Wedding :: Caroline + Adam [The Dawson, Chicago]

This was my last wedding of 2016 and it surely was a perfect one to wrap up  the season! The Cubs were in the world series, it was sunny, and it was considerably balmy for early November. Writing this blog reminded me that I'm so behind in blogging and I never posted their engagement session from earlier this year!

Caroline met Adam at the gym where Caroline was teaching various fitness classes, including a boxing class. Adam struck a deal that if he took Caroline's boxing class, she would go to drinks with him. I believe a high five sealed the deal and here we are today! 

I see more and more couples opting for more intimate weddings at some of Chicago's coolest restaurants. Caroline and Adam took over The Dawson for both the ceremony and reception with family and close friends. The vibe and aesthetic of The Dawson was perfect for these two awesomely cool people.

I caught up with Caroline and got her to spill the beans on advice for newly engaged couples, as well as, her perspective of the day.

What was the most exciting part in planning your wedding?

Picking little projects that I could do kept me really excited. Like finding a design partner on Etsy to help me create the escort cards then buying a fancy pen and writing the guests' names on myself.

If you could do anything over, what would you do?

Besides the whole day [because it was so awesome]? I would walk down the aisle again. I walked too fast. I was looking everywhere but at Adam. I was so excited. By the time I knew it, I was in front of his face! I would love to go back and take a minute to breathe...absorb the moment...and then walk.

What advice do you have for engaged couples looking for a photographer?

You're the one who's going to enjoy the photos for the rest of your life, so find someone whose style matches yours. Who looks like they can naturally capture you both just as you are. I wanted someone who could capture expression and emotion in a still picture--I'm so happy I found her! ;)

What was your favorite memory from the day?

I don't know where to begin. The whole day is filled with flashes of memory. Putting on my dress. Getting to the venue and peeking out the window to see if Adam was coming. His face when he first saw my dress. How his hands were shaking. How he picked me up after the ceremony ended. Our friends and family cheering. Eating cake. Dancing dancing dancing and running home to pop more champagne. Greatest day of my life.

Venue: The Dawson
Wedding Dress: Rita Vinieris
Floral: The Petal
Hair: Jackie Scalise
MUA: Rosie Scianna
Hotel: Westin