TO THE BLOG

Hello, Hello! I hope you have been enjoying your summer! It tends to go faster than those cold months, doesn’t it. YEP, it is HOT, I’d rather cool off than be COLD. The days are long & full of sunshine!

Any how, I’d love to share my most recent elopement with you. Coordinated by Simply Eloped, this ceremony was sweet and full of gorgeous scenery too! The event was held at the Morton Arboretum in the Fragrance Garden. Walking thru the grounds, you felt a sense of calm, and gratefulness. They both nature, so this venue was spot on!

They started off with a First Look. Such a wonderful way to start your day and ease your nerves. You are both present and in the moment. I hope they can look back at their images and can just relive how they felt. The joy showed from behind my lens.

It was HOT, but that did not stop these love birds from making the most of their magical moments. The colors chosen by Stephanie were bright, beautiful and vivid. A vision, in white, Stephanie was glowing from the moment she stepped onto the property. Chase, calm and collective. Both ready for the next step in their relationship.

Stephanie & Chase wanted to celebrate their vows with their closest family and friends. The ceremony was intimate and tender. It was a true honor to capture their story that day. After a touching ceremony, Stephanie & Chase exchanged their vows privately. I am sure they counted their blessings that they crossed paths back at the University of Iowa. From that time on, they have been in each other lives one way or another, and now, as husband and wife.

After, we convinced the pair to take photos around different areas of the Arboretum.

Surrounded by love ones, in stunning scenery, a gorgeous bride, and happy couple- the day was a WIN WIN!

It is always my pleasure to capture your special moments. Cheers to Stephanie & Chase!

Until next time, friends. Be well.

Welcome back to the blog, it is now mid January and freezing here in Chicagoland! Brrrr

I’d like to think about something that warms my heart, and let me just tell you, Jean and Rob will do that!

A little background on my client, Jean, she is the cousin of my best friend. I have personally known Jean and her family for many years. The sweetest bunch of people you could ever meet.

In October of 2023, Jean & Rob booked an engagement session. I was so happy to hear Jean had found her perfect match and they were mapping out their future together!

This session was so sweet, they are soulmates and you can feel that when are around the two of them. It was calm, loving and tender.

Wedding planning began for their intimate wedding for fall of October of 2024. I was so honored to get the call to capture their big day! I thought we connected at the engagement session. That became clear once they wanted to book again. (Repeat clients mean so much.)

Look at these two, just so happy to have each other.

Jean and Rob got ready at their venue, we were able to capture their couple photos before the ceremony which was scheduled for sunset (it was stunning.) Their event was small, but the love that filled their day was anything but. I personally love small weddings, they really focus on the couple and the most important people in their lives.

Jean’s daughter was in the get ready room. I love how Jean spoke of both her children. They have such a connection rooted in love and care. P. S. -Those pearls belonged to Jean’s grandmother!

Both Jean’s son and Rob’s son were also there to share these moments.

Who could make a better best man, than your son?!

Jean looked so beautiful! Just glowing with joy. They both the outdoors and their venue showcased that stunning time of year. Fall and full of splendor. When I saw the tears in Jean’s eyes as Rob recited his vows, I knew their love was based on unconditional love. The sun set as they were pronounced husband and wife. Their next chapter had now begun.

Jean and Rob, I wish you all the best as husband and wife. Thank you for allowing me to capture your romantic, heartfelt and meaningful wedding.

Cheers, Renée!

Hello, happy New Year! Wishing you all the best in 2025! 🥂

My next blog will feature my cousin’s wedding back in October of 2024. I was lucky enough to book two fabulous weddings last October, they were both amazing. Very grateful for both opportunities indeed!

I love history, so here is a little history about my cousin Vinny, LOL! I had to throw that one in there. Ok, Vince Bukowski. Our mothers are sisters and for most of my young life we would see each other at the holidays and family get togethers. Vince is older so he was off on adventures before I even entered junior high school.

One of my first major memories of Vince was his big return to American soil once the Gulf War ended. All of our family joined together at the airport to give him a huge WELCOME HOME! And thank him for his service. I remember the hot summer day in 1991, we were all so proud and feeling lucky he made it back. We made signs and cheered as he walked into the airport! I was just 9 years old, and by then he had done so much in life.

Another fun memory was when Vince and his young family had come back home for Christmas. He shared this amazing video of his job at the time. As Vince describes it, he “flew military helicopters that prevented migrants from entering the US and flew armed counter narcotics that severely affected the maritime delivery chain of transporting illegal drugs distributed by the cartels from eventually making their way onto US cities. ” The video he showed us was like an action movie, but it was real and this was our cousin! I was proud of him! I also always enjoyed listening to his stories. Vince currently transports critical patients to hospitals via helicopter. He has had some very impactful careers post the military.

Flash forward to 2024, I get a message from Vince asking me to give him a call. Ok, we had not talked in long time, but I am always happy to connect. Vince met a really nice woman named Kimberly by this time. His young kids were now grown and he was starting a new chapter in his life. Vince and Kimberly were going to get married….wow!! In Chicago!! Awesome!! They asked me to be their wedding photographer! I was soooo excited to be considered. AND their wedding venue would be at the Beaknik on the River!! This venue is an epic Chicago location, that alone was an amazing opportunity. I said YES immediately ! Here are some highlights from their big day.

I had not met Kimberly in person until August of 2024 at my sister’s wedding. I spoke with her over the summer a couple of times to discuss photo details. The first time I ever spoke to Kimberly, I KNEW, she was the woman Vince needed in his life. She softens his edges and sweetens his ‘tude. He is her knight in shining armor and they were lucky to find each other! October 19,2024 was a perfect fall day in Chicago-even more perfect that you can imagine! An amazing day to celebrate this beautiful couple and unite two families!

Kimberly is just stunning, her wedding dress actually got lost in transit and she bought a new gown just before the wedding day! She rocked it, with jaw dropping pink Jimmy Choos. Kimberly is a gem, she is a nurse practitioner with a heart of gold filled with Southern hospitality. My cousin, he is a lucky guy.

Kimberly is also blessed to have a special group of gals in her life, called the Giggle Girls! They were so cute and such a great group of ladies to have by your side on one of your biggest days!

Thank you Kimberly and Vince for asking me to capture your special day! I wish you nothing but happiness as you both enter this next chapter of your lives. Cheers!

xoxo
Renée