“We had a great time spending the afternoon with Kurt + Carrie out on their summer Libertyville engagement photo session. After delaying the shoot a few times ( due to rain and then two weeks of bachelor and bachelorette fun in Vegas, so jealous ) we were happy for finally a dry day. Except the day was more than just a little buggy, there were a ton of mosquitos outside… especially at dusk. With it definitely being one of those super hot summer and very humid days, thanks Kurt + Carrie for sticking things out until the end, even through the bugs to capture night shots. : )

 

We first met with Kurt + Carrie last Winter during their search for a north shore Chicago wedding photographer for their wedding. Carrie told us she searched in nearby areas like Lake Bluff, Libertyville and other North Shore suburbs, but eventually stumbled on Miller + Miller and loved our unique wedding photography style. With all the Chicago area wedding photographer options out there, we’re glad you found our photo blog.

 

For Kurt + Carrie’s engagement pictures, Carrie asked if we would be up for heading up to the Chicago Northern suburbs. Of course, that was no problem as we love traveling anywhere for engagements and weddings. We enjoy shooting couples located anywhere in and around Chicago… often too in other States or Countries outside of the US. For Carrie’s engagement session, she had a few of her and Kurt’s favorite locations around Libertyville in mind for the shoot. Libertyville is a big part of their relationship as it’s the location where they originally met and are currently living. Their unique “falling in love story” started several years ago while attending Libertyville High School… yes they have known each other for nearly a decade. Carrie was telling us of her memories of the older senior grade level Kurt, back in her freshman year, and being out with other cheerleader friends in the back of Kurt’s Jeep. Hearing stories of the past are always cute. Ryan and I have our own high school and college era stories too.

 

Thanks Kurt + Carrie in spending the day with us and providing the tour around your place! We enjoyed roaming around Libertyville, meeting Kurt’s mom, visiting with your dog for a bit, and exploring your home town. Libertyville looks like a great place to live. See you in a few weeks for the big wedding day!!

 

 

 

Kurt + Carrie are going to be married in a few short days… their wedding is this upcoming September. Both their ceremony and reception are going to take place at Ivanhoe Country Club in Mundelein located nearby their Libertyville home. Kurt was telling us how the golf club has 27 holes, with three different designed terrain styles one course is a prairie, one a marsh and the last 9 holes are in a forest setting. Sounds beautiful… looking forward to hopping in a cart and exploring the course.

“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.

“Ok so I know this is going to sound cheesy, but this engagement session was ELECTRIFYING. Agnes looked amazing, she’s a natural beauty. : ) So a few months ago, Ryan and I stumbled across a few awesome new shooting spots… the power plant at night is an seriously edgy locale. Chase + Agnes are another one of our awesome couples we work with who were up for just about anything. Agnes found our blog last Winter and fell in love with our high-fashion wedding photography style. When we originally met discussing their engagement + wedding day plans, we talked and decided to keep the engagement session with an “in the ‘burbs and country” style … so we decided on a Chicago western suburbs photography setting and are saving the downtown Chicago urban scenery for their wedding day.

 

We love shooting unique engagement photography sessions with our future brides and grooms … and providing them with modern images in a variety of styles beyond just the wedding day when they are in their wedding gown and formal dressed wedding gear. Engagement sessions provide a good getting to know each other better time too. What’s better than cuddling, kissing, exploring new places and talking about the upcoming wedding. Not to mention, many couples get an early chance to get comfortable being in front of a camera.

 

For Chase + Agnes, we arranged for an after work engagement session… scheduling the photo shoot just a few days before their soon approaching October wedding. On C+A’s shoot day, we got lucky with some beautiful late afternoon, golden sun. But also, we battled swatting the summertime pesty mosquitos! We couldn’t get enough of the bug spray. Chase + Agnes… we hope you enjoyed our time together out on your Naperville engagement photography session!! We’re looking forward to exploring downtown Chicago and capturing photos of the two of you on your upcoming October wedding day. Talk to you very soon about your guestbook’s design.”

 

 

 

Agnes + Chase are wrapping up their October 2010 wedding plans. The ceremony will take place at Our Lady of Pompeii Church in Chicago and their reception in Winfield at the by Klein Creek Golf Club & Banquets. Also ordering an reception guest’s sign-in book, they are next going to select their favorite engagement images which will be featured in a Miller + Miller engagement photography guestbook.

