“We’d like to introduce you to Brandon + Stefanie whom we first met with on a chilly February evening. Over a few warm cups of coffee, we chatted about the opposite weather and not only their Summer wedding plans, but also their preference in waiting for warmer temperatures for a Chicago beach engagement photography session. Well with so much rain we received earlier this year, it was unfortunate but we had to reschedule an amazing three times! ( A big thanks to Brandon + Stef in being so flexible. This season’s weather has been a slight bummer overall. ) But the day we ended up shooting on, wow did we have some beautiful weather for our day at the beach. The sun was shining, Brandon and Stefanie dipped their toes in the water along the shore, relaxed in the sand, and then spent some time getting close and cuddling up in their beach blanket together. Stef + Brandon’s wedding date was only a few weeks away when we met for their session and they seemed to be caught up in the moment and happily in love, so it was easy to capture their love and emotion for each other. They are really excited about the big wedding day, seeing their planning all come together and having friends and family all there to celebrate. We can’t wait for the big day too. An outdoor ceremony plus a live band, we especially love those types of weddings.

 

Brandon + Stefanie currently live downtown. While living on the North side of Chicago in the Lakeview Wrigleville area, they met at a mutual friends party at a neighborhood bar. It was fun learning while out out on this engagement session, more about that day and how not only they met, but a few other couple’s and friends also met on that same day. Although years and time has passed, many of them are still together and have also gotten married… now as married couples they all have remained very close friends. The couple’s careers and excitement of living in the City brought them both downtown. Brandon works in the creative industry, as a talented web designer. He enjoys the living in the urban environment, but originally was telling us he grew up in the small town of Sterling located in central Illinois. Stefanie is from Carol Stream in the Chicago Western Suburbs and since graduating has worked within the metropolitan setting of the healthcare industry. Dating for few years before Brandon popped the question, Stefanie mentioned she was eager and ready to immediately start the planning process. : ) Their engagement story is definitely a unique one. Remember the incredible Chicago blizzard we had earlier this year where Lake Shore Drive was closed and everyone was snowed in? That’s the exact day Brandon proposed and Stefanie shared his surprise proposal details with me:

 

“I woke up early February 1st because record snow fall was expected that day. I got in the shower and quickly got ready for work. On the way out the door Brandon told me to come back upstairs. When I entered the room I asked what was wrong and he got down on one knee and proposed. I thought getting engaged at 6:45am was different but with record snowfall I was told plans had been altered. I didn’t know what plans but after I said yes he told me that I wasn’t going to work that morning and that I needed to pack my suitcase for a warm destination. I was in complete shock and the next thing I knew my mom and sister were at the door. I quickly packed my things and called work. My manager had already known about the proposal and vacation because Brandon had been planning it with her for months. The snow was coming down hard and we were worried our flight would be cancelled. At this point I still did not know where we were going. We ended up being the last flight out of O’Hare. We flew to Florida and then connected to our next flight. Brandon had managed not to let me know where we were going until we got to the gate and I saw we were headed to St. Lucia. I was beyond thrilled to be engaged to the best man and going to the most beautiful island.”

 

What a romantic story and awesome planning Brandon. Always love hearing unique engagement stories. Thanks again Brandon + Stefanie we had a great time spending the day with you two around the City, thanks for bringing your unique modern style to the session, fashion clothing ideas, and it was great sharing a bite to eat together being able to chat a little more during the session. It is awesome we have many things in common including being designers and visits to our family’s lake houses Union Pier MI during the Summer. ( BTW, hope the bachelorette party in Michigan at the beach was a great time Stef. ) We are excited about your upcoming wedding, the live band, our rock the drop, and meeting everyone incorporated in your lives. Hope you enjoy the engagement photos!! Talk to you soon.”

 

 

 

♥ Brandon + Stephanie are getting married in the evening on the grounds of The Lehmann Mansion. The mansion is located in the small town of Lake Villa in Lake County. Lake Villa is in Northern Illinois located approximately 5 miles from the Southern Wisconsin border. Lehmann Mansion was built in 1912 and this North shore venue was formerly a summer home of the Lehmann family. Recently restored to the grandeur of its elegant past, is now open for wedding celebrations. The couple’s tented reception, dinner, and dancing will follow their outdoor ceremony also at the mansion. We are excited that Brandon + Stefanie have added to the activities taking place after dinner our Miller + Miller Rock the Drop reception photo booth and backdrop. Always a blast and awesome addition to our couple’s reception events.

