BEST OF 2023: Favorites from this year!

Happy New Year’s Eve, friends! I’m pretty sure I say this every year, but it’s been nearly impossible to choose the Best of 2023 after such an incredible season. Of course, the past 12 months have flown by faster than ever… but looking back has been truly nostalgic!

This year we decided to take a limited number of weddings in order to better serve each and every couple. As a result, I have been able to build up our sister company P&M studio (give us a follow!), as well as say YES to more short-term opportunities (like surprise proposals, my FAVE!). No doubt 2023 would not have been the same without my amazingly talented team: Alexis, Amy Lynn, George, Trevor, Dan, Jess, Nohemi, Chrissy, Kate, and Jeremy. I’m lucky to get to work with such kind, professional, and skilled individuals who want the best for our awesome couples.

Highlights from 2023:

  • Number of weddings captured: 33
  • Elopements captured: 1
  • Engagement sessions: 22
  • Surprise proposals: 4 (including my first boat proposal!)
  • Wedding films created: 17
  • Weddings in my hometown (Milwaukee): 2
  • Wedding Day Rainbows: 2 (okay, they were on the same day… but still worth mentioning!)
  • Our first wedding with Albanian traditions
  • My first Chicago Hot Dog Unity Ceremony
  • First celebrity wedding guest
  • Countless fur babies and some human babies too
  • Got to see multiple former EMP couples at weddings this year!
  • Working with some favorite vendors
  • Working in some gorgeous new venues as well as some old favorites (list below!)

The images below are a collection of our top favorite moments and portfolio pieces from this year. We are beyond grateful to work with such wonderful couples and be part of your life events! From the bottom of my heart, I’d like to give a gigantic THANK YOU to every couple who trusted us to capture your memories in 2023. We could not be more honored, grateful, and thrilled for you all 🙂

CHEERS to a Happy and Healthy 2024!!!

Featured Venues:

Adler Planetarium / Chicago Athletic Association Hotel / Bridgeport Art Center / Cafe Brauer / Rockwell on the River / Wildman BT / The Gage / Mitchell Park Domes / Fairlie / Renaissance Chicago Downtown / Garfield Park Conservatory / Ovation / The Arbory / Holy Name Cathedral / Pazzo’s / Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool / Biltmore Country Club / Walden / Cindy’s Rooftop / Warehouse 109 / South Branch Tavern & Grille / North Pond / Emil Bach House / Our Lady of Mount Carmel / St. Benedict / Salvage One / Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club / Lincoln Park Conservatory

