A beautiful bride, a gorgeous dress, and subtle snow flurries to wrap up the evening; this, my friends, is one picture perfect winter wedding. As we all pack up and prepare for our holiday travels, I think we all could use a dose of pretty before the chaos begins and these photos are just that. Tamara Gruner snapped up every sparkle and snowflake and this gallery will be my source of calm for the week ahead.
From Tamara Gruner Photography… Liz and Jack’s beautiful wedding day was filled with love – love from their family and love from their friends. While Liz was getting ready her adoring sister stood by her side, watching her with tear-filled eyes. Liz and her sister “locked” themselves into one room preparing, so her wonderful eight bridesmaids couldn’t see her until she was “ready.” As she tiptoed into the hallway her bridesmaids were waiting with their iPhones like paparazzi! Flashes went off! They wowed, swooned, and the room was filled with emotions from tears of joy.
Liz and Jack had a very traditional church wedding at St Francis. Liz’s two brothers led her down the aisle, where Jack stood waiting for his beautiful bride – tense, but smiling. The entire moment was surreal – watching Liz fight her tears as she approached Jack. The church ceremony was full of sentiments – acknowledging their dear friends and family members who were witness to this occasion and remembering their beloved ones blessing them from heaven. Those dear ones, though not present, were present throughout the day – in the church honored with words and during the cocktail hour commemorated through pictures. Also, Liz’s bouquet that she carried was wrapped with her Grandfathers scarf that he wore in the Marine’s. He passed away from cancer and was a huge part of her life so she wanted him to be with her and apart of her special day.
As Liz and Jack walked down the aisle as Mr and Mrs, for the first time, they were led by an acclaimed bagpiper from Scotland in keeping with the traditions.
After the beautiful church ceremony, steeped in tradition, Liz and Jack, along with their bridesmaids and groomsmen, braved the cold to take some enjoyable pictures against a snowy backdrop. Liz’s pretty bridesmaids were wearing black dresses, and complementing them were Jack and his handsome groomsmen / ushers. Among them all, one stood out with her white dress – our beautiful bride Liz. While their bridal party didn’t last long in the cold, Liz and Jack wanted some images while it was snowing. That definitely made for a very romantic effect!
Towards the evening guests indulged in cocktails and music at the Ruth Lake Country Club, followed by a beautiful dinner accompanied with speeches, dances and more emotions. Liz chose a white gold color theme for her cocktail and reception hours, which perfectly matched the winter scenery outside. It was a perfectly planned wedding, where everybody enjoyed a beautiful day together filled with warmth despite the freezing temperatures outside! What a wonderful winter wedding!
From The Bride… Jack proposed to me by re-creating our first date that we had together. He had a scavenger hunt throughout the city of Chicago, with a note and rose at each place that we had been together on our very first date. The last place that he led me to on the scavenger hunt was the Peninsula Hotel in Chicago, where he proposed on the grand staircase of the hotel where we then had dinner and celebrated their engagement.
Photography: Tamara Gruner Photography | Wedding Dress: Heidi Elnora Atelier | Cake: Ruth Lake Country Club | Stationery: Pixie Chicago | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Romantic Day Boutique | DJ: Sounds Abound | Groom's Attire: Vera Wang | Groomsmen's Attire: Vera Wang | Limousine: M&M Limousine | Venue: Ruth Lake Country Club | Bagpiper: Dave Johnston | Bride's Jewelry: BHLDN | Groom's Cufflinks: The Irish Jeweler | Linen: Covered Affairs | Veil: Nina | Wedding Band: The Irish Jeweler
