Hotel Intercontinental wedding: Jenni & Matt

Five years ago, I made a pact to never photograph a friend's or relative's wedding again.  I find the stress to perform and deliver too much for my little self to endure ever again.  Plus, I missed out on celebrating such an incredible event with my own friends and family (some I had not seen in 20 years).  Work and play don't mix well together.  I heard the food was good though!

While I know Jenni & Matt, I easily justified shooting their wedding because they are indirect friends.  An indirect friend is someone who NOT only do I know through someone else, but I do not have their email, phone number or connected with on Facebook.  At first I was wondering if I broke my promise to my self, or if this was going to be OK?

As the day grew near, I found myself more and more excited to document their incredibly well-planned day.  I felt my disconnect with them was strong enough to separate the personal aspects from the reason I was attending their wedding: to document.  And, I felt my connection to Jenni & Matt was just enough to allow me to approach their wedding with an advantage.

Maybe I was a tad nervous, and the stakes were higher in my mind, but I didn't wake up in a mass of full-bodied hives.  Nor on the floor of a New York City hotel room.  But that is a different story.

Have I grown?  Have I matured?  Or did I respect my boundaries?  I do have one family member remaining to Wed.  I do love her, and care for her.  And I am so proud of her achievments.  But she is overseas somewhere in the Navy and just started dating a new boy.  So I have time.

Thanks Jenni & Matt for thinking of me when it came time to hire a photographer.  I appreciate you both being Guiena pigs while I continue to  define my boundaries as well as helping me conquer my fear of the great responsibilities of shooting events for friends and family.

I hope you like your images as much as I do.  

Oh!  Thanks for adding me to your Facebook list since the wedding.  Does this make us offical now?  We still have your album to construct.  So don't move too fast with getting personal.  Or I might just get a hive or two.

Be well.

Jenni Tier & Matt McQuiston

September 5, 2010
Ceremony: Hotel Intercontinental Grande Ballroom; Chicago
Ceremony: Hotel Intercontinental Grande Ballroom; Chicago

Chadd Foy image

Ceremony: Hotel Intercontinental Grande Ballroom; Chicago
Reception: Hotel Intercontinental Grande Ballroom; Chicago
Caterer: Hotel Intercontinental Grande Ballroom; Chicago
Deserts: Hotel Intercontinental Grande Ballroom; Chicago
Wedding Consultant: Nancy Eisenberg
Wedding Cake: Bittersweet
Band: Ken Arlen Orchestra
Florist: Richard Remiard
Lighting and decor: Richard Remiard Event Design
Makeup: Laura Mercier
Offciant: Rabbi Aaron Petuchowski
Videographer: Xpress Video Productions
Invitations & Programs: Nancy Esienberg
Programs: Nancy Eisenberg
Menus: Nancy Eisenberg
Host Hotel: Hotel Intercontinental
Wedding rings: Lester Lampert
Wedding Dress: Vwidon
Wedding Shoes: James Ciccotti
Groom's Suite: Formally Modern Tuxedo
Groom's Shoes: Johnston & Murphy


Second Shooter: Chadd Foy