“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.

“WOW… what a SMOKIN’ HOT COUPLE! Not to mention, the natural love, affection and chemistry Brad + Lauren had for each other during the shoot was astounding + inspiring. B+L photographed like true professional models on their engagement photo session. Wouldn’t you agree?

 

We had an amazing time shooting Brad + Lauren’s Chicago style high-fashion engagement photography session in a contrasting country, small town and nature park setting. ( We loved heading out to the country to shoot — a much needed break for us, after numerous consecutive urban city engagement shoots. ) We loved everything about this photo shoot –- the weather, fun locations, Brad’s smokin’ turbo Mini Cooper, plus the vibrant + trendy clothing style B+L brought… it all came together quite nicely.

 

Brad + Lauren’s relationship started out as high school sweethearts. Brad decided to propose and soon after their wedding planning had begun. And with wedding planning, there comes finding a wedding photographer. We were so happy Brad and Lauren found us on FACEBOOK through mutual friends. When we met B+L for the first time, they came to us with one mission in mind — to create some bad-ass engagement & wedding photos that uniquely represents exactly who they are. Needless to say we gladly accepted this proposal and had a blast getting creative with them. Thanks for letting us put our creativity to the test with the smoking car for this one. B+L you both looked amazing and we can’t wait for your wedding in less than a month. ( Hope we’re lucky to catch some bombs bursting in the air during your Fourth of July weekend wedding! ) Enjoy the photos and thanks again!!”

 

 

 

Brad + Lauren’s Summer July Chicagoland wedding ceremony is planned at America’s Historic Roundhouse (formally known as Walter Payton’s Roundhouse) in Aurora, Illinois. Their outdoor ceremony is set to take place underneath the venue’s outdoor, courtyard gazebo. Following the ceremony is their reception proceeding indoors also at The Roundhouse in their Grand Ballroom. We are looking forward to a fun wedding day celebration with Brad, Lauren, family, friends and bridal party. A number of guests may be familiar faces to Miller + Miller, Brad and Lauren are from our hometown of Oswego, Illinois, so we’re looking forward to seeing a few friends at the celebration as well.