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Chicago Wedding Photography at the Linconshire Marriott Resort – Erika and Nathan


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Our story with Erika and Nathan began on an incredibly hot spring day at the Popcorn Shoppe in Long Grove.

We were there to photograph an engagement session with Erika and Nathan and they had picked the perfect location – plenty of quaint shops on Main Street, backed by a nature preserve with fields, streams, and the occasional covered bridge.  We spent the day exploring the area together (trying not to get too sweaty), learning more about Erika and Nathan’s relationship, and chatting about plans for their upcoming wedding.  We got a chance to see the real Erika and Nathan – relaxed, before the excitements and pressures and stresses that come with all wedding days – and we found a couple who supports and encourages one another, and who love each other with a passion that they aren’t afraid to show to the world.  We had so much fun getting to know them, and at the end of the day, we all enjoyed kettle corn and lemonades at the Shoppe.

So when our photography team arrived at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort on the morning of their wedding, we were so excited to see them – they are ‘hug’ people, not ‘handshake’ people!  We found Erika and her ladies in the bridal suite enjoying some lunch and jamming out to Will Smith.  While the girls were taking turns getting their hair teased into ringlets and noses powdered by their makeup artist, Tiffany, we had a mini photo-shoot with Erika’s gorgeous Paloma Blanca gown.

We headed over to check in with Nathan, who was calm and collected, and infinitely cooler than they guy who made up stories just for an excuse to chat online with a pretty girl he met at a party in college.  He put the finishing touches on his wedding attire, fastened his cufflinks and watch from Erika, and was ready for his bride.

With some help from her bestest friends, Erika stepped into her beautiful dress, secured her jeweled headband, and slipped on her shoes.  Her cheerful bouquet from Kimberose featured her favorite sunflowers and photo charms of special family members who couldn’t be present.  After a moment alone to compose herself and read a letter from Nathan, she was ready.

Escorted by her mother and step-father, Erika made her way down the petal-lined aisle to a smiling Nathan.  The couple was married under the bluest skies imaginable in a ceremony that incorporated some new and unique traditions, including a unity cocktail.  (We think this is an excellent idea to calm nerves before that first public kiss.)

While guests enjoyed the cocktail hour on the lakeside deck, Erika and Nathan shared a private toast with custom flasks that were filled with their preferred liquors.  We found an abandoned boxcar that spanned a small stream nestled in the weeping willows, and the golden glow from the evening sun perfectly illuminated the couples’ happy faces.

As dusk fell, it was time to ‘Get Jiggy With It’ and the bridal party donned their dark shades to make a grand entrance to “Men In Black,” a nod to Erika’s love for Will Smith’s tunes.  They kicked off the reception by cutting into the glorious four-tier cakey-confection from Lovin Oven and sharing their First Dance together as husband and wife.  One of our favorite DJs, Okyne Medialab, also provided the up-lighting that transformed the space into a dazzling wonderland.  The reception was so much fun that we couldn’t help shakin’ our thangs out on the dance floor with Erika and Nathan for a song or two!

Erika and Nathan, we can’t thank you enough for choosing us to document your relationship and wedding.  Your love for each other is truly inspiring, and your hospitality and warmth touched us to the core.  We’re so proud to call you our friends and we hope to see you again soon!

 If you are looking for a wedding photographer in Chicago to capture the memorable moments at your wedding, and interested in our availability and pricing, please drop us a line using the online inquiry form here.

  • September 12, 2012 - 3:28 pm

    connie scott - absolutely gorgeous, cant wait to see more!!!!ReplyCancel

  • September 12, 2012 - 3:51 pm

    robert scott - love the photos!!!ReplyCancel

  • September 12, 2012 - 4:08 pm

    Erika Sieraski - They all look like pictures from a magazine!! Better than I could have ever imagined!!ReplyCancel

  • September 12, 2012 - 5:26 pm

    Karen Krahn - AMAZING! Really something special.ReplyCancel

  • September 12, 2012 - 6:00 pm

    Jessica Deming - Beautiful pictures and lovely narrative. Congrats to the wonderful couple!ReplyCancel

  • September 12, 2012 - 6:37 pm

    Matt Liesman - Leaving this comment for one reason…I want to see the rest of the pics of Nathan getting dressed! He is a sexy little buttercup.

    Hope to see you guys soon!ReplyCancel

  • September 12, 2012 - 6:48 pm

    kelly concannon - gorgeous!!! wish we were back there!!ReplyCancel

  • September 12, 2012 - 8:10 pm

    Tiffany Berry - I had so much fun being Erika’s makeup artist and I am so excited to see these amazing pictures! Wow! They are beautiful!!! XOXOReplyCancel

  • September 12, 2012 - 9:14 pm

    Chris Johnson - What a joyous occasion! Can’t wait to see the rest!ReplyCancel

  • September 13, 2012 - 8:39 am

    Stephanie George - I LOVE the pic with the veil in the wind!! They are all amazing and beautiful!!!ReplyCancel

  • September 13, 2012 - 3:02 pm

    Kristy - Great pictures!!ReplyCancel

  • September 13, 2012 - 3:03 pm

    Clayton - very nice!!!ReplyCancel

  • September 13, 2012 - 8:26 pm

    Cliff Wright - These pictures are beautiful–really a fairy-tale wedding! Awesome pictures!!ReplyCancel

