I got connected to Joan & Jabari through a Val…friend and fellow seminary student of Jamie’s. SO to start off I really need to thank Val for the amazing connection! I felt honored to be asked to shoot this wedding, and it was truly my pleasure to be there.
Joan & Jabari are a wonderful couple with amazing friends and family surrounding them, and their wedding was beautiful. It was difficult to choose favorite photos from this day, but I hope that this blog preview will do justice to the story of their day!
Gorgeous…right? Joan’s hair and make up was done by a friend who is an incredibly talented artist, and contracted with Ford modeling agency – she made all of the ladies look simply stunning!
I love this! 
Joan and her ladies were getting ready at the W Hotel downtown Chicago – amazing venue. Not to mention, Joan’s married name is Williams…so the W really worked for us.
Hello! Workin’ it…and she looks GOOD, right?!
As soon as I got this shot I loved it, theres just something about it.
The lovely ladies! 
These girls were so fun to shoot! They were truly just laughing and having fun, and that makes for the best group shots.
Here’s our groom! Jabari looked very classy in his chocolate brown tux.
The gentlemen of the day…
This moment where the dad steps back ALWAYS gets me.
Joan & Jabari wrote their own vows, and I think Jabari had everyone in that place tearing up – it was beautiful.
I love these recessional shots…they’re SO happy.
I’ve shot a few weddings at Garfield Park, and it never gets old. The best thing about this place is that it changes with the seasons so each time I go there it looks different and always beautiful.
Love.
After the cocktail hour, leading in to the reception was an amazing African dance…such a great touch which added so much to the event.
Ok, I LOVED the reception set up, it was so classy and incredibly beautiful. Cudos to the event planner who managed to fit close to 300 guests on the blue stone patio without making it feel cramped! Every detail was perfect.
Cutest flower girls ever…
Congratulations Joan & Jabari! You two are wonderful and I wish you all the best!
Garfield Park Conservatory Wedding :: Joan + Jabari
Garfield Park Conservatory Wedding :: Sarah & Kanhai
Everything about Sarah and Kanhai’s day was beautiful! From the weather to the colors to the venues, and especially the vows they wrote for one another…this was a great day. The day started off by getting ready at the Hotel Monaco downtown – a gorgeous backdrop for photos, both inside and out…
These are flower garlands that Sarah and Kanhai were to exchange during the ceremony, signifying their desire to marry one another.
Fun color choices for the bridesmaid’s dresses – right? You often see different dresses in the same color, but less common is the same dress each in a different vibrant color.
We used this window seat a lot…couldn’t really pass it up!
I loved the intricate henna designs on Sarah’s arms and feet, and I thought it looked great with the dress she chose as well.
Garfield Park Is a gorgeous venue for weddings, definitely don’t discard the Chicago Parks District as a great option for your wedding – there are so many unique and beautiful buildings – the conservatory included!
Sarah and Kanhai are in Italy right now – must admit, I’m a little jealous!
I hope you two are having such an amazing time on your honeymoon, I wish you both all the best!
~Erica
