Lauren Wakefield

Oct 23 2013

Jessica + Chris: Engaged

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The first time I met Jessica and Chris was over wine which is always a favorite in my book. We sat and chatted as the breeze blew across our table. We ordered another glass of wine…and then another. We talked about ribs and life and all the things in between. They told me about Catalina…their sweet girl and the last piece to their puzzle that makes up one of the sweetest families I’ve ever met. As we finished our glasses and said our goodbyes I realized hours had passed. I felt like we could have stayed and talked all night…yet it seemed like time flew by. As I walked to my car I knew Jessica and Chris were my kind of people. The kind of people I feel so lucky to work with and I couldn’t wait to get to know even better.

When I arrived at their house for part one of our engagement shoot…I was greeted by Catalina, her awesome pink cowboy boots, and a whole lot of ice cream. We sat outside on the perfect Fall day and decided between sprinkles or M&Ms…and I documented this little family just they way are. We laughed and played on the swings and talked about Halloween…and once again I felt like I could have stayed there for hours. I am so excited for Jessica and Chris’ wedding…because they are the kind of people you just know belong side by side. You look at them together and everything just makes sense. And I have no doubt that their big day is going to be one for the books…

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For part two we headed off for pictures of just the two of them…and had a blast of course.

by laurenwakefield

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Lynn Robertson - October 24, 2013 - 8:40 pm

This is my best friend Joann~ what beautiful pictures of two AMAZINGLY beautiful people….inside and out!ReplyCancel

Oct 21 2013

Erin + Robby : Married – A rustic, fall wedding

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That morning the forecast looked bleak. It was predicted to rain in and out…and everyone had their fingers crossed extra tight, praying for it to hold off. It rained a little bit throughout the day but gave us just enough time to sneak in all the pictures we needed. As the ceremony inched closer it looked like the rain was going to clear and Erin and Robby were going to get their outdoor ceremony after all. As the last few drops fell…everyone was scurrying to wipe off chairs and get these two married before the next cloud moved in. As all the guests took their seats and as the skies kept getting darker and darker, the ceremony started. Robby was waiting patiently for his bride to make her way down the aisle as tiny drops of rain slowly started to fall. The guests huddled together under their umbrellas as Erin rounded the corner and locked eyes with the man of her dreams. Overcome with emotion she made her way towards Robby as the rain started to fall harder and harder around her. She hugged her dad and turned around towards all her guests sitting in the pouring rain. She immediately motioned for everyone to come under the gazebo where her and Robby were standing because there was no way rain was going to stop her from marrying her best friend. Crowded together as the rain poured around them…Erin and Robby became husband and wife. Together, under a gazebo with all the most important people in their lives…they promised forever and marked a day that I know no one will ever forget.

Erin and Robby…where do I even start? You two are two of the sweetest, most thoughtful, caring people I have ever met. And I am so incredibly grateful to not only have had the chance to document your day but to be able to call you friends. I don’t know if there are two people more perfect for each other than you two and getting to know you over the last few years has been amazing. Thank you for reminding me why I do what I do…I love you guys!!

Instead of a unity candle, Erin and Robby took dirt from both the yards they grew up in and poured it into a potted tree. Then they are going to plant the tree at their new house. I just loved this whole idea.

Huge thanks to Sidne for second shooting with me!!!

And a big thanks to all the vendors who made this day so incredible:

Venue: CD&ME | Florist: Windy City Flower Girls | Cake: Miss Joan’s Cupcakes | Hair/Makeup: Lisa Renee Salon | Dress: Maggie Sottero/Wedding Belles

by laurenwakefield

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Oct 16 2013

Michael + Meagan : Married – Morton Arboretum Wedding

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Over the summer when I spent the day with Michael and Meagan and the Morton Arboretum…I imagined their wedding. We walked around taking engagement photos in the summer heat and daydreamed about the crisp, Fall air and the vibrant, Fall colors. Meagan talked and I could envision exactly what she had dreamt up in her mind. On the morning of their wedding…there was a chance of rain. The air was a tad warmer than crisp…but it was still nothing short of her daydream.

Meagan was absolutely stunning…like something out of a painting. And when Michael saw her for the first time you could tell he agreed. Surrounded by their friends and amazing, loving families they promised each other forever. In that same spot where we had day dreamed just a few months before…they became husband and wife. And it was beautiful. Two people who so obviously belong together and a day that was straight out of a fairy tale.

