I can’t tell you how excited I am to share these images from Matt & Katie’s Milwaukee wedding last weekend! I knew after shooting Katie & Matt’s engagement session last year that their wedding would be beautiful…when working with someone and getting to know them a bit I start to get a sense of their style. I just knew that anything that Katie had a hand in planning would be classy, stylish and fun. Not only was this event stunningly beautiful, it was a real celebration of two people committing themselves to one another in marriage, and that was clearly the priority of the day. I loved everything about this day, and was blessed to be a part of it. Now…enough talk, right?!
The festivities began bright and early at the historic Pfister Hotel where I shot getting ready photos of the ladies:
The gown just said ‘Katie’ to me…it was a perfect fit for her, and I love the way is bounced and moved as she walked.
Each year growing up, Katie got a single pearl as a gifts from her mother and grandmother…these pearls were strung together to create her wedding day necklace. Aaand, I’ll be borrowing that idea in the future : )
My first view of the Villa Terrace….what can I say? It’s perfect.
Any bride from Madison to Chicago who is looking for a cinematographer…please check out One Fine Day Productions, I loved working with them and hope to again in the future!
One of the many great spaces to shoot in at Villa Terrace.
Look at that view!
Katie, you are truly such a beautiful bride! 
If there is such a thing as too much eye candy, it was at the Villa Terrace…
Jamie’s angle…
And mine…
Favorite? Yes…well, one of them. There are too many to choose from!
Matt’s expression below is priceless.
A great florist really can bring a wedding to life, and I would say that Daffodil Parker’s florals accomplished that well. I would highly recommend Erin to anyone and everyone!
The reception was a brunch, I have always wanted to photograph a brunch wedding and it didin’t disappoint! Such a fun alternative to the traditional dinner reception.
Matt’s groom speech was one of the sweetest and most heartfelt I’ve ever heard, I doubt there were many dry eyes in the room.
Since the timeline was a little constrained earlier in the day, we took a bit more time for couple photos after the reception. What I loved about this time was that the busy-ness of wedding day had passed and Matt & Katie were able to relax and simply ‘be’…
Cinematographer: One Fine Day Productions
Florist: Daffodil Parker
Wedding Gown: Priscilla of Boston
Hotel: The Pfister
Ceremony Venue: Villa Terrace
Reception Venue: Bacchus
Coordinator: Brides on a Budget Laura did an amazing job effortlessly pulling everything together throughout the day.
Villa Terrace Milwaukee Wedding :: Matt & Katie
A Summertime Ritual
There are some things that are so deeply rooted in my memory that a scent or a sound can bring me right back to my childhood years.
Last week Jamie and I were driving home from Wisconsin and we saw a sign for a U-Pick strawberry farm, something I did really often as a child and into my teenage years. It was a summer ritual. As Jamie and I pulled in to the field I rolled down the window and one of those nostalgic smells came wafting in. On really hot summer days the berries get a little sun baked, and the whole field smells like strawberry jam…its one of the best things ever.
Growing up I’d always go with Grandpa Al, often also with Grandma Vi and my dad. It was usually a whole day affair starting around 6am. We would take out the back seats of Grandpa’s van and bring about 30 ice cream buckets to fill with berries (don’t ask where we got the buckets, but someone was eating a whole lot of ice cream). We would drive ‘across the line’ as Grandpa would say (to the States) because then we could also fill up with gas while we were down there, and one of the strawberry farms down there also took Canadian dollars at par with American…score. I didn’t mind because we would always stop at this small dairy for ice cream on the way home and let me tell you, this was the best fresh soft serve vanilla ice cream on earth. Usually we’d have an unspoken (or spoken) competition to see who could fill their buckets the fastest, and if I remember correctly I’d always win…although I’m sure that statement would meet with some heavy debate. At the time I didn’t appreciate those days as much as I do now. I did enjoy it, but now I just cherish those memories so dearly! I’m sure that for the rest of my life when I smell strawberries I’ll think of my Grandpa Al.
When we got home we ate some on ice cream with hot fudge (amazing), sliced some up and froze them for the winter, and then I made the rest into 6 gorgeous jars of fresh strawberry jam. Heavenly.
Naperville Wedding :: Kristen & Joel
Last weekend Kristen & Joel became husband and wife! I had a fabulous time documenting their day, the wedding party was full of warm and wonderful people who made me feel welcomed instantly. I heard story after story of Joel & Kristen, and how their friends and family knew right from the start that they were perfect for one another.
We started the day at the hotel in Naperville for some getting ready photos…I can’t remember the exact conversation that was happening in the image below, but I think Joel’s niece just said something hilarious.
The men making their way to the alter…
I love all of the stained glass in this church…such a fun backdrop to shoot.
After the ceremony we headed to the Naperville river walk for some couple and wedding party photos…I love this one of Kristen & Joel.
And this one, too.
Father of the bride during cocktail hour…
Kristen & Joel had their heart set on a faux-photo booth, so…we made it happen. Jamie did the shooting, Joel and Kristen brought their own fun props, and everyone loved it!
Dancing queen : )
Joel & Kristen, I hope you enjoyed this brief glimpse into what is in store! Happy honeymooning : )
~E
Indian Lakes Wedding :: Stacy & Andre
It was about a year ago I shot Doug & Shadia’s beautiful wedding in Chicago…and it was there where I met Erika, who was a bridesmaid. Erika’s cousin Stacy got engaged around that time last year and she recommended me – which is how I met these two. Whenever there is a connection to the bride and groom or people in the wedding party are familiar, (even something that seems sort of remote like this) it just makes the day that much more personal to me.
I loved Stacy and Andre’s enthusiasm from my first meeting with them, they both seemed to be such laid back and positive people…and that proved to be true on the wedding day. When the bride is just enjoying every moment as Stacy was it really emanates throughout the entire day.
We started off in Stacy’s suite at Indian Lakes for some getting ready photos with the girls. Always one of my favorite times of the whole day.
The theme was peacock blue, and I thought the feather in Stacy’s hair was gorgeous!
One of the best First Looks ever…each time I shoot a First Look I’m more convinced that its the way to go! If you wonder why, just ask.
Laughing and Crying at the same time? Yes please…if this is the result you get : )
Gorgeous!
This is Erika, Stacy’s sister-cousin and matron of honor (who also recommended me to Stacy and Andre!)
Stacy & Andre, I hope you enjoyed this preview!! I loved working with you both, and can’t wait to share the rest of the photos with you.
Congratulations again : )
Nature Center Engagement :: Chad & Jill
I have been absolutely loving all of my engagement sessions this year, after each one I keep thinking how much fun it was, how great my couples are and how perfect the locations they choose are – and they just keep coming! Chad and Jill chose to have their engagement photos taken at Spring Valley Nature Center in Schaumburg. Now, the only times I’ve really been to Schaumburg are when I’m going to Ikea…so when I drove in to the Nature Center I could hardly believe this perfect spot just outside of Chicago. It was beautiful, and the perfect location for Chad & Jill’s session.
This kind of location and weather are the kind of thing a photographer’s dreams are made of. Well, my dreams anyways…
These two are just so cute together, love it.
You know I’ve never, ever taken a piggy-back shot of a couple before? For some reason it seemed right on Sunday evening…and this is one of my favorite shots. Who knows, the piggy back might be coming out more often.
Chad and Jill, congratulations again on your engagement! Thanks for putting up with the swarms of mosquitoes for our shoot (I had to edit a bunch of bites out of these photos!) You’re an amazing couple, I can’t wait to see what is in store for you.
~E