Just married bride and groom cheer while exiting their fall wedding ceremony at St. Benedict Chicago
Bride and groom kiss in front of Rolls Royce classic car under CTA train tracks before wedding ceremony at Ovation Chicago
Bride walks down aisle with parents at Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony in Great Hall
Romantic black and white photo of couple at North Avenue Beach during summer Chicago engagement session
Romantic photo of two grooms under umbrella on Chicago bridge before their summer Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding ceremony
Stylized photo of bride and groom holding hands inside Desert Dome at Mitchell Park Domes Milwaukee wedding venue
Candid photo of happy bride and groom standing in front of gold door in Chicago Financial District
Happy couple stands in wildflower field during their summer Lincoln Park engagement session
Black and white photo of bride and groom walking down iconic spiral staircase at Art Institute of Chicago
Fun photo of bride and groom in front of Georgia O'Keefe cloud painting at The Art Institute of Chicago
Creative night photo of happy bride and groom popping a bottle of champagne in Rockwell on the River courtyard
Candid photo of couple kissing at Chicago lakefront with skyline view during summer engagement session
Fun photo of couple feeding each other French fries at Small Cheval during summer Wicker Park engagement session
Just married bride and groom walk on street outside of Wildman BT wedding venue in Chicago with flowing veil
Candid photo of bride playing with veil and holding hands with groom outside Bridgeport Art Center Skyline Loft wedding venue
Silhouette of couple in window with rainbow at Bridgeport Art Center Skyline Loft wedding
Downtown Chicago wedding party cheers on LaSalle Bridge before summer wedding at Ovation
Bride and groom laugh during their wedding ceremony at Wildman BT in Chicago
Creative black and white photo of couple with their chalkboard welcome sign at The Arbory Chicago wedding venue
Candid photo of bride putting on veil before Jewish wedding ceremony at Bridgeport Art Center Skyline Loft
Guests throw groom in the air for La Víbora de la Mar dance during Mexican wedding reception at The Gage Milwaukee
Portrait of bride and groom in front of colorful Chicago mural in West Loop neighborhood
Black and white photo of bride and groom kissing as they exit their wedding ceremony at The Gage Milwaukee
Creative black and white portrait of engaged couple inside Art Institute Chicago
Fun photo of bride and groom celebrating with wedding party during sparkler exit at The Gage Milwaukee wedding reception
Candid photo of happy engaged couple seated inside Venteux Cafe during their downtown Chicago engagement session
Black and white photo of bride and groom kissing outside Adler Planetarium with veil blowing in the wind
Groom presents Chicago hot dog to guests during Rockwell on the River wedding ceremony
Wedding party applauds as bride and groom kiss during summer Rockwell on the River wedding ceremony
Black and white photo of grooms in white tuxedo jackets drinking espresso martinis during their summer wedding reception at Renaissance Chicago Downtown
Just married couple's first dance at Pazzo's wedding reception space
Detail photo of wedding rings on hands with henna outside Adler Planetarium wedding in Chicago
Candid photo of couple getting engaged on Chicago boat
Fun photo of couple in front of skyline on Chicago boat during surprise double proposal
Romantic silhouette of bride and groom in front of butterflies on projection screen at Wildman BT wedding in Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago engagement photo of couple dancing in front of Lichtenstein piece in Modern Wing
Romantic photo of bride and groom with veil flowing during downtown Chicago wedding day at Pazzo's 311
Just married bride and groom outside The Gage Milwaukee wedding venue
Creative photo of engaged couple holding hands featuring geometric engagement ring
Candid photo of couple dancing in front of Lakeview Low-Line CTA station during summer engagement session in Roscoe Village
Candid photo of happy couple during Roscoe Village neighborhood engagement session
Romantic silhouette of couple at Chicago lakefront with sunset colors and skyline view
Engaged couple kiss in front of rainbow mural at Hollywood Beach during their Chicago summer engagement session
Bride and groom sit on green couch at Venteux Cafe before their Chicago brunch wedding
Creative photo of bride and groom with Chicago skyline view from Riverwalk on their spring wedding day
Candid moment during wedding ceremony at Ovation Chicago with bride and groom
Candid photo of engaged couple in Humboldt Park Formal Garden during Chicago neighborhood engagement session
Engaged couple dips on stone path at Humboldt Park lagoon during formal Chicago engagement session
Bride and groom kiss in front of large mural at Time Out Market during Morgan's on Fulton wedding reception in Chicago
Bride and groom cheer and hold hands after their first look on staircase at Fairlie Chicago
Candid photo of bride and groom laughing at head table during speeches at their winter Fairlie wedding
