Posted in My LifeNo comments

 

I know you’ve been anxiously waiting on the edge of your seats for part 2 of my welding adventure.  I mean…what does this bar cart look like?  Is it finished?  Did Lauren go blind from welding without eye protection?  All valid questions but I have good news friends…today is the day!  Part 2 is here and…drum roll please….we have video!!  This has been SO fun to learn and I have SOOOO many ideas of all the things I can make (I’ll also be taking requests if there is anything you’d like to see come to life).  I will say this…welding is no joke.  While I may have successfully put together a bar cart, I by no means have this thing figured out.  It took lots of help and welding is most definitely an art of it’s own.  One I’m excited to learn more about but in the meantime…I’ll be sipping cocktails off my most prized possession.  So here she is…part 2 of my welding adventure…

 

Once I got the frame welded together I primed it.

Then on to paint.  This was so exciting because it finally starting looking like my vision!!!

Pro tip: don’t spray paint in clothes you care about.  Totally ruined that dress.  #oops

This may not look like much to you guys but this is some serious progress!!!  It’s hard to weld well and that looks pretty damn good!

Cutting the supports for my shelves!

Celebrating finishing this beauty!  I bought mirror shelves so once they were done it was obviously time for some celebratory champagne.

And my first cocktail party!!!!  I can’t tell you how happy this night made me!  All my people sipping cocktails off my bar cart having the best time.  Let’s just say it was a late night…

And there she is…my little lady all dressed up and looking quite beautiful if I don’t say so myself.  It may sound dumb but every time I walk by my bar cart I get so happy.  I have so many projects swirling around in my head so stay tuned for many more adventures to come…

by laurenwakefield

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Posted in WeddingsNo comments

It’s safe to say I’ve photographed a lot of weddings.  I could probably go back and count but for the sake of time…let’s just say it’s quite a few.  And while every wedding is different and special in it’s own way…there is one thing that I have found to be true across the board.  What makes a wedding truly great aren’t the decorations or the open bar.  The perfect weather or killer speeches.  The cake or food or flawless dress.  A great wedding is great because of the people.  The bride and groom.  All the people that love them and support them and show up to witness something so right.  A wedding is great because of two people who picked each other…above everyone else…forever.

 

So when I think about Becky and Kevin’s day…I definitely remember her incredible dress and the gorgeous, vibrant flowers.  The band that kept that party going all night and the unbelievable sushi spread making it’s way around cocktail hour.  I remember the laughter and tears and love that filled up that room.  But what I remember most is a couple who undoubtedly found there perfect person.  Two people who, even knowing them for a short time, really make you believe in love.  Becky and Kevin…I can honestly say you guys had a GREAT wedding.  But I have no doubt you are going to have an even greater life together.  I love you both to death and I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to document it all!  xoxo

 

 

A HUMONGOUS thank you to my second shooter, Karina, for all her help!

And another GIANT thank you to all the vendors who made this day possible!

Wedding Planner: (the one and only) Ali Phillips – Engaging Events by Ali  |  Florist: Exquisite Designs  |  Venue/Caterer: Galleria Marchetti  |  Band: Entourage  |  Dress brand: Romona Keveza  |  Cake: Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe  |  Makeup: Beautify Spa & Makeup  |  Hair: Mario Tricoci

by laurenwakefield

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Posted in My Life,UncategorizedNo comments

 

The first reaction I get when I tell anyone I’ve been welding is laughter.  Lots of it.  Which, trust me, I get it.  It’s funny.  Little ol’ Lauren melting metal together in her glitter sneaks…it’s a funny visual.  I mean hell…it even makes me laugh sometimes.  If I’m being honest…before I started this new little hobby of mine, the only knowledge I had on welding was what Channing Tatum taught me in Magic Mike (which can I just take a second to say…welding shirtless is very unrealistic – and frowned upon.  **ouch**).  But there is something so fun and somewhat empowering about learning something completely new and out of your comfort zone.  The idea of building something completely from scratch out of steel WITH MY OWN TWO HANDS was not something I ever thought I’d be doing.

 

I feel like in the last several years I’ve spent a lot of time standing still.  Maybe not professionally or even literally…but personally I’ve felt stuck.  Kind of like those dreams where you are trying to run but you can’t get yourself to move.  That’s how I felt.  Just stuck in one place and like life was flying by without me.  So maybe welding isn’t the answer to a happy, fulfilled life.  But it’s something I did for me.  It was a step towards something that I wanted – which wasn’t just a piece of furniture – but a life spent moving and doing and learning and becoming better.   A life that fills me up instead of breaks me down.  A life that I can truly say is my best.

 

So…here’s the beginning of my welding adventure.  As silly as it sounds I haven’t been this excited about something in quite a while.  So while you may see the beginning of a fabulous one-of-a-kind bar cart (stay tuned of part II to see the finished product)…I see a girl who got a little lost along the way but is finally back on track.  And is 1000% living her best life.

 

May I present…the beginning of my steaming pile of pride.  Otherwise known as my bar cart.  🙂

 

by laurenwakefield

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Posted in Babies,FamiliesNo comments

I feel like I’ve said this a million times but it just keeps getting truer and truer.  There is nothing that fills me up more than getting to document my wedding couples as they start their families.  Some people might not realize this but as you go through the wedding planning process (where I typically meet couples a year or so before their wedding day) you get attached.  And by you I mean me.  I get attached.  There I said it.  😉  I get to be with them on the best day of their lives and then once it’s over…a little part of me gets sad.  Luckily in the world of social media I get to keep up with their lives and then hopefully…continue to document them as they continue to grow.

 

So when Jess emailed me asking me to photography Rylee for her first birthday I literally did a happy dance.  Jess and Jake are two of my favorites who will always hold a special place in my heart.  So getting to photograph their new family of 3 on the most beautiful night made me happier than I can put into words.  It’s sessions like these that full me up to the brim and make me so grateful to get to work with such amazing people.  Not to mention this baby is BEAUTIFUL!  I mean look at those eyes.  I can’t even.  But enough from me.  Meet Rylee….in all her adorable cuteness.

by laurenwakefield

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Posted in Engagements1 comment

If I had one word to describe Kate and Chris it would be fun.  They were so fun to hang out with and photograph and just incredibly laid back and easy-going.  Between the beautiful day Chicago gave us and their adorable dog, Pyper…it was just one of those days where I felt so incredibly lucky to get to do what I do.  Not to mention it made me super stoked for their wedding in November!  Here’s a little look at beautiful Chicago morning…

 

Lincoln Park • Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool • Lincoln Park Nature Walk • Lincoln Park Zoo

by laurenwakefield

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  • Sally - July 16, 2018 - 10:37 pm

    Beautiful photos and story telling.ReplyCancel

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