Jenna Cole Photography-Chicago, IL » Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer

I introduced them to the idea of a “first look” and they were willing to give it a try. So worth it.

The first look caused a few tears on Nick’s part. So sweet!

Time to let the bustle down. Nick jumped right in to help figure out how it worked.

Getting married in the freezing cold of winter is worth it for this gorgeous light and warm fluffy coats, don’t you think?

After some time spent doing portraits with just the two of them, family and friends started to show up, letting us know it was time to head inside to get married! Love that you can see their friends and family gathered in a big group behind them on the photo on the right.

No photos are allowed inside of the LDS temple so I didn’t photograph the actual ceremony, but I was ready and waiting for them for the big moment when they made their public debut as husband and wife.

The entire group that celebrated with them that day.

I won’t explain what is happening here. I think it’s funnier if you don’t know.

Halfway through the day we realized that the bouts and corsages that had been purchased for photos were still sitting in the car. Melissa stepped forward to help her new husband put on his boutonnière.

She wasn’t as successful as she hoped so mom stepped forward to finish the job.

These two cuties are getting married soon themselves. Maybe you’ll see them on Jenna Cole in the near future?

Melissa’s parents. Awwwwwww!

All of the sudden the madness began.

Nick’s brothers picked up the bride.

Nick’s dad picks up the groom.

And the bridal party ended things when they tried (very unsuccessfully) to pick up the groom as well.

On their first meeting he pushed her into the fountain. Or maybe it was she who pushed him? On the left we have “she said” and on the right “he said”. I’m thinking Melissa really looks like she knows what she is doing when it comes to pushing people in fountains!

Kudos to their family for standing outside in the cold for so long without complaining.

After the group portraits were complete, Nick and Melissa and myself moved over to Celestial Park (LDS readers will likely appreciate the irony of this location like we did ) to spend a few more hours doing portraits with the bride and groom. The light was dreamy, they were giddy with excitement,

Nick took the wedding bands out of the luggage back in Arizona but forgot to put them back in again and so an emergency trip to the mall was in order. Of the three rings you see here, one is “real” the other two are from Claires. Can you guess which is which?

THAT SHOT!

Which one? I don’t care I love them both. Real laughter. Real love.

A very merry Christmas to all of you, and to the newlyweds Melissa and Nick. As I told you beforehand, I love doing bride/groom portraits on the wedding day, so I loved every moment spent with you. Thank you.

Best,

Jenna

Something blue tucked in the bridal bouquet.

The boys were ready first (big surprise, right?) so we had ample time to do portraits with them, something that definitely didn’t happen with the girls. After doing the traditional sets of group shots (groom with best man, groom with ushers, etc,) we were able to round up enough sunglasses for some “secret agent” style portraits in the sun.

A few minutes before the ceremony started the bridesmaids were ready (although the bride still wasn’t), so I sent them out one-by-one for individual portraits. I love the bright blue of their dresses against the pretty green background.

I never did get any time with Elizabeth before the ceremony started, but I did get some face time with Casey. He has such a natural, easy-going smile, portraits with him is an easy experience.

I gave Elizabeth strict instructions not to get in her dress until Was in the room with her, and I designated a runner to dash out and tell me when hair and makeup were done so I could scurry back in for one of my favorite wedding day moments. Elizabeth gets triple cool points because she let me join her in the dress dive!

You look gorgeous here Elizabeth!

Love the looks on both their faces. Both so nervous and excited about what’s to come.

See the light shaft pointing right toward the cross? I admit, it was a happy accident, but I’ll take all the happy accidents I can get.

These two didn’t just kiss. They KISSED.

This sunflare added a nice little twist to the “bridesmaids pick up the groom” shot.

One of my favorites from their wedding day. I believe the bridesmaid on the left is the mom of the flower girl you saw above. Look at those gams!

By the time we did all of the group shots, wedding party shots, and bridal party shots, we were already late to the reception but I begged Elizabeth and Casey for just a few minutes of portraits of just the two of them. I knew they would regret it if they didn’t have any formals of the two of them together on their wedding day!

Casey slipped off to the bathroom before they drove off to the reception and I jumped at the chance to get a few portraits of Elizabeth by herself on her wedding day.

Once I started with her cute face it was tough to stop, but I knew it was time when this look came out. Doesn’t this just scream “Jenna, I want to get to my reception now!”

They did their first dance upon entering the reception, which is personally my favorite way to begin the festivities.

The groom’s cake had me salivating. A mountain of chocolate and strawberries? Yes please!

