“Mark + Victoria are engaged! Above are a few of our favorite pics from their engagement session. When we initially met to discuss their wedding plans, we talked about Mark’s proposal, their wedding venue selection, and soon found we all had an interest in hiking and spending time in the outdoors in common. It was no surprise that Mark + Victoria planned their upcoming wedding to take place at popular choice of many of our couples who are specifically looking for a woodsy and outdoor venue of Starved Rock State Park. M+V are planning to wed this Fall. Their October ceremony is set to take place outdoors ( and they hope it will continue on as an outside wedding, but only should the late in the Fall season’s weather permit they say : ). The reception will follow indoors in the park’s wooden lodge.

 

Both Mark + Victoria live in the Western suburb of Downers, but commute into bustling downtown for each of their jobs. Although they enjoy heading into the City, when discussing location ideas it was an easy choice of theirs preferring to narrow in on nature and the outdoors for their session. We quickly decided to keep the shoot in the suburbs choosing locations capturing them in nature, at the park where Mark proposed, and at one of our recently discovered locations which had antique barns, old buildings, and tracks which both Mark + Vicky also said they had interests in incorporating into their session. We asked M+V to tell us about the proposal and their unique engagement story which took place aside a waterfall. ( Admittedly we were a bit extra intrigued because did you know we were also engaged under a waterfall? : ) As mention, both Victoria + Mark love walks, parks, and simply spending time together. Several of their earliest dates were at local area parks. Mark goes on below to explain his “planning” and the details behind the big ♥ proposal day…

 

“I didn’t have a set plan on when or where I was going to propose, I just knew I would know and to be ready. I full well intended to have the ring on me for several weeks if need be, and promised myself I wouldn’t take a knee unless the moment was right. The first attempt was supposed to be Friday. We were going to go walk at Waterfall Glen and take time to check out the waterfall. Both of us had walked or ran at the park before, but neither of us had taken the time to stop and check out the waterfall. Well… work and weather were not cooperating, so I suggest we would go a day earlier on Thursday. It was a bit windy, but perfect once we stepped into the trees. When I saw the waterfall, I knew this was the moment. We took a couple of moments to soak it in. Then I surprised Victoria by taking a knee.”

 

Congrats to you two Mark + Vicky again on your engagement! We had a great time photographing the smiles and chemistry of the two of you together, learning about your interesting career paths, talking about marketing, your futures together, the wedding, and getting to know you two better. We appreciated the late night dinner stop after the session and also your treat in buying us a burger and margaritas. We are looking forward to the wedding and can’t wait to see all your planned Fall ideas come together for the wedding. Enjoy the next few months and the remaining time of your engagement.”

 

 

 

 

♥ Vicky had both her hair and make-up artistry completed before the session at Zano’s Salon, in Downers Grove. Hair styling was by Lawrence and make-up by Kattegat. Vicky originally found our blog and we soon learned she was referring us to many other downtown office co-workers who were also engaged. We always love + appreciate hearing our couples referring us to their friends, thanks Vicky. You may remember Stephanie + Matt who were recently married, they were thankfully a referral and both co-workers of Vicky’s.

“Dan + Debbie are married!! It is very fitting to say instead of “Introducing the new Mr. & Mrs.” if instead we say… “Introducing the newly wedded AND the newly graduated Dr. & Dr.!” : ) Yes doctors Dr. Deborah and Dr. Daniel Boyle, after a couple of extended years of dating and courtship while finishing their degrees, are now happily married. The year 2010 not only marks both their wedding year, but also the official year of graduation for both Debbie + Dan. Congrats you guys.

 

We enjoyed spending the day with Dan + Debbie. On their wedding day, we enjoyed seeing the two of them and their love for each other, seeing how the two of them are so down to earth and fun to be around… we know they are amazing doctors, simply because they are amazing people. : )

 

The first part of the day was documenting each the bride and groom getting ready separately, and later we photographed their official marriage at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Downers Grove. Although on the morning of the wedding, there was rain and thunderstorms, by the end of the ceremony, the sun was poking through the clouds and eventually was it was shining. The afternoon turned out to be gorgeous during our available outdoor shooting time. The sun bursting through the trellis when we arrived at Cantigny in Wheaton was magical. Remembering back to their day, Dan said while posing in front of the reflection pond at Cantigny Park and Gardens, I can see you creating fine art right in front of us. He said he felt like he was in the center of a painting. Something we never thought about how we “paint” a wedding picture… but we enjoyed hearing it and the thought put a smile on our faces. Some of our favorite photos from their day were taken in front of the pond. We loved the pink parasol umbrellas, rich magenta colored dresses, and the bold timeless simplicity the overall group provided… With only a few minutes left before the reception started, Dan couldn’t resists saving a few final minutes showcasing him and his groomsmen at the tank park. ( Perhaps Dan saw our past visit to the park for Mike + Val’s Cantigny engagement when they also were up on top of the tanks! )

 

The celebration and reception proceed in the evening at The Westin Hotel located in Lombard near Yorktown mall. The Chicago western suburbs hotel features a huge event space with modern fixtures and decor, an attached terrace overlooking a pond, and tons of natural light with large windows. Debbie and Dan’s wedding had about 330 guests ( and we learned about 1/3 of the room were also doctors ), so the venue was very accommodating for their larger sized wedding. Wedding guests enjoyed sounds from their appointed wedding band The Stanley Paul Orchestra, and added entertainment of cultural Philippines dancing by KAPWA Filipino dance group from Loyola University. What a beautiful day Dan + Debbie, thanks for inviting us along! The two of you and your bridal party were a fun group to work with. We hope you enjoy seeing the photos and they bring back memories from your amazing day. Congratulations and hello in Atlanta.”

 

 

 

Dan + Debbie’s Wedding Day Vendors:
Ceremony: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Downers Grove
Reception Venue: The Westin Hotel at Yorktown Plaza, Lombard
On-Location Wedding Photography Venue: Cantigny Park and Gardens, Wheaton
Couture Dress: Stephen Yearick purchased at Eva’s Bridal of Oak Lawn, Oak Lawn
Bridesmaids Dress: Adrianna Papell
Tuxedos: Black Tie Formal Wear, Glen Ellyn
Flowers: Brides Choice Flowers, Lisle
Bride’s Prep Location: Debbie’s parents home in Oak Brook
Hair: Janice from Expressions Salon, Downers Grove
Makeup: Airbrushing by Darbie Day
Custom Engagement Ring + Jewelry: Metro 70 Jewelers, St. Louis, MO, 314-421-6440
Band: Stanley Paul Orchestra
Reception Dances: KAPWA Filipino dance group from Loyola University
Honeymoon: Back to Work for Dan + Debbie … but they are hopeful for a trip to Costa Rica in January