I remember the day perfectly, the morning that I opened my email and saw a new inquiry waiting in my inbox. I opened it up to read about the sweet, newly engaged couple, to read about their story and when I saw where their venue was, I froze and instantly got flashbacks. The Redfield Estate. I always wondered if I would ever be back to that magical place after my own wedding day, and here we were with the possible opportunity to capture someone else’s love story at that very place. Mariana and I emailed back and forth a few times and we set up a coffee date to chat in person. I just needed to meet these two and see what they’re all about! A few days later, Seth, Mariana and I met at a Starbucks and I instantly just fell in love with them. I loved their story, how they are with each other, how just genuinely SWEET people they are and this turned into something WAY more than me photographing a lovely couples wedding day at the venue where I got married. I was so invested in them and just so incredibly happy for them that they are taking the leap to married life. AND that I was even considered to be the one to capture the very beginning of it all for them! A few days later, we were officially official. OMG!
From the planning process of their Milwaukee engagement session, to the coffee dates in between, getting to know these two, to the months of preparation of the biggest day of their lives, I was getting more and more ecstatic as July 27th, 2019 was quickly approaching, and one perfect sunny Saturday morning, it finally arrived. It was HERE!!! I sent out my “HAPPY WEDDING DAY!” texts to them and hit the road, back to Glenview, IL where my favorite place in the world is! I knew I wanted to go to the venue first thing before all of the festivities started because, I knew I was going to lose it when I stepped foot on those grounds again. And sure, enough… hahaha! When I got to The Redfield Estate, there was a stillness. No set up was underway yet, there was no one outside, and I was brought back. Back to October 5, 2017. And the memories flooded my head. The best day of my life was spent there and I was about to join a VERY special couple to me as they celebrate their own wedding day and create their own memories here and I couldn’t WAIT to get everything started!
The morning festivities were underway with champagne for the girls, and scotch for the guys, music playing, laughter in the air (especially when Mariana’s brother was helping all the groomsmen tie their ties on HIMSELF and gained the nickname “Two Tie Eugen”) , and it was all setting the mood for an incredible day we were about to experience. Mariana and Seth also gave me one of THEE most thoughtful gifts I have ever received that I will forever and ever cherish. One thing being leaf earrings that match The Redfield Estate’s logo because Mariana and I are now both #RedfieldBrides ! You better believe I broke down in actual TEARS when she told me that. SO SWEET!!!
From the very special first look, to the absolute PERFECT weather we had for an outdoor wedding, the small guest count of close family and friends that surrounded Mariana and Seth, the twinkle lights, the dancing, the memories, every single part of their wedding day was just a dream. A magical, and perfect dream. So much pure JOY surrounded every single person that day and I can’t even begin to explain how grateful I am that I was a part of it all. Mariana and Seth, from the bottom of my heart, THANK. YOU. For everything! For giving me this special opportunity to welcome me back to where I got married, to opening up your hearts and friendship to me, and being the genuine and special people that you are. It was an absolute pleasure being a part of this journey with you two and I hope to continue our friendship (and coffee dates!!). I hope you love this highlight post of your wedding day just as much as I do and now I will have two dates to cherish at this magical place. Enjoy your wedding day blog post!
First look time! When I was setting both of them up in their positions before I gave Mariana the thumbs up “go time” , I just remembered how genuinely excited they were to finally see each other, hug each other and talk to one another on their wedding day! This is my number one reason why I LOVE first looks, and why I did one on my own wedding day. These two had a 6:00pm start time for their ceremony so sharing a first look together gave them HOURS of precious extra time together on their wedding day that you just can’t get back if they decided against it.
Started portrait time off STRONG with this one that turned into one of my all time favorites from their day! ^
Another FAV! ^^ Gosh these two look soooooo good together, don’t they? :)
Time to get these two MARRIED!! Their 6:00pm start time couldn’t have been a more perfect time that was right at golden hour!
This ^ is one of my absolute favorite moments of their day. This was seconds after Mariana reached the top of the aisle and they were finally reunited. The looks on their faces (especially hers!!!) says it all. I could just tell all the nerves were gone, everything was right in the world, and they were SO CLOSE to becoming husband and wife, and it was all about to unfold right then and there! Just the pure JOY in their faces made my heart melt!!
LOVE THSI!!! ^ Mariana admiring her new bling and soaking in that she is now a MRS!!!
I will never forget the hug that I got from Mariana after her ceremony. I went up to congratulate her and Seth on finally being a married couple and the smile on her face, the way she let out an “eeeekkkkk” squeal, she was just on top of the WORLD and I could not have been happier for the two of them!! (ughhhh I miss it all already!)
Twirling into HUSBAND and WIFE portraits!!!! YAY! These two had TONS of portrait time on their big day (thanks to participating in a first look!) to get all the best spots on the beautiful property of The Redfield Estate!
Signature drinks for the WIN! I love when couples have special “His & Her” cocktails during their reception! It adds a fun detail element and they get to share their favorite drink with their friends and family!
Oh my gosh, I can’t get enough of these two! Haha! ^ This was the biggest I ever saw them smile!! THEY DID IT! And it was finally party time!!
A little wardrobe change for Mariana and she arrived on the dance floor in this white sequin little number! She definitely turned lots of heads and just SPARKLED her way into their first dance as husband and wife!
A HUGE Shoutout to the incredible vendors who brought this day to life!
Venue | The Redfield Estate
Photographer | Megan Goggins Photography
Florist | Anemone Creative
Videographer | Elegante Media Chicago, LLC
Hair & Makeup | Independent Beauty Pros
DJ | DJ Luka Illic
Cake | Urban Icing
Caterer | Catered by Design
String Trio | Innocenti Strings
Invitations | Basic Invite