Laura and Vincent’s Wedding

Her emails taught me a lesson about judging the form's answers too quickly.  Ah, lessons.

Normally, when someone mentions "some wine bar" for their reception site, and is only having about fifty people attend the event, I automatically think, "no way they are going to hire me."  Normally those requests are followed by, "our budget is only $500."

But one thing caught my attention.  She had some truly nice words in the "additional info" section that stuck with me for quite a long time.  She wrote, "we live in washington, dc but we're getting married in chicago, because we absolutely love and miss that city. the pictures you've taken really resonate with me in terms of showcasing the beauty of chicago and the beauty of the couples ... the urban context really shines through nicely."

OK.  Forget the compliment.  She contemplated my images.  This is a woman who is coherent and knowledgeable about the arts, and knows the difference between a picture for a postcard and a picture worth your wall.   Wow.  Thank you.

Seven weeks later, they both come to town.  We meet.  They hired.

Fast forward nine months:  August 29, 2009.

Laura & Vincent's wedding

August 29, 2009
Ceremony: Bond Chapel; University of Chicago
Reception: The Bluebird in Wicker Park

It WAS a small affair after all.  Close family, and a ton of friends.  However, the reception didn't happen at a wine bar; that idea went away. But we did end up at a trendy Wicker Park restaurant called The Bluebird.  Lofty restaurant, exposed brick and urban chic.  Perfect.  It was a giant cocktail party.  No sit-down dinner, no dancing, no traditional hoopla. Just tons of chattering, hors d'oeuvres, alcohol and a truly beautiful sunset which poured in through the front windows.  Any photographer would be happy.  All I had to do was compose a picture, find the right split second, and shoot.  The lighting was taken care of by mother nature.

The B&G are nearly identical twins when it comes to their personality.  Both have a very intelligent, sarcastic wit mixed with a realism that kept me, and my assistant Chadd Foy, on our toes all afternoon.  Believe me.  The way they bounced off each other as if they were continuing a conversation was so cute.  

And the couple was right.  I truly believe the most important part of the day was their time running around town to different landmark spots that say Chicago. If we could have spent eight hours doing just that, Laura & Vince would not have minded one bit.

Thanks, you guys, for an entertaining afternoon.  And for letting me go at 6 pm.  I didn't spend a warm summer Saturday night in a dark reception hall until 11 pm.  I will always remember that night…

Ceremony: Bond Chapel; University of Chicago Campus
Reception: The Bluebird Bar http://bluebirdchicago.com/
Caterer: BlueBird
Floral: Bukiety
Hair, makeup: Alyssa Foster-Zombro
Dessert: Batter-up Cake Bar
Surprise Groom Cake: Hoosier Mama Pie
Invitation: Wedding Paper Divas
Thank you notes: Girl Metro
Coordinator - Bride & Groom
Officiant: Rev Msgr Leo Enlow
Dress: Aimee Lauren Couture
Shows: J Crew
Tux: Christopher Kim, Washington, DC
Shirt: Charles Tyrwhitt