Olivia Leigh Photographie Blog :: Photos and Experiences from a Chicago Wedding Photographer » chicago wedding blog

Kristin + Chris :: Morton Arboretum Wedding

Olivia — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:03:47 +0000

Kristin and Chris are a sweet couple who met in college at U of I, now live downstate, and came back to Kristin’s hometown area for a beautiful, intimate wedding at Morton Arboretum. This is a venue I shot at several times last year and still love to shoot at, if only because it allows for outdoor ceremonies! It is so extremely rare in Chicago to be able to married outside, that I feel like I hit the photography jackpot anytime I am able to shoot one. We were blessed with stunning weather on their wedding day, and as the sun set behind their large ceremony tree, the colours and light just became resplendent. Kristin and Chris also decided to do “private vows,” as a part of their first look. I had never heard of or seen a couple do this before, and I thought it was the perfect touch. I love personal vows during the ceremony but understand several reasons why a couple might opt for traditional vows; Kristin and Chris still wrote out their private l vows and just shared them privately with each other when they first saw each other. It was a touching, personal and emotional moment that really added some extra depth, meaning and almost “sacredness” to the first time they saw each other.

Venue + Catering: Morton Arboretum | Dress: Pronovias | Florals: Elizabeth Wray Designs | DJ: Toast & Jam

Wedding photography tips :: The importance of hotels

Olivia — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:31:07 +0000

I was meeting with one of my out-of-town clients on Friday, when she and her mother asked me for hotel recommendations. I had been meaning to write a post about great hotels and the impact they can have on your photography, and our conversation was certainly a great impetus to revisit this.

The photography is one of the most important parts of the day to my couples, and many of them also love the “getting ready” photos as much as I do. This is always one of my favourite times to shoot during the day — there is a wonderful sense of anticipation, things are still a little calm, and it is generally a wonderful opportunity to take beautiful images of the bride and her details. That said, the room where she is getting ready can really make or break these images!

I always recommend that brides consider getting ready in a room that has, primarily, great windows! Natural lighting will really make you look beautiful and also provides great options for creative detail shots without the use of flash. Another reason to maybe think about your getting ready hotel is because a wonderful lobby or restaurant can also serve as a nice location backup should it be a rainy day (as can happen in Chicago).

Here are some of my favourite hotels and suites in Chicago for getting ready. All pictures via their site unless mentioned:

The Trump (401 n wabash // 312-558-8000)

The new trump tower has beautiful rooms with great modern textures and colours, wonderful lighting, and a beautiful terrace overlooking the river.

The Elyisan (11 e walton // 312-646-1300)

This is a brand new hotel and it is just so stunning. Inspired by the designs of Coco Chanel, the rooms all have a lovely, feminine, European flair to them, and the lobby and grounds are absolutely breathtaking. The spaces here would be a stunning backdrop for romantic and modern photographs, rain or not!

Hotel Monaco (225 n wabash // 312-960-8500)

While many of the rooms here are a little overstylized for my tastes (simple is often better!), the “Tranquility Suite” here is just gorgeous and one of my favourites in Chicago. The corner suite is bathed in shades of white, ivory and champagne with window seats a plenty, and is the perfect location for a bride and her girls to get ready (so much prettier than the photo below)!

Four Seasons (160 e pearson, 312-280-8800)

If you want beautiful views, it is hard to beat the bridal suite at the Four Seasons. Julie got ready here in June and the pictures were wonderful!

Hotel Sax (333 n dearborn // 312-245-0333)

The Hotel Sax is an old favourite of mine in Chicago. The suites in particular have wonderful light, and all have visually interesting rooms with lots of texture, and a sexy baroque feel (no pictures available unfortunately!). It is also home to the sexy Crimson Lounge and right outside Marina City, both great settings for romantic and urban images.

With that said, you certainly don’t have to get ready in a luxe hotel. I’ve seen girls get ready from everywhere from a small room in a church to the basement in a wine bar, and whatever you choose, the anticipation and the emotion are always the most important facets. But if you do opt to get a hotel room and will already be spending the money, as so many brides or couples do, consider looking into an option like those above, as a beautifully styled room with ample lighting will generally lead to better photos than a dark corporatey room!

