ON THE BLOG

Chicago Summer Church Wedding

Amanda and Alec were such a fun couple to work with. We had such an amazing time shooting their engagement session that I couldn’t wait to capture their Chicago Summer Church Wedding.

Getting Ready & Bridesmaids First Look

Amanda started off the day getting ready at their home in Chicago. I absolutely love when couples choose to get ready at their homes, it adds such a personal touch which I love. It’s especially great for when I take detail photos to really capture the essence of your personality, so if you’re ever in need of a getting ready space your home may just do the trick! We spent the morning having everyone finish hair & makeup and they even all pitched in to steam the wedding dress. If that’s not love, support and dedication then I don’t know what is – LOL. After slipping into her dress and putting the final touches, Amanda decided to do a bridesmaid first look which was SO much fun. While first looks are a pretty common tradition, choosing to do a first look with your wedding party adds a little bit of extra fun and emotion to your wedding day. Your wedding day is not just about doing the “normal” wedding day traditions, but about making it special for you in whatever way that is.

Alec got ready at the Westin River North Hotel in Downtown Chicago. My second photographer & partner in crime, Jake, went with the guys to take photos there while I was with Amanda and her friends! This is why so many wedding photographers suggest having a second photographer on your big day. While we would love to be in two places at one, that’s just impossible! Having a second photographer ensures that no moment is going un-captured.

Chicago Summer Church Wedding

Once everyone was done getting ready, we headed onto the trolley that was waiting for us to bring us to the ceremony! Amanda and Alec had their wedding ceremony at St. Josaphat Parish. There is actually one photo in particular that really stands out to me of Alec and his dad right before walking down the aisle that just gets me every time I look at it. Let’s also take a moment to appreciate how nicely lit this church was?? This was probably the most well lit church I have ever been to in Chicago, so would 10/10 recommend. Okay, so enough talk about the venue it was officially time for these two to say their “I do’s” and do the thing! Like any ceremony, it was just as beautiful as they were. They finally tied the knot and left the church in an epic exit.

Chicago Portraits at Olive Park

Since the ceremony was over, we figured now would be the best time as ever for their wedding portraits! Our first stop was at one of my favorite portrait locations, Olive Park. You probably can’t notice in the photos, but on this day Olive Park was PACKED with wedding parties. Apparently everyone in Chicago was getting married that day! Since it was so jammed we ended up having to be a bit creative, but it ended up working out in the end. The photos turned out AMAZING and like I said, you could barely tell there were tons of people surrounding us! We even got to snag some of those epic city shots, which of course when you’re in Chicago how could you not? Olive Park is one of my favorite photo locations because of the combination of city views and greenery. Wedding portraits, check!

Wedding Reception

Then it was time for me to bring the newlyweds back for their cocktail hour and reception at Galleria Marchetti. I brought Amanda and Alec a little bit early, so we got to sneak inside the reception space to take some photos, which is my new obsession. Their reception was so much fun and I am so glad to have been there to witness it. Amanda, Alec and all of their friends & family really got down on the dance floor and ended the night with a BANG. Definitely one of the best dance floors I witnessed and was one for the books!

If you loved this Chicago Summer Church Wedding, then you’re going to love this City Wedding at Ovation in Chicago!

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