“When Daniel + Janice contacted us from California about engagement photography in Chicago, they mentioned a few urban settings they like and the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel at the University of Chicago campus. Since architectural photography is one of Daniel’s hobbies, it’s no wonder they had personal interest in capturing photos on the historic university campus and inside once we saw the grandeur of this famous chapel. The Gothic vaulted ceilings and ornate church pews provided a dramatic backdrop for the photogenic couple, and the photos taken by the limestone and ivy-covered exterior walls made for some naturally beautiful, early in the Spring time photo opportunities. This awe-inspiring engagement portrait session and incredible ceremony space gave us a sneak peek so we could gather ideas to use at our upcoming Rockefeller Chapel wedding we’ll be shooting this July.

 

Aside from Chicago architecture and wanting tons of after dark night skyline photos, engagement photos along railroad tracks were also on Daniel + Janice’s wish list. The abandoned train tracks were a perfect juxtaposition to the magnificence of the chapel, and presented a unique setting for the modern, artistic photos our couples often desire. Speaking of desires, one of D+J’s is waterfronts, and what better way to capture that passion than with night engagement photos at the Chicago Harbor and skyline. Janice’s long evening gown and Daniel’s high-fashion menswear set the tone for sexy, show-stopping and strikingly colorful engagement photos.

 

Inspired by their love for water, Daniel + Janice have selected a private yacht in Newport Beach, California, to charter their wedding reception on November 3, 2012. The couple are both originally from Fresno, but currently D+J are managing a long-distance relationship (and wedding planning!) while Daniel finishes his residency at a Chicago hospital and Janice pursues a career back in California in Huntington Beach. In the words of Janice, November 3rd is an “all-day event” including a ceremony in Irvine and the Newport Beach yacht cruise on the water reception. Unfortunately, M+M had already booked another couple’s wedding on their date, so we won’t be on board to shoot the big day. Upon meeting and discussing the details more in person, we were super bummed about not being able to be their photographers; we love boating, yachts, and just being on the water. In fact, our dream is to shoot a wedding aboard a private sailboat, boat or yacht, either on a destination or locally at places such as a reception at the Chicago Yacht Club, aboard the famous Anita Dee Yacht on a wedding cruise, or on one of the amazing vessels out of Burnham, Chicago or Wilmette Harbor.

 

Thanks, Daniel + Janice, for the photo adventures around the city and for inviting us into your lives. We wish you both the very best for your future!”

 

 

 

♥ Interested in hopping upon a boat on your wedding day? Daniel + Janice booked Electra Cruises and the Eternity yacht to host their wedding reception. The ship is docked on a pier in Newport Beach and in the evening will be setting sail into the sunset. If you’re looking for a romantic waterfront Chicago area venue, consider contacting or researching any of the nearby lakes, Chicago harbor, Burnham Harbor, Wilmette Harbor, Navy Pier or any of the number of Lake Michigan coastal towns stretching from Wisconsin to Indiana or the shorelines of Michigan.

 

Inspired by Janice’s glamourous fashions featured in this session? The green dress pictured in the evening photos was an online purchase of Janice’s and the accompanying shoes are from Macy’s. The cream, long-sleeved dress is from Victoria’s Secret. Thanks Janice for bringing along your great fashion sense and sharing your purchasing locations. We still can’t get over the amazing weather and 70 degrees in March day for this session! Janice’s hair styling and make-up provided by Laura Black.

“Congratulations to Scott and Andi who were recently married in the bride’s home town of Decatur located in central Illinois. As boaters ourselves, you can imagine how much we LOVED their wedding and waterfront wedding reception location of The Beach House. Scott + Andi’s early evening dinner and reception events were planned around the 136th annual Kentucky Derby Race. Finding inspiration in the Derby, the couple incorporated a few subtle derby and horses elements along with southern charm. It was a “southern wedding with a hint of Kentucky Derby.” Touches of derby traditions included fashion with elaborate derby hats, southern red velvet wedding cake, potent mint juleps, television screens to view the races, guests making their pick of a winning horse, and fireworks to close the evening. The wedding had all the elements of a memorable and unforgettable day.

