Jennifer and Jake live near the south side of Chicago, which was the perfect place to do their engagement photos. As we were walking around they told me that some of these mansions were part of the original Chicago’s Gold Coast, it was really cool!
My favorite!
Love the next two also 
The clouds were nice enough to cooperate
So cute!
Another favorite.
See you guys soon for your wedding this month!
Despite the scorching heat, Lauren and Dan (with the help of the best wedding planner in the business Patti Herioux) had a beautiful wedding! The details were incredible, and it was all about the bling!!! Since there we so many scrumptious details, this blog post will focus on them, and the next one will show all the love
The most important bring of the day, the rings.
Bling on all the dresses.
And of course the shoes.
LOVED the earrings!!!
Garters.
Most awesome mirror light ever!
Gorgeous!
Of course the bride’s hair had bling!
Patti also did all the bouquets, centerpieces, Save the dates, table numbers, place cards and invitations.
There was even bling behind the head table!
…more coming soon!
Even though I can’t wear heels, (well I could but I’d rather be comfortable) I sure do appreciate a cute pair of shoes! Even better is a cute couple in love
What’s that look on his face? Well he’s probably wondering how long I’m going to lay on the sidewalk ;)
One of my favorites!
Favorite!!! LOVE the golden light from the setting sun…. if I could only bottle it and take it with me….
Spontaneous kisses on the nose, makes my heart melt.
Beautiful Chicago
If you only knew what it took for Katy to climb up and hold that pose in a mini dress, you’d appreciate this photo even more…totally worth it though, no?
Some cool in camera ‘art’ (no photoshop)
Can’t wait to see you guys for your wedding, very soon!!!
Bridget and Al are one of those couples you just wanna hang out with…they re just so much fun to be around The getting ready and the reception took place at the Doubletree Hotel in Skokie.
Bridget looked beautiful!
Yeah, I know I’m obsessed…it’s OK though, my therapist said it’s fine as long as I don’t show up to a wedding wearing some red heels.
;P
This photo has so many things I love… fluffy clouds,red, a unique dress, long veil and a happy bride.
Meanwhile back at their house, Al gets some help from his Mom.
The happy couple!
Married!
Most unique exit ever! Read all about it at the bottom of this post.
Love!
Hi, B!
A quick stop at the house to say hi to their boys, Nikko and Bailey.
On the way to the reception.
The fun bridal party.
They just danced every chance they had, even waiting to be introduced, it was so cute!
“I gotta feeling…
….woo-hoo”
Cool shot of the cake, before…
…and after the groom decided to take a dive Bridget and Al were so relaxed about their big day, this didn’t even bother them, and I’m posting it because it’s amusing 
I tell my couples all the time something will go wrong, it’s just the question of how you deal with it.
One of the request they had is capturing the sunset though these amazing windows, and let. me. tell. you. the lengths I go though to make ‘art’ for my couples…I was under the table to get these shots, there was no other way to do it. ( See B&W photo at the end, that’s me crawling out from under the table ) Bridget and Al, I can honestly say I never had more fun crawling on the floor and I’d do it again in a heartbeat
FAVORITE!!!!
FAVORITE!!!! (part 2)
Party time! It was so cute to see them just truly enjoying every single second of the day.
Bridget was just so happy she was overcome with emotion.
The exit.
This took a little trial and error, but I’m pretty proud of this photo. Bridget and Al, I hope to see you guys soon and often since you are my only couple that’s walking distance from my house, I love you both to pieces!!!!
I love to hear about the couple’s perspective about their big day so here are Bridget’s highlights.
‘Favorite parts of the day: FUN was the goal of the day and it was achieved! It was a perfect day! So many things to mention, but here are a few of the highlights:
-After the ceremony running outside to the finish line while all our friends and family were there cheering for us and holding up signs. Since we have both been in a lot of races, it was a great moment we will never forget (even if Al was a little skeptical about the idea at first, but was so happy that we did it!)
-Coming in to the reception and dancing to ‘I gotta feeling’ with the bridal party and everyone in the room on there feet cheering for us… -Amazing toasts that made us laugh & brought us to tears.
-The packed dance floor from the start & ending the night with my family doing the chicken dance -Gary surprising us and singing Al’s favorite Sinatra song to us.
Advice for future brides and grooms:
-Have fun & be yourself! This is your special day and it should reflect everything about you as a couple together. -Make sure to soak it all in and enjoy the day.
-Can’t emphasize enough of what difference it makes to have a day of wedding coordinator, it helps to know that we always had a go to person for everything.
-Book Hilda as your photographer & you will have awesome pictures!! We are so lucky to have her!
-DJ by Spin Productions, Make-up by Alicia Brooks, Hair by Jeanette from Salon 88, Wedding coordinator Julie Scheer, Flowers by Flowers-Flowers.com
Moments I’ll always remember: -All of them…it was a perfect day & beyond my expectations for how much fun it was!
