She looked out over the lawn, peeking around the hedge.  Clouds were looming over the pastel pink mansion.  The grass she stood in was damp, her high heels had been traded in for silver flats. She couldn’t see Chris. She searched the guests gathered in white wood chairs, umbrellas held aloft.  They were smiling, pointing, laughing. Her sister turned and looked back at her, smiling reassuringly.  Her dad patted her arm and then squeezed her tight.  ”The rain is going to wait sweetheart.  It will wait.”.  She smiled meekly. She peeked around the hedge again. There he was. He stepped into position and the musicians struck up their song.  She took a small step forward for a better look as her bridesmaids moved out onto the lawn.  She saw him again, as he flashed a smile at the crowd.  A wave of relief washed over her.  ’Let it rain’ she thought to herself.  ’I'm getting married anyway!’.

Where do I even start with this wedding?  It is a landmark event for this year – a new all-time favorite.  There wasn’t one detail I stumbled across, one person I met, one moment I captured that I didn’t purely, utterly, completely L-O-V-E.  So much was gorgeous about this day.  The incredible, amazing Cuneo Mansion played host to this wedding.  It is so amazing to think that this little European property is snuggled right over the border near Chicago, in Vernon Hills.  Shooting a wedding there?  Even more amazing.  There isn’t a bad spot at this place – everything is stunning.  I think I could shoot ten more weddings at Cuneo Mansion and still not feel like I have captured it all.

But first, our day started at Katie’s parent’s home for some preparations:

Remember Katie & Chris’ puppy Juliet from their New York engagement shoot?  She was there too!  She’s grown so much already.

Chris’ brother-in-law Simon lent his proper English expertise and hand-tied each of the guys bow-ties. It is that kind of authenticity that I love.

There are about 100 images of the bouquets from this wedding.  Well, maybe not that many – but we were seriously obsessed, they were so beautiful and unique.  There was so much texture and depth to them, we couldn’t stop staring, and discovering new inclusions.  Asrai Garden did an amazing job!

The picture below is special, because Melanie, Chris’s sister (the one on the left) is the reason I was shooting this wedding. Mel was a bridesmaid in one of the first weddings I ever shot, and then she showed up as a guest a year later at another one of my weddings (she’s also responsible for me being there).  In short – my advertising plan is Mel.  It was such a joy to finally meet the family I had heard so much about.  And they were so wonderful , I truly wish there were more siblings to get married yet – so I could see this family again and again.  But I’m still holding out for Mel’s big day – I’m so there!  Chris’s other sister Melissa was just a fantastic hostess, making sure everyone was properly hydrated, had somewhere to sit,  - it is no wonder Simon married her.

I have to extend a huge THANK YOU to my pal, Melissa Schollaert, who came all the way from Atlanta to help me shoot this amazing wedding day.  Her talent, experience and help were invaluable, truly.  We had so much fun shooting together, and our styles  mesh so well that we already have dates booked for next year to tag team it up again.

There were too many photos to share from this wedding day for one post – so you’ll have to wait for Part Two to see the fantastic party. Their wedding slideshow will also be in Part Two.  Stay tuned!

Vendors in this post:

Venue: Cuneo Mansion

Florist: Asrai Garden

Makeup: Cali Perisi

Bride’s Gown: Jim Hjelm

Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Saavy Bridal

Men’s Suit: Ralph Lauren

Bow-ties: Armani

Ceremony (and cocktail)  Musicians: Gipsy Trio

To order images from this wedding, go to: www.pictage.com/722687