Happiest Tuesday to you! I hope your week is off to an amazing start. I have been looking forward to sharing Katie and Mike’s wedding day with you all and today seems like the perfect day to do so.

I can’t share about their day without first sharing about how Katie initially found me. Four years ago, I was so lucky to photograph Catherine and Tommy’s wedding in Chicago. When Catherine was first engaged and early in the wedding planning process, she and her bestie were searching together for photographers. Enter Katie. She’s the bestie! To this day, this is still one of my favorite stories as it relates to how couples find me, but Catherine and Katie knew I was the right fit when I shared at the time on my website that one of my ALL TIME favorite movies (to this day) is You’ve Got Mail. Well this was one of their favorite flicks too!  Fast forward 4 years and then it was Katie’s time to be the bride and I was DELIGHTED to find her name pop up in my inbox when she was newly engaged.

Katie and Mike threw one heck of a party in Chicago surrounded by the most amazing blend of family and friends. These two both come from bigger families (make sure you keep your eyes peeled for the sibling photos and Mike’s extended family photo at the church!) and as a big family girl myself, I can always get down for a big family party. I had such an incredible time documenting this amazing couple! I have a lot to share, let’s get started!

I’ll almost always take details outside for natural light when photographing them. 🙂

Mike getting ready…

Ahhh, beautiful Katie is GLOWING! 

Love these getting ready photos of Mike that my sweet second shooter, Amanda captured! Thank you so much, Amanda!!!

So classic…

I sure do love photographing details. They just have a way of filling in the gaps as you tell the story.

Getting all dolled up. It’s always a perk when one of the bridesmaids, in this case the Maid of Honor and Katie’s sister, is killer at doing makeup! ; )

Timeless

Some of my favorite getting ready moments are the bride getting those finishing touches!

Katie and her girls got ready at the childhood home that she grew up in. Her parents have since moved out of this house so it’s extra special to have had the opportunity to document these photos in this beautiful home!

I meannnnnn….really though?!?!?

Also, what is your wedding day without a photo of you and your OTHER ride or die!? I love this photo so much!

Those moments when it gets REAL. Holllyyyy crap…I’m a bride!

Those precious wedding day moments….

Look at these absolute babes!

COULDN’T LOVE THIS PHOTO ANYMORE! I just want to scoop her up and put her in my pocket! That SPARKLE in her eyes?! This is what I love photographing most on wedding days.

This moment had a very Father of the Bride feel to me. Speaking of favorite movies, that one is high on the list as well!

Now on to their breathtaking ceremony…

WOW! Love this photo my second shooter captured of Katie’s dad walking her down the aisle to her soon to be husband.

Too much cute. Remember how I said these two come from big families? Well there are LOTS of nieces and nephews on Mike’s side!!!

Okay but as a photographer I feel like I’d be completely remiss if I didn’t mention that this light was SO money in this church! As photographer, we are primed to expect darker shooting conditions when shooting a ceremony in a church. You can imagine my delight when I showed up to see all this gorgeous natural light pouring in through all of the windows. Truly a photographer’s dream!!

Mom and Dad….priceless.

Those moments that make up your day…

Not only did this church have excellent light but it also had many areas for my to hide behind and sneakily grab some candids of the bride and groom!

That shot of Mike’s dad kissing his daughter in law on the head?! I live for these moments!!! I actually love shooting candids just as much as I do portraits of the bride and groom. Althoughhhh, okay…the portraits of the B&G are still my favorite only by a little.

I freaking love, LOVE shooting through layers. I looked over and saw these sweethearts beaming and perfectly illuminated by this ray of light. Here’s the thing – this was just a fleeting moment until I brought it to life in a photo. Very meta 🙂 but man photography is just so damn important. PHOTOGRAPH the people you care about and for God’s sake get behind the camera yourself! <3

That’s one of Katie’s four brothers on the bottom left playing the piano 🙂

Remember what I said about the light? SO good!

Look at Katie’s parents beaming as they watch their daughter exchange vows!

Love this precious photo of Mike’s mom taking it all in.

MARRIED!!!! I especially love 3 things about this photo. 1) The JOY beaming from the newlyweds! 2) The overjoyed guest on the left and 3) There are NO phones!!!

Okay remember when I said to keep your eyes peeled for Mike’s extended family photo? YEP! Behold! Katie married into one big ol’ party of love!

Now on to the Chevy Chase Country Club for the celebrations to continue. Look at this beautiful group of people. How lucky Katie and Mike are to be surrounded by these people!

All blissed out!!!

Look at this perfect glowy sunshine they had. Katie – you are truly radiant, inside and out!

There’s my sweet Catherine I told you about before. I’m so blessed by these two women! I couldn’t help but share a photo of Mike with his 4 new brothers. How freaking cool to marry into a big family!

Here’s Katie and Mike with all the Romano sibs!

And holy SMOKES look at these gorgeous ladies!

Sisters….they are simply THE BEST! <3

I just adore you two!

You make a beautiful couple!

Those reception touches I love to photograph so much.

This venue was spectacular!

Did I mention Katie and Mike had over 400 guests!? It was QUITE the party!

This is one of my personal favorite from the day. Mike has truly swept Katie off her feet 🙂

Look at all of these people wishing them well. So cool!

Love these precious moments with Mike and his sweet mom!

All of the speeches made me cry. ALL of them. Yeash….thanks, guys! 😉

Truly, the speeches were unforgettable.

Loved Katie’s parents! These sweet moments with Katie’s father are the best.

Marriage is pretty awesome.

I had to include this photo of Katie with Mike’s family!

And what a party they threw. What an amazing, amazing celebration.

Are you engaged and planning your wedding? I’d LOVE to hop on a call and hear more about what you’re dreaming up! Click here to connect 🙂