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“When Chris + Sarah came into our lives, Chris had not yet proposed (more on that below), but that did not stop these two from officially setting a wedding date, and committing to booking their ceremony + reception venues. Soon after our first meeting together, we were scheduling their engagement photography session’s shoot date. We were joking that Chris better propose soon, so that Sarah could wear her ring for our photos! At that point, likely Sarah was assuming Chris would soon be popping the question, but “when” was still uncertain. Below is Chris’s retelling of the proposal day, which occurred a few weeks later on 10-27-11:

“Sarah and I are both huge Cubs fans, and it was her idea to take a tour of the famous Wrigley Field ballpark. So I invited our friends on the tour, asked them to bring their cameras (so that Sarah wouldn’t suspect anything), and prepared to pop the question. When we got to the field, we stood on the Cubs on-deck circle and I pointed to the scoreboard, which read, “SARAH WILL YOU MARRY ME?” She thought it was a joke at first because we had attended a live Cubs game before where someone proposed, and had the same exact sign lit up. But when I got down on one knee, she started crying, and I proposed to her in front of our friends and the entire tour group. After she said yes, the scoreboard lit up with “SHE SAID YES!” and we were officially engaged.”

When discussing and planning for C + S’s engagement photo shoot, we decided to capture photography at one of Chicago’s hottest restaurants and cocktail wedding reception venues, Joy District Chicago (formerly named EPIC Restaurant in River North. Chris is the resident DJ at EPIC, so he got us VIP access to their swanky lounge and upscale outdoor rooftop.) We can’t thank him enough for arranging the photo shoot at this trendy Clark and Hubbard Street hot restaurant location, where we photographed some romantic scenes combining the sophisticated, industrial-chic décor and the urban couple’s classy, put-together styling.

It was our first time at the downtown Joy District restaurant, so C + S showed us around the new modern venue’s space. We were ecstatic to learn that Joy District Restaurant & Bar offers not only partial or full rental of their restaurant for private events and receptions, but also offers the option for an outdoor rooftop ceremony at Joy District complete with incredible skyline view. We love new modern wedding venue spaces, and secondly love outdoor ceremony locations. We were super impressed, and can’t wait to go to Joy District Restaurant again soon.

The fresh, contemporary design of the spacious Joy District Restaurant’s lounge, anchored by a backlit bar and accented with modern lighting and furniture, was the perfect introduction to fashion-inspired engagement photos within the dramatic, multi-level dining and entertainment space. The eye-catching glass and metal staircase is a primary focal point of the restaurant, and served as one of our favorite spots to capture modern portraits of the newly engaged. Thanks to C + S for preparing some sultry fashions, and allowing us to capture the obvious passion you have for one another.

That passion carried over when we moved the engagement photography at Joy District Restaurant in Chicago upstairs and outside onto the outdoor terrace. The 3,000-square foot rooftop deck, featuring rustic wooden benches and exposed brick walls, was punctuated by sheer flowing curtains for a look straight out of South Beach. The Joy District’s roof is an amazing rooftop space for a Joy District rooftop wedding ceremony, reception, and also this engagement session. With the sounds of the hustling city below, high-rises surrounding us, the late afternoon’s golden sunshine, and the third floor’s vibrant colorful mural’s hues, & cocktail bar, there was no greater inspiration for C + S’s photos, which mirrored a true city cocktail party theme. Judging by the sexy factor in these photos, there is no doubt that C + S felt right at home in this environment.

In between shooting, the couple sipped on two of their favorite cocktails, and graciously treated us to a taste of some of the food from Joy District’s delicious menu. Thank you, C + S, for introducing us to Joy District Restaurant & Bar, and for spending the day with us in the city. We can’t wait to see you guys again for what we know will be an eventful October wedding day. There are going to be more deejays in one location, and at your wedding, than working in town.”

Chicago Wedding Photographers

♥ This shoot featured:
Makeup by Sonia Roselli
Lounge and Sky Bar at Joy District Restaurant Chicago
Check out Chris’s DJ company and beats by CAS Music Group and CAS Music Group on Facebook

Chris + Sarah will exchange vows at First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights
Their reception will occur at the Marriott Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center hotel