Michael and Meagan…I am so incredibly happy for you guys. Your day was beyond perfect and I am so honored that I got to be there to capture it all. You guys are an amazing couple and I know your lives will be filled with so much happiness. 🙂

Huge thanks to Sidne for helping me out all day!

And a big thanks to all the vendors who made this day possible:

by laurenwakefield

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Katie Jane - October 16, 2013 - 10:03 am

I LOVE the photographs of the horah!ReplyCancel
Christy Tyler - October 16, 2013 - 12:13 pm

Oh my gosh – that mother/daughter moment early on! Yes!ReplyCancel
Janet Wakefield - October 16, 2013 - 9:05 pm

I love that photo of them kissing in the garden area and she has her flowers hanging down.

What a beautiful wedding!ReplyCancel

Oct 09 2013

Joe + Megan : Married

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I remember when he told us he was going to propose. Joe was hanging out at our place and we were all sitting on the couch…which was a normal occurrence on weeknights. We started talking about Megan and I, of course, asked the looming question…when was he going to propose. He got the biggest smile on his face and jumped up off couch and out the front door. A few moments later he returned from across the hall with an iPad. He immediately pulled up a picture of the most beautiful diamond ring and the smile on his face got even bigger. Not only had he bought the ring and planned the proposal…but he was getting to spend the rest of his life with Megan…and that made him one happy man.

Fast forward to their wedding day and that same smile got even bigger. Both Joe and Megan were beaming from the inside out. Every person who was there and watched them become husband and wife was as sure as they were that being together…forever…was exactly where they were supposed to be.

Joe and Megan…both Gary and I are so lucky to call you guys friends. And I feel even luckier that I got the chance to document such an amazing day in your lives. You guys are two of my favorite people and I am so glad that you both found each other. Megan…we promise to watch Joe on the weekdays if you promise to visit on at least a few weekends. 🙂 I can’t wait to see you guys when you get back from your honeymoon because I need to hear about how fabulous it was. Love you guys!!!!!

by laurenwakefield

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margo milligan - October 16, 2013 - 1:13 pm

beautiful pics, beautiful day, beautiful couple! we love you…can’t wait to see you soon!ReplyCancel

Oct 07 2013

Full time life: One Year!!!!!

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It was a Friday. I woke up to the perfect Fall day and my whole life was different. I had nowhere to be. No one expecting me. I had taken a giant leap with no idea where I would land…and for the first time in my life I was my own boss.

One year later…I woke up to that same chilly day and that same feeling of pure bliss. I poured myself some pumpkin coffee and went to work. In an office that is full of all the things that make me smile from the inside out. Doing work that even on the toughest days reminds me how lucky I am to call this my job. And a life that can get so hard I want to throw in the towel…but never do because this is the life I dreamed of. It has been one year since I have officially been a full time photographer. It’s a crazy feeling to know it’s been a year. Sometimes it feels like it has been 10 years and sometimes it seems like only yesterday I was sitting at my old job dreaming up this perfect life that seemed so out of reach.

This past year has taught me so much. About myself…about running a business…about life. I’ve learned how to budget and manage my time. What things work for me and what things don’t. I’ve had bad days and good days and really good days. I’ve failed and failed again but I sit here today still willing to try one more time. But I think most of all this last year has taught me what it means to be successful. And not how much money is in your bank account successful…but the kind of success that let’s you wake up happy and know whole-heartedly you’re right where you need to be. I feel like this year has taught me what is truly important…not only in life but in business and in myself. It’s taught me that I am not everyone around me and that is OK. That my goals are mine alone…and there is no blueprint for the perfect life. You make your life perfect by making it your own. One year ago today I was a completely different person. On a completely different path. But today I sit here maybe a little unsure of where I’m headed…but I know without a doubt in my mind that it’s towards everything I’ve ever wanted. Whatever that may look like…

And one final time…here’s a look back at month 11 goals:

Book 3 weddings – in the process. 🙂

Launch mentoring program – Yep! Super excited about this one!!!! You can read more about it here.

Come up with a killer name and start a wedding planning series on my blog – So the name wasn’t so killer..but I have definitely started it. I was going to name it “The Truelock’s take Antigua”…Gary told me it sounded like a bad reality TV show. Which was exactly the point…duh.

Figure out my three words (more on this coming soon) – still working on this. It’s a lot harder than I thought.

Shoot my weddings with those words constantly in mind – I definitely did this with 2 words. And I can’t believe how differently I feel about my work.

Start a new book – This is bad. I have been so busy with weddings that reading has been pushed way on the back burner. But I am in the home stretch and plan to read my socks off in the next few months!

by laurenwakefield

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