” For Ryan + Amber’s Summer engagement session, we decided on far Chicago western suburbs shooting spot in Utica, IL at Starved Rock State Park. It was an event filled + adventurous day. R+A were down for just about anything like walking through an abandoned house + burned rubble, hiking, climbing to heights, and even sitting on a “World Famous” dumpster we stumbled upon. LOL As always, we had a great time and captured a variety of photo styles and unique engagement pictures.

 

In not meeting Ryan until the photo session, all of our initial communication was only with the bride to be, Amber had told us quite a bit about Ryan and his interest in rock climbing. ( With not many options for rock climbing in our flat state of Illinois, the first question we had was after you get married, will you be moving to a more rocky state like Colorado… and can you take us with you? They laughed. ) When initially discussing with Amber potential shooting location spots, traveling out to Starved Rock was definitely at must. The groom Ryan and his family live in the far North Chicago ‘burbs of Antioch ( near the Wisconsin border ) and Amber and her family in the Aurora / Naperville area … so as you can guess, Ryan is all too comfortable doing a lot of driving ( as he’s down near Amber pretty often. ) So planning for the 2 hour drive West of downtown Chicago to Utica and the popular Starved Rock State Park was no problem at all. Not only did Amber request photos at the Rock, but she also asked to incorporate a high-fashion element into the shoot too. That was no prob, we love hiking the rock canyons and we had a few new + secret shooting spots up our sleeves too.

 

Ryan + Amber’s love story started down state in Bloomington Illinois while both R+A were in college attending Illinois State University. Yes, they are college sweet hearts. However ironically enough, they actually met while on a church trip over Spring break in Florida. Continuing to live on campus for a few years later and in the same college dorm building, they soon became inseparable. We know their wedding is definitely going to have a good sized group of college friends in attendance. Looking forward to all the fun and details Amber has told us about. Thanks for spending the day with us… congrats to the two of you on your engagement. We can’t wait to photograph your upcoming Fall wedding in just a few weeks.”

 

 

 

Ryan + Amber are narrowing down their favorites images to feature in one of our Miller + Miller engagement photos guestbook featuring 10 image pages. Their October 2010 ceremony is planned for Gary United Methodist Church in downtown Wheaton and their reception in Downers Grove in the Esplanade Lakes Ballroom by Double Tree within the Sara Lee building. We love the architecture of the Sara Lee building, it’s western facing setting next to the wooded Morton Arboretum and the curved all glass ballroom which overlooks the private pond. The Esplanade is a favorite of ours and considered one of the best wedding reception venues in the West suburbs of Chicago.

“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.

“Valentin + Nicole are our next featured Chicago engaged couple who hired us for their Chicago engagement session and Winter Chicago wedding photography. Although it was definitely a gusty Chicago windy day, we had an awesome time roaming through the Windy City on their Summer engagement session… we are very excited to be working with V+N.

 

We met Val + Nicole six months ago on a cold February night. They were originally considering a Winter engagement session, but after a little more thought, V+N decided to switch up the season… Because they are planning for a Winter, January 2011 wedding, we suggested a summer photo session which would capture engagement portraits and wedding day images in two contrasting seasons. They decided that was a good idea. : ) In starting out their Chicago engagement session, we spent the early part of the afternoon in Lincoln Park and walked down to the sandy, lake shore capturing photos on a Chicago beach pier. We loved the moody clouds! Nicole requested we find a unique shot and she mentioned she really loves our fashion photos style of pictures. : ) No problem… we love creating unique pics like that! The fluffy cloud filled sky provided the unique setting which contrasted against their neutral colored clothes by the lake. We incorporated romance, and a bit of edgy-ness, and high-fashion looks at a few more stops for some unique engagement images for these guys. You guys look HOT in these photos!

