Lauren Wakefield

Sometimes I wish I could have a sit down with Mother Nature.  I mean…I get that she can’t cooperate every day.  But could she at least let a little sun out when I convince people to wake up extra early for sunrise photos.  Because the sunrise isn’t exactly a sunrise without the sun.  When Abby and Brian wanted to brave the early morning hours (and cold) I was so excited.  I’ve sort of been on this sunrise kick lately so I couldn’t wait to get out there and play with that glowy light.  But of course…Mother Nature had other plans.  We waited….and waited for the sun to rise.  But instead of that glorious moment when the sun peaks above the horizon…it just slowly got lighter and lighter until is was daylight.  I felt guilty…like I wasn’t able to give Abby and Brian the sunrise they deserved….but then a little bit of magic happened.

We got a softer side of sunrise.  Soft light.  Pink hues sweeping across the lake and the lights of the city illuminating everything around us.  It may not have been a grand show…but it was perfect in it’s own way.  Soft and sweet…just like Abby and Brian.  Who hugged a little tighter and made this sunrise everything it was meant to be.  Watching them together you could tell it was easy.  After ten years together they are even more in love than ever and I’d say that’s pretty special.  Without further adieu…Abby and Brian.

We sat outside on the perfect Fall night and drank wine.  We talked about weddings and life and Britney Spears.  All the important things.  The hours rolled by and I honestly felt like I could have sat there all night.  Because Geoff and Ashlee are the type of people you just want to be around.  The type of couple that you talk to and think…yep, they’re the real deal.

When I met Laura for the first time it wasn’t actually the first time.  We had gone to the same high school back in Indianapolis and I was friends with her sister, Sarah.  We had crossed paths a time or two but never really had the chance to get to know each other.  But as chance would have it we both ended up in Chicago, engaged…and planning our April weddings.  So, obviously, when she contacted me about shooting her wedding I was psyched.  I love when life kind of comes full circle…and I love that years later our paths crossed once again.

So when we “met” a month or so again it was just like catching up with an old friend you haven’t seen in years.  We drank wine and talked about high school.  And more importantly…commiserated on the roller coaster of planning a wedding.  And I listened to her talk about Thomas.  As she told me the story of his proposal you could see her light up.  Like she could tell the story over and over again and it would never get old.  And when I met Thomas during their engagement session that light was even brighter.  They just fit together exactly the way two people should.  His quiet, softness perfectly compliments her warm and kind personality.  Together they are so sweet and so obviously meant to be.  These two are the real deal and I am so excited to shoot their wedding.  So without further adieu…Laura and Thomas…