“Meet Gary + Michelle, they are our newest friends whom we LOVED working with for their portraits. Gary + Michelle contacted us after discovering our photo blog and they mentioned how they were especially drawn into our fashion-foward engagement photography style. We will be shooting Gary and Michelle’s Naperville wedding later this year, in the warmer Summer weather. However for their Winter time engagement session, it was brrrr a little cold outside. G+M decided on a suburban shoot with locations nearby their Naperville home.

 

You might be wondering, why did we take Gary + Michele into a laundry mat for this engagement session? Well after getting to know these two a little better we learned Gary and Michelle’s first meeting was in their college dorm’s laundromat. They were smiling and giggling while telling us about the story… and we eventually discussed how it would make for a great concept within the photos. So in knowing that these college sweethearts had a unique story and had plans for an indoor shooting location to warm up a bit for their session, we chose a stop inside a nearby laundry mat. It was fun re-inacting their first meeting, Michelle was studying for her Geology class when Gary first approached her. With some persistence, Michelle decided to let Gary take her out on a date, and the rest is history. We loved hearing their fun and unique story!

 

Gary and Michelle thank you in spending the day with us, we had a blast working together and enjoyed talking more over our Tapas dinner in Naperville after the shoot. Looking forward to seeing you again at the wedding + celebrating with your Naperville and Wheaton family and friends. Enjoy the photos.”

 

 

 

Gary + Michelle have set an August wedding date with their ceremony taking place at Holy Spirit Catholic Community Church in Naperville and reception at DiNolfo’s.

“The Fall season was extremely popular for both engagement photos and weddings, and we were incredibly thankful in keeping quite busy. : ) These next featured photos are from Ryan + Amber’s wedding day. Ryan and Amber are two amazing people, both inside and out, and it was a honor being alongside of them to document their Wheaton wedding and reception celebration in Downers Grove at the Esplanade Lakes Ballroom in the Sara Lee Building.

 

During Ryan and Amber’s engagement session, we remember discussing their wedding venues, the peacock inspired details Amber was collecting, and their close ties to each of their families. ( Ryan and his Dad are very close, so close that Ryan asked him to be his best man. ) So once the day approached, it was great meeting everyone and seeing the day unfold. It was a day full of celebration, smiles, tears, speeches, a mountain bike, two cakes, and a number of happy memories. Thank you Ryan + Amber in hiring us to spend the day with you and making us feel like one of your close guests.

 

On this amazing Autumn weathered day the golden sun casted a beautiful warm glow creating the perfect light for our mix of elegant and dramatic wedding photography style. Ryan and Amber exchanged vows at the downtown Wheaton church Gary United Methodist Church. After researching a few Chicago Western Suburbs reception venues and locations, they had mentioned their search came to a decision on the Esplanade Lakes reception venue in Downers Grove and we could easily see why. It’s perfect for couples wanting an unique Chicago suburbs modern wedding venue. We loved this wedding reception site from it’s Oakbrook area location and the dramatic architectural exterior, to the indoor cocktail space, lake side ballroom and balcony, we were impressed with it all. ( After shooting Ryan and Amber’s wedding, the Esplanade Lakes Ballroom is always one we suggest for those couples visit if they are searching for a modern reception space. And not mention, we love the gorgeous Morton Arboretum forest preserve views. From the ballroom which overlooks a lake, you can see the Eastern border of The Morton Arboretum park. ) The venue featured a 9,500 square foot large ballroom space is nearly entirely encased by metal and glass with over 180 degrees of rounded floor to ceiling windows… it’s an amazing reception space. And… we enjoyed Amber’s decisions in filling the space with decorations and floral arrangements in rich shades of purple and turquoise, with subtle touches of whimsical peacock feathers. Sending a blogged congrats out to you Ryan + Amber. Thank you again in choosing us as your wedding photographers! We’ll be talking to you soon about creating your wedding album. Hope you enjoy this peek into just a few of the many photo options to feature in the book.”

 

 

 

Ryan + Amber coordinated these wedding vendors together to complete their day:
Wheaton Ceremony: Gary United Methodist Church, Wheaton, IL
Downers Grove Wedding Reception Inside the Sara Lee Building: Esplanade Lakes by Double Tree Hilton, 630-434-3810
Guest Hotel Accommodations: Double Tree Suites by Hilton Hotel, Downers Grove
Wedding Gown Designer: Bonny Bridal
Hair + Makeup: On The Edge Salon, North Aurora
Bridesmaids Fashion: Bill Levkoff Bridesmaid Dresses
Wedding Dress, Bridesmaids Dresses + Bridal Veil from: Crystal Bride, Geneva, IL
Tuxedos: Formally Modern Tuxedo
Wedding + Groom’s Cake: The Baking Institute, Wheeling
Flowers: Wallflower Designs, Batavia
DJ: Okyne Media Lab, Chicago
Honeymoon: Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic

 

 

Visit our previous photo post featuring Ryan + Amber’s Starved Rock engagement photography session.