Hello!  It’s been a busy couple of weeks for me, hence the ‘all quiet on the blog front.’  Things will be ramping up a little over the next few weeks and then you can expect a little bit of quiet at the end of May while I’m out of town visiting my newest nephew who, I’ve just heard, is on his way TODAY!

In the meantime, I wanted to show both current & prospective wedding couples a sweet little extra something thrown in for those couples whose engagement portraits I shoot, and who want them: Gallery Cards.

Jodi & Nathan wanted to be able to easily share their wedding day images with all of their guests so we created small, business-card sized cards with an image from their engagement session on one side…

And on the other side, information with the online gallery address where their images would ultimately reside.

Printed on linen paper, these little cards are simple and unobtrusive when placed near the guest sign-in book or on the dining tables.  If your wedding is at least 4 weeks away and we’ve taken engagement pictures, just let me know and we can custom design a card using your favorite engagement shoot image and wedding-day colors, all at no cost to you.

It all began in high school.  They were junior prom dates.  They lasted through high school and managed a long distance relationship throughout college.  From what I heard at the wedding, the geographic distance did little to damper the feelings that Ben & Kelley shared across those many miles.  And when their big day finally came, they were absolutely ready, with a fantastic group of family and friends surrounding and supporting them.  There were laughs and tears, but most of all plenty of excitement at what had happened that day.  Kelley & Ben were reunited and forever bound as husband and wife.

Kelley & Ben,

Your love is obvious to anyone who knows you, and even those who never met you before your day, like myself.

All the best,

K~

PS. Thanks for allowing Laurie to bring me along!

The bridal party was fierce.

With gorgeous dresses & fab shoes.

Thoughtful attention was paid to each detail.

This group was tearing up the dance floor.

Bonus points if you can guess the song that was playing in this next photo!

Ok, one more clue! Any guesses?

Tomorrow I have the pleasure of working with photographer Laurie Peacock for the second time this wedding season to document what is sure to be another gorgeous Chicagoland wedding. So today I’ve been charging batteries, re-formatting memory cards, gathering & cleaning lenses, buying Red Bull, and generally just making sure I’m ready to go tomorrow morning at 7:30am.  In preparing for this wedding I was inspired to look back at the first wedding I shot with Laurie a couple months ago.  In browsing through the photos in Lightroom I came across one that had somehow slipped past my initial perusal.  It happens.  In fact, almost every wedding or family shoots finds me with new discoveries and favorites months later.  It’s like an unexpected card in the mail or present for no reason other than to say, “I’m thinking of you.”  Delightful!

I recently assisted Chicago wedding photographer Laurie Peacock at a wedding at Green Dolphin Street, a very cool jazz club in an industrial part of the city.  Although it threatened to storm all morning, the rain and thunder held off allowing the lovely couple to enjoy their ceremony outside on the lawn, followed by an amazing brunch indoors with friends and family.  (Anybody who serves brunch for their wedding goes immediately to the top of my “Favorite People” list!)  Between the gorgeous flowers, the uber-cool location and the adorable ring-bearers, it was a festive and relaxed party celebrating the a very sweet couple.

The ring bearers showing off the bling.

The flowers were stunning and the colors worked perfectly with the style and location.  And who doesn’t love peonies!

The location was so charming and cozy, just right for a luncheon wedding.

What would a wedding be without a little bubbly?  Mimosas and several other unique champagne cocktails were served.  (Wished I was a guest!)

The center of the delicious cake was filled with cheesecake.

Each guest was thanked for coming with a 2009-10 Zagat guide, a very cool & unique wedding favor.

The bride’s lovely shawl and the Groom & his men wearing their new watches (the Groom’s compliments of his bride’s parents).

Thanks to the very sweet and talented Laurie Peacock for allowing me to assist!  I had a blast and hope to have the opportunity to work with her again soon.