Late Summer Wedding at The Brix on the Fox

Carpentersville, Illinois

Kaitlin and Cole’s late-summer wedding at The Brix on the Fox was one of those wedding days that felt like a perfect reflection of the couple themselves: relaxed, heartfelt, full of laughter, and just plain FUN. Set along the Fox River, The Brix on the Fox was the perfect backdrop for their celebration, with the couple utilizing The Two-Sixty for both their ceremony and reception. From the sweetest first look and private vows to a packed dance floor and a best man’s speech featuring a childhood Diary of a Wimpy Kid journal, this day was filled with so many personal touches and unforgettable moments.

If Kaitlin and Cole look familiar, you may remember their Lincoln Park and North Avenue Beach engagement session. Their engagement session was full of the same easy-going connection and playful energy that made their wedding day so much fun to photograph. It was such a joy to see their relationship again, this time surrounded by their favorite people and celebrating a whole new chapter together.

Getting Ready at The Alcove Event Space

One of the things that makes this location so convenient for wedding days is the new Alcove Event Space, which is attached to The Brix. Kaitlin and her bridesmaids utilized the Makeup Suite while Cole and the guys got ready in the Groom Suite. Having dedicated spaces for both sides of the wedding party makes the getting-ready portion of the day feel relaxed and organized, while still giving everyone room to hang out and enjoy the morning together.

The Groom Suite is especially fun for the guys, with a huge screen, pool table, and kitchen that give everyone plenty of space to relax before the festivities begin. Meanwhile, the Makeup Suite provides a beautiful space for hair and makeup and all those fun getting-ready photos with the girls.

And speaking of the girls, I absolutely LOVED Kaitlin’s bridesmaids! They were the kind of wedding party every bride hopes for… Fun, sweet, helpful, and completely invested in making the day special for Kaitlin and Cole. They were also the BEST hype girls throughout the day! Every time we were taking photos, they were excited right alongside me, cheering their friends on and making portraits feel like a party.

A First Look Along the Fox River

Kaitlin and Cole chose to do a first look along the Fox River, and it was such a beautiful way to begin their time together on the wedding day. Away from the rest of the wedding party for a few quiet moments, they were able to see each other, soak everything in, and read private vows to one another. And yes, I may have been shedding a few tears behind my camera!

The river made the perfect backdrop for this part of the day, and one of the memorable details was the steady stream of congratulations coming from passing cars. With a somewhat busy road between the river and The Brix, Kaitlin and Cole received plenty of honks and enthusiastic congratulations from people driving by. It was such a fun reminder that even strangers could see what a special day it was.

These two are incredibly easy-going, and it is easy to see where they get it from! Their families brought that same relaxed, warm energy to the day, and there was such a genuine sense of joy surrounding everyone. But while they may be easy-going, Kaitlin and Cole are also completely, ridiculously in love and know how to have a good time. That combination made them an absolute dream to photograph.

A Heartfelt Ceremony at The Two-Sixty

Soon it was time for the ceremony! The setting along the Fox River gave the day a beautiful late-summer feel, while the emotion of the ceremony made it clear just how much this moment meant to them.

There were plenty of heartfelt moments, happy tears, and smiles as Kaitlin and Cole officially became husband and wife. And once the ceremony was over, it did not take long for the mood to shift from sentimental to celebratory. This wedding party was READY to have some fun!

If you want a little preview of what the reception was like, just look at Kaitlin and Cole’s entrance photos. These two had clearly put some thought into making their grand entrance a fun one, and their personalities absolutely came through. The energy in the room was contagious, and it was obvious that their friends and family were ready to celebrate them.

One of my favorite moments of the entire reception came during the best man’s speech, which was given by Cole’s brother. Apparently, while going through some things at their parents’ house, he came across a Diary of a Wimpy Kid journal from when Cole was younger. Naturally, he brought it to the wedding.

He then proceeded to read a few of young Cole’s thoughts about life, the future, and the general woes of middle school. It was hilarious! It was also such a personal and unexpected touch, and exactly the kind of story that makes a wedding reception feel like a celebration of the couple’s entire lives, not just their relationship. There was something so special about hearing a glimpse into Cole’s younger years while celebrating the person he has become.

A Late-Summer Wedding at The Brix on the Fox

From the beautiful Fox River setting to the spaces at The Alcove Event Space, the ceremony and reception at The Two-Sixty, and all the little personal details woven throughout the day, Kaitlin and Cole’s wedding was such a fun example of what makes a wedding at The Brix on the Fox so special.

But ultimately, it was the people who made this day what it was. Kaitlin and Cole surrounded themselves with people who genuinely love them, cheer them on, make them laugh, and are willing to pull out a childhood journal for a good laugh in front of all their wedding guests. That kind of love was evident all day long.

As a wedding photographer, those are the days I love most! The ones where there is plenty of beauty to photograph, but also plenty of personality, laughter, happy tears, big hugs, fun dance moves, and little moments.

Kaitlin and Cole, thank you for letting me be part of such a joyful and FUN day. Your love for each other and for the people around you was impossible to miss. I hope these photos always bring you right back to it all… The river, the vows, the honking cars, your amazing hype girls, the laughter, the Wimpy Kid journal, and one incredible late-summer celebration at The Brix on the Fox.

Vendor Team:

Venue: The Brix on the Fox

Getting Ready: The Alcove Events

Photography: Karen Shoufler Photography

Videography: Oakhouse Wedding Films

Florist: Eden Floral Studio

HMUA: Something Blue Chi & Glam and Glow by Mel

Officiant: Tony Braglia

Catering: Chic Chef Catering

Dress: Bri’Zan Couture

Tux: SuitShop

DJ: DJ Heisenberg

To see more weddings like this Brix on the Fox wedding day, click here.

If you are engaged and looking for a timeless, classic and joyful wedding photographer in the Chicagoland area or around the world, contact me here or email me at karen@karenshoufler.com.