Juanita & Steve - Christmas in the City - December 16, 2006


For my last wedding of the year, I was lucky enough to be part of Juanita and Steve's wedding. They are just so cool and were up for anything. They were also so great about letting me do my thing and not loading me up with dozens of "must take" photos... In fact I think we did like five "posed" photos total! This left us tons of time to play, party and generally get amazing real moments...

Juanita and Steve also had a slate of some of my favorite vendors: Coordination by Engaging Events by Ali, Michelle Willey of the Sofitel Hotel, makeup by Sonia at Sonia Roselli Productions, and videography by Poetic Productions. (All of whom did a knockout job!!)

Juanita looked utterly breathtaking...





I love playing with movement because I think the wedding is such a blur of colors and emotion.





Even though it was December, all the bridesmaids braved the cold and got some great photos in front of the Sofitel. (Truth be told, it was actually a very mild December night although they were all in strapless dresses with open-toed Jimmy Choo's on, so they may beg to differ.)



I loved the idea of using granny-smith apples as place cards...



It was really nice not to see an ice sculpture in the shape of a heart or two love birds or something. Instead they had an amazing ice sculpture that depicted the Chicago skyline...



And their flower girls by another depiction of the skyline!



Some of my favorites from the ceremony...
















OK, Juanita and Steve are just fantastic together. They make each other laugh like crazy and also have incredible intense connection that is positively electric. We went out onto Rush Street and got to play with all of the fabulous light from a city decorated for Christmas.











I like to make sure we get a few shots for mom too -- but I like to make sure that they are quick and easy and super relaxed. I usually shoot them after we have been playing for a while. Even the most self-conscious people, by then, are feeling great!







Back to the reception...



The lucite stairs at the Sofitel are so incredible...



Some more cool details at the wedding...







I love this cake feeding shot...



You gotta love the dramatic view of Chestnut Street from the ballroom at the Sofitel.



And the awesome light that comes in from the windows...



I have seen a couple of grooms serenade their brides this year and it is a really lovely thing to do -- However this is the first time I have seen the bride jump up on stage and sing a duet with the groom. (They were AWESOME, btw!)



This was a party crowd. They had SO much fun and it was also great to see people of all ages mixing it up together! ;-)





I think this is where Steve is trying to turn the Soul Train left, but I can't be sure...



Anyway, it was a truly magical night and the perfect way to end my season. Juanita and Steve, thank you for inviting me to be a part of it and I know you will be blessed with a life together as awesome as this beginning...

xoxo
Rosalind


Posted: Sat - December 16, 2006 at 02:58 PM          

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