Yep, it’s already well into April 2020 but like, we’ve also kind of lost over a month of this year so who cares?! Since I’m not taking a new photos at the moment I thought that a deep dive into some of my favorite moments from 2019 would be fun!
I absolutely love being a documentary style wedding photographer in a city like Chicago because I get to see such a wide range of weddings. In 2019 I got to document so many unique celebrations of love. Everything from an intimate family only union on the lakefront to a large Muslim garden ceremony. These photos are full of fun celebrations at some of Chicago’s best venues, taco shops, music spots and more.
Let’s walk through some of the highlights…
Not all of the weddings that I cover start with getting ready photos - that’s an option that I leave totally up to you - but couples who chose to have this part of their day documented usually get some extra fun candid moments. It’s also a fantastic time for me to capture any important details that you’d like photographed.
Let’s start our 2019 photo journey in the same place that all couples start their wedding day (even if I’m not present to document it).
Getting ready moments:
A lot of people think that getting ready photos just cover hair and makeup but it can also be so much more than that. Sweet moments of your loved ones helping you get all spruced up for your big day are some of the best, but I also love silly details and meaningful exchanges.
Best silly detail of the year - these temporary tattoos of the grooms face (I forgot to snag one before I left and I’m so sad)!
My favorite “getting ready” moment from this year is hands down this meaningful pause that Aidan had with her parents before leaving her apartment to walk down the aisle (which was the park around the corner).
On to the next part of the day - first looks. Again, not everyone opts for this private moment before the ceremony (I’ll go deeper into first looks in another post) but they are one of my favorite parts of the day.
fav First looks:
The most unique “first look” of 2019 was totally a new experience for me. Lejla and her family incorporated many Bosnian traditions into her wedding day that were so fun. Prior to this reveal was a party in the backyard for everyone but the bride while she got ready. It included live music, drinks and a lamb roast!
These photos are from a Bosnian tradition where the best man barters with the bride’s closest male relative (in this case her nephew) for her hand. The groom’s reactions here are some of my favorite. Oh - and the maid of honor threw candy at the end - you can’t go wrong with throwing candy!
On to portraits:
As a photographer, this is hands down my favorite part of the day. It’s a little less documentary (we’ll talk about my process for portraits another time) but it is the time of day that I get to be most creative. Oh and it’s way too hard to pick favorites…
the biggest part of the day:
Not always the longest (a lot of my couples opt for quick ceremonies) but it is the reason we’re all gathered together.
Details:
While I thrive most photographing people, I do love a quiet moment during the wedding day to photograph all the details that you have been planning for months.
2019 had everything from fun pop culture references to dreamy plants and lighting details.
If you know me at all, then you know that I’m a fan of the quirky and slightly spooky. No other TV series combines those two things better than Twin Peaks (which I love!). So you know that I was all about these Twin Peaks details from Kevin and Nora’s ceremony & reception.
Whoo, the wedding day can be a long one can’t it? But it also goes by in a blur (that’s why it’s so important to hire someone to document it for you, wink, wink!).
On to the best people watching part of the day…
cocktail hour:
Once cocktail hour winds down it’s on to the party! Receptions are everyone’s favorite part of the day right? You get to let loose, eat, drink and dance - what’s better than that?
Here are some of the top reception moments from 2019 - everything from toasts to first dances.
reception time:
And now it’s time to wrap things up with my dance floor highlight reel of the year.
I highly recommend putting on some jams while viewing!
Let’s boogie:
Well that about wraps it up folks! I hope you enjoyed this look back into my 2019 weddings more than this guy on the right enjoyed his first shot of Malort!
xoxo, Jordan
