Ben & Alissa | Oshkosh

Neither Nick nor I had ever been to a Jewish wedding before Ben and Alissa's gorgeous wedding at The Waters in Oshkosh, WI. It was an awesome experience.

Alissa's bridesmaids use Naked palettes to do their eye makeup. Hint for future brides: this is the best eyeshadow for weddings. The pigments are strong, last all day, and look great in photos. 

 

 I love the colors in Alissa's bouquet. 

Alissa and her bridesmaids were so much fun!

 While I photographed the ladies getting ready, Nick met up with the guys.

 I loved how Ben walked together with his parents and Alissa walked with hers!

 I love the silhouettes from this ceremony, from the chuppah to Alissa's veil.

Having a second shooter is always the best for capturing two versions of the couple's first kiss! Side note: I love how the flowers on the chuppah integrate the colors from the bridesmaid dresses and bouquets.

 The Winkelman family:

 This was Alissa's idea. So cute!

Josh McGehee gave a hilarious toast and performed a hilarious version of "Wagon Wheel."

 Awesome Jewish wedding tradition: the chair dance.

 Congratulations, Ben and Alissa!

Maggie and Barry | Lake Barrington, IL

Maggie and Barry's wedding was one of the most beautiful, fun weddings we've ever attended. They were clearly deeply in love. Maggie was giddy with excitement and I'm pretty sure Barry cried more during the ceremony than any groom I've ever seen. Almost more amazing than the love they shared was the outpouring of affection from all of their guests.

 

We started the day shooting in the golf course directly behind Maggie's house. The lighting was a dream:

 

Maggie's best friend and two daughters were her bridesmaids. I love the dresses they wore.

Watching Maggie's granddaughters sprint across the fairway to us was one of the cutest things I had ever seen.

 I've never been to a wedding with more darling children.

  Maggie's daughters–Melissa and Kristin–were strikingly beautiful.

 The weather was absolutely perfect for Maggie and Barry's ceremony overlooking the lake.

 Maggie walked down the isle with her son Brian.

The ceremony was Christ-centered, heart-felt, and sweet. I don't know Barry and Maggie particularly well before their wedding but I teared up.

One of Maggie's granddaughters–a flower girl–spent a significant portion of the ceremony putting flower petals back into her bag and quietly singing Frozen's "Let It Go."

 Barry is one of the kindest men I have had the pleasure of meeting.

Between the ceremony and reception, Maggie and Barry threw a cocktail hour, with drinks and snacks, including Skinny Pop popcorn which was a huge hit with the kids.

 One little guest appeared to have a bit too much juice.

 Congratulations, Maggie and Barry!