“We had a great time working with Drew + Tiffany. Although it was quite chilly on their engagement session ( don’t let the sun and beach fool you ) their love for each other and excitement for the engagement session kept them warm. When discussing their relationship and personalities we decided to spend the afternoon at a few stops around Chicago… at the sandy beach, in nature, and Tiffany especially liked our style where we focus on fashion inspired styled photos in a factory or industrial location in Chicago. Drew + Tiffany traveled to Chicago from Nashville Tennessee for their Spring engagement session. They currently live in Nashville, but both Drew and Tiffany’s families resides in the Chicago area. Chicago will be the location of the couple’s Fall 2011 wedding.

 

For a few years, Drew lived in Florida. So at the start of his and Tiffany’s long distance relationship, many of hours and dates were often spent in the water or walking along the sandy beach. On their session’s day in Chicago, we were wishing we were in Florida and hoping for warmer weather as the day went on. When we arrived at the beach for shooting some Chicago beach engagement photography pics, it was empty which was ideal for the photos, but there was a reason why the lakefront was cleared… it was incredibly cold and a super windy day in the Windy City. We’re talking over 25+ mile an hour winds. So especially to Tiffany, she did really well putting a smile on and not letting the blowing sand and gusts against her legs effect the photos one bit. After that quick trip to the beach, we searched for a more natural setting and ventured to a nearby park searching for a beautiful nature location for some soft and cuddly photos. A few early Spring plants were starting to bloom and we found a quite spot with much less wind to sit the couple down in the tall grasses.

 

We had only meet Tiffany + Drew before this day over the internet and on Facebook and via email. So we had a ton to talk about and enjoyed this first face to face meeting and getting to know each of them. We learned about their careers, them moving around and currently living outside of the Chicago area, the engagement proposal and the big upcoming wedding. Although Tiffany and Drew went to high school together the two of them didn’t know each other very well, until a few years ago reuniting and talking more on Facebook. In high school they were a year apart in school, so they did have a few things in common, but after catching up and chatting on a regular basis, Tiffany says “Inbox messages turned to text, which turned to phone calls, which turned to a trip to Naples in February! And the rest is history. : )” Drew is a professional golf player who at the time was playing golf daily and living in sunny Florida. It was interesting learning about his competitions, world wide tournament tours, and visiting locations around the world. Both Drew + Tiffany are very dedicated to their careers, so the relationship just kinda happened one day. Until Tiffany met Drew, she said her focus was on completing her degree in a field she loves Behavioral Therapy. We asked how and if the engagement proposal happened in Illinois, Tennessee or Florida. Tiffany shared their ♥ proposal story with us. It was up North and here in Chicago.

 

“Drew convinced me to come home for a long weekend and anniversary party. We had breakfast at my parent’s house and were supposed to go to Woodfield Mall. On our way to the mall I noticed we had passed nearly every exit to the mall, and mentioned that the mall was “way back there.” Drew then mentioned that we aren’t going to the mall, then handed me a blindfold and instructed me to put it on. Several minutes later I was led into a room, took off my blindfold, and saw a beautiful set-up :) Drew had organized four hours at a private spa – pool, hot tub, and steam room for two. It was decorated with wine, candles, gifts, and my suitcase was ready to go with clothing and toiletries for later that evening. He proposed poolside and it was perfect. Drew told me to get ready for our dinner reservation, but first we would have to stop home and let the dogs out. When I walked in his parent’s house, there was a big surprise party! It was an amazing day and night, and I couldn’t ask for anything more!”

 

Drew and Tiff we hope you two in Nashville and family & friends both here in Chicago & down South all enjoy our blogged favorites from your Chicago engagement photography session. We are so excited to be working with you and we can’t wait for your wedding this November!”

 

 

 

♥ Drew + Tiffany are getting married at the Concorde Banquets located in North Chicago suburb of Kildeer. The couple’s reception will take place in Crystal Lake at the First Congregational Church. If you have visited our blog over the past year, you may remember Tiffany’s college friend Michele. Visit Michele + Mark’s blog posts to see their Chicago Beach engagement photography session. A big thank you to Michele who referred her friend Tiffany to us. And of course, thank you Tiffany and Drew in booking us for your engagement and wedding day photography.