 

Andi lived with her family at their private lake home located on the water at Lake Decatur. Since Scott and Andi met, many long weekends have been spent at the lake. And while growing up, Andi enjoyed the active lifestyle of living on a lake spending numerous Summer days in and around the lake, on the pier, lake docks, at the Beach House and in the water swimming and boating. When the wedding day’s clouds rolled, a storm passed by and the sun was shining… it was a perfect day to boat… and an even more beautiful day for a May wedding.

 

Although Ryan and I live within the Chicago area, we are often asked to travel with our couple’s as their destination wedding photographers outside of Chicago and Illinois. Scott and Andi are currently living and working in Tennessee a few hundred of miles away from Decatur. So the couple had the local help of a number of Andi’s Decatur area family members including parents, aunts and friends who according to the couple say were a tremendous help in planning and coordinating a number of the day’s events and details. In pulling all the details of the day together, Andi mentioned these few words of advice, keeping a cool mentality in not getting too overwhelmed with the planning. Andi writes:

 

“I have always been one to shake my head when I found out that some couples spent a small fortune on their big day. I swore that I would never spend the money I saved for a luxury car ( Andi drives a lovely Porsche ) on a single day! I think our occupations have influenced our love of a challenge–especially when it comes to managing cost. We wanted to prove to ourselves and our families that our day could be accomplished stress-free, on a shoe string budget and in a unique, fun, and memorable fashion. The true theme of the ceremony was honing and leveraging the talents of friends and family. All the decorations and bows were made by friends of the family who used to own their own business prior to retiring. The rehearsal dinner was catered by friends of the family who were retired caterers. The music at the ceremony was provided by long-time friends of the family (with my Mother–who sings many, many weddings performing Schubert’s Ave Maria), the DJ was my sister’s boyfriend who DJed in College, the cake was made by my aunt (who, in our opinion makes the best red velvet cake in the state of Illinois), our day of planner is a friend of the family, and of course, the photographers have become our friends as well!!!! ”

 

What an exciting wedding day Scott + Andi. Thank you in hiring and inviting us to your wedding. We felt like a couple of your guests… we are happy we have become friends too! Hope you enjoy these couple of preview pictures and will keep in touch the next time you are in the Northern Illinois region. Best wishes to you both and congrats!”

 

 

 

 

Scott + Andi’s Lake Decatur wedding included many DIY and these details:
Catholic Wedding Ceremony: St. Patrick Church, Decatur, Illinois
Day of Planner: Mary Ann Groves
Church Music: Organist Tom Cantwell, Soloists Lara Vespa and Billie Shay. Ave Maria solo by Andi’s Mother
Reception Venue: The Beach House, Lake Decatur, IL
Bridal Dress Designer: Robin Jillian
Veil + Dress Shop: Formals of Litchfield, Litchfield
Hair: The Little Salon Decatur
Bridal Shoes: Silk heels covered with Swarovski Austrian Crystals by Johnathan Kayne
Shoe Shop: A pagent-specialiaty store called My Best Friend Jenna, Jackson, TN
Bride’s Engagement Ring and Jewlery: Tacori
Groom’s Wedding Band: Handcrafted by a Native American Artisan named Billy Long purchased in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Groom + Best Man’s Suits: Black Label by Ralph Lauren
Bridesmaid Dress: Jessica Simpson Formal Wear off the rack from VonMaur
Menu, Southern Style Dishes and Catering by: The Beach House, Lake Decatur
Red Velvet Cake by: Andi’s Aunt–Teresa Litz
Flowers: Zip’s Flowers by the Gate
DJ: Andi’s Sister’s Boyfriend, DJ Captain Ron Jon Gofron
Day of Theme: Southern Spring Wedding with a Hint of Kentucky Derby
Signature Drink: Mint Juleps
Honeymoon: Hopefully a Trophy Hunt for Andi in South Africa or New Zealand

 

 

Be sure to view our featured blog photos from our engagement session in Chicago with
Scott + Andi photographing them in our high-fashion Chicago engagement photography style.