Dennis and Jamie | Schaumburg Wedding at Chandler’s

Dennis and Jamie’s wedding at Chandler’s Chophouse in Schaumburg last weekend was a great start to my 2018 wedding season. I had been looking forward to this wedding every since I met this couple and photographed their engagement session in Downtown Long Grove. Jamie found me on Facebook, we met up at a local Starbucks and I knew that we would be a great fit for their wedding day.

As their wedding day approached, the weather forecast got worse with a very high chance of rain and storms. Jamie and I texted back and forth all week regarding a back up plan. Once it looked pretty certain that we would have at least some rain on their wedding day, I started contacting people I knew that lived in the area asking for ideas for indoor locations for their first look and bridal party portraits. My sister sent me a message with a link to a website and asked if I’d ever been at her friend Lori’s house. I clicked on the link and was immediately thrilled at the idea of “having” to shoot there. (Seriously, go click on the link when you are done here.) Pam, my sister, put me in contact with Lori who graciously offered us her home in case of rain. I sent the link to Jamie and while she still wanted to try to do the portraits outside at Chandler’s, we agreed that this would be a fabulous back up plan.

I met up with Jamie, her mom and her bridesmaids at Jamie’s grandma’s house in Chicago on the morning of their wedding day. Within an hour or so, the coordinator at Chandler’s let us know that the lightning alert had been issued at Chandler’s and we would not be allowed outside on their property. Soon it began to rain. I immediately put plan b into action, letting everyone know we were heading to 609 South Grove in Barrington. As I left Chicago with Jamie in my van, we drove through a torrential downpour on the way to Barrington. I knew that even though the house had a beautiful covered porch, there was no way to shoot the entire bridal party in that rain. In my head I was praying for the rain to stop, while planning to do their first look inside the house and do bridal party portraits later inside Chandler’s if the rain didn’t let up.

Thankfully, the rain did stop by the time we got to Barrington. Dennis and my second shooter Elle met us at the house and we were able to capture beautiful first look photos and the bride and groom portraits before the party bus arrived with the bridal party. The bridal party loved the house and I joked with them that it was mine, but only for a second. 🙂 We were able to completely finish bridal party portraits and get back to Chandler’s before it started to rain again.

Dennis and Jamie’s wedding got moved indoors, but it was a beautiful ceremony. Jamie’s brothers walked her down the aisle where Dennis was holding back tears as he was about to marry the love of his life. Dennis’ mom was unable to attend due to health reasons and I glanced over to see a family member Facetiming with her so she could see her boy get married. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room.

After the ceremony, we were able to get outside for just a few photos at the venue. Again, it started to rain just as we were coming back in for the reception. I couldn’t have asked for better timing with the weather, that’s for sure!

During the introduction, Dennis and Jamie broke out into dance and the crowd went crazy! These two are so fun and their guests were so happy for them. It was so sweet how they honored Jamie’s dad at the reception by giving everyone a cold Miller High Life at the tables for the toasts. After a wonderful meal, Dennis and Jamie shared their first dance followed by Jamie and her mom. Dennis finished up the special dances by dancing with his aunt.

All in all, it was a perfect day!

Dennis and Jamie, you two deserve a lifetime of love and joy! I am so honored to have been able to capture your special day. Thanks so much for trusting me all along the way and being amazing!

Vendor Credits:

First Look/Portrait Location: The Shoults Family at 609 South Grove

Reception/Ceremony Venue: Chandler’s Chophouse

Florist: Flowerville

Cake Artist: The Baking Institute

DJ: Jim Buttkus, Priority DJ

Hair & Makeup: Chrysalis Salon

Officiant: Tom Perucci 

Bridal Gown: Reddington Bridal (Designer: Essense of Australia)

Tuxes: Men’s Warehouse

Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal

Videographer: Neuvision