I’ve had the hardest time editing this blog post down to a manageable number of photos. Maybe it’s because I’ve known Chris and Amanda for almost 10 years, maybe it’s because there was a ton of emotion and laughter on their wedding day, or maybe, just maybe, it’s because their wedding rocked it!

My first inclination that this was going to be an emotional day was when I was taking pictures of Amanda getting her make-up done, and I stopped to look at her and said, “Wow.” And she started crying. Her trick to keep from crying throughout the day? To stare up at her eyebrows. It seemed to work!

Chris and Amanda got married at the Most Holy Redeemer in Evergreen Park, IL and then took a trolley over to their reception which was at The Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park, IL. Their reception was a full-blown dance party that ended with mini-burgers and a Ryan Adams singalong. (my favorite way to end a night :) )

A big thanks to Chicago photographer, Eddie Quinones with Luzco Photography for your help! Congrats to Chris and Amanda – I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you two! Thank you for trusting me with shooting your wedding – it was a blast.

Click here to view their gallery!

Eddie’s shots of the guys getting ready:

Watching The Sox

I love that his mom made sure he cut his fingernails

Eddie’s shot:

Hottie boom body!

And let’s end with a picture of Chris and his dad singing karaoke together

I was in Chicago for 2 weddings and a couple portrait sessions, so Bryan and I decided that would be the perfect time to head up to Minnesota to his family’s cabin. The cabin is waaaay up there, like 100 miles from the Canada border, so it is total rest and relaxation when we are there. We tubed, swam, drank beer, water skiied, drank beer, had campfires, ate a lot and just had a great time. Wish I were still there…

B, my bro, and B’s cousin

Yup, that’s my dad and bro

Tucker was in heaven, he did laps around the dock for like 6 hours a day

This makes me so calm.

You may remember this cutie from past blog posts last October and last January. Heather is one of my oldest best friends, and to all my besties, I give them a portrait session as their baby present – which we did in January. She wanted more as Khalil grew, so she and her husband, Darwin, hired me while I was in Chicago to shoot another session.

Khalil is a baby of a 1,000 expressions. He started walking at 8 1/2 months and is already testing his parents patience. He knows what he wants and is on the go at all times. Although sometimes he annoys his older brother, Matias, he’s too adorable to stay mad at for long. And seriously – how freaking cute is he with that curly blonde hair? He’s more tan than I’ve ever been in my life!

Heather makes motherhood look easy, which I know is not true. I am so lucky to get to watch this family grow into its own.

Click here to be notified when Khalil’s gallery is up

Julie and Nate are an ambitious couple who gives to their country unselfishly. Nate is serving in the Air Force, getting his medical degree. Julie is getting (got?) her masters in global public health and set to join the Air Force as well. How they found time to attend their wedding, let alone plan it from across the country – I’ll never know!

Family and friends from all over the country came to celebrate the marriage of these two lovebirds. The ceremony and reception was at the Manor House in Ken Caryl and wedding coordinator, Kristen Rutkowski with Bellissima Bride had everything looking wonderful. And giant thanks to Denver photographer Matt Allen with M David Media for shooting with me.

Click here to be notified when Julie and Nate’s full gallery is up!

Julie reading Nate’s note to her

Matt’s shots of the groom getting ready:

Both their rings were engraved with Nathan + Julie Amor Vincit Omnia (love conquers all)

Julie couldn’t get Nate’s ring on because it was too swollen!

And then they danced down the aisle :)

Matt’s shot:

Matt’s shot:

Cracking me up how excited everyone was for the cake smash

Click to view more Denver and mountain wedding photography