~ Laurie Peacock ~ Chicago Wedding Photographer

Winter Engagement: Kristin + Tim

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:15:52 -0600

Kristin and Tim met me the day after Tim proposed to Kristin. Kristin's dad had surprised the couple with tickets to a bridal show and they won the free engagement session with me through a raffle. I think I was the lucky one to get to work with such an easy-going couple willing to brave the cold.

It was such a pleasure working with you, Kristin and Tim. Congrats!!

Sneak Peek: Kristin + Tim

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:10:10 -0600

It's tax season and I'm deep in receipts, but I couldn't resist posting one photo from Kristin and Tim's engagement session. Gotta keep my loyal blog readers happy! As a side note, I'm going to be out of the office Thursday through Sunday and probably won't have access to my e-mail and phone. For this week's e-mails, I'm working hard to respond to you as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience!

Chicago Bridal Photography: Theresa

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:14:59 -0600

A little glam to start off your week.

Distance makes the dog snuggle closer

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:25:03 -0600

My husband travels for business during the week and Winston, the dog, misses him terribly. Truth be told, I think my husband misses our dogs more. Winston and Murphy (shep mix) are regulars on midweek Skype video conferencing calls due to the popular demand of, er, my husband.

After a day of flying back into Chicago, my husband wants nothing more to cuddle with "the boys" and me, flip on a movie and drink a cerveza.

Here's a snap I captured during one of their many afternoon siestas.

Chicago Mexican American Wedding: Theresa + Erasmo

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:38:04 -0600

For the first time this year, my husband, Johnny, assisted for me at Theresa and Erasmo's wedding. Being from Panama and fluent in Spanish, I knew he could help me with lighting and any needed translation at this lovely Mexican American wedding. Little did we both know that Theresa's parents' neighbors, who were the first people I met in Chicago, would be sitting with us at the wedding. Johnny's old college buddy from Mexico, Hugo, and Hugo's family are hilarious, and Johnny and I had a blast catching up with them. Nothing compares to Latin hospitality and I felt like I was at home at Theresa and Erasmo's wedding.

How Theresa and Erasmo met is another story of how small the world really is. Erasmo is from Theresa's father's hometown in Mexico. They fell in love while she was visiting there, so eventually Erasmo moved up to Chicago so they could be together and were legally married about a year ago. I was fortunate to be able to photograph their official church ceremony this February.

The beautiful ceremony was given both in Spanish and English and the music really elevated the atmosphere in the sanctuary. Afterward, the wedded couple and I drove around to two locations Theresa had picked out beforehand. I'll share some of what Theresa wrote about them:

"Union Stockyard Gate: This neighborhood has a lot of meaning to my immigrant family, so I think this Gate is pretty symbolic of my roots. My Godfather worked the Yards and my father works in the meatpacking industry to this day. Plus, it's such a pretty gate :).

Roosevelt Road Bridge: This is my favorite spot in the city to view the skyline at night. Plus, I just think this is an interesting bridge."

I love photographing couples at locations with special meaning to them.

Theresa and Erasmo, I hope these photos hold special meaning to you. ¡Felicitaciones!

Venue: Alessandro's Banquets

Dress and Veil: Lupe Haro (friend of the bride)

Florist: Mostly Flowers

Make-up and Hair: Morgan Blaul

DJ: Mike Huerta

Band: Mariachi Real Guadalajara

Sneak Peek: Theresa + Erasmo

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:19:01 -0600

I was so happy to have some lovely light and a lovely couple to photograph.

Part 2: Chelsea + Kurt: rustic wedding decor

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:11:05 -0600

Chelsea and Kurt outdid themselves with their wedding. You can see Part 1 here. Their families and friends also really helped make this wedding look spectacular. Of course, the talented Chelsea was the creative tour de force. They went into the woods to grab the logs from an already downed tree, cut and inscribed the wood themselves, picked the blackberries and made the jam for the guests' gifts, and made the boutineers and hair pieces. Did I also mention that Chelsea styled all of the bridesmaids' hair including her and her mother's?

They totally rocked it out!! Some of my favorite parts is the vintage typewriter where guests signed in and left them messages of good will. I also just ADORE the envelop "stump" for guests wedding cards and gifts.

Chelsea also left a note for their guests that they won't kiss with the tinkling of the glasses unless the table is willing to get up and sing a song with "love" in it. It was so cool seeing the guests really get into it. They were regaled with at least 8 songs, everything from "That's amore" to "I love you a bushel and a peck" to the Barney song.