 

Val + Nicole originally met at a Chicago Caribou Coffee shop, so incorporating a few pictures there were a definite must. Although their first time meeting was technically for business purposes, soon after their first meeting they fell in love and Val proposed a few months later! So creating a casual look with V+N both holding caribou coffee cups was one location idea. Nicole also wanted to incorporate a prop… so she did a little internet research and purchased a hand painted parasol that says “LOVE”. We love typography, did you see her love bracelet paired with the white heels… thanks for bringing those elements added along Nicole.

 

While out on the shoot, we talked about Val’s Limo company called Limo Envy. Limo Envy is a Chicago limousine company covering the limousine market from the City of Chicago to the surrounding suburbs. Wow check out his vehicle gallery images and his massive fleet! Limo Envy covers basically all needs and various size weddings and events with limos for as little as 6 up to a 56 passenger motor coach. To all our Miller + Miller brides and blog readers, we invite you to request a quote. Check out Val’s company’s web site by clicking the preview images below, use this link www.limoenvy.com or call them at 773.357.5466.

Thanks guys… we had a great time spending the day with you Val + Nicole!!! We can’t wait to here which images are your favorites. Nicole added a 16″ x 20″ canvas gallery wrap of one of her favorite engagement images to display on the wall of their Chicago condo as wall art. It will be hard to choose… super curious which one she’ll pick.”

 

 

 

 

Valentine + Nicole are finalizing plans for their upcoming January 2011 wedding day. A first glance has been discussed inside at Chicago’s Union Station, their ceremony is planned for St. Hyacinth Basilica in Chicago, and their reception at Venuti’s Banquets & Ristorante in Addison. We’re very excited for winter wedding photos outside – hoping for lots of snow!

“Larry + Kelly are an adorable couple and what an incredibly fun time everyone had on their beautiful wedding day! Starting off the day, was their indoor church ceremony which took place at Kelly’s home town church in Burr Ridge at Trinity Lutheran Church. A special added touch, Larry’s home town reverend from Central Illinois traveled a few hours East to the Chicagoland area to speak as the second presiding reverend for the ceremony.

 

After the ceremony, Kelly + Larry set aside time at Kelly's grandparent's home estate which hosted the bridal party photos. The grandparent's cattle ranch, also in Burr Ridge and nearby both the church and reception venues, was a beautiful place for some personally memorable photos for Kelly. With memories of visiting the ranch for many years since her childhood, it was extremely meaningful to capture photos from her wedding day at her grandparent's property. The rain held off only long enough for a few photos outside by the home's private pond. Moving indoors, a spent a few minutes capturing photos in the home's dark wood and magnificent study. This regal room's interior was impressively decorated ... perfect for some luxurious, bridal photos. L+K look like royalty!

 

The reception took place at Chicago Marriott Southwest at Burr Ridge and wedding guests were surprised with the unique and creative touches which were added around every corner… the fun just kept coming! While the couple was working, studying and traveling abroad, and eventually living in Denver, Colorado, Kelly’s mom Kim played a tremendous part in the planning of their wedding day. Kim was a big help in personalizing the decor and coordinating extra guest activities into the wedding day ( matching closely to L+K’s personalities… the newlyweds love traveling, the outdoors, spending time with friends + family, and making the most of life. )

 

As the saying goes, something new ( look closely as Kelly dressed in three wedding dresses ), something borrowed ( she borrowed her mom’s hoop skirt for her second / reception dress ) and well… there were a lot of things blue! A number of shades of pool blue were incorporated into the bridesmaid dresses, table decor, walls and ceilings within the reception’s ballroom, with blue ambient uplighting, tinted champagne flutes, a pool blue fondant dressed wedding cake, pillows, candles and fun blue paper lanterns in the attached to the reception lounge area. Guests enjoyed glow sticks, sombreros, hula hooping, and late night snacks like popcorn, cotton candy, pizza, fruit & veggies, and the specialty ordered groom’s cake. Not to mention, our reception photo backdrop, was an option amongst the guest’s extra after dinner activities beyond the lively dance floor.

 

If you are a frequent visitor to the Miller+Miller photo blog, you might notice something new… the black & white images from Larry+Kelly’s reception’s photo station backdrop. The Rock the Drop is what we call our Miller + Miller photo booth. The “drop” is an optional added fun reception, photography element and upgrade available for a couple of hours at the reception. We have five Rock the Drop weddings in 2010. As you can see, personalities are on display and guests really bring the life of the party into these photos. The drop was a hit and a fun was had by all. Larry, Kelly, Valparasio University college friends ( L+K met at Valpo ), and family visiting from out of town all rocked photos in our reception room’s backdrop photo station. Sombreros, cotton candy, cocktails, friends and smiles… it was a celebration.

