Holy Name Cathedral wedding: Kristin and Jonathan

Normally I dread July and August weddings because of the high humidity and heat.  Not the summer of 2009.  While I enjoyed the cooler temps, I was annoyed by the constant rain ruining the "Chicago Pic" portion of my client's wedding day.  Ever since 9-11, it is impossible to go into any private space to take pictures.  When it rains on wedding days, that narrows our opportunities down.  A lot. 

Kristen & Jon were troopers.  Umbrella in hand, thanks to the Ritz Carlton Hotel, everyone was armed and ready.  As usual.  No one died from the mild temps and the water (think Elmira Gulch, AKA the Wicked Witch of the West).  

Another curve ball?  Their wedding was scheduled for Holy Name Cathedral.  However, the church was severely damaged exactly 5 months to the day before their wedding on February 4, 2009.  And, the church reopened exactly 20 days after their wedding date.

Friends, family and strangers constantly ask me for Bridezilla stories.  As usual, Kristen & Jon failed to give me anything to place into my story database.  In fact, my database is boring and empty.  And I like it that way.  I will admit, I am addicted to reality wedding shows.  All of them.  Give me a Say Yes to the Dress marathon on a Sunday, and I am staying in for the day.  After watching way too many reality wedding shows, I wonder if the brides are coached because I have never seen anything like that at my weddings.

The two of them, along with their families, merely shrugged their shoulders and kept moving along taking what God had placed in front of them and found other alternatives.  Now that is exactly what my client's are about.

So, after 7 plus long years of dating, Jon proposed to Kristen at A New Leaf just before their trip to Eastern Europe.  Personally, I think that was well-planned.  It gave them a reason to celebrate for an entire month without jumping into the planning process.

And after 8 long years, the two tied the knot at St. Joseph Church not too far down the road from Holy Name Cathedral.  Afterwards, they closed Scoozi and filled the entire place with their closest friends and family to eat, drink and dance.  Oh, and set off a few sparklers here and there.

Kristen & Jon, let this July 4th be not as cool, but NOT normally hot (for me), and without rain.

Enjoy.

Kristin & Jonathan

July 4, 2009
Ceremony: St. Joseph Church; Chicago, IL
Reception: Scoozi

Ceremony:  St. Joseph Church
Reception: Scoozi
Accommodations:  Ritz-Carlton Hotel Chicago (A Four Seasons Hotel)
Caterer: Scoozi
Music: Orchestra 33
Flowers: Greenleaf Florist
Makeup: Kate Mueller
Hair:  L'Etoile Salon
Officiant:  Reverend Luke Poczworowski, Reverend Matthew Compton
Desserts: Scoozi
Invitations: Paper and Print & Fine Stationary
Program and menus: Wiregrass Weddings
Dress & Designer: Mira Couture (bridal gown - custom designed from mom's dress),
Your Shoes:  Stuart Weitzman
Bridesmaid dresses - Lynn Lugo
Tux: Calvin Klein