloween weekend with an event that was anything but the expected spooky, but instead full of beauty and elegance at the Marcus Performing Arts Center.

Jason’s little niece started the ceremony off right with an adorable entrance:

There was just enough time that afternoon for a stop for champagne and cigars – so fun!

The Credits:

Ceremony Venue: St. Francis of Assisi

Reception Venue: Marcus Center of the Performing Arts

Florist: Fresh Design

Cake: The Cake Lady

Band: The Kingfish Band

Catering: Sazama’s

Makeup: On Location

Day of Coordinator: The City Bride

Bride’s Gown: Lazaro – Gigi of Mequon

Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Priscilla of Boston

Men’s Suits: Calvin Klein

Acoustic Guitar: Mitch Green

Gina & Jason – Thank you for including m three studio in your wedding day plans.  We had such a great time laughing along with you, all day.  Your wedding was blessed with sunshine, warmth, beauty and lots and lots of laughter.  All great ingredients for a long and happy marriage.  May this day just be the beginning!