Every single wedding story I tell is different. That’s the wonderful thing about being documentary photographer. Each story starts at a different chapter in a wedding day for each couple and no two stories are the same. It doesn’t matter if you start from the beginning or middle (it might the end). Your story gets told. Shea and Zach are an amazing couple who decided to skip having the preparations for the day photographed and jumped to having me start at their first look at their hotel in Logan Square. The rest of their wedding took place at Garfield Park Conservatory. If anyone knows me knows I LOVE Garfield Park Conservatory. It’s probably one of my favorite places in Chicago. It’s just so peaceful and always beautiful no matter the time of year. Garfield Park Conservatory weddings are also some of my favorite to document because you get to throw and epic party in a large greenhouse. The gardener in me screams with joy every time. Be prepared to see a plethora of incredible photos.

Shea and Zach spent a great deal of time with their friends, family and each other prior to their ceremony. It was important to them to have an intimate day surrounded by photography. Shea started off their first look documenting it through her eyes on her film camera. From there we headed to Garfield Park Conservatory where we roamed the conservatory together taking photos of them and their friends and family. We danced around the plants, they shared sweet kisses all over the grounds and we all laughed a ton. Their ceremony was romantic, emotional with bit and pieces of their personalities transcribed through their vows and Zach’s father’s words. Cocktail hour was classic, we snuck off for more portraits as the sun was setting. We found ourselves chasing geese (geese were a theme in their wedding – the lovers card!), dancing outside the greenhouses and getting locked outside after hours. The night really kicked off on the dance floor with probably one of the most fun impromptu first dances I have ever seen. They swayed, they dipped, the singed. Shea danced on her father’s feet and I think the whole room was smiling and/or crying. Who knows. It was magical. When the dance floor opened with “What is Love” by Haddaway I knew it was going to be a great night. I even stole the idea for my own wedding. Seriously, I love weddings. So many elements were traditional while so many were so different. Going a venue route always makes things more traditional because you are on their timeline and they know what works for them. Shea and Zach’s wedding was a reminder that you really can incorporate your own elements in to your day and make it all you.

Grateful for all the vendors involved in Shea and Zach’s wedding.

Planner: Naturally Yours Events
Venue: Garfield Park Conservatory
Caterer: Lula Cafe
Florist: Asrai Garden
DJ: DJ Chicago
Cake: Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar
Hair and Makeup: Goldust Woman
Wedding Dress: Honey Bridal
Suit: The Black Tux