March is always an interesting month when it comes to weather. While it’s technically Spring, Mother Nature of the Midwest will often drop rain and sleet into the mix just to keep us on our toes. She did just that for Elizabeth and Mike’s Spring wedding at County Line Orchard.
Read moreSpring Wedding At The Basilica of the Sacred Heart
My tips for Notre Dame weddings at The Basilica of the Sacred Heart:
Keep in mind that Notre Dame has a very limited timeframe for pictures after the ceremony. We will only have time for bride and groom photos within the church so I suggest family photos and wedding party group photos outside the church and / or at your reception venue.
Parking can be confusing so be sure to encourage your guests to arrive early.
The photography rules are strict and I always comply with them (no flash allowed during the ceremony, no shots from the balcony or center aisle other than the very back row).
The campus of Notre Dame can be great for pictures. Let’s schedule enough time to do these before heading out to the reception.
Downtown Chicago Wedding In River North Area
A candid moment between the bride and groom on a bridge overlooking the Chicago River.
Demi and Matt were married in downtown Chicago last summer. I had been wanting to showcase their wedding here since then but it was one of the most incredibly busy times I’ve had as a Chicago and Northwest Indiana wedding photographer.
Read moreWedding At Thornton Distillery
Robert and Ivana chose Thornton Distillery for their winter wedding in Thornton, Illinois. It is one of the most unique Midwest wedding venues I’ve been in.
Thornton Distilling Company was built in 1857 as a brick and limestone brewery and grain tower by John S. Bielfeldt Brewing Company on the west bank of Thorn Creek.
The bridal suite is very spacious with adjacent rooms available for groomsmen and guests. I was greeted by a fun group with lots of laughter and wedding moments galore.
Venue: Thornton Distillery
Coordinators: Ginger Peach
Live Music: The Jolly Ringwalds
***Click or tap on images to enlarge and advance***
We had a series of first looks before we did portraits of the bride and groom. First up was the groom and his daughter and then Robert got to see his bride for the first time.
We had a first look with their young sons as well and then an “accidental first look” with Dad as he arrived just as Ivana was making her way toward the ballroom. It was a sweet wedding moment with tears from the father of the bride.
Father of the bride starts crying after seeing his daughter on her wedding day.
For the couples creative portraits, we explored the entire building from the billiard room to the actual distillery where the spirits are made.
We surely appreciated the venue allowing us into the room where they make the spirits and also use of the bar area. It made for some unique wedding photos while also showing off this historic venue.
Bride and groom gaze at each other inside the well of Thornton Distillery.
The ceremony took place just off the dance floor of Coopers Hall (the main event room) as guests sat in their seats.
The bride was walked out by her brother and her father. She flexed a bit of muscle before the sand ceremony and they all danced and exited as a happy family.
The reception saw live band The Jolly Ringwalds provide the soundtrack with the couple’s daughter Mila showing that she is ready to compete on Dancing with the Stars!
The dancing, the decor and especially the candid moments were all captured as everyone celebrated a wonderful wedding.
Oh, and we can’t forget to mention our special guest singer - the bride!!
The bride sings with the band at her wedding reception.
As usual, please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about wedding photography and Short Films for your own wedding day.
This has merely been a sneak peek of images from Ivana and Robert’s big day at Thornton Distillery. Stay tuned to the Region Weddings social channels below for more images from this and other weddings.