The month of February brought not only one but two wedding days! After photographing our first wedding of the year in Jamaica, we headed back to Chicagoland and photographed Jen and Tom’s wedding day next. Gosh, we’re still gushing over their winter wedding day at CD&ME in Frankfort that was nothing short of AMAZING!
Last year, I met Jen and Tom after they found my work online. We hit it off from the start, and I’ve adored documenting their playful, fun-loving personalities and love for one another ever since. I feel lucky to know these two and honored to have been trusted to document their wedding with photo & video! I can’t wait to see their love story continue to grow long after their wedding day.
From the Couple
Our love story happened quickly! We matched on Bumble. I had never really been on the dating apps. Tom was about to delete them until we matched and went for happy hour on a Friday after work. Tom and I instantly hit it off and enjoyed each other’s company. We were both fresh out of relationships and just knew what we wanted. We said I love you in two months, got a puppy in 6 months, he moved in with me in 9 months, and were pregnant with our daughter a year later.
A few months later, Tom proposed. My best friend enjoys doing photography on the side. Tom lied and said his mom requested pictures of us in the snow to send to his family in Texas. Tom asked my friend to take these pictures. I was annoyed – I felt bad bugging her to take our pictures in our own backyard. I literally said, “Why can’t we just take a few selfies or use the self-timer”. Lauren, of course, “didn’t mind.”
It was noon on a Saturday after the big (I think record-breaking) snowfall. We went out back, and Tom wanted to put a bandana on Rhylee (our puppy). She wasn’t listening, so I told him to just bring it out here, but he insisted on bringing her inside to put it on. When she ran back out she had a white bandana that I have never seen before. It was folded and all I could read was “my dad…” I thought to myself, yes, you’re going to be a dad, I don’t get it. As I stared at her, Tom was down on one knee behind me. I was shocked, and my friend got the best pictures of it! By the way, the bandana said, “Will you marry my dad?” I just couldn’t see it all.
After all the excitement, we went to the bar that we had our first date at to celebrate. When I walked in, all my family and friends were there to surprise me and celebrate us!
The Wedding Day
If one thing is for sure, it’s this – Jen and Tom’s wedding day is a day we won’t soon forget!
Like most wedding days, we started the day by photographing details, candid getting ready moments, and finishing touches. One of my favorite parts of the morning was seeing how excited Jen was while she got ready alongside her mom, girlfriends, daughter, and puppy. Before we knew it, it was time to travel down the street to the church to get Jen and Tom married!
Jen and Tom shared a Catholic mass ceremony. I loved documenting the bliss in Tom’s expression when he saw his daughter Haley coming down the aisle followed by Jen. It was truly a sweet moment, and the joy was contagious! After the ceremony and photos with the family, we traveled to CD&ME where the reception fun began!
It was wonderful to be back at CD&ME for Jen and Tom’s wedding day! I hadn’t shot a wedding there in years, and it was fun to see how things have changed over the years. And I have to say, it was the perfect venue for these two! Once the wedding party arrived to the venue, we all braved the cold for outdoor photos. Being a winter wedding day, when I say that we braved the cold – that’s the truth! The temperature was around 20 degrees with a real feel of 7 degrees, brrr! But you know what? Jen, Tom, and their wedding party were up for anything and amazing sports about taking photos outside. Kyle and I were so thankful for that!
Over the last few months, Jen and I agreed that a little snow on their wedding day would be the icing on the cake… And we were blessed with just that! Two days before Jen and Tom’s wedding day, we had a Chicagoland snowstorm. Thankfully, everything was cleared and still in a beautiful photo-worthy state for their wedding day. All of the cozy winter vibes from the snow, fur wraps, and twinkly lights made for the most romantic wedding day photos of Jen and Tom!
Once photos wrapped up, it was time to celebrate! And this couple kicked off the reception at CD&ME the best way they knew how – with an introduction accompanied by bagpipers and a tear-jerking dance with their daughter. Beyond the memorable start to the evening, Jen and Tom truly customized the reception to their tastes and chose to have dinner stations instead of a formal dinner. This way, the celebration could start a little earlier and last a little longer and this reception undoubtedly matched their easy-going and fun-loving personalities. We loved their take on a wedding reception, and by the looks of it, their guests loved it, too!
At the end of the day, Jen and Tom joined the married club and had the most fun doing it – there’s no doubt about that! They shared the special day with their daughter, family, and loved ones. It was a joy to document their love for one another, and the super fun celebration that followed their wedding ceremony. We love Jen and Tom and would freeze our fingers and toes again in the winter weather a million times over for these two!
Jen & Tom – Congratulations again!! We had so much fun on your wedding day at CD&ME that it hardly felt like we were working! Thank you for opening your hearts and welcoming us in leading up to, on, and beyond your wedding day. Kyle and I are cheering you on in married life & can’t wait for a brewery double-date soon!
Creative credit goes to…
Jen’s Attire: House of Brides – Orland Park, IL | Tom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse | Wedding Party Attire: Morilee + Men’s Wearhouse | Hair: La Coutoure Hair Studio – Palos Park, IL | Makeup: Glow Bridal Co. – Oak Brook, IL | Jeweler: Mari Lou’s Fine Jewelry – Orland Park, IL | Ceremony: Incarnation Parish Church – Crestwood, IL | Reception Venue: CD&ME – Frankfort, IL | Guest Accommodations: Wingate by Windham – Tinley Park, IL | Florist: Mitchell’s Flowers – Orland Park, IL | DJ: Sound Sonic Professional Entertainment – Tinley Park, IL | Transportation: Elite Party Bus – La Grange, IL | Reception Rentals: Rural 27 Event Rentals – Manhattan, IL | Photo Booth: Pixster – Chicago, IL | Photographer & Videographer: Kara Evans Photographer – Kankakee, IL | Catering: Ambrosino’s – Frankfort, IL | Invitations + Paper Goods: Daniel’s Printing – Oak Forest, IL
[…] talk about fun! After the first wedding of the year, we were back in Chicagoland photographing a snowy wedding day less than two weeks later. From there, wedding season was in full […]