This blog post is a little more close to the heart as it has to do with my family!

George is my cousin, who I admittedly do not see enough. We both traveled all over when we were younger, always seeming to be in different parts of the world.  Now that we are adults, living three hours away from eachother, we've both been busy with family and work. However, there is something to be said for our relationship. Not just ours, but my other three cousins (his siblings). We could go for years without seeing one another, but once we are together, there is a solid sense of family, love and loyalty. 

When Katie and George asked me if I could be their photographer, I was honored. 

Their wedding day was very much centered around family and those who have become family over the years. Katie is one out of eight children, and George is one out of four, making their wedding party crazy big, but in an incredibly beautiful way. Everyone in the party has a long history with Katie and George, creating this surrounding of sincerity and love. 

Whenever I am around my cousins, there is always a good time to be had! Katie and George's wedding did not disappoint! 

Their wedding ceremony was held at St. Catherine of Alexandria church in Oak Lawn, IL and their reception was held at The William Tell Inn in Countryside. 

I had a hard time picking which images to share from there day, so here's quite a few! 

The story of Cory and John, and how I came to be their photographer, begins all the way back when John and I were a young, 17 years old. 

John and I had traveled to Australia and New Zealand together on a student ambassador program with other high school students from all over the state. I remember John being an immediate favorite of everyone on the trip, he was just a fun, easy going guy with an increibly big heart. 

The journey down to Australia and New Zeleand definetly created so many life long bonds. After returning home, a group of us from the trip would always get together, go to high school home comings together, have sleep overs and enjoy our lives as crazy, hooligan teenagers! 

After graduating high school, such as life, we slowly started to dispurse, trying our best to keep in touch, but not always having the time to allow for it. As life went on, many of us went through college, got married, had babies, and carried on with the regular day to day hustle and bustle.

That's where Facebook came in to play...

Oh yes, Facebook. The place where many have reconnected, and some have disconnected, but in our case, we reconnected! John and I caught up with each other's lives through social media and I couldn't have been happier to see this friend come back into my life, and with him, I would gain another friend in Cory, his new fiance! 

Long story short (some what...) They asked me to be their photographer! I remember saying to John "Who would have ever thought when we were 17 that I'd be photographing your wedding!?"

This neat little story of our history doesn't stop there. John and Cory had planned their wedding to be held on June 27th, 2015 in the Wisconsin State Capitol, followed by an evening of fun at the Overture Center. This date in it's self was special because it followed the Supreme Court ruling that same sex marriage would be legal in all 50 states. Without knowing it, when they planned to be wed on the 27th, John and Cory would not only be celebrating their love and commitment to one another, but the equality and love for everyone all around the U.S. 

I can honestly say that I adore these two and the love they share. They are, in every way, amazing people and a beautiful couple.  

Thank you for having me be in your lives, John and Cory, and a part of your very special day. Looking forward to watching your family grow and sharing many more years of friendship!

Here's to love, always winning...

When Wendy and Matt had asked me to photograph their wedding, I knew it was going to be one heck of a party with great people!

I've known of Wendy since high school, but I hadn't actually met her until my husband and I started dating. I've always known her to be a sweet, extremely kind and very fun person. When I met her fiance, Matt, I knew the two were the perfect match. Matt is witty, fun and just as kind hearted as Wendy. 

One thing I can say about this couple which really stood out to me is the great mixture of love and friendship that they share and the love and friendship that they are surrounded by.

Their wedding day couldn't have been a more beautiful April day, warm, sunny and all together, beautiful! Their wedding ceremony was at St. John's Lutheran church in Portage, Wisconsin, with the reception following at The Barn at Harvest Moon Pond! The clear theme through out their wedding day was the common love they share for the game of softball! 

Here's a big thank you to Matt and Wendy for having me be a part of their gorgeous day! Congratulations on your lives together!  

Here's a recap of their day!