i had been looking forward to this wedding for a long time. over a year, actually. ever since i met kelsey and dave at a starbucks in the west loop and they told me of their plans for a chinese tea ceremony, a late night hot dog stand, the venue, all of it. i knew i wanted on board. it was the details that excited me then. but during their magical day, it was the chance to be with two people like kelsey and dave that held the most excitement. it was the chance to be with them and amongst the people that support them. it was the chance to hear their self-written vows to each other and the chance to capture their day in a way that is entirely them, down to the storm trooper mask that made its appearance at the reception.

kelsey’s meticulous care of the entire day shined through. i followed her blog, along with countless other brides, over the past year and read up on all of  her planning, scheming, trials, and successes in the whole process. it was truly a day that everyone involved felt like family. and the dance floor raged.

sometimes you just get to experience great love. you get to see it firsthand. you get to laugh with it and feel it and support it and breathe it in. this was one of those times.

congrats, my friends. it was wild ride and one i’m grateful to have been a part of.

my first chinese tea ceremony experience. love tradition.

there’s nothing like witnessing the sweet innocence and pure giddiness of a first look between a groom and his bride. nothing at all.

we absolutely took advantage of the trillions of weddings around chicago, at the same photo spots, on 9.10.11.

little tidbit: that’s the convertible from ferris bueller’s day off. yup.

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venue + catering // ravenswood event center

flowers // ashland-addison florist

wedding dress // watters (mojave)

groom suit // formally modern tuxedos

hair // friend of the bride – dee defoort

wedding event planning // laura susin koo, honey bee weddings

makeup // mary mazzuca

invitations + programs // minted