“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.

“We had a wonderful time photographing Chip + Tina and documenting the two of them as they exchanged wedding vows. It was an amazing and memorable wedding day. Mother nature had her own plans for their atypical June wedding day. It was unfortunately record breaking hot and stormy with tornado warnings in the area on this Friday. None the less the celebration proceeded!

 

Chip + Tina's ceremony took place in a beautiful old Catholic church in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood ( walking distance from the Sox's Cellular Field ) called Nativity of Our Lord Parish. Unfortunately after a few extra hours in an unairconditioned trolley in bumper to bumper traffic ( and a few extra beers later ), Chip + TIna lost out on their original planned time for creative on location photos. : ( Yes the traffic, wind and stormy weather provided a serious detour in C+T’s plans, but their bridal party helped make the best of the stormy weather and kept Chip + Tina’s wedding day momentum going positive. ( We followed the trolley on the ride from Chicago to Addison. When the trolley pulled over half way through the detour for a quick break, everyone was so excited to see we had continued to follow the trolley through the storm … Snapping a few candid shots along the way, we captured a few fun ones such as of Tina outside of Taco Bell and the groom on the back of the trolley’s balcony. )

 

There is an old saying that rain on your wedding day is a lucky omen! Although rain is never ideal and for nearly three hours straight... whom else would a bride + groom want to spend time in a trolley with other than along side of their closest friends + family in the bridal party. When the trolley and many of the guest too finally arrived to Venuti’s Banquets & Ristorante in Addison, ( yes a little late at 7:30 ) everyone was anxious to get the reception party started. The room was amazing! With Tina’s interior decorating and knowledge in making a room look spectacular, she created an gorgeous reception room with dashes of pink, many details, candles, romance and elegance.

 

Chip + Tina, we wish you all the best! Your wedding day will be one Miller + Miller will definitely never forget. Congratulations hope you enjoyed your honeymoon in Hawaii and we'll talk to you soon."

 

 

 

Reception Venue + Catering: Venuti’s Banquets & Ristorante, Addison
Church: Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Chicago
Wedding Dress: White Satin Bridal, Plainfield
Videography: Azure IX Media
Bridesmaids Dresses: White Satin Bridal, Plainfield
Tuxedos: Modern Tuxedo
Hair: Salon Buzz, Chicago
Makeup: Ryan Jaeger, Chicago
Veil: White Satin Bridal, Plainfield
Day of Coordination: Missy Peterson
Reception Flowers: Instincts Design Studio, Elmhurst
Bridal Party Flowers: Fasan Florists, Chicago
Cake: Oak Mill Bakery, Niles
Honeymoon: Hawaii

 

Revisit our blog photos posting of Chip + Tina’s Chicago engagement photo session.