Elizabeth and Terry asked me to to photograph their wedding; an intimate gathering of friends and family at the restaurant Bad Hunter in the West Loop. I picked them up at their hotel downtown and we set out right away to take pre-ceremony portraits.
We stopped by the Kinzie Street Bridge, where they walked hand in hand, both beaming from ear to ear.
There are a multitude of photo opportunities in West Loop, with its many murals, decorative storefronts and unique buildings. And having subjects like Terry and Elizabeth made it tempting to try them all out. I feel we did the neighborhood justice, though!
The dining room of Bad Hunter was ready for guests upon our arrival, and I wasted no time taking pictures of the space. Elizabeth and Terry, along with their wedding coordinator Stephanie, of The Creative Planners, and florist Jason from Flowers for Dreams, did a beautiful job planning and executing this warm and welcoming look.
These flowers woven into the bride and groom’s chairs were a fun touch.
I’m a gardening enthusiast and I like to think that if I weren’t a photographer, I would be a florist. Should I ever choose to follow up on that plan, I would first check to see if Jason and his team from Flowers for Dreams were hiring. Not only do they deliver beautiful work, but a portion of all their sales go to local charities like Chicago’s Women’s Health Center (their current charity of the month). If you haven’t already, visit their website by clicking on the hyperlink above.
The ceremony was indeed intimate and very meaningful, as friends and family gathered alongside the couple while a close friend of Elizabeth and Terry’s solemnized the marriage.
There were both joyful smiles and happy tears as vows were exchanged.
Elizabeth and Terry began their marriage with a kiss, met with cheers and applause from their guests.
The meal was served shortly after the ceremony, and not long after the plates were cleared, Terry’s daughters took to the microphone and delivered a loving tribute in honor of the newlyweds.
Elizabeth’s best friends were up next, with their toast.
Elizabeth’s sister took her turn…
…and then the couple thanked their guests for joining in the celebration.
The band began to play as Elizabeth and Terry stepped on to the dance floor to share their first dance as a married couple.
When the first dance was finished, everyone was welcomed to join the newlyweds on the floor. The band for the evening, The Shades did such a great job entertaining guests and providing the soundtrack for the evening. You can tell by looking at the faces of the guests in the following pictures that a good time was had by all!
Congratulations on your marriage, Terry and Elizabeth! You threw a fantastic party– thank you for sharing it with me!
