“Ryan and I are very excited to feature these photographs of our close friends Mike + Sheila and their beautiful June wedding. We definitely had some fun with their bridal party during their group photo time and getting creative. We loved the mix of fun, modern, vintage + elegant photos we captured in between M+S’s ceremony and reception.

 

Mike + Sheila currently live downtown Chicago but didn't restrict their venue researching only to the City. They visited Chicagoland wedding venues stretching from Naperville to Lake Forest, and from Chicago to Joliet. Their search was for a truly distinctive venue with style and some historical details. Their final decision was at two venue's in Joliet both with architectural details... a vintage mansion and historical loft building creating a perfect mix of styles.

 

Mike + Sheila's ceremony took place outside the historic Jacob Henry Mansion in Joliet under the venue’s pergola in the secret garden. It was a romantic and picturesque garden setting for their outdoor wedding ceremony. Ryan worked solo on this one and did an amazing job covering this ceremony all 100% on his own with two dueling cameras, one on each shoulder. Yes, I was honored to be a bridesmaid standing up by Sheila + Mike on their wedding day, so my duties were to shared by shooting earlier in the day, followed by enjoying the events of the day. I did share with Ryan during the bridal session in posing and styling, but then we took some time in later to enjoy the party and reception festivities. It was an awesome party, great food, music, martini drink menu and fun. The Department was the perfect historical loft venue adding urban flair to their wedding day. We loved this place! Although compartmentalized, the two story venue was very unique and an awesome suburban substitute for those looking for a downtown Chicago loft reception venue.

 

A huge congratulations goes out to Mike + Sheila!! We hope you enjoy your wedding photos. Thank you for hiring us as your personal wedding photographers and allowing us to capture the memories of your wedding day with family and friends. ( Oh and it was a pleasure standing up as a bridesmaid on your wedding day. SOOOO happy for you guys! Yes... I even shed a tear or two on the day of and when editing these photos. Congrats!! )"

 

 

 

Ceremony: Jacob Henry Mansion, Joliet
Reception: The Department, Joliet
Wedding Dress: Winnie Couture Haute Bridal Fashion
Hotel Prep Location: Harrah’s Casino, Joliet
Bridal Shoes: Caparros
Bridesmaids Shoes: Bandolino
Bridesmaids Dress: Watters, Too
Tuxedos: Formally Modern
Cake: Kirsten’s Danish Bakery, Burr Ridge
Flowers: The Petal Shoppe, Joliet
DJ: Spencer from Style Matters DJs, Chicago
Hair: Total Image Bridal
Airbrushing + Makeup: Total Image Bridal

 

Revisit our engagement photos from Mike + Sheila’s July 2009 Chicago engagement photo session.

Sarah + Ryan Miller:

“Fall is definitely a popular time to schedule an engagement session with Miller + Miller! However the unpredictable weather and scheduling an outdoor shoot can naturally provide for some unpredicted variables. For Mike + Aimee’s Chicago engagement photos, the wind was blowing and some super moody clouds rolled in. Thankfully, the rain cooperated holding off until after our final City shots were completed. ( And actually, we loved the clouds and created some real artistry with them! )

 

We had a great time creating both elegant and creative photos for Mike and Aimee. We loved our first Downtown shooting spot that Aimee suggested! The park where Mike’s proposal took place incorporated both nature and beautiful, classic detail elements. Next we crossed Lake Shore Drive to the Chicago Harbor – we love boating Lake Michigan and suggested this location to M+A. The dock photos were great, but wow we were very grateful that a local Chicago sailer and his wife invited us aboard their massive, 50 foot sailboat to shoot some amazing, front bow photographs! Our boat is only 20′ and fun on Lake Michigan, but shooting onboard their sail boat was truly photographic gift. Many thanks to everyone we met on Sunday and of course to Aimee and Mike for a great day. A special thank you to Aimee, who despite her recent foot surgery and difficulty putting tons of weight on her right foot, she was determined to shoot some unforgettable photographs.

 

Mike + Aimee are completing final details for their Spring April 2010 wedding taking place at the historic and beautiful The Patrick C. Haley Mansion in Joliet, IL. We look forward to your wedding. M+A were a referral from Joshua + Stacy. We love appreciate referrals and enjoy the opportunity everyday in meeting new couples and capturing some of their happiest moments of their lives from their engagements and weddings, to baby and family portraits as their families grow.”