Yes, the details were lovely, but most importantly, the guests had a blast.

Vendors:

RECEPTION HALL
The Stonegate
Janet Lobo - janet@thestonegate.com

FLORIST
Blooming Flowers
Vista - ebloomingflowers@yahoo.com

DRESS
Volle's Bridal(where my mom bought the dress 30 years ago this May - "I went there with the dress and they made the changes to the dress for me)
The fabulous ladies I worked with there were Trish, Teresa & Deana."
Email: allbridal@aol.com
Phone: 847-438-7603

TUXES
Mr Tux (partnered with/part of Volle's Bridal)

DJ
Rentmyspeakers.com
Josh is the DJ - Joe(friend of the groom) owns the company
Joe@RentMySpeakers.com

(Thanks to my secondMaggie Rife for some of the shots above.)

Chicago winter wedding: Chelsea + Kurt

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:13:50 -0600

I'm dividing up Chelsea and Kurt's wonderful wedding into two parts, because I really want to feature their awesome homemade decor. I assure you it's amazing and completely worth the wait.

Chelsea and Kurt have more energy than any couple I know. Chelsea is an graphic design artist who designed this fabulous story of their relationship. (Click "our story.") Kurt's personality fills a room with warmth and matches Chelsea's smile.

There were a gazillion meaningful touches to the ceremony and the reception. During the ceremony, ribbon threaded through their rings ran through the church so each guest could touch the rings and give them their personal blessings.

Like every wedding, I was most moved by the surprise moments of emotion. Kurt's brother had difficulty getting through his speech when he spoke of what a role model his brother is to him. Chelsea's mom had tears in her eyes all day, especially when watching her daughter dance with her husband - Chelsea's dad - in the same wedding gown she had worn when she was Chelsea's age.

Thank you, Chelsea and Kurt, for including me on your special day. It was really difficult to pick my favorite moments...there were so many of them.

Also, thank you, Maggie Rife, for assisting me and capturing some of the images above.

Sneak Peek: Chelsea + Kurt

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:50:41 -0600

I love documenting the moments after a couple become husband and wife. (Kurt reading the inscription on his new wedding band.)

Chicago City Hall Wedding: Katherine + Jack

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:09:27 -0600

Could Jack's smile be any bigger? Could Katherine's gorgeous blue eyes sparkle more? Their Saturday wedding at City Hall was full of joy, which was heightened more by the communal celebratory air from the other brides and grooms getting married.

According to the judge marrying Katherine and Jack, they had the largest group of witnesses to ever file into the his chambers. Perhaps the extra people added to Jack's excitement because he jumped the gun with the "I do" (you could tell he'd been practicing). :)

Katherine and Jack, best wishes on your new life together!

Chicago Studio photography: Robert G

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:42:53 -0600

Robert G, florist to celebrities, body builder and all-around-awesome dude, asked if I could snap a few pics of him with his floral arrangements. I met him through my volunteering with Sweet Miss Giving's. He does AMAZING work and I love his usage of nontraditional plants and produce in this floral arrangement.

Now through in some glamorous lighting and you get this.

Throw in an attractive florist and you get this.

Robert with his flowers. Who says flowers have to be all girly?

And then one more of Robert looking all sophisticated.

Sorry boys and girls, this man is taken. :)

Winter Chicago Wedding Photography: Jennifer + Adam

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:29:21 -0600

My sister and friends have been asking me when I'm going to post the rest of Jennifer and Adam's wedding after I posted this sneak peek. They are in love with Jennifer's veil. Sadly, folks, it's not for sale. Jennifer's very talented mom made it. She also is the brains behind this wedding and helped coordinate it along with her good girlfriend.

It was such a lovely day and I really love so many of the wedding's details. Instead of guest favors, they donated to charity. They placed vintage family wedding photos on each table for the guests, and Jennifer wore the same necklace her mother wore to her wedding. Since both the bride and groom's fathers' birthdays are in January, Jennifer and Adam delivered special cake and pie to them as the guests sang "Happy Birthday." Instead of one cake to be sliced for the guests, each table had a cake for the guests to cut. It was a great icebreaker.

Meaningful heirloom items and thoughtful touches really elevate a wedding into a classy affair. Speaking of class, Jennifer is the epitome of sophistication and elegance, and Adam's adoration of her is so awe-inspiring. Everybody should have a special someone who looks at them the same way Adam looks at Jennifer.

