Labels: Chicago, Christmas, dog, family, woof

Bloomingdale, Illinois
Here's some more photos from Santy and Ernesto's wedding. Their ceremony was at St. Isidore Chapel in Bloomingdale.

St. Isidore's, like some other churches, requests that no flash is used during the ceremony. All of these photos were shot using available light only.

Some Catholic ceremonies include the lighting of the unity candle, which signifies the joining of two families.

Everyone is invited to recite the Lord's Prayer.

Father Felipe consecrates the bread and wine for Communion.

Santy and Ernesto included some traditional Mexican wedding customs like the lazo. A lazo, usually a white ribbon or rosary, is wrapped around the couple to show that they are bound together for life.

The sign of peace is part of every Roman Catholic mass and is expressed by a handshake, hug or kiss and the words "Peace be with you."

The priest and Eucharistic minister offer bread and wine.

The Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary consists of an offering of flowers to the mother of Jesus followed by prayer.

Father Felipe pronounces Ernesto and Santy as husband and wife.

The happy couple floats down the aisle!

Labels: Catholic, Chicago, church, wedding

Bloomingdale, Illinois
I flew back to Chicago for Santy and Ernesto's wedding. This was my first time meeting both of them, although I had spoken with Santy on the phone quite a few times so I felt like I already knew her. She managed to impress me anyway. I would officially like to present Santy with The Most Patient Bride Award. It was a very busy day to say the least.

I meet Santy and her bridal party at a hotel lobby. When her sister goes to check-in, the room isn't ready. It won't be ready until the start of the ceremony!

Plan B goes into effect. While waiting for the room to hopefully be ready early, all of the bridesmaids, aka Santy's sisters, sisters-in-law, daughter and niece, and her mother-in-law go the lobby restroom to change into their beautiful dresses. Santy helps them get ready with all of the finishing touches. Not once does the bride break a sweat. She tells me she knew something was going to go wrong and shrugs it off.

Finally the room is ready and we all hustle upstairs. Santy's bridesmaids help her into the dress and we take a few more photos.

After the ceremony we take some photos in Cantigny Park in Wheaton. I love this one of the bride and groom. It looks like a vintage photo.

We take some more photos by this rustic gazebo. Santy and Ernesto are naturals!

This was the last photo of the day. Congratulations again!!!!

Labels: Chicago, garden, wedding

Chicago, Illinois
I went back home to Chicago for Katie & Jon's wedding at the Crystal Gardens in Navy Pier. The Crystal Gardens is a huge atrium full of palm trees.

Here's Katie - she had a vintage, 1930's style about her, and look at the gorgeous curls!

Katie's bouquet had charms including a locket with photos of her grandparents who had passed away.

We walked around Wacker Drive for some photos.

I loved a lot of the photos in black and white - they reminded me of Doisneau's post-war Paris.

After the ceremony Katie & Jon walked to the boat for their reception as Navy Pier visitors cheered.

Labels: Chicago, Navy Pier, vintage, wedding