If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen a bit of Mike + Stephanie’s story that I shared there, because it just is so lovely how it all turned out. (I’m going to include a bit of what I posted on Instagram, as well as some stuff I didn’t mention)
So I met Stephanie back in 2010, she was a senior in high school, and I was leading a small group of freshmen at the church we both attended. Though we didn’t have a ton of time together (her being a senior, and I a leader of freshmen) she still contacted me, all these years later about capturing her wedding day! I was so flattered! She made a trip up to Milwaukee with her mom to meet with me, I got to hear a bit about how she met Mike, as well as wedding details. She told me about how she met him when she was studying abroad in Ireland, they met in a pub. Because what could be more Irish than that?
Fast forward, they’re dating and eventually planning a wedding, long distance, Stephanie still in school in the states, Mike working in London. When I met with Stephanie the first time I was talking about potential engagement session options, and Stephanie was pretty up front that she wasn’t sure when Mike was going to be getting to the states, but we agreed that we would figure it out once he got his visa and made it to the states. I told her that we could even do it the week or two before if we had to.
As the date got closer I sent out an e-mail to try to set up a date for their engagement session, thinking, of course by now they know when he’s going to be getting here! She responded and said she, unfortunately, still didn’t know when he would be getting there.
So I arrive at the wedding, and as I’m taking pictures of the ladies getting ready, I get filled in that Mike was in London at the visa office on Wednesday trying to get his visa, two days before his wedding. Finally after months of trying, two days before the wedding, he is given his visa, books a flight for 2 hours later, and hops on a plane and makes it to Chicago Wednesday evening. Just in time to sleep and get ready for the rehearsal! Can you even imagine?
I am so glad he made it, and that I could be there to capture it! Everyone I met that day was so wonderful, generous and kind; I left the wedding with my cup overflowing!
How gorgeous is she????
Fun fact: the ceremony was being live streamed to friends and family in Ireland that weren’t able to be there in person! Usually I frown on people having their phones out during the ceremony, but I loved that Mike cared so much about including everyone in the celebration, I was all for it! 🙂
Ceremony & Reception: Bloomingdale Golf Club | Hair & Make-Up: Karen Souza-Torres | Florist: Amling’s Flowerland | Catering: Catering With Elegance | Cake Artist: Central Continental Bakery | Dress: David’s Bridal | Tuxes: GQ Formalwear | Bride’s Shoes: TOMS | Robes: Devine Bridal Shop | Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie | DJ: Alan Campbell | Videographer: Jayni Huster