Meg + Mat :: Chicago Wedding Photographer

Olivia — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:56:24 +0000

Meg and Mat had what was actually a vow renewal last weekend at Morton Arboretum. Having lived in New Zealand for a long while, they decided to have a small ceremony there with immediate family two years ago, but always missed the chance to have a celebratory day with their closest friends. Megan and Mat did a beautiful job putting together this relaxed celebration at lovely Morton Arboretum, along with help from Natalie Parillo at I Heart Peonies. I particularly loved all the bridesmaid’s dresses at this wedding; Megan selected a general colour palette but let each woman select her own gown, and they all looked so fabulous and elegant while still showing off their own personal style. This was, yet again, a wonderful wedding with truly the nicest people in attendance, and I was so happy to be able to share in Megan and Mat’s celebration before they returned to their now-home of Charlotte, NC. And for all you brides-to-be, Megan runs a great blog called Pink-to-Green that discusses her process of trying to be more eco-friendly in her day-to-day life, as well as in the context of wedding planning. There is a slideshow with photos at the end of this post, but also some favourites before that.

Wedding Inspiration :: Pie Lollipops

Olivia — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:11:02 +0000

I love regular pie at weddings, but these take the cake (har har). How cute would these be at a “garden party” or vintage-inspired wedding? Great for a little wedding send-off gift too, or a nice alternative to a traditional favour.

via Luxirare

Great Bridesmaid/Bridal Style Resource: Gilt

Olivia — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:31:56 +0000

Most people who know me know I love fashion, and while I have been extremely responsible this year with style purchases, I do take a peek at one of my favourite style sites, Gilt Groupe, most days. Gilt is a private site that features unique, higher-end designer brands at prices that are up to 70 percent off. They have several designers featured each day, and each sale only lasts 36 hours. I have always thought it would be a great resource for modern, non-traditional bridesmaid dresses at fantastic prices, and their jewelry selection also makes for lovely gifts and modern bridal jewelry. You’d have to be very quick to snatch up a few dresses for your maids, but if you have just 2 or 3 to create a look for, it could be a wonderful resource.

Again, selection changes literally every day and pieces go so quickly, but here are a few that were on the site today that I thought would be nice bridesmaids options for a chic city wedding.

Satin beaded dress by Shoshanna. Regular $450, Gilt price $168.

Brocade dress by Shoshanna. Regular $310, Gilt price $128.

Obviously this one is a little, okay, a lot, more quirky, but I think it would be so fabulous for a really clean, modern loft wedding with a super chic couple. Also fabulous for pictures. Organza Mischen dress. Regular $648, Gilt Price $248.

Nice alternative, affordable alternative to diamonds for bridal or bridemaids jewelry. White topaz earrings by Anzie. Regular $475, Gilt price $195.

A pop of colour for bridesmaids in otherwise understated dresses. Nice gift too for a maid of honor or someone else special. Blue topaz necklace by Anzie. Regular $225, Gilt price $112.

Gilt is invite-only, so you just need an invite from someone who has already received one. I have a few left; if any of my lovely clients want one, feel free to email!

Dan + Mary :: Chicago Connection Session

Olivia — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:05:06 +0000

Dan and Mary, Dan and Mary….where to begin? During sessions, a couple’s willingness to be open really impacts the photographs. I feel very lucky to have a close relationship, more of a friendship, with most of my clients, which leads to more natural photographs that help to showcase the relationship between the couple. That said, I can think of three couples I’ve shot who were just staggeringly open, and really willing to let me document how they really, truly are, and Dan and Mary were one of them. When this happens it is incredibly humbling for me and makes me feel so lucky to do what I do. I told Dan and Mary they need to start giving consultations to other couples on how to be uninhibited; maybe I’ll ask them to write some tips… They are getting married this September in a lovely wedding at Volo filled with great food and their closest friends.

With that said, thank you so much, Dan and Mary, for spending some time shooting with me. I hope you love these as much as I do.

Seriously, can’t even handle it. One of my favourites of all time.