“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.

“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, Albert J. Anderson, 708-351-0333
Honeymoon: Cabo San Lucus

 

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