Grooms walk down State Street median holding hands in the rain
Groom holds up champagne bottle while wedding party cheers in downtown Chicago
Black and white photo of bride and her father entering her Holy Name Cathedral wedding ceremony
Guests look on as newlyweds share their first dance during summer Indian wedding reception
Bride dances with her daughter during summer Indian wedding reception at Fairlie in Chicago
Bride touches honey to Chuppah during Albanian and Jewish wedding ceremony at Cafe Brauer Great Hall
Fun photo of couple dancing at Chicago lakefront at sunset during their summer engagement session
Photo of engaged couple holding hands and espresso art lattes at Venteux Cafe during Chicago engagement session
Bride and groom hold hands underneath floating baby's breath during summer wedding ceremony at Ovation Chicago
Romantic photo of couple beneath bride's veil at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago
Romantic black and white photo of couple kissing during Edgewater neighborhood engagement session
Bride and groom cheer in front of Greetings From MKE mural on their spring Milwaukee elopement day
Happy bride and groom walk through sparkler exit with wedding party at Fairlie Chicago winter wedding
Candid photo of bridesmaids and bride laughing in front of gold doors downtown Chicago
Engaged couple walks through wildflower path outside Shedd Aquarium during spring Chicago engagement session
Candid photo of couple holding hands in front of colorful mural during summer Pilsen engagement session
Bride and groom kiss under skylight and boho floral arch at their spring Arbory wedding in Chicago
Moody photo of couple sitting in bathtub during Salvage One engagement session
Silhouette photo of bride and groom at Union Station before Fairlie Chicago winter wedding
Creative photo of couple looking out the window in storage room during Salvage One engagement session
Candid photo of couple playing pool in Chicago during Salvage One engagement session
Black and white photo of bride and groom walking in downtown Chicago before wedding ceremony
Bride and groom cheer as guests applaud after their first kiss during Skyline Loft wedding ceremony at Bridgeport Art Center
Fun photo of couple in front of Wicker Park mural during their Chicago summer engagement session
Bride and groom kiss in front of gold doors at Wrigley Building in downtown Chicago
Fun photo of bride and groom showing off their rings during The Arbory wedding reception
Portrait of bride and groom with vintage white Rolls Royce at entrance of Adler Planetarium
Creative double exposure photo of couple's silhouette and spring blooms at Lincoln Park Chicago
Candid photo of bride and groom laughing on Michigan Avenue after their brunch wedding ceremony at Venteux Cafe
Unique photo of couple kissing between antique elephant statues during their Salvage One engagement session
Engaged couple kiss sitting in field of blue wildflowers in Humboldt Park, Chicago
Creative photo of bride and groom silhouetted in front of purple star field background at Adler Planetarium
Happy bride and groom break the glass during Jewish wedding at Cafe Brauer Great Hall in Chicago
Black and white night photo of happy newlyweds on Michigan Avenue outside Waldorf Astoria Chicago
Black and white silhouette photo of bride getting read with mother in Presidential Suite at The Blackstone Hotel in downtown Chicago
Photo of grooms kissing surrounded by their friends in Explore Room before their Renaissance Chicago Downtown summer wedding
Groom watches bride enter romantic wedding ceremony under skylight at The Arbory Chicago
Portrait of bride and groom standing next to vintage Airstream trailer at Warehouse 109 wedding venue in Plainfield, Illinois
Creative photo of wedding party standing on steps at Union Station in Chicago before spring wedding at The Arbory
Candid photo of couple laughing during wedding ceremony at Cindy's Rooftop in Chicago
Romantic photo of couple kissing with colorful sunset at Chicago Lakefront during fall engagement session
Fun photo of bride and groom's choreographed first dance at their Chicago Athletic Association Hotel wedding
Candid photo of happy bride and groom walking with wedding party down LaSalle Street in front of Chicago Board of Trade building
Custom Parks and Recreation themed wedding cake with couple in park at The Arbory wedding
Candid photo of bride and groom at record store in Wicker Park before The Arbory wedding
Bride and groom stand in front of mural on door at The Arbory before their Chicago winter wedding ceremony
Black and white photo of bride and groom holding hands during their ceremony at Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
Happy bride and groom walking with their wedding party before their Biltmore Country Club wedding reception
Creative photo of grooms standing on staircase with dramatic lighting in Renaissance Chicago Downtown
Portrait of happy engaged couple at home with their fluffy cat in front of colorful wall
Newlyweds share a moment on the lakefront with Chicago skyline view before their Adler Planetarium wedding reception
Bride and groom kiss while their dog lies in grass wearing flower collar before their Adler Planetarium wedding
