“After spending the day with Brad + Lauren out and about on their May in the country high-fashion engagement photo session, we knew their upcoming Aurora wedding at The Roundhouse would be just as great… And was it an awesome day! A day filled with wedding excitement, vibrant colors and lots of people joining in on the celebration.

 

On Brad and Lauren’s summer wedding day it was warm and sunny, beautiful afternoon. We loved capturing the emotions, smiles, love and excitement between B+L at the park. The dense forest and meandering gravel path created a beautiful romantic setting. Brad + Lauren were both glowing and looked stunning. With temperatures being nearly in the 90′s we found a couple of picturesque shaded shooting spots under a canopy of trees. Up the gravel path, we photographed some artistic bridal party group shots, romantic photos of just the bride + groom under an old oak tree, and across the street in the vast prairie. And later, we captured some fun, high-fashion wedding day “urban styled” shots in town.

 

We loved Ren’s chosen bright wedding colors, mixing in tropical shades of vibrant pink and coral. Accents of the tropics were everywhere. Their outdoor ceremony took place under the shining sun, at America’s Historic Roundhouse underneath the courtyard’s gazebo. The Roundhouse is a unique, historic venue located in the western Chicago burb’s appealing to many brides planning a wedding in the Aurora and Naperville area. The brew pub has many smaller themed rooms, a microbrewery, museum, hosts comedy, live music, and newer renovations have retained the historical vintage details of the original building’s construction of the 1850′s. ( It’s one of the oldest existing limestone roundhouse in the nation. ) During the reception, the banquet room’s atrium doors opened up onto the patio providing an outdoor option. So during the evening, guests enjoyed being either outside in the courtyard, or dancing inside on the dance floor. On B+L’s wedding night, a rock band was playing outside in the courtyard ( on the exact same stage where earlier that day they exchanged their wedding vows. ) Inside guest’s enjoyed the music Sounds Abound DJ’s was mixing… nearly everyone’s hands were up in the air and there was plenty of dancing going on on the dance floor. To the guests who attended the wedding… does anyone remember which song was playing during our last featured photo? : )

 

Thanks Brad + Ren in hiring us to capture the two of you and your guests on your gorgeous summer wedding day. Ryan and I enjoyed spending the day with you guys and had a great time helping to celebrate your day along side your family and friends. Enjoy the pictures… hope they bring back many memories of the fabulous day!”

 

 

 

Brad + Lauren’s wedding incorporated many DIY elements. Below are a few highlights:
Ceremony + Reception: America’s Historic Roundhouse, Aurora
Couture Bridal Dress: W1 WHITE ONE
Tuxedos: American Male, Oswego
Flowers: Phillip’s
Makeup + Hair: Salon Two Nine, North Aurora
Coordination: Nicole Cook
Cake: The Cakery
DJ: Kyle Overbey from Sounds Abound, Naperville

 

Revisit our May photos from Brad + Lauren’s Chicagoland high-fashion engagement photography session.

“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.