Chicago City Hall Elopement | Samantha + Joe | Chicago Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photographer
Chicago City Hall Elopement | Samantha + Joe | Chicago Wedding Photographer | Vivienne Westwood | Alex Brown Hair | Miranda
Cary MUA | Raulph LAUREN
RL RESTAURANT
Sam (the stylish, hilarious and “worth following along online” bride) and her endearing partner Joe decided to have an intimate wedding ceremony before their larger celebration with friends in Mexico. So they decided to have a Chicago City Hall Elopement with their closest family members. We met at City Hall, where they had gotten their marriage certificate and then we strolled around the historic building to take their bridal portraits. Sam was wearing a chic all white shoulder padded suit with a stunning choker from Vivienne Westwood. Her makeup was done by the talented Miranda Cary and her hair was done by the amazing Alex Brown Hair. Both ladies are some of the best hair and makeup artists in Chicago. We also did a bit of strolling around La Salle, because that street has some of the loveliest building architecture and textures for portrait backdrops.
After the bridal portraits downtown we left the Chicago City Hall area and headed towards the Chicago River. The Chicago River is the perfect backdrop for a wedding ceremony, as it creates an open space amidst the skyscrapers in downtown Chicago. They decided to pick a space that was near somewhere meaningful to them, so we settled in a beautiful inlet of the sidewalk in the center of the city. There family was all waiting for them to arrive as they walked up. They had the lovely Rev Beth of Rev Beth Weddings officiate the wedding ceremony and she is one of my favorite officiants in Chicago. The way she words things so personably, is open to any kind of couple (no matter the background or religion) and is flexible to meet you anywhere to perform your wedding ceremony, she is simply the sweetest. They exchanged wedding rings and said ‘I do’ in front of all of their loved ones in the city center. After the ceremony there were many family hugs, kisses, selfies and heart warming smiles.
Joe helped Samantha get into a luxury SUV where they had their vintage bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne and cuddles before heading to meet their family members at the Ralph Lauren RL Restaurant. At the RL Restaurant the two of them stopped off for a drink and private cheers in the bar area and then joined the rest of their family at the dinner table. They did things the best way possible, cake first. A delicious cake was brought to them straight after being seated and they didn’t just cut it, but ate it and I love that about Same and Joe! They had a family toast and then enjoyed the rest of their evening together making memories around the dinner table with the ones they love. I really appreciate being able to capture such personal and intimate memories in couples lives. Sam and Joe, the stylish newlyweds that you are, I absolutely adore you both and your sweet and spicy personalities! x
Downtown Chicago Wedding Venue - Chicago City Hall | Wedding Outfit - White Blazer Shoulder Padded Suit | Choker Necklace - Vivienne Westwood Three Row Pearl Bas Relief Choker | Chicago Hair Stylist - Alex Brown Hair | Chicago Wedding Makeup Artist - Miranda Cary MUA | Chicago Wedding Officiant - Rev Beth Weddings | Intimate Wedding Dinner Reception - Ralph Lauren RL Restaurant
Intimate Downtown Wedding | RPM Seafood Wedding Reception | Chicago Wedding Photographer | The Peninsula Hotel | Destination Wedding Photographer
Intimate Downtown Wedding | RPM Seafood Wedding Reception | The Peninsula Hotel | Destination Micro Wedding | Chicago Wedding photographer
Liza and Rick decided to have their wedding day be an intimate and romantic one. They started their day getting ready at The Peninsula Hotel together. I think it’s really sweet when couples do that, especially for those who may have nerves and don’t want that build up tension of a formal first look and it gives you a chance to spend the whole morning with your partner. They had a car service rented for the afternoon, which took us to all of the locations in the city where they wanted photos together. Honestly, if you’re up in the air about hiring a car (limo, party bus, etc), trust me, it’s definitely worth it. This gives you the chance to hop in and out of the car while the driver is waiting at every corner for you, and you don’t have to drive around searching for parking or calling Uber’s, which can take such valuable time away from you both on your wedding day, and gives you more freedom to enjoy drinks or your favorite snacks during your ride around town.
