You can view the first part of Kelley and Ben's wedding here.

So many brides cross their french manicured fingers for a wedding day like Kelley and Ben's. The light was beautiful. I didn't even need to wear a jacket. And it was NOVEMBER! in CHICAGO!

One of my favorite moments of the day was watching Kelley dance with her father and Ben dance with his mother. Wow! They all can dance! I also loved photographing the wedding party as they danced and sang in the trolley as it strolled through downtown Naperville.

Kelley and Ben, thank you so much for hiring me to capture your beautiful wedding. I had a ball!

 

If you want to relive the memories from the entire wedding, you can view the slideshow here. Recognize the music, Kelley and Ben?

Vendors:
DJ or Band: Something 2 Dance 2
Catering: Bobak's Signature Events
Florist: Walden Florists
Hair and/or make-up: Bridal Beauty Salon
Videographer: "I Do Films"

"Ladies, if you are thinking about it... DO IT!!  I did a session with Laurie earlier this year and it was AMAZING!!  I loved the pictures and Laurie was a blast to work with.  It's a great confidence-booster and well, if your giving the pictures as a gift, I can promise you they will be appreciated!  I know mine were! :)" Ms. A

"You were able to help show her and bring out a side to her that only I've seen...and it was amazing. She's beautiful and sexy and everything I knew she was.  I just want to call you and thank you for that. I truly appreciate it." Ms. T's husband via voicemail

Some of you might have seen my last post on my upcoming boudoir sessions. I can't tell you how honored I am that such lovely people give me their trust to photograph them. I was teary-eyed when I heard that voicemail from Ms. T's husband. As women, myself included, we beat ourselves up over and over again about our body's imperfections and forget how miraculous they are...how sexy and beautiful they can be. To hear a husband gush about how happy he was to have his wife of five years finally see herself as he sees her, WOW. Talk about having the most amazing job in the world!

In addition to wives and brides giving the boudoir album to their husbands and husbands-to-be, I've even had bridesmaids chip in to buy a session for their girlfriend. You don't even have to have a person to buy it for. I truly believe it's the ultimate gift to yourself, no matter who you give it to.

Interested?  Here's a recap of the details:  

Basically, I provide the Chicago downtown hotel room, champagne, munchies, music and fun, and you bring your sexy curves for a one hour shoot with me.  (You're more than welcome to bring a friend with you for encouragement.)

Here are the spots that are still available:

November 24
4 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m. BOOKED
8:30 p.m. BOOKED
10:00 p.m. BOOKED

December 11
4 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:30 p.m.
10:00 p.m.

December 12
8:00 a.m. BOOKED
9:30 a.m. BOOKED
11:00 a.m. BOOKED

As you can see, there are a couple spots available next week, and Dec. 11 is still open.  Take a day off from work, go Christmas shopping in the loop and then get your groove on with a boudoir session.

More details:  If you want to receive a little black book (http://www.flickr.com/photos/divinecalm/3237515405/, the package is $500.  The photos are retouched and the session lasts for an hour of your choosing.  Without the album, it's $275 and you order prints a la carte. (An 8X10 is $25, for example.)  If you're not sure whether you want an album, you can wait to decide until the session when you can view a sample up close.

I require $100 deposit via paypal (or check) to reserve your spot.  Upon reservation, I will e-mail further shoot information like hotel location, what to bring, etc...

If you're interested, you can either use the contact form at the top of my blog or you can e-mail me directly at peacock.laurie@gmail.com. Too many questions or want to talk to me to make sure I'm not a weirdo? :)  My phone number is 312-961-2297.

 

Some weddings just beg for more than one post. With Kelley and Ben's vibrant colors and warm November day wedding, these photos need a proper showing.

Kelley and Ben had their "First Look" at Catigny Park. I totally respect the tradition of the bride and groom not seeing each other until the wedding ceremony.  That being said, for fall and winter weddings when the sun sets earlier, it's so much easier for the couple to trade tradition for better light. Seeing each other without an audience also settles the couple's nerves and allows them to enjoy cocktail hour later. I did it for my own wedding and loved it.

So ta da!  Here is Part 1! (Two of the photos, photo of the groomsmen and one of the "First Look" photos are by my second photographer, the talented Kelly Ry.)