-Alan putting all 3 wedding bands on my finger and then our special kiss to end the ceremony.
From Al… -How beautiful Bridget looked walking down the aisle toward me -How amazing the reception hall looked lit up by the setting sun -Feeling so truly lucky and blessed to have all of our friends and family together with us and seeing how happy we are.’
[OK, so here's a photo of me Mandy took, while I was crawling out from under the table. I'm laughing because the Maid-of-honor was being super sweet and was fanning me to cool me down.]
Yes, it’s true…my life is a party 
Hilda Burke, Chicago IL Wedding photographer
I had fun running around, exploring and taking photos downtown Downers Grove with Kristine & Rob. Kristine looked so cute and colorful in her dress
The two on the grass are my favorites
LOVE!
Rob’s not shy or reserved, in case that’s not obvious by the photos…now you know for sure.
At Emmets Tavern, where the wedding is going to be…such a cool place…another favorite.
Rob has some really cool ‘toys’. A 1985 Porche 911 (if I remember correctly)
And guess who was drooling/impressed with the red Harley? MEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
With their beautiful puppy Gus, he’s a little shy but very sweet.
Why yes, they are just the cutest
Brooke got ready at her parents house where she grew up. Beautiful home with lots of photo ops.
Her Mom Linda helping with the bracelet.
I love the jewelry box with her parents wedding photo on it.
Her toenail polish was the something blue
Love this one!
The girls were so much fun, of course the bride’s reflection in the window was a huge bonus
Rob waiting for the ceremony to start.
Gorgeous Church. [St. Anne Catholic Church in Barrington]
Exiting the Church. One of my favorites.
Best idea I’ve seen in a long time… renting a school bus for transportation. Brides to be, you would not believe the amount of $$ you can save by doing this! Of course it was really appropriate for this wedding since Brooke is a teacher, but I think it’s a fabulous idea for anyone looking for affordable (and comfortable too, the seats are cushioned) transportation.
The reception was at Makray Memorial Golf Club .
FAVORITE!!!!! The ‘ring’ of blue surrounding them is lens flare, which is caused by the sun. (not photoshop)
Another favorite, she looks like a Hollywood starlet in this photo.
Adorable!
I love these chairs! I also love that the chairs are not covered.
The cake was stunning, everyone was talking about it. [ Lovin Oven Cakery]
First dance.
It’s super-girl!
The mini deserts were out of this world. Oak Mill Bakery in Niles did an outstanding job.
From Brooke…
“Our wedding day was by far the best and happiest day of my life. Every little detail was more perfect than I imagined it would be.
One of my favorite parts of the day was reading the card Rob had written me just hours before the ceremony.
I also loved seeing our bridal party line up before they walked down the aisle. There was just something really moving about seeing our closest friends and family as they were getting ready to stand by our sides.
But my absolute favorite moment was walking down the aisle with my parents and seeing the love of my life and my best friend waiting anxiously for me.
Celebrating with our loved ones was a perfect way to end the day. It was truly a day I will never forget.”
I love the shot with the bridesmaids in the house with the bride coming down the walkway…so clever. Wonderful wedding!
Katie and Bryan Got engaged ant this cute little diner, so I thought it would be great to meet there for their engagement session and just explore the neighborhood…and that’s exactly what we did. I love ‘winging it’ usually those sessions are the most fun!
The exact booth where Bryan proposed
Yes, I tipped the little man in the green extra to point to her engagement ring ;)
I am obsessed with Katie’s eyes, sooo blue….yes, I’m sooo jealous.
They have incredible chemistry, and it shows.
Love!
This is so romantic, I felt like a perv peaking in on their private romance….one of my favorites!
All my regular blog readers know I really love vivid colors…so if you think the next 2 are some of my favorites, you would be right!
We lucked out with this photo because you needed a code to get in to the dock area, but a nice guy named Wes let us in to get some shots
Thanks for your patience Katie, I will be sending you the link to the complete gallery tomorrow
There are always more photos on Facebook, so let’s be friends
Despite the heat, humidity and being stuck in a cab for way too long, Julie and Pete rocked this session…just see for yourself.
We ran into this high end store downtown, and I love the fact that no one stopped us and Julie and Pete didn’t even blink and eye when I suggested it.
Red and reflection, score x2!!!
I love the next two…the stream of light coming though the door was a nice bonus.
Cute!
This is where Pete proposed and Julie said yes!
I love the next 3, it really shows their personalities.
This one is definitely a favorite.
This one too!! Love it!
Can’t wait to see you guys in September!!!
Laura and Stephen’s wedding took place on the Loyola University campus. It was so nice to have everything close to each other and not to mention the church sits on the shores of Lake Michigan!!!
Laura is one of those people you instantly love. I’ do not say ‘I love you’ to people I don’t know that well, but throughout day the I just kept hugging her and I kept saying I love you. So Laura I hope you know, I love you…you are a true beauty inside and out
The BEST view from the Church doors.
The first kiss!