Did they or didn’t they? What do you think?

A certain song by Miley Cyrus was playing here. I admit, I was singing along and shaking my booty a bit as well. In the most professional way possible of course.

Sisters.

THAT SHOT!

Mother and daughter sharing a moment on the dance floor. Oh how I adore the sweet emotion you see on both their faces.

I always like to see guests really go for the bouquet/garter, it makes the pictures much more exciting.

These girls were definitely serious about catching the bouquet!

Casey not only took off the garter with this teeth, he took things one step farther by crawling toward Elizabeth on his hands and knees at the outset.

My other favorite part of the garter/bouquet toss? The people who only act like they are trying. Guy on the right, I know you can do better than that!

I look terrible awesome by this point in the night, but that doesn’t stop me from requesting a quick photo with the happy couple.

Elizabeth and Casey, thanks so much for letting me spend your wedding day with you. Your ceremony was heartfelt and real, and it really set the tone for the rest of your day. Enjoy the rest of your new life together!

Best,

Jenna

Love love love this dress for it’s non-traditional style, the folds in the back, and the fact that it was such a steal price-wise.

Every single item in this collage is DIY. Oh wait, except the shoes. Mary is good but she isn’t that good.

The dress is on, which means she’s officially a bride! A naturally lovely one, I might add.

Just before we headed out to take photos Mary learned the spot she had specifically chosen for this part of the day wasn’t going to work out. Probably a good thing in hindsight because we had just enough time to get the few shots you see here!

We did the quickest round of group photos I’ve ever done, and then I shooed everyone away before Mary and Opie rushed off to get hitched. I think we did all of their photos in 5, maybe 10 minutes? I was racking my brain, yelling out pose cues as fast as I could. “Stand apart, hold hands. Turn toward him. Turn away from him. Now just Opie. Now just Mary.” Whew boy!

THAT SHOT!

If there is motion in a portrait, it almost always wins for me.

DIY bouts of course.

The fiery red facial hair and the chocolate brown suit go so well together I think.

Okay, there is a 4th reason I love this dress. It’s the way it frames her tattoo on her back. Perfection, don’t you think?

This little one was such a scene stealer (proof of that below). Apparently she let her family know that when the wedding day finally arrived she was going to “dance like she had never danced before”. She took her flower girl job very seriously and did a great job throwing down the red and yellow leaves.

Isn’t this a beautiful setting for an outdoor ceremony? It was pretty dark by this time so I spent most of my time holding my breath and trying to stay as still as possible in hopes that I’d get some clear shots.

I adore these next two.

It’s pretty tough to get a first kiss shot that doesn’t start the bride, groom, AND the officiant. Their officiant not only had a killer beard, but did a great job of staying perfectly centered behind them for their first kiss as husband and wife.

A sweet husband that they shared together right after the ceremony. And with me, but only for a few seconds, I promised I dashed in just to get the shot and then slipped back out to give them some privacy.

There she is, as promised, stealing the show. Look at that pointed toe!

While we were waiting for everyone to gather in between group shots I quickly pulled the new spouses off to the side for a few more of just the two of them.

Second favorite. Their love is as epic as this photo is.

First dance time!

Sometimes blurry photos can be keepers. But just sometimes.

The aforementioned hamburger dinner. I devoured mine in the corner so guests wouldn’t judge me for wolfing down something so delicious in such a short amount of time.

A few of my favorite details, the wedding pie, the favors (in the brown bag where truffles made with love by Mary herself), and strips of ribbon that added the perfect touch to a very simple and sweet ceremony.

This is the pie the couple ate.

And this is the pie I ate. Also the other guests, I stepped away from the table long enough for them to get some as well.

Lucky Mary and Opie, a surprise guest showed up to party with them!

And one more famous face got down that night. (And yes, she did dance as she had never danced before if you are wondering.)

Lynn, Mary, Opie, and myself. Love every single person present in this photo.

Mary and Opie,

I’m so glad we were able to make something work, as I really enjoyed being a part of your uniquely personal day. I like to think that I do things in life because I want to do them, not because I think other people should, but you two take that to the next level (in such a good way). This wedding was all you, 100%, and you threw your guests a party that I’m sure they are still talking excitedly about today. Thanks for the pie, the truffle (if there are any extras feel free to send them my way ), and most of all your trust. I considered it an honor to be there with you, playing such an important role. I’d wish you luck, but you two don’t need it. You’re so good together.

Best,

Jenna