“With Victor + Blanca’s wedding being only a few weeks after we photographed them on this vintage car in the country engagement session… stay tuned for their wedding day pictures coming up in a few posts!! While out on their engagement, the sun was shining but the Chicago blustery winds kept unexpectantly increasing in speed. But we all didn’t let the wind stop us, we made the most out of the gusts and used it to help create a dramatic editorial style look for this fashion inspired photography session. And as the day and the shoot progressed, the love and passion between Victor + Blanca and our in the country locations we stumbled upon, just kept getting better and better.

 

We would like to especially note that Victor + Blanca did a FABULOUS job in selecting some stylish clothes for their Illinois country engagement session. Thanks Blanca + Victor in investing into your wardrobe, makeup, and hair ( which we feel is one of the biggest keys to outstanding engagement photography. ) Many brides enjoy experimenting during the engagement session… whether the makeup being a trial run for the wedding, or in deciding to go a bit more glam with a fashion-inspired make-up trend, or a smokey eye “edgy” look. We always enjoy couples who come to us with such great fashion style. You guys looked sleek, sexy and sophisticated, thanks V+B.

 

When we first met up with these two last Summer at our home photography studio, we learned about their lives, their relationship, and discussed creating a personalized engagement session unique to them. Blanca mentioned how much they loved our editorial magazine styled high-fashion engagement photography look. And after us learning Victor was at the time currently working on fixing up his vintage 1972 Chevelle, we soon brainstormed an idea in incorporating the classic car into the engagement session and taking on a vintage 70′s inspired fashion theme for the photo session. Thanks Blanca + Victor in deciding to drive the car out from the City, to the wide open country for the session. We stopped at a few desolation locations in the beautiful Illinois country… gravel roads, a tree nursery farm, a barn, an abandoned motel ( a location we had been planning to visit for some time which provided the perfect setting with crumbling walls, textures in the brick, broken glass and seventies style architecture ). And of course, we were spoiled having a classic muscle car such as Vic’s cherry red 1970′s Chevelle. We had fun composing pictures with V+B inside the Chevelle while the car was moving and Ryan was hanging out of our truck, posing the couple outside of the car, and letting the couple kiss and flirt a little on top of the car.

 

Victor + Blanca thank you for finding + booking us as your photographers. We have greatly enjoyed working with you. Thank you for your passion, enthusiasm, and dedication to each other and bringing that to this shoot, it was contagious. As mentioned, stay tuned for your Chicago wedding day pictures, coming soon. We loved every second of this fashion inspired engagement session, one of our favorite engagements from 2010! Hope you enjoy them too!”

 

 

 

Blanca’s enhanced beauty for this shoot was provided by hairstylist Octavio Trujillo of Estilo Salon, complimented by Giorgio Armani Cosmetics Makeup Artist Erica Gonzalez. Victor + Blanca’s wedding ceremony took place at St. Mary’s of the Angels in Chicago on Hermitage Avenue. Victor + Blanca’s evening reception venue was Chicago’s North Shore Evanston Golf Club. We can’t wait to post their wedding photos… coming soon.

 

“The Fall season was extremely popular for both engagement photos and weddings, and we were incredibly thankful in keeping quite busy. : ) These next featured photos are from Ryan + Amber’s wedding day. Ryan and Amber are two amazing people, both inside and out, and it was a honor being alongside of them to document their Wheaton wedding and reception celebration in Downers Grove at the Esplanade Lakes Ballroom in the Sara Lee Building.

 

During Ryan and Amber’s engagement session, we remember discussing their wedding venues, the peacock inspired details Amber was collecting, and their close ties to each of their families. ( Ryan and his Dad are very close, so close that Ryan asked him to be his best man. ) So once the day approached, it was great meeting everyone and seeing the day unfold. It was a day full of celebration, smiles, tears, speeches, a mountain bike, two cakes, and a number of happy memories. Thank you Ryan + Amber in hiring us to spend the day with you and making us feel like one of your close guests.

 

On this amazing Autumn weathered day the golden sun casted a beautiful warm glow creating the perfect light for our mix of elegant and dramatic wedding photography style. Ryan and Amber exchanged vows at the downtown Wheaton church Gary United Methodist Church. After researching a few Chicago Western Suburbs reception venues and locations, they had mentioned their search came to a decision on the Esplanade Lakes reception venue in Downers Grove and we could easily see why. It’s perfect for couples wanting an unique Chicago suburbs modern wedding venue. We loved this wedding reception site from it’s Oakbrook area location and the dramatic architectural exterior, to the indoor cocktail space, lake side ballroom and balcony, we were impressed with it all. ( After shooting Ryan and Amber’s wedding, the Esplanade Lakes Ballroom is always one we suggest for those couples visit if they are searching for a modern reception space. And not mention, we love the gorgeous Morton Arboretum forest preserve views. From the ballroom which overlooks a lake, you can see the Eastern border of The Morton Arboretum park. ) The venue featured a 9,500 square foot large ballroom space is nearly entirely encased by metal and glass with over 180 degrees of rounded floor to ceiling windows… it’s an amazing reception space. And… we enjoyed Amber’s decisions in filling the space with decorations and floral arrangements in rich shades of purple and turquoise, with subtle touches of whimsical peacock feathers. Sending a blogged congrats out to you Ryan + Amber. Thank you again in choosing us as your wedding photographers! We’ll be talking to you soon about creating your wedding album. Hope you enjoy this peek into just a few of the many photo options to feature in the book.”

 

 

 

Ryan + Amber coordinated these wedding vendors together to complete their day:
Wheaton Ceremony: Gary United Methodist Church, Wheaton, IL
Downers Grove Wedding Reception Inside the Sara Lee Building: Esplanade Lakes by Double Tree Hilton, 630-434-3810
Guest Hotel Accommodations: Double Tree Suites by Hilton Hotel, Downers Grove
Wedding Gown Designer: Bonny Bridal
Hair + Makeup: On The Edge Salon, North Aurora
Bridesmaids Fashion: Bill Levkoff Bridesmaid Dresses
Wedding Dress, Bridesmaids Dresses + Bridal Veil from: Crystal Bride, Geneva, IL
Tuxedos: Formally Modern Tuxedo
Wedding + Groom’s Cake: The Baking Institute, Wheeling
Flowers: Wallflower Designs, Batavia
DJ: Okyne Media Lab, Chicago
Honeymoon: Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic

 

 

Visit our previous photo post featuring Ryan + Amber’s Starved Rock engagement photography session.