Modern Chicago Wedding at the Bridgeport Art Center

I always love any excuse to visit Chicago, so when Lucy and Daniel asked me to photograph their wedding I was over the moon! I arrived at the Ambassador downtown and was greeted by their sweet Corgi Winston who helped me assemble all the lovely detail shots. Their rooftop first look was so incredibly sweet…and incredibly windy. We almost lost Lucy’s veil over the side of the building, but managed to snag it before it blew away. The Ambassador’s historic lobby area made for some really fun Vanity Fair style wedding party images - made even better by the mis-matched floral bridesmaid’s dresses. 

The ceremony and reception were held in the Bridgeport Art Center — it was the perfect blend of industrial, modern, and romantic. Before their guests arrived, the three of us snuck off to a quiet little corner for them to exchange their vows privately. I’ve had more and more couples sharing vows during the first look or during another private moment during the day - it’s a really great way to share personalized vows without having to get up in front of everyone if that’s not your thing.

During the processional, their flower girl took her job VERY seriously and made sure to evenly distribute the rose petals down the aisle…so much so that I’m pretty sure the DJ had to improvise and loop the song to add some extra time. It had all their guests and the whole wedding party cry laughing and was just the perfect start to their ceremony. At the reception, there were so many sweet details - like constellation napkins designed by Lucy to go with their paper straws for the cocktails, a swan ice sculpture that anyone who ordered white wine got to watch it pour through, a delicious desert bar, and photo-booth. I could go on and on, but let’s just let the photos speak for themselves.

If you’re looking for another art-filled modern wedding you should check out Jessica & Arno’s 21c wedding.

Florals : Flowers by Stem // Venue: Bridgeport Art Center // Event Design: Art of Imagination // Dress: BHLDN // Catering: D’Absolute // Hair: Danielle Catalano // Makeup: MAKE me UP by KJ // DJ: Toast & Jam

Pride Month LGBTQ Wedding at Hazelnut Farm

Ever since Will & Nate's Buffalo Trace engagement session, I have been counting down the days until their wedding. When I asked them what they were looking forward to and what inspired them when planning they said, "Our venue is a barn meets ballroom feel so we tried to focus on an upscale Kentucky vibe. Looking forward to everything coming together and having a relaxed evening celebrating."

Their wedding was only the second at Hazelnut Farm— a new venue that was designed with the help of the ladies over at Honeycomb Wedding Planners. I was freaking out about the gorgeous blue velvet couch in one of the getting-ready rooms when Nate let me know that he and Will helped pick it out...which made total sense because it was the perfect backdrop for all their little details. They both wore rainbow socks that complimented each other's but didn't match — same with their boutonnières. All their details were perfect— Will's shoes and belt were both vintage, he carried a handkerchief that was his father's, and the pin her wore over his boutonnière was a family heirloom as well. Nate wore an intricately patterned loafer as well as a floral patterned tie & pocket square.

It made me so happy to see that the venue had two quality getting-ready rooms— so often the heteronormative attitudes that run rampant the wedding industry mean one "bridal suite" that is big and beautiful and one "man cave" type tiny hideaway room. Regardless if a wedding is LGBTQ or not, everyone deserves to get ready and spend time in a nice room before their wedding. You can learn more about Hazelnut Farm on my comprehensive list of the best wedding venues in Louisville here.

During the wedding ceremony, family members gave a couple of readings, and in-lieu of a sand ceremony they did a bourbon bottling ceremony...which might be my new favorite thing. One of their best friends officiated, which made it really personal and sweet. Speaking of friends helping out, at the reception each table had beautifully handwritten table numbers made by my best friend (and one of their best friends!) Michelle Marie Calligraphy who is as kind as she is talented. I loved that their good friend Denizen used actual potted plants in addition to florals on the table— bird's nest ferns are always my favorites (mainly because I struggle growing them myself.) There were also tiny little succulent babies at each seat that each guest was able to take home. They ended up having an extra one that is now living in my kitchen and it makes me smile every time I see it.

I didn't cry until the first dance— it was "Here I AM" by Dolly Parton & Sia. Something about Dolly always hits me right in the heart and I hadn't heard this one before. During the mother-son dances, Nate cut in and danced with Will's mother at the very end and it gave me all the feels. The night ended with glow sticks, light-up jewelry, dancing on chairs, and White Castles so you know it was a good time. Now that I've written a novel, shall we hop to the vendor credits & the images?

Venue: Hazelnut Farm // Coordinator: Melissa Montgomery with Honeycomb Wedding Planners // Calligraphy: Michelle Marie Calligraphy // Florist: Denizen // DJ: Triangle Talent // Caterer: Masterson's // Wedding Party Attire: David's Bridal // Tarts: Scarlet's Bakery // Invitation Suite: Minted // Wedding Party Makeup: J.R's Spa & Salon

Romantic & Modern Historic Wedding at Kentucky's Ashford Acres Inn

During Annastasia and Taylor's engagement session, a summer thunderstorm rolled through almost as soon as we started. We hid out under a pavilion for a few minutes, but once it was clear that it wasn't going to stop raining anytime soon, they spent the rest of the evening dancing and laughing together in the downpour. You can tell how adventurous, joyful, and resilient they are in those images and it resulted in some of the best photos I've ever taken. If there is one thing I've learned over the years, it's that you can tell so much about a couple by how they respond to difficult or unplanned situations and these two are clearly amazing together. Since the day, I have been counting down the days until their wedding!

Annastasia is the event planner and inn manager at Ashford Acres, so their wedding venue was especially significant to them. My jaw dropped when I first got there - I still can't believe how well the venue balances historic southern charm with modern elegance. They made wonderful use of the space as well. They got ready in the main house, had their ceremony in the corner green space, the cocktail hour was held in the yard where they provided lawn games, then guests made their way into the modern barn for the reception. There were so many thoughtful details throughout the day— including a bourbon tasting bar, a cozy sitting space on the barn veranda, and a spread of desserts that included bundt cakes, cupcakes, and bourbon balls. I especially love how they created a dramatically long head table using wooden farmhouse tables surrounded by rounds with two different colors of tablecloths in the dining area. That, combined with the handwritten place cards, made each seat feel special and unique. All in all, the day highlighted all the best parts of Kentucky in the sweetest and most thoughtful ways.

The most difficult part of the day for me was narrowing down where to take couple's photos— every corner was stunning and I could have spent half the day running around with just the two of them in that gorgeous space. However, it's really important to me that my couples spend most of their wedding day celebrating with their friends and family— not posing for endless photos. My primary goal is always to document the day as it unfolds. All those candid interactions are the memories that mean the most in the long run. I am so in love with how everything turned out and am really excited to share some of those images with you all! If you're looking for more Kentucky wedding goodness, this colorful stunner from last year and this romantic fall wedding both highlight Kentucky in the sweetest ways.

Coordinators: Hope Mullikin, Haley Carr, & Whitney Blue // DJ: Travis McGuire with Elite Events DJ // Florals: Hal's Flowers / Catering: Ashford Acres Inn & Food Truck // Venue: Ashford Acres Inn // Videography: Happy Camper Films // Dress: Twirl Boutique // Hair: Maddie Woff // Makeup: Hanna Barnett // Tux: Men's Warehouse // Cake: The Simple Kitchen // Desserts: Nothing Bundt Cakes // Furniture Rentals: Canvas Event Furniture and Oasis Productions // Ice Cream: Crank and Boom // Jumpsuit: Francesca’s // Rings: Jared’s