chicago events

Wedding :: Colleen + Luke [Oak Park]

Wedding :: Colleen + Luke [Oak Park]

Colleen and Luke met at Career Builder when Luke started bringing donuts by Colleen's desk. From donuts to Blackhawks games to an engagement, it's clear how much love and warmth these two have for not only each other, but their families and friends.

Early summer weddings are amazing. Especially in Chicago. We did a first look on Clark Street Bridge over the Chicago River. After photos in Millennium Park, we headed to the ceremony at St. Edmunds. Alongside their faith, families and full hearts, Colleen and Luke said I do in this beautiful church in Oak Park. With a bagpiper to lead the recessional, Colleen + Luke were ready to celebrate with an outdoor reception in the backyard of Frank Lloyd Wright's Heurtley House in Oak Park. It was an evening filled with laughter, some tears and overwhelming happiness. I loved the idea of 'let love grow' for guests to take a miniature planted succulent home as a thank you.

Wedding :: Jacqueline + Matt [Prairie Productions, Chicago]

Wedding :: Jacqueline + Matt [Prairie Productions, Chicago]

Summer weddings in Chicago. You take a gamble on weather, but when you win, you win big. With close family and friends, and a beautiful and intimate courtyard ceremony with perfect balance of rustic and pretty details, Jacqueline and Matt tied the knot at the west loop's Prairie Production.

Simply beautiful and full of love.

Wedding :: Amanda + Joe [Pazzo's, Chicago]

Wedding :: Amanda + Joe [Pazzo's, Chicago]

Amanda and Joe left Illinois for San Francisco when work called. Turns out, they actually met at work, working for corporate Jimmy John's [we also took a quick fun frame at the JJ's Joe opened downtown on Michigan Ave]. For their wedding nuptials, they flew back to their home state for an intimate ceremony and celebration at Pazzo's at 311. Such a grand atrium set the backdrop for the ceremony. Despite this day being borderline freezing, Amanda and Joe were surrounded by close family and friends to make this an epic Chicago 'spring' day. Check out some of the frames from the wedding.

Wedding :: Mindy + Brian [Midwest Buddhist Temple, Vivo; Chicago]

I met Mindy and Brian through Meghan and Nate Bargar last year. And once we sat together to chat about wedding details, they revealed that the wedding ceremony would be at Midwest Buddhist Temple in Old Town. Having grown up Buddhist myself, I thought what a coincidence to meet Mindy and Brian. Turns out, the coincidence goes even further. Brian's mom went to Senn High School, where my parents also attended. After digging through a ton of 'do you know this persons', we got down to details for the wedding.

Event :: The Junior Council Snowball

It may be just Thanksgiving, but the Junior Council of Lurie Children's Hospital is gearing up for its 25th annual black tie event, Snowball, on February 2, 2013. This year, the anticipated event is again to be held at Chicago's historic Union Station Grand Hall.

The Junior Council supports Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago’s Pediatric and Adolescent HIV and AIDS programs. 

Event :: Cooking with Chef Charles Webb

I recently worked with Kapow Chicago on a private event involving Chef Charles Webb, a renown (but local to Chicago) culinary master. Chef Webb and his team created several delectable canapés in front of a stunning backdrop of east and south views of the city.

I tried to pick up a few tips, but I didn't mention that I burned the heck out of garlic bread a few weeks ago (that broiler is tricky). I figure photographing the magic is the closest I'll ever get to sharing a kitchen with these pros.