  • September 13, 2012 - 8:32 pm

    Celeste Wright - beautiful photos, excellent photographer~!!ReplyCancel

  • September 13, 2012 - 8:33 pm

    Celeste Wright - beautiful photos, excellent photographer~!!
    bride and groom are beautifulReplyCancel

  • September 13, 2012 - 9:15 pm

    Carm - Absolutely beautiful. I can’t wait to see the rest!ReplyCancel

  • September 13, 2012 - 9:20 pm

    katherine - Just beautiful!ReplyCancel

  • September 13, 2012 - 9:22 pm

    katherine - The photos capture that special dayReplyCancel

  • September 13, 2012 - 9:22 pm

    Mike Petrucci - Your pictures are amazing!!!ReplyCancel

  • September 13, 2012 - 10:34 pm

    Anita Vaughan - The pictures are gorgeous! It was such a joy to officiate Erika & Nathan’s wedding and to share their day with them.ReplyCancel

  • September 13, 2012 - 10:46 pm

    Brittany Tuttle - These are awesome!!!! So beautiful!!ReplyCancel

  • September 13, 2012 - 10:48 pm

    Ernie Martin - Great Pictures!!!ReplyCancel

  • September 14, 2012 - 6:51 am

    Ann Adams - You guys look amazing….can’t wait to see more!ReplyCancel

  • September 14, 2012 - 8:45 am

    Katie Rafa - Absolutely love the photos. Congratulations you guys – So happy for you both!!!!ReplyCancel

  • September 15, 2012 - 6:04 pm

    Michelle Misik - Beautiful pictures!ReplyCancel

  • September 16, 2012 - 7:27 pm

    Joanne - Beautiful pictures!ReplyCancel

  • September 16, 2012 - 8:03 pm

    ellie - beautiful!ReplyCancel

  • September 16, 2012 - 8:19 pm

    Elizabeth - GORGEOUS pictures!!! What a most beautiful couple and adorable story! Thank you for sharing and look forward to seeing more.ReplyCancel

  • September 16, 2012 - 9:18 pm

    nathan - Sweet pics!ReplyCancel

  • September 16, 2012 - 9:41 pm

    Marq - Awesome pics!!!ReplyCancel

  • September 16, 2012 - 10:12 pm

    Marc Porter - Sweet PicsReplyCancel

  • September 17, 2012 - 12:00 am

    Brandon Laning - Photos turned out great! The picture with all of us looks awesome!!!! You need to get a canvas picture of that for your living room!ReplyCancel

  • September 17, 2012 - 12:24 am

    CCRich - Truly inspirational photos!!!!ReplyCancel

  • September 17, 2012 - 11:17 am

    Grant - Best pics I have ever seen.ReplyCancel

  • September 17, 2012 - 2:13 pm

    Tim Bensman - Nice pictures! Quality photography.ReplyCancel

  • September 17, 2012 - 4:17 pm

    James Platt - AWESOME Pics. GREAT Couple!ReplyCancel

  • September 17, 2012 - 6:53 pm

    Tiffany Dunn - Beautiful pics!! Love the one on the bridge.
    Congrats~ReplyCancel

  • September 18, 2012 - 8:33 am

    Ann - Great photos. 50 comments to see more…. Hopefully the photographer realizes that is rediculous. His advertising ploy makes me not want to use him for anything no matter how good the pictures are!!ReplyCancel

  • September 18, 2012 - 8:37 am

    Wedding Photographer - What stunning images, particularly impressive natural light shots too. I’s sure the couple are more than happy with these great images. Thank you for sharing them.ReplyCancel

  • September 18, 2012 - 10:49 am

    Matt - Solid pics, they really capture the moment!ReplyCancel

  • September 18, 2012 - 11:09 pm

    Elyssa Adams - The preview pics look great.ReplyCancel

  • September 18, 2012 - 11:10 pm

    Aaron - The pictures are beautiful.ReplyCancel

  • September 18, 2012 - 11:12 pm

    Lincoln - Can’t wait to the see the rest.ReplyCancel

  • September 19, 2012 - 10:06 am

    Lisa - Lovely pictures, I like the commentary too!ReplyCancel

  • September 19, 2012 - 11:28 am

    Kristy Chambers - the pictures are beautiful!ReplyCancel

  • September 19, 2012 - 11:29 am

    Beata - Beautiful pictures!ReplyCancel

  • September 19, 2012 - 11:51 am

    Mike H - Great pics! Looked like a great location and great weather for the wedding!ReplyCancel

  • September 19, 2012 - 12:55 pm

    Dorothy - Lovely pictures. I hope you are able to more soon!!!!!ReplyCancel

  • September 19, 2012 - 12:56 pm

    Linda - BeaUtiful couple. Can’t wait to see more pictures.ReplyCancel

  • September 19, 2012 - 12:58 pm

    Mom - My beautiful daughter and son in law. Beautiful wedding. When are we going to see more pictures???ReplyCancel

  • September 19, 2012 - 12:59 pm

    Kevin - Best wedding and bridal couple everReplyCancel

  • September 19, 2012 - 1:00 pm

    Bob - Love what I see so far gorgeous couple. Let’s see some more!!!ReplyCancel

  • September 19, 2012 - 1:08 pm

    Jason - Nate looks gloriousReplyCancel

  • September 19, 2012 - 1:52 pm

    Luke - Nice pics!ReplyCancel

  • September 20, 2012 - 1:29 pm

    Monica - Beautiful pictures. Congrats.ReplyCancel