Olivia Leigh Photographie Blog :: Photos and Experiences from a Chicago Wedding Photographer » weddings

Modern Wing Wedding :: Erik + Katie at the Art Institute

Olivia — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:28:17 +0000

At each wedding, I am always trying to observe while shooting. One would think that those would be the same thing, but it can be so easy to just get wrapped up in the moment that you can forget to really observe and witness what is actually happening. My goal is always to try and find the unique characteristic or emotion that represents the couple. For Erik and Katie, it was this truly lovely tenderness and admiration that really stood out to me. It was really so beautiful, and I just loved watching them together. There are many portraits below that I just love, but the one on the beigey-purpley wall is what feels so much like them to me: so soft, connected, and so full of respect and love for each other.

Katie and Erik are also a couple that have a great love for architecture, art and culture, and so it made perfect sense that they chose the glorious Modern Wing to host their wedding celebration. This was my second time shooting here, and it is always a treat. It is so ripe with inspiration, and there is something quite incredible about being able to create wedding portraits with paintings by Degas and Monet in the background. It was such a beautiful wedding, and it was such a pleasure to be a part of it.

A wedding at Architectural Artifacts :: Kellie + Eric

Olivia — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:34:53 +0000

After a wedding at Architectural Artifacts last fall, I could not wait to shoot there again. Eric and Kellie fortunately contacted me about shooting their wedding at the space. I was also so pleasantly surprised to find out that there were being married on the outdoor patio; I have never seen any photos of a ceremony outdoor there and didn’t even know it was a possibility. Venues with an outdoor ceremony option in Chicago-proper are almost non-existent, so needless to say it was a rare treat to photograph in the daylight. Eric and Kellie also had a relaxed Jewish ceremony, with four of their friends holding up the chuppah; it was such a nice touch, and I really loved the idea of your friends surrounding and covering you as you take the vows. There were so many other things I loved about this wedding: Kellie’s beautiful gown that she accessorized herself with a little belt, a brooch in the back, and a beautiful feather and gold hairpin; Eric shoes and purple socks; our fabulous portrait locations (so happy with these); and their wonderful families (both so kind and so funny).

Please do not repost these on another wedding blog just yet. If you are interested in running or using them please just drop me a note! – O

Anna + Darin (+ Lola) in Ann Arbor

Olivia — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:15:26 +0000

Anna and Darin kicked off my 2010 weddings with a stunning, intimate celebration in Scottsdale. They had always planned to have a large summer reception in Anna’s parents backyard, where her sister was also married, so I recently went up to Ann Arbor to shoot more of this celebration. Anna and Darin had many surprises in store for their guests, including gorgeous vintage tableware and chalkboard styling by Anna and her Mom, delicious Bell’s beer on tap, a great little presentation of their Arizona ceremony, and, of course…Anna is now pregnant! I am just so happy for them and have felt so privileged to be able to photograph them during a period when their lives have changed so much. I think so much about theoretical children when I shoot — what will a couple’s children see when they look at these images (if they are choose and/or are able to have them)? This thought informs so much of my approach to capturing couples, so it has been interesting and meaningful to photograph Anna, Darin and their families as the presence of Miss Lola (the “pregnancy name” for the baby) is already being seen. If there is one bet I would place, it would be that if Lola is anything like her mother, she will be quite the dancer.

Jen + Brendan at A New Leaf

Olivia — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:48:51 +0000

So many of my couples seem so obviously made for each other; Jen and Brendan are certainly one of them. They are both so smart and bright, loved by their family and friends, and brought together in an incredibly serendipitous way that one can’t help but think it’s fate. They were married in a lovely Jewish-Catholic hybrid ceremony (so nice) at A New Leaf with bikes, Bob Dylan and babies all making appearances.

Coordination: Shelly from Honeybee Weddings / Florals by A New Leaf / Catering by Food for Thought / DJ by Cage & Aquarium

Peru

Olivia — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:16:48 +0000

44 hours of travel, a couple pisco sours and several attempts at the marinera later, we are finally back from the most wonderful wedding in Peru.

Much more to come from this wedding once the couple returns to the states, along with an Ann Arbor reception and a wedding in Chicago (imagine that!).

Four Seasons Scottsdale Wedding Photos :: Anna + Darin

Olivia — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:57:58 +0000

It’s hard to imagine a better wedding than this to kick off my 2010 weddings. Anna and Darin originally booked me for a summer wedding in Anna’s hometown of Ann Arbor. A few months ago, however, I got a phone call saying that they decided to first have an intimate wedding in Scottsdale, Darin’s home, in the winter. Despite the weather woes over the weekend, this was one of my favourite weddings I have photographed. I have noticed this practice of having a family-and-close-friends-only ceremony first, followed by more of a party reception afterwards, gaining in popularity and it is one of my favourite “trends,” as you can really have a wedding you dream of with wonderful vendors for the ceremony and still have a great party later with all your friends. It was so wonderful to be part of such an intimate day, particularly with Anna and Darin’s incredibly kind families. Many thanks to the beautiful Four Seasons Scottsdale; what a venue! I could not recommend it highly enough if you are looking for a destination wedding venue. Thanks also to Joel for coming out and shooting video (posted below). Can’t wait for Ann Arbor in June!

Anna and Darin from Studio 272 on Vimeo.

PS – If you are viewing this via Facebook, please click over to look (and comment!) on the blog. I have noticed the colors on fb have been less than desirable lately.