Liza and Rick rented a private room in RPM Seafood that has a balcony overlooking the Chicago River and has some of the best views of downtown. They had a small wedding ceremony there with a few of their closest family members and friends. I love how every couple make their day unique, whether it’s a large party into the night or a sweet, intimate dinner with a view, like this day was, I am always happy to document such a memorable and meaningful day in couples lives. x
A Modern San Francisco Wedding | Pali Society Hotel | The Palace of Fine Arts | Hadassah + Reshawn | Destination Wedding Photographer
A Modern San Francisco Wedding at The Palace of Fine Arts | Hadassah + Reshawn | Pali Society Hotel | Liz Martinez Bridal | The Firehouse at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture | Destination Wedding Photographer
Reshawn and Hadassah started their wedding day getting ready separately at Hotels with their loved ones, so that the first time he would see Hadassah would be when she was walking down the aisle at The Palace of Fine Arts. Reshawn spent his morning at the Fisher Loft Lounge on the second floor of the Pali Society Hotel in San Francisco. His attire was one of the cleanest I’ve ever seen, from his all white Common Good shoes and a custom designed suit by Waraire Boswell. Hadasshah wore the most elegant long sleeved gown from En Blanc Bridal Boutique in LA, designed by Liz Martinez Bridal. Together they wed under the main archway at The Palace of Fine Arts, one of the most beautiful places to get married in San Francisco. After they said “I do” we all headed to the downtown area of SF fort them to take portraits together while walking along the unique and hilly streets of the city. We ended the portraits by a beautiful scene of them embracing oceanside with the full view of the Golden Gate bridge in the background. They ended the evening at the Firehouse at Fort Mason, with a laid back and beautiful reception space to celebrate with their closest friends and family. Along with a local coffee cart, charcuterie boards and a churro truck, that’s all you really need for a delicious evening! They had a lit dance party and then a line of friends greeted them as they rolled out in their Mercedes into the beautiful San Francisco sunset.
Bride Dress Designer - Liz Martinez Bridal // Bridal Dress Boutique - En Blanc LA // Florist - R&R Apothecary X Bouquet Bar @rrapothecary // Filmmaker - Hunter Floyd Films // Groom Custom Suit Designer - Waraire Boswell // Shoes - Common Projects // Boutique Hotel - Pali Society San Francisco // Lounge - Fisher Loft San Francisco // San Francisco Ceremony Venue - The Palace of Fine Arts // Reception Venue - The Firehouse at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture
San Juan, Puerto Rico Wedding | Iglesia de San José | Destination Wedding Photographer
San Juan, Puerto Rico Wedding | Iglesia de San José | Destination Wedding Photographer | Alexa Blanco Weddings
Daniel and Alexandra started their wedding day by getting ready with their loved ones in suites overlooking Isle Verde Beach in the dreamy coastal city of San Juan. After spending a quiet morning with their friends and family, everyone caravanned together over to the historic district of Old San Juan. They were married at the stunning church, Iglesia de San José, which is the oldest church in Puerto Rico. They had a beautiful catholic ceremony with their loved ones surrounding them and passed down traditions. As they walked out of the church as a married couple, the first thing they did was go for a stroll on the cobbled streets of old San Juan for moments of just the two of them (with myself and the the filmmaker, Daniel, not too far away). It was sweet to see everyone congratulating them on the streets as a festival was taking place. We also popped in to get a cocktail for the groom at La Factoría (which is a must if you ever find yourself visiting Old San Juan).
After strolling around the city center we headed back to the church for a few more portraits before heading back to the resort at Isle Verde Beach for their reception. Upon arriving at the reception, we walked to the shoreline to get a few portraits just as the sun was setting. Their bridal party met us on the beach and then everyone was announced into the reception for an evening of dancing with their favorites to local live music. Even the groom’s dad played a bit of his trumpet with the band. The lively tune of the evening was exactly the kind of party you want to have on the night of your wedding. This was truly a beautiful day and a beautiful celebration of love! x
Puerto Rico Wedding Planner - Alexa Blanco Weddings & Events | Wedding Ceremony - Iglesia de San José in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico | Wedding Resort - Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort | Wedding Reception Venue - Isla Verde Weddings | Wedding Florals & Design - Natalia Liriano | Live Wedding Band in Puerto Rico - Wedding Band PR, Sin Prisa Music | Bridal Hair & Makeup - Nicolle Potencial | Wedding Cake - Sabe A Gloria PR | Puerto Rico Wedding Filmmaker - Eternum Films, Danny Gutierrez