“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.

“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.