Groom veils bride during Bedeken ceremony at Bridgeport Art Center Skyline Loft wedding
Engaged couple walks their Husky through Lincoln Park during fall engagement session
Engaged couple kiss in front of colorful fall foliage in Lincoln Park
Happy couple walks along Chicago lakefront with skyline view at their North Avenue Beach engagement session
Happy groom sees bride during their first look at Westin River North hotel in downtown Chicago
Candid photo of just married bride and groom under Chuppah at Bridgeport Art Center Skyline Loft wedding
Two happy grooms exit their backyard Emil Bach House wedding ceremony while guests cheer
Fun photo of bride and groom's first look before Oak Brook Bath and Tennis Club wedding
Portrait of bride, groom and their daughter on Kinzie Street Bridge in downtown Chicago
Portrait of bride and groom with their wedding cake at Chicago Athletic Association Hotel reception
Candid photo of bride and groom in front of fountain in South Garden at Art Institute Chicago
Romantic photo of engaged couple kissing in front of Chicago skyline at lakefront during windy South Loop engagement session
Candid photo of couple holding hands in front of mosaic mural during Edgewater neighborhood engagement session
Groomsmen protect bride from light rain with a suit jacket in downtown Chicago
Bride and groom board trolley with wedding party under umbrellas before their Chicago Athletic Association wedding ceremony
Black and white photo of bride's sister helping bride with her veil at Waldorf Astoria Chicago
Couple holds Pomeranian while smiling in front of ivy wall during their Ravenswood neighborhood engagement session
Black and white photo of engaged couple drinking beer in booth at Crosby's Kitchen in Chicago
Portrait of newly engaged couple on rooftop after surprise proposal at Robey Chicago
Romantic photo of couple walking through wildflowers in Formal Garden during Humboldt Park engagement session
Happy newlyweds exit their Chicago Athletic Association Hotel wedding ceremony in White City Ballroom
Bride and groom exiting their wedding ceremony at South Branch Tavern and Grille in downtown Chicago
Bride and groom kiss in downtown Chicago before their South Branch Tavern wedding reception
Romantic black and white engagement photo of couple holding hands at Belmont Harbor with Chicago lakefront in background
View from balcony of bride and groom kissing during fall wedding ceremony at St. Benedict Catholic Church
Romantic photo of bride and groom in royal blue dress and suit standing in tall reeds at Oak Brook Bath and Tennis wedding
Portrait of bride and groom near Wrigley Building with dress flowing in the wind before Chicago winter wedding
Romantic photo of bride and groom on LaSalle Street Bridge in downtown Chicago before City View Loft wedding ceremony
Black and white photo of engaged couple with their Husky on South Pond Bridge in Lincoln Park
Bride in black dress and groom in tuxedo kiss outside Art Institute of Chicago before their Cindy's Rooftop wedding ceremony
Bride and groom dance under disco balls and boho decor during their wedding reception at The Arbory
Candid photo of bridesmaids at Union Station before Chicago winter wedding
Bride and groom kiss before their Biltmore Country Club wedding reception
Romantic silhouette photo of two grooms kissing in window at Frank Lloyd Wright house in Chicago
Black and white photo of bride looking in mirror while getting ready for spring elopement in Milwaukee
Creative photo of bride and groom on the dance floor at their South Branch Tavern and Grille wedding in Chicago
Newlyweds kiss while showing their wedding rings beneath Fulton Market sign in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood
Man asks woman to marry him in front of waterfall at Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood
Fun photo of Chicago couple during their Lincoln Park Conservatory engagement session after surprise proposal
Black and white silhouette of couple holding hands at Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
Fun photo of couple sitting at home with their cats during South Loop Chicago engagement session
Candid photo of couple kissing orange cats while sitting on chair during Chicago home engagement session
Stylized portrait of wedding party in black and rose gold standing in outdoor ceremony space at Warehouse 109 wedding venue
Engaged couple walks their dog in front of Jefferson Park home during springtime
Happy bride and groom walk down the aisle after their winter wedding at The Arbory in Chicago
Creative silhouette engagement photo in front of Wrigley Field during fall Chicago engagement session
Bride touches groom on shoulder during their first look in downtown Chicago before winter wedding at City View Loft
Candid photo of newlyweds laughing at head table during their South Branch Tavern and Grille wedding reception
Couple shares Chicago style hot dogs outside Devil Dawgs during downtown engagement session
Creative photo of couple standing in sunlight at Grant Monument in Lincoln Park during spring engagement session
Wedding party walking through Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve before summer wedding reception at Warehouse 109
