Lauren Wakefield

It’s funny…a lot of times at weddings I get asked if I am friends with the bride and groom.  Usually from a family member or another vendor.  I never quite know how to answer that question because I know what they’re asking is if I’ve been friends with them for years and years.  So the answer is no…I’m not photographing their wedding because we’re childhood friends.  But the real answer is yes…these people are more than friends.  Maybe I didn’t know them before they asked me to photograph their wedding…but now…they are a part of my life forever.  They are part of a group of people that I would do anything for…and am so privileged to call a friend.

 

From the first day I met Meghan and Nick, I could not only see how perfect they were for each other…but how much fun working together was going to be.  Meghan is so sweet to the core but the type of girl that knows how to have a good time.  From the moment I saw her on her wedding day…she was glowing from the inside out.  She wasn’t distracted by details and timelines and all the little things…she was just excited.  Ready to do the one thing this day was really about…marry her best friend.

 

And Nick.  Nick puts a smile on everyone’s face.  He’s funny and sarcastic and the type of guy you just want to be around.  When I snuck up to the room where he was hiding before the ceremony…and I saw the smile on his face…it was like words weren’t needed.  His whole face was lit up…just happy.  And not just because he’s a happy guy.  But happy because he was about to do the one thing he’s been waiting so long to do.  Marry Meghan.

 

Meghan and Nick…you two make me so happy.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for including me in your day.  It was honestly one of the most fun weddings I’ve ever been to.  Greek weddings are a BLAST!!!  I love what I do so much because I get to photograph weddings like yours…but I love it even more because I get to meet people like you.  I love you guys to death and I wish you nothing but the happiest life imaginable!

 

 

A humungous thank you to my second shooter, Sabrina Nohling.  She totally rocked it!

And also to all the people who made this amazing day possible:

Venue: Intercontinental O’Hare  |  Caterer: Intercontinental O’Hare |  Florist: Color & Company  |  Cake: Take the Cake  |  Band: Chris Sarlas Orchestra  |  DJ:  Sounds of Greece  |  Dress: Monique Lhuillier  |  Makeup: Elise Brille  |  Hair: Magnificent Brides  |  Videographer: R.E.M. Video

Lindsay is the type of person that you can’t help but love to be around.  With her contagious smile and infectious personality…the world just seems happier because she’s in it.  When I walked into her house on her wedding day…I felt like I was there to see an old friend marry the man of her dreams.

 

Even more than the man of her dreams…Nick is her best friend.  Her rock.  The one person who knows her inside and out.  And the one person in this entire world that she is meant to be with.  Their love seems easy and effortless.  Natural.  Like there is no other way to be than together.  As Lindsay made her way down the aisle…tears in her eyes…I watched Nick.  He was glowing from the inside out…with a smile that showed nothing but his love for her.

 

But more than the love that you could so clearly feel between the two of them…what really got me was the love I could feel in the room.  There was not a dry eye in that church.  Every friend, family member and person was beaming almost as much as Lindsay and Nick.  Because how I felt that day only knowing Linsday and Nick for a short time…they’ve felt for years.  And they were finally seeing two people who so perfectly belong together…start the rest of their lives.  Side by side.  And if you ask me…that’s something pretty special.

 

Lindsay and Nick…I don’t know how else to say it except I love you guys so much!  I feel so incredibly blessed to have met you and even more thankful to have been able to document your day.  It was absolutely perfect…but not anywhere close to as perfect as you two are together.  I know there will be many more wine dates and jarras in our future…even if I do have to come to the burbs.  I love you to death!!!!

 

A HUGE thank you to my second shooter Amanda Miller!  I couldn’t have done it without her.

Venue: Arrowhead Golf Club  |  Videographer: Robert Cawthorne Wedding Films  |  Hair: Laura Gabriel