 

Larry and Kelly we wish you both the best of luck in life, love and happiness. We enjoyed your wedding day and the mix of fun, elegance and style. Congratulations, you two and we’ll talk to you soon!!

 

 

 

Reception Venue + Cake: Chicago Marriott Southwest at Burr Ridge, www.marriott.com
Church: Trinity Lutheran Church, Burr Ridge, www.tlbr.org
Wedding Dresses ( Ceremony + Reception ): White Satin Bridal, www.whitesatinbridal.com
Lighting Specialist: Precision Sound and Lighting, www.precisionsoundandlighting.com
Videography: Dennis Sagel from Beiteverso Productions, www.slickart.net
Bridesmaids Shoes + Dresses: David’s Bridal, www.davidsbridal.com
Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse, www.menswearhouse.com
Hair: Salon Efthimia, www.salonefthimia.com
Wedding Veil + Bridal Shoes: White Satin Bridal, www.whitesatinbridal.com
Flowers: Bride’s Choice, (630) 512-0450
Honeymoon: Dominican Republic, Bavaro Princess in Punta Cana, www.bavaroprincess.com

“Congratulations Justin + Elisha and thank you in selecting us as your Chicago wedding photographers. Justin and Elisha, along with family, friends and especially the signature style and highly detailed organization of Anthony from Liven It Up Events, put together a modern and elegant wedding ceremony and a reception celebration which rolled out with artistry + style.

 

Justin + Elisha’s outdoor Chicago ceremony and wedding reception both took place at the lush Ivy Room at Tree Studios which is located in the heart of downtown Chicago. The Ivy Room’s captivating, outdoor ceremony space is the perfect place for the making of a memorable and fairytale wedding. And this leaf filled courtyard space doubled for J+E after the ceremony, as the picture perfect, green lush ivy garden for the cocktail hour. The reception space and connected indoor studio at the Ivy Room was decorated with the wedding stylings and detailed touches of fusia lighting, amazing floral centerpieces and environmental design details as appointed by the fantabulous Chicago event firm of Kehoe Designs in combination Anthony from Liven It Up Events.

 

Wanting to incorporating plenty of time for photos together before the wedding day events began was a must for J+E. So after meeting Elisha and her bridesmaids at the Chicago Allerton Hotel and Justin and his groomsmen at the James Hotel ( both Chicago hotels are modern and stylish and located within walking distance of Michigan Avenue and the couples’s River North Chicago wedding venue, The Ivy Room ), we planned for an early afternoon meeting time and a “first glance” big reveal of Elisha sneaking up upon Justin at Chicago’s Olive Park. The groomsmen and bridesmaids were close by to witness these moments and of course, our cameras captured smiles, love and excitement between J+E. The park was a gorgeous setting located both by the Lake and overlooking the Magnificent Mile Chicago skyline.

 

We squeezed in just enough time for photos in the venue’s ivy courtyard before the ceremony began, plus two more Downtown Chicago stops beyond the nature park. J+E requested to incorporate their bridal party in many of the pictures, so we had fun putting together some creative poses and roaming the City in the limo with everyone. What a great group of friends + family! As you can see, they were excited to climb bridges, ladders, fire escapes and up for standing in the middle of Michigan Avenue, so yes we incorporated a little urban adventure into their day. During the reception, DJ Spencer from Style Matters was seriously rocking the night… the bridal party and guests were loving the music and he brought a style that kept the crowd moving. We love the in-action and photojournalistic dance floor photos. And of what the perfect ending, to a perfect day… a little fireworks display at the end of the night.

 

Justin + Elisha we had a great time photographing the events of your May wedding day including your emotional ceremony in the ivy filled garden, and beautifully decorated indoor reception studio space of The Ivy Room. We wish you both all the happiness in the world. Hope you are enjoying the newly wedded life and congratulations again Elisha in all your recent successes. After returning from the honeymoon in Cabo, we loved reading your excitement of going from a wedding gown, to your cap and gown! What an exciting couple of months May and June have been from the excitement of a wedding, graduation, and becoming officially an MD. Congrats and well wishes to you both Elisha and Justin in building your lives together as husband and wife!”

