This was probably one of the more emotional weddings I’ve ever been a part of. I arrived to Nicole at Hotel Chicago, which side note… they have the most amazing penthouse suite there that is amazing for getting ready! Nicole was surrounded by all her girls! There was so much excitement in the air! As I’m shooting her details, Nicole comes over and explains a poetry book she left out for me to shoot. She goes on to explain that she bought that book 18 years ago. And 18 years ago found this very specific poem that she fell in love with. It was something that she immediately knew “I want to find a man that makes that poem become a reality for me.” And she knew one day when she found that man, that these would be her vows. Cue tears, right?

As we go on to look at more of her details, her flowers arrive from Natural Beauties Floral. And she shows me how she has her mom’s dress around the stems. And she gives me more of her mom’s lace to style her invitations with. She then turns to her dress hung on the most gorgeous mirror and lifts up the skirt to show me part of her grandma’s nightgown sewn into it as her “something blue.”

Need more reason to cry yet? I’m shooting their rings, and she shows me Chris’s wedding band. It’s his grandpa’s wedding band. Inside, it’s engraved with his grandma + grandpa’s wedding date on one side. And on the other side, theirs <3 This is the same grandpa that is so sweet and officiates the wedding. AND the same grandpa that busts a move on the dance floor later that night. I was pretty much in love with him.

Yet more tears coming? Yep. She goes to read her letter from Chris. And OMG babes, I was in tears hoping that everything I was shooting was in focus. Tears filled her eyes. She clutched that card. And just kept saying how she loves him and how lucky she is. That’s really how we should all feel on our wedding day, right? I seriously cried 5 different times before we even left that hotel for their first look!

The rest of the day was of course just gorgeous! Their emotional first look. Their wild bridal party. The ever beautiful Greenhouse Loft. Her brother that wrote a song for Nicole and played it during the ceremony. The amazing creative team. So so honored to have been there to not only document their wedding but to be part of their story! Congrats to Nicole + Chris!

Photographer | Jenna Marie Photography, Venue | Greenhouse Loft, Getting Ready Hotel | Hotel Chicago, Wedding Planning | Elevate Events, Florals | Natural Beauties Floral, Hair Stylist | Debra Petrielli, Makeup | Sophia for the Debra Petrielli team, Photographer Assistant | Nikole, Invitations | Wedding Paper Divas, Bridal Dress | Casablanca Bridal, Groom Attire | The Black Tux, Catering | Big Delicious Planet, Cake | Big Delicious Plant, DJ | Danny Wedel, Videographer | Kathleen Quinn Films