“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.

“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