So sit back, grab a cup of hot cocoa and feast your eyes on Jennifer and Adam's lovely affair. There are a ton of photos. :) Also, check out the slideshow afterward, which has even more photos.

I'd like to give a shout-out to my talented second photographer, Maggie Rife. Eleven of her photos are part of the following slideshow and a few above: slideshow.

Vendors:

Cake - Rolf's www.rolfspatisserie.com
Bride's Bouquet - Joanne at Flower's Flowers www.flowers-flowers.com
Other Flowers - Jill Wiles (friend of Bride & Groom)
Venue - Green Dolphin Street www.jazzitup.com
Dress - by San Patrick at Reddington Bridal in Park Ridge
Hair and Make-Up - Jenny Hirschy (friend of Bride & Groom)
DJ - Gary Klein of SoundQ Productions

After the show

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:22:08 -0600

I worked my second wedding show yesterday. My first one occurred when I was in high school and participated in a runway show for a bridal wear shop. I was young and skinny, so I traipsed down the runway, did my thang, and afterward enjoyed tasting various cake from vendors.

During yesterday's show I didn't walk any runways, but I certainly did my thang and even ate a miniature cupcake afterward: my love for sweets as strong as ever.

I met some fabulous brides and grooms at the "Love at Breathtaking Heights" show in addition to some outstanding wedding vendors. I had a ball. Also you might be wondering how my scared-of-heights husband managed being on the 65th floor. He managed, albeit a bit white-knuckled. (Thank you, honey!)

So for those of you who missed it, here's my booth:

Along with my husband...

And if you were worried after seeing my husband a little green-in-the-gills in the above picture, he's recovered nicely and even jogged today.

He looks so dorky in his running gear, so I had to take a couple snaps to commemorate his dorkiness. Winston, the beagle mix, also joined in the fun. My poor boys!

Don't you think my husband should sell water? He's totally the next Vanna White. :)

Love at Breathtaking Heights

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:46:50 -0600

This Saturday come join me and my husband at the "Love at Breathtaking Heights" show at the Metropolitan Club. Speaking of heights, you all should come just to support my husband, Johnny, with his, um, fear of heights. You know I gotta keeper when he's willing to brave 64 stories to help me mingle with the newly engaged. I'm bringing albums, canvas art prints, my new Mac with wedding slideshows and giving away a free engagement session, so bring a friend and come say "hi!"

Here are more details:

Love at Breathtaking Heights

An Exclusive Boutique Wedding Show Hosted By
The Metropolitan Club

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010
2:00pm - 6:00pm

Mingle among Chicago's elite wedding vendors while enjoying hors d'oeuvres, signature cocktails & spectacular views.

Guests will also get a chance to experience the Willis Tower Ledge on the 103rd floor, courtesy of Skydeck Chicago.

DOOR PRIZES

All brides will receive a reusable bridal bag on their way into the show. The first 10 brides will also receive a complimentary dinner for two to The Metropolitan Club plus other fabulous prizes.

Winners will be drawn at 5:30pm; must be present to win.

TICKETS

To pre-register please contact Stephani Thompson at 312.993.2529 or stephani.thompson@ourclub.com

Guests registered by January 21st, 2010 - $10
Non-registered guests - $15

Complimentary tickets for pre-registered Metropolitan Club members and children under 12

Sneak Peek: Jennifer + Adam

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:27:20 -0600

Their chemistry is AMAZING.

~ Laurie Peacock ~ Chicago Wedding Photographer

Winter Engagement: Kristin + Tim

Sneak Peek: Kristin + Tim

Chicago Bridal Photography: Theresa

Distance makes the dog snuggle closer

Chicago Mexican American Wedding: Theresa + Erasmo

Sneak Peek: Theresa + Erasmo

Part 2: Chelsea + Kurt: rustic wedding decor

Chicago winter wedding: Chelsea + Kurt

Sneak Peek: Chelsea + Kurt

Chicago City Hall Wedding: Katherine + Jack

Chicago Studio photography: Robert G

Winter Chicago Wedding Photography: Jennifer + Adam

After the show

Love at Breathtaking Heights

Love at Breathtaking Heights

An Exclusive Boutique Wedding Show Hosted By The Metropolitan Club

DOOR PRIZES

TICKETS

Sneak Peek: Jennifer + Adam

An Exclusive Boutique Wedding Show Hosted By
The Metropolitan Club