CREATIVO

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Chicago Wedding Photography

Wedding Photo of the Week: The Bride Spy

Wedding PicturesWedding Creativo Photography

The bridal portrait by the window will forever be a classic.  Right when you finish getting ready is the optimal time since your makeup and hair are fresh and looking perfect, and the natural daylight spilling in from the window is likely the nicest it will be all day.  Sometimes there is actually something going on outside of the window to make the bride laugh or smile, and it can just be fun to spy on your guests as they arrive to the ceremony.  If there is a window to look out where guests will not really see you, it can be a fun moment for some brides.  For our featured photo this week, our bride Melissa has a laugh while watching her grandmother fix her grandfather's jacket and tie in the parking lot.

© Wedding Creativo Photography

 

Fun With Dogs and Pets in Weddings and Portraits

Engagements, Wedding Ideas, Wedding PlanningWedding Creativo Photography

Dogs and cats (or other pets) are often great fun at weddings, and can really up the "awwwww!" factor! Just be sure to take into consideration care and safety for your pet and others involved. There should be someone designated to be responsible to watch/care for them the entire time (don't forget to have a bowl of water and food out), and bring your dog home after a short while if possible.  For wedding day and engagement portraits, it only really works well if your pet has at least mastered some basic vocal commands. If all they do is jump around and don't know how to obey yet, that is difficult for everyone and nearly impossible to get really good portraits to have on display. If you're dog is totally out of control, it is best to do your session outside or at your home, and not bring them into a studio and risk injury to your pet or damage to big studio lights and equipment. So, if you want a few with your enthusiastic (but uncontrollable) puppy that is great, but make sure an extra person is around to take Fido for a walk so you can focus on doing great portraits.


 

 

Katie and Ben's Wedding at Holy Name and Fulton's

Wedding Pictures, WeddingsWedding Creativo Photography

Katie and Ben had a beautiful sunny day for their Chicago wedding at Holy Name Cathedral and reception at Fulton's on the River.  Vibrant pinks and greens highlighted their elegant fashions and decor.  Also, the groom's family flew in from England and helped the couple incorporate many lovely British wedding traditions into the festivities.

© Wedding Creativo Photography

The groom presented personalized pocket watches as gifts to his groomsmen, who were all sporting green ascot ties, similar to the one that was part of David Beckham's dashing Royal Wedding attire.

After the ceremony, we had fun taking creative wedding portraits of the bridal party at landmark downtown Chicago locations while making our way to the reception at Fulton's.

Note to Giorgio's photography students: notice his award-winning technique using a bridesmaid's pink flip-flop to extend his lens hood. Ha ha.

We loved all of the touches of British wedding customs including Ben's mum's fascinator hair clip, the bride's lucky wedding horseshoe, and the handmade personalized candies that the groom's parents brought for all of the guests to enjoy. Ben also surprised Katie with a traditional German silver wedding cup that they both had to drink from at the same time, but be careful not to spill for good luck. They were successful and didn't lose a drop!

THE emcee of class and impeccable music taste, Al of Okyne Media Lab, kept the party train on schedule and guests dancing all night.

Wedding Photo of the Week: Cantigny Willow

Wedding Ideas, Wedding PicturesWedding Creativo Photography

Last year we tried to feature a "photo of the day" and that was kind of overly ambitious to keep up.  So, this year we're going to try a new feature.  Introducing - - - Wedding Photo of the Week!  It could be from one of our recent weddings, or from anytime in the last two decades, but it wil always be one shot that makes our