Do I need to say it? Yes, this is my favorite!!!! (the inside glass doors were propped open which provided the perfect reflections, woo-hoo)
The party bus lived up to its name, here’s Laura and her twin sister Lilian enjoying the trip as we drove to our photo shoot locations.
Stephen was the sweetest, he takes such good care of Laura, his whole expression changes when he looks at her. I also love her nickname for her, ”Pretty”. I melted every time he said it.
Yes, I am completely hysterical at no extra charge :D
…and, ummm, well….never mind….
Back on the bus the video guys lets a lesson in flirting from Lilian.
The couple met in school, so Laura though it would be cute to take some photos in the classroom, below the groom gets his first lesson from Laura (her job is a teacher)
**I just realized that I had 3 teacher brides in a row, and one groom. Yey for teachers!!! Thanks for working so hard and putting up with those little (and big) challenges every day.**
The most important lesson any groom could learn is the one below…”Listen to your wife =Success”
And just to make sure he won’t forget….
So sweet.
Another favorite!!!
The reception was in the library.
The first dance blew everyone away!!! I was never more impressed, the guest were on their feet clapping.
Laura’s mother lead the scarf dancing, it was a great party.
I could admire your photo’s all day long, Hilda… oh wait, i do.. hehehe
Pam and John are a couple in love, big time, make your head spin true love…. it makes me melt…for real, yeah I’m that sappy….but I’m in the right business that’s for sure
The flower girl was adorable.
And the ring bearer was the cutest!!!
Pam get dressed with the help of her Mom.
Oh, how I loved the room where Pam got ready.
She looked stunning!
A great moment with Grandma, these are the photos that make me sooo happy.
John looking very handsome.
I am so in love with this photo, I can’t really explain it, but I freaking love it! OK?
The Rookery, an amazing piece of architecture that’s beyond words. For you Chicago history buffs you should really read about it it’s so interesting.
They both wrote their own vows and I have to tell you John wins the prize for the most beautiful vows ever written, not kidding. I felt like I was in a movie but without the sappy stuff. It was so from the heart that even the best wedding planner in the business (Patti Herioux) who NEVER cries during ceremonies, (unlike me) was tearing up. We will talk about this wedding for many years to come no doubt. John I liked you before but I think I love you now (in a platonic way of course) ;)
Took a little time for some portraits, but first we needed a cab.
LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then it was back to the Rookery for the Party.
Took a few minutes to explore this amazing staircase, (and I swear I did not set this up, that would be too cheesy) Pam needed help with her shoes, and of course John helped her. I mean really how lucky can a girl be? Tell me ladies, is this not the Princess moment you’ve always dreamt of?
Then back to the party!!!!
Congrats you two!
Hilda Burke, Chicago IL Wedding photographer
John’s favorite things about the wedding: When Pam read her vows, and our vows in general. Seeing family and friends that I hadn’t seen in a long time all in the same room. Pam’s hair… I really really loved her hair!
Pam’s favorite things: Never in a million years did I imagine my 89 year old grandma jumping up on the dance floor and shaking her hips all night. I can’t even explain how happy that made me. Realizing that I made the right decision to write and read my own vows. Even though I was petrified days beforehand, the moment I was up there it felt like just John and I were in the room and nothing else mattered. Walking down the stairs with my dad, and the look on John’s face. After a lot of health concerns, getting to dance with my dad and embracing the moment. Dancing with all our friends and family surrounding us – we felt so much love and hapiness. Calling John “Husband”!! :)
Best wedding related purchase: Patti Herioux – our wedding planner was amazing. We only hired her for the “day of” because I thought I was cool enough to handle all the planning on my own. Months before the wedding I would call Patti with questions and she would go above and beyond to help us with anything. She came to many meetings with us, and truly became a friend that we are honored to have. She’s the best! Worst purchase: Being the indecisive person I am, I made far too many purchases when it came to wedding gowns. I am a self proclaimed “Dresszilla”. All I can say to those who are having a hard time deciding on a gown is to go with what you have always dreamed of and what makes you feel beautiful. Try not to get sidetracked or swayed be trendy dresses if that’s not your style, because on the day of your wedding you want to feel like yourself.
Hilda,
Wow! Not only are the pictures looking great, but you’re making me out to be a saint in the process! I owe you one… in fact, when are you and Patty coming over for dinner? Pamela and I want to have you both over before the school year starts back up… be in touch, and stop make me sound so charming! You’re embarrassing me!
Hilda,
Thank you so much for everything! These photos are beautiful… it’s truly incredible how you captured moments of our family and friends that bring out their personalities to the point where we can actually hear their voice and laughter. I will cherish the one with my grandma forever, because there couldn’t be a more perfect photo of our relationship. I LOVELOVELOVE the elevator photo too! It’s so dreeeamy We’re really looking forward to seeing all the photos when John and I can relive each moment of our perfect day! Thanks for being a part of it! We love you!
Pam and John