Candid photo of bride and groom outside Union Station before their Chicago winter wedding
Black and white photo of couple holding hands and walking towards the Ferris wheel in Chicago's Olive Park during their summer engagement session
View from choir loft of bride and father entering wedding ceremony at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic church in Chicago
Bride and groom during their first look on downtown Chicago bridge before their South Branch Tavern and Grille wedding
Photo of groom kissing bride's forehead in front of blue curtain at Wildman BT wedding venue
Engaged couple kisses in front of bright yellow flowers during Lincoln Park engagement session
Candid photo of couple smiling at Chicago lakefront with skyline during summer engagement session
Candid photo of couple in front of North Pond Restaurant after fall surprise proposal in Lincoln Park
Couple hug outside Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago after their fall engagement at North Pond in Lincoln Park
Bride and groom kiss in the White City Ballroom at their spring Chicago Athletic Association Hotel wedding
Creative engagement photo of couples with flowering bush looking at the camera at Lake Arlington Park
Portrait of bride and groom standing in front of custom sign at Saint Bede Parish after their summer wedding ceremony
Happy couple walks along Chicago lakefront with colorful sunset during formal fall engagement session
Two grooms cut their wedding cake during backyard wedding reception at Frank Lloyd Wright House in Chicago
Romantic engagement photo of couple kissing at sunset with Lake Arlington in background
Fun Winnemac Park engagement photo of man lifting woman and laughing in wildflower garden
Candid photo of couple laughing in front of willow tree during Winnemac Park engagement session
Bride sits on vintage mint green pickup truck and kisses groom during Warehouse 109 wedding styled shoot
Candid photo of bride and groom walking down street before their summer Morgan's on Fulton wedding reception
Bride in fur stole and groom in blue suit stand under CTA train tracks in West Loop before their Walden Chicago wedding ceremony
Romantic photo of newlyweds kissing with flowing veil in front of Christmas tree in courtyard of Waldorf Astoria Chicago
Candid photo of bride and groom hugging near Christmas tree outside their winter wedding at Waldorf Astoria Chicago
Couple and their family member walk in front of willow tree at Winnemac Park during Chicago fall engagement session
Winnemac Park engagement photo of three people giving high-five in front of oak tree
Couple kiss in front of colorful fall tree in Lincoln Park after surprise proposal at North Pond Restaurant
Fun photo of couple running along Chicago lakefront during their fall Belmont Harbor engagement session
Black and white photo of bride reading vows to groom's sons during wedding ceremony at Atonement Lutheran Church
A couple kisses on the Chicago Riverwalk surrounded by tall buildings and urban architecture during their summer engagement session
Black and white photo of couple in front of custom marquee before summer Morgan's on Fulton wedding reception
Romantic Lincoln Park engagement photo of couple hugging at Grant Monument in Chicago
Bride and groom surrounded by plants at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago
Romantic night photo of groom carrying barefoot bride in courtyard during Warehouse 109 wedding reception
Bride and groom kiss after cutting their cake at their Warehouse 109 wedding reception
Creative black and white photo of bride and groom with dramatic shadows at Adler Planetarium
Candid photo of bride and bridesmaids with green ivy wall outside Westin Chicago River North hotel
Engaged couple walks their dog in Ukrainian Village neighborhood during fall Chicago engagement session
Creative photo of newly engaged couple kissing on rooftop of Robey Chicago after surprise proposal
Bride and groom kiss on grassy path at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Illinois
Candid photo of happy newlyweds leading the Second Line after their fall wedding ceremony at St. Ben's in Chicago
Romantic photo of groom's hands around bride's waist wearing black lace dress at Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
Bride and groom kiss in the street in downtown Chicago before winter wedding at City View Loft
Night photo of newlyweds dancing in the street during their City View Loft winter wedding reception
Fun photo of bride and groom popping bottle of champagne outside Walden Chicago wedding venue
Romantic photo of bride and groom kissing in their reception outfits outside Walden Chicago wedding venue
Happy bride and groom stand in front of motorcycle wall during Warehouse 109 styled shoot
Romantic portrait of bride and groom in Lincoln Park Conservatory before their Cafe Brauer wedding
Candid photo of bride and groom walking along the lakeshore at North Avenue Beach before their Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Bride and groom kiss in front of Fairlie Chicago with wedding party holding sparklers and cheering

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