“These two have love and appreciation for Chicago’s amazing architecture. ( And so do we … did you know we are architectural photographers too? Have you visited www.mmarchitecturalphotography.com our Chicago architectural photography blog yet? )

 

While discussing plans for this Chicago engagement photography session, primarily M+V were focusing on locations that showcased the buildings and the City of Chicago at it’s best. We gathered together photo stops in the heart of the City, on a rooftop up top of the City, and from the Lake Michigan lakefront. Chicago has been home for M+V for only a few years, they were telling us they have lived in a number of places, but they said they absolutely love the City of Chicago. They first met during a triathlon while they were both living in Atlanta. Job transitions brought them to Chicago. Now with their recent engagement, bringing each of their out of town families into the City for their wedding weekend are the plans.

 

M+V love our night Chicago skyline photos. Wow was it amazing shooting from up top of a skyscraper building. When you are looking eye level to the IBM, John Hancock, Willis, Trump Tower, AON buildings, it feels like peering over the edge of the urban version of the Grand Canyon. ( It felt like we were one step away from flying over the City of Chicago’s skyline. ) Viewing the Chicago skyline with no glass in between us and the other buildings put us in awe. During the shoot, we found in common that the four of us are intrigued in Chicago’s history and the City’s architecture. Ryan and I learned so many new Chicago architectural facts from both M+V who know SO much about Chicago architectural history during our day walking around the City. They knew historical aspects like a building by name, the architect who built it, the year it was built, and more … to sum it up, we had an awesome time roaming around Chicago’s loop with them and we realized there’s so many interesting things yet to learn about the City.

 

With love and a huge appreciation for architecture, M+V’s wedding venue search took them around to various venue’s in the City. But ultimately they selected upon a very distinctive and historic beautiful wedding venue. We are excited to be documenting their Summer 2011 wedding at the Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel. The Blackstone hotel has history, architectural details, vibrant color, ornate detail inside… It’s amazing and an incredible hotel, a must see. We can’t wait for their wedding. M+V we hope you, family and friends from all over the world love the photos as much as we do. Hope you have a great time celebrating the rest of your engagement until the wedding… perhaps we won’t have such a humid day come next Summer. Thanks again for the dinner ( it was a treat you buying us one of our favorite dishes Sushi ) and we enjoyed the great conversation!”

 

 

 

M+V are getting married at the Renaissance Blackstone Hotel in Chicago. Both their reception + ceremony will take place at the hotel which is located steps from Grant Park on Michigan Avenue. Recently restored and reopened, the history of the Blackstone Chicago hotel is that it’s graced legendary hotel weekenders a number of movie stars, sports legends, royalty, and presidents since 1910. Thoughtfully restored to its original grandeur, this hotel features French Beaux-Arts architecture and over 1,400 contemporary works by local artists. The lobby is stylish, the venue is breathtaking… check it out if you’re looking for a modern and vintage Chicago hotel wedding venue. ( And an added plus, we hear from our 2011 brides who have already booked their weddings with the hotel, that the management is amazing and the food is to die for! Tapas, delicious. : )

“WOW… what a SMOKIN’ HOT COUPLE! Not to mention, the natural love, affection and chemistry Brad + Lauren had for each other during the shoot was astounding + inspiring. B+L photographed like true professional models on their engagement photo session. Wouldn’t you agree?

 

We had an amazing time shooting Brad + Lauren’s Chicago style high-fashion engagement photography session in a contrasting country, small town and nature park setting. ( We loved heading out to the country to shoot — a much needed break for us, after numerous consecutive urban city engagement shoots. ) We loved everything about this photo shoot –- the weather, fun locations, Brad’s smokin’ turbo Mini Cooper, plus the vibrant + trendy clothing style B+L brought… it all came together quite nicely.

 

Brad + Lauren’s relationship started out as high school sweethearts. Brad decided to propose and soon after their wedding planning had begun. And with wedding planning, there comes finding a wedding photographer. We were so happy Brad and Lauren found us on FACEBOOK through mutual friends. When we met B+L for the first time, they came to us with one mission in mind — to create some bad-ass engagement & wedding photos that uniquely represents exactly who they are. Needless to say we gladly accepted this proposal and had a blast getting creative with them. Thanks for letting us put our creativity to the test with the smoking car for this one. B+L you both looked amazing and we can’t wait for your wedding in less than a month. ( Hope we’re lucky to catch some bombs bursting in the air during your Fourth of July weekend wedding! ) Enjoy the photos and thanks again!!”

 

 

 

Brad + Lauren’s Summer July Chicagoland wedding ceremony is planned at America’s Historic Roundhouse (formally known as Walter Payton’s Roundhouse) in Aurora, Illinois. Their outdoor ceremony is set to take place underneath the venue’s outdoor, courtyard gazebo. Following the ceremony is their reception proceeding indoors also at The Roundhouse in their Grand Ballroom. We are looking forward to a fun wedding day celebration with Brad, Lauren, family, friends and bridal party. A number of guests may be familiar faces to Miller + Miller, Brad and Lauren are from our hometown of Oswego, Illinois, so we’re looking forward to seeing a few friends at the celebration as well.