 

 

 

Venue: The Ivy Room www.ivyroomchicago.com
Wedding Coordinator: Anthony from Liven It Up Events www.livenitup.com
Caterer: Food for Thought www.foodforthought-chicago.com
Dress: House of Brides
Veil: Elisha’s mom’s wedding veil
Hotel Prep Locations: The Allerton Hotel www.theallertonhotel.com and The James Hotel www.jameshotels.com
Bridal Shoes: MeToo
Bridesmaids Dress: House of Brides
Tuxedos: Men’s Warehouse
Hair: JoJo from Loop Hotel Hair Salon
Makeup: ECC Artistry
Cake: Vanille Pastisserie www.vanillepatisserie.com
Flowers: Kehoe Designs www.kehoedesigns.com
DJ: Spencer from Style Matters DJs www.stylemattersdjs.com
Cocktail Hour Band: Ajana Band
Honeymoon: Cabo San Lucus

 

Revisit photos of Justin + Elisha on their urban Chicago engagement photo session.

“Jeff + Chrissie were another awesome couple to work with. ( How do we get so lucky with our couples. ) For these two, we enjoyed meeting up with them on a warm, early June Thursday afternoon, shooting engagement photos, exploring new locations, getting to know each other, and learning about their upcoming destination wedding plans. Because we’re located in the Naperville area, and they are in Peoria we didn’t actually meet until the day of the shoot, except on Facebook.

 

For J+C’s shoot, we first stopped at a VERY unique location – with lots of urban grungy style. When I proposed this abandoned factory shooting location idea, which is just west of our Naperville area home studio to Chrissie, she said her and Jeff loved it. After the decaying building, we then mixed in a few Chicagoland nature locations and a quick stop in town for a fun “fine dining here!” pic. LOL!! One of our nature stops was in front of a picturesque, canyon at Starved Rock State Park. Although the canyon was a little crowded with kids playing in the canyon’s water, we were able to sneak in a few quick shots from a cliff above the waterfall. Next, we grabbed some pics along the river, in the tall grasses, and wow the evening sunset Jeff + Chrissie had on their day was seriously epic. The blazing night sky colors were unreal and unlike anything the four of us had ever seen. Ryan previewed the shots to us in the viewfinder and said nobody is going to believe the sky was really this colorful.

 

Jeff + Chrissie’s love story started a state away… they are originally from central Missouri and they met while Chrissie was in college. At the time Jeff was starting his own business and Chrissie and her twin sister auditioned for a commercial he was creating for the company. After J+C met, the rest is history. Currently they are both currently living in Peoria Illinois. Jeff + Chrissie mentioned they searched for the perfect wedding and engagement photographer that was basically anywhere in between St. Louis and Chicago. And gratefully they found Miller + MIller! We know there are thousands of wedding photographers to search through on the web and we are so glad they found our photo blog + fell in love with our unique photography style. The week of their shoot, J+C planned for an event filled, long weekend mini-vacation planning first a creative engagement session with us! Following our engagement session, they booked a couple of nights downtown Chicago and to close the weekend, skydiving! Chrissie was definitely showing a little hesitation when talking about jumping out of the plane, even with it being three days away from our shoot… I don’t blame her. We’ve talked since the photo session and learned she jumped – And had a great time. Jeff already had jumped previously, but was looking forward to another jump together this time with Chrissie.

 

We had a great time getting to know the two of you Jeff + Chrissie. Ryan and I enjoyed talking about your upcoming Cancun Mexico destination wedding plans, growing up in Missouri, boating, and talking a little about the perks of running a small business. Hope you enjoyed our tour of Starved Rock. As mentioned, we’d suggest heading back sometime on your own…. there are so many beautiful parts of the park to explore! Enjoy the rest of your Mexico destination wedding planning. You’ll have to let us know after you receive your disk of all the photos, how many of the pictures you decide enlarge and put on your new home as wall art. It will be difficult to choose just a few. Talk to you soon!!”

 

 

 

Jeff + Chrissie are planning their January 2011 wedding at the Royal Solaris Marina Resort & Spa all-inclusive in Cancun, Mexico. How exciting! We love destination weddings.

“Donovan + Brianna were a fun couple to work with. Their chemistry, edgy ideas, awesome trendy clothes, and pure comfortability with each other in front of the camera made them extremely easy to work with. Not to mention, wow they are a beautiful couple. After learning more about these two while out on the shoot, we determined Brianna’s camera comfortability comes from her former experience as an actress in LA and later here in Chicago on stage and screen. It’s no wonder they are planning for their wedding at the Chicago Lyric Opera House. Brianna loves the stage and is planning for her reception just like that, front + center on the Opera house’s stage.

 

During D+B’s Chicago engagement photography session, we also learned of their unique “falling in love” story. Donovan + Brianna met in LA while out + about at Halloween costume party in 2002. During this first meeting time, their timing was a little off, but they never lost touch or stopped thinking about one another. In 2006, they reconnected and Brianna says “they have been crazy in love ever since.”

 

A couple years later, D+B decided they were done with LA and couldn’t wait to get back to their midwestern roots. So Donovan accepted a senior level position at the Nationally known, Inland Real Estate Auctions and they relocated back to Chicago in 2008. Brianna has transitioned away from the limelight and is enjoying being an entrepreneur who owns and operates her own organic and nutritious baked goods company called Brianna’s Heathy Fare. I sampled a gluten free brownie, which was delicious. Brides and mom’s… she’s accepting orders for a variety of cakes, muffins, cookie, cupcakes and more which are great for events, parties, showers and even weddings. : )

 

For more information about Brianna’s Heathy Fare and her nutritious products, visit her web site www.briannashealthyfare.com.

Be sure to check her September 2009 video clip and feature of Brianna’s Heathy Fare on Chicago’s 190 North television show .

 

When discussing ideas for their engagement session, Donovan and I were discussing locations. He mentioned that he proposed to Brianna ( did you see her gorgeous sapphire engagement ring? ) at The Elysian Hotel in Chicago. We have been long awaiting a look inside this hotel, and were very excited about this opportunity. In addition, to their proposal Donovan mentioned that few days after the proposal, D+B also hosted an celebratory engagement party at The Elysian’s second-floor Bernard’s Bar, so it was fitting that he requested and we returned to the Elysian Chicago hotel for their engagement session. We enjoyed shooting at Bernard’s Bar with it’s sueded lounge decor and velvet covered couches. The Elysian hotel lobby and their courtyard entrance creates a new definition in a Chicago luxury hotel. This hotel is SO VERY impressive and we couldn’t have asked for a more spectacular place to shoot at. We’d love to have had the luxury to spend more time within the hotel and especially in the lobby during our next visit… with only time for a few quick shots underneath the amazing, lobby chandelier “brooch” ( unfortunately with Donovan + Brianna it was a busy guest’s check in time ) we’d love to capture more photos here. : )

 

Thanks Donovan + Brianna in choosing us as your photographers! We had a great time spending the day with the two of you. Remember how super cold for like the last 45 minutes during the night photos on the beach, Brianna thanks for being such a trooper … you sure can’t tell from the photos how chilly it was. Good luck in the rest of your wedding day planning. Hope your family and friends in Chicago and LA love the photos as much as we do!!”

 

 

 

 

 

Donovan + Brianna are planning their May 2011 wedding at the Chicago Lyric Opera House which is owned and operated by the world-renowned Lyric Opera of Chicago. The venue is considered a hybrid of Art Nouveau and Art Deco architectural designs and considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful opera venues! Built in 1929 and fully restored today, the Civic Opera House is majestic and will be an excellent, dramatic Chicago wedding venue for Donovan + Brianna to host their fairytale wedding. Visit the venue’s web site for more information www.civicoperahouse.com.

 

Searching for a glamourous, luxury Chicago hotel wedding venue, the Elysian Hotel is definitely one to pursue. Visit the Elysian Hotel web site www.elysianhotels.com for more information and of course, we look forward to you contacting Miller + Miller about your wedding photography.