Sarah & Justin’s journey to engagement hits notes usually reserved for rom-coms, so Sarah’s choice of a dress that evokes the energy of one of cinema’s greatest icons was only appropriate for their engagement session.

Roane & Brandt’s mid-December elopement was blessed with a gorgeous, mild, sunny day. Wanting to keep things intimate, they got ready together, joined by a select few loved ones, and drove over to the State House, less than 10 minutes from their Indianapolis home, to meet their officiant and say their vows under the soaring ceiling. I’ve worked with Brandt for years as his branding photographer, and it was an honor to get to tell this story for him and his beautiful new wife.

Scarlett and David chose one of Milwaukee’s (many) magnificent venues for their vows: Milwaukee Art Museum. (If you don’t know the venue, it’s a total showstopper.) They got married in mid-July, and their color scheme was just as hot as the weather. They had a hybrid ceremony, honoring both of their faiths (Christian and Jewish), and danced the night away with their favorite people, with Lake Michigan as their backdrop.

Lasserina and Daniel’s early spring wedding, planned by Ritz Charles, was a DREAM. After a year of planning, it all came together to be a wonderfully fun, wildly beautiful spring wedding day in downtown Indianapolis. Some of my favorite aspects of this day: the magnificent venue, Indianapolis Artsgarden; Lasserina’s ballgown by Luxe Redux Bridal; their […]

Brett & Kellen! These two are such gentlemen, and to witness their wedding was to witness such powerful love— not just the love they have for each other, but also how wholeheartedly adored they are by their family and friends. After 27 months of planning, these they finally got to celebrate their marriage with their favorite people in their favorite city: Chicago.

When it comes to wedding day hair, I’m a shameless advocate for the updo. Styled hair down can be gorgeous, of course, but it comes with a host of factors that can complicate the wedding day. On the other hand, I find an updo to be, in general, an ideal option, for a few reasons.

Louise and Chas met and began their lives together in Chicago, so it only felt right to return to the city where they found each other for their wedding, even after they’d moved to the East Coast. They planned a spring celebration at Garfield Park Conservatory, making florals and plant life the theme du jour. The way all of their aesthetic elements weaved together resulted in a wedding day that felt like a nineteenth-century novel in its organic romance.

Engagement sessions are such a great opportunity for everybody involved, and that’s why I include them in many of my wedding photography collections. There’s the most obvious benefit: really great photos of the two of you. For many couples, their engagement session is the first time they’ve been photographed professionally together.

My all-time favorite wedding emcee is this absolute pro named Dave Kennedy. He’s a class act, and he likes to mix in the Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole duet “Unforgettable” into his dance-floor mix. It’s just a fantastic song: classic and unexpected, happy and romantic. And it’s also what everybody hopes their wedding day will be, not just for them, but for all their favorite people, too— unforgettable. From my experience, here are ten things that will unequivocally heighten the experience of your wedding day.