Meredith and Ryan’s winter Park Ridge wedding photos are here!
Almost two and a half years and three wedding dates later… Meredith and Ryan are MARRIED! These two shared a romantic (and windy!) winter wedding day in December and celebrated all day long with their loved ones. What an honor to photograph this special day!
From the Couple
We met in college at Kams, the local watering hole at U of I! The two of us actually met a few days before (Ryan doesn’t agree with this) at Quad Day where I asked one of my friends who the cute guy was, she introduced us, and the rest is history! We have quite a few friends who take credit for introducing us, and we’re thankful to all of them! I knew pretty early on that I thought Ryan was the one. I think it took Ryan longer to realize but he says he realized once we had graduated and started our “adult” life in the city and he couldn’t imagine life without me.
The proposal was amazing, and so special to me, as Ryan proposed at my family’s lakehouse in northern Wisconsin. We got dinner the night before, and I badgered him about when we would finally get engaged… I’m sure it took everything Ryan had to not just tell me it was tomorrow and could I just wait 24 hours?! We got up to WI, went down to the dock, and started hugging. I laid my head on Ryan’s chest and heard his heart beating a mile a minute, asked him if he was ok and he proposed.
The Wedding Day
The day started at the Park Ridge Country Club where everyone was getting ready and feeling excited for the day ahead! Soon it was time to get Meredith into her dress and share a sweet moment with her dad. Then, Meredith and Ryan shared a windy and romantic first look outside at the country club. So sweet!
I’m thankful these two (and their wedding party!) were willing to spend a little time outside in the cold winter weather for photos. Sneaking outside between photos inside gave Meredith and Ryan such a nice variety in their wedding photos. I definitely think it was worth it! Before we knew it, we were heading to the church to get these two married.
Meredith and Ryan chose to get married at the church that Meredith grew up in – getting married in a church was important to their families as well as to the couple. I love the sentiment.
One of my favorite moments during the ceremony was the deacon’s reminder of three things in marriage… Saying “I love you”, “I forgive you”, and “let us pray”. What a beautiful reminder for these newlyweds and all of the married couples that witnessed their marriage.
Some of my favorite photos of this wedding day happened right after the ceremony! We caught the last minutes of daylight outside the church for beautiful portraits of the newlyweds… Literally minutes after they said “I Do”! The light was perfect, the couple was truly blissful, and the wind gave us just enough fun with the veil. I love it!
Then, we traveled back to the Park Ridge Country Club (after a quick stop at the Pickwick) to celebrate! Meredith and Ryan told me that the reception venue was special to them, too, because Meredith’s family were members throughout her entire childhood, and two of her sisters got married there. All of the sentiment throughout the day made my heart happy! And my favorite part of the reception? Surprising grandpa with a 97th birthday cake and early birthday wishes for his birthday the next day!
At the end of the day, Meredith and Ryan were ecstatic to have all of the people they love in one place together! You could truly feel the love all around them!!
Meredith & Ryan – Thank you for trusting us to photograph your wedding day! Wishing you a beautiful marriage together!
Creative credit goes to…
Meredith’s Attire: BHLDN | Ryan’s Attire: The Black Tux | Wedding Party Attire: Amsale, Jenny Yoo, + The Black Tux | Hair: I Do Hair by Kimberly May – Chicago, IL | Makeup: Joanna B. Artistry – Chicago, IL | Jeweler: James Allen + Solari & Huntington | Ceremony: St. Paul of the Cross Church – Park Ridge, IL | Wedding Officiant: Deacon Bob Bulger | Reception Venue & Catering: Park Ridge Country Club – Park Ridge, IL | Guest Accommodations: Hilton Garden Inn Chicago O’Hare – Des Plaines, IL | Day-Of Coordinator: Aisle K Celebrations | Florist: Water Jar Florals | DJ: Luniks Entertainment – Chicago, IL | Transportation: Limo-tainment – Chicago, IL | Photographer: Kara Evans Photographer – Kankakee, IL | Videographer: Acosta Cinema – Chicago, IL | Cake: Molly’s Cupcakes + Nothing Bundt Cakes | Invitations + Paper Goods: Truly Engaging by Minted Street + Cru Studio | Calligrapher: Marks by Meg
