Meet Katie & Drew! One of wonderful 2012 couples. I love the nautical and preppy feel of their outfits in these photos. It goes with their style perfectly. They’ll be getting married at Milwaukee’s lakefront at Pier Wisconsin next summer so it is absolutely fitting. : ) After our shoot we headed back to their Lincoln Park condo for some amazing pork chop and corn on the cob grilling! They have a mouth watering corn on the cob recipe that we’ve repeated several times since then. I can taste it now! Thank you Katie and Drew for a fun night full of delicious food, lots of laughs and a dozen ice packs for Matt’s sprained ankle!

Here is an excerpt of some favorites from Amy and Matt’s portrait session. Amy and Matt have a synergy that is unmatched. They are full of spirit and adventure and have an incredible gift of hospitality. They are passionate about connecting people and have treated us like family from the day we met them. They truly seem to live their lives to the fullest with no regrets and their excitement is contagious. It makes me overjoyed to know that these two found each other and have chosen to spend forever together. There’s just not a more perfect pair. To see their beautiful Lake Geneva wedding go HERE. : )

Before we head out the door to be with family for a few days over Thanksgiving I wanted to post Kathy and Mike’s beautiful wedding. Each time I look at these pictures I fall more in love with every detail. We knew from their engagement session that working with these two was going to be an absolute joy on their wedding day. We had a wonderful time. A big thank you to Anne Marie and Mark for sending Kathy and Mike our way! We wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving and that no matter where you are and who you’re with you have many things to be grateful for this week. : )

Reception Venue: Belvedere Banquets  |  Florist: Jamie Lee of Town & Country Gardens  |  Entertainment:  DJ Roberto Monastero  |  Cake Artist: Rolf’s Patisserie  |  Photo Booth: Traveling Photo Booth  |  Photographer: averyhouse

You may remember Julie and Jaro from their engagement session a few months ago. Well they are married now, living happily ever after, with memories of one heck of a celebration to look back on for the rest of their wed-locked days. : )

Ceremony Venue: Sts. Volodymyr and Olha | Reception Venue: Cafe Brauer | Coordinator: SJ Luedtke Caterer: Calihan Catering | Florist: Carli Staffi | Band: Klopit | Cake Artist: Alliance Bakery | Photo Booth: Smilebooth | Photographer: averyhouse

And in case you missed their Smilebooth pics you can get a quick peek below. . .

Matt and I just adore Jenny and Donny and couldn’t get over the beautiful summer light we had for their engagement session at Loyola and then on the beach outside of their condo. Their love for one another overflows and Donny can’t help but melt every time he looks Jenny’s way. I saw it happen over and over again during our time with them. They are quite the perfect pair. Made my heart melt too. : ) We were thankful to them for being completely open with their feelings toward each other in front of us and also the camera. It made the evening so special for all four of us as we shared thoughts and stories on life, love and marriage. Looking forward to posting their beautiful wedding soon.

I think Kathleen and Jim’s wedding is proof enough to us all that even if it rains on the day of your outdoor vineyard wedding ceremony, the day can still be perfect as long as you stay calm. There’s really nothing a bride can do except soak up all of the love from family and friends surrounding her. And Kathleen did just that. Even as the storm clouds rolled in and dumped buckets of rain on us right before the start of their ceremony, Kathleen kept a smile on her face. She truly was the most relaxed person there and Matt and I are so thankful for Kathleen and Jim’s adventurous spirit as we plunged through the soggy vineyard for photos. Aren’t Kathleen’s wellies so cute?! We had an absolute blast and loved every minute of our day trip out of the city for their lovely celebration. And a huge high five to Kathleen for being her own florist for her wedding. She’s amazingly talented and brave for taking on the job! The flowers were perfect.

Ceremony/Reception Venue: Willow Harbor Vineyard  |  Florist: Kathleen Boyle Farnan  |  DJ: Jena of Toast & Jam  |  Cake Artist: Froehlick  |  Jewelry: BHLDN  |  Dress: Saja 

Shama and Mike are getting married this coming October. They are cheerful and sweet and have filled their lives with exciting adventures together, traveling around the country and across the world as often as they can. From the stories they have shared with us and the little time we have spent getting to know them, it is obvious that their love for one another has a richness and depth that can’t be shaken, even in the worst of times. Pretty inspiring to see.

You wouldn’t know it from these bright and colorful images, but the skies opened up and dumped baseball sized hail on us right as we finished shooting that night. We were all safe in the car together and pulled underneath an awning as we waited for it to pass. I’d say it was one of our craziest moments on an engagement session to this day. Quite a rush with all of the hail loudly pounding on the car. Afterward, we devoured some incredibly delicious food at Ruxbin and shared good wine and good times together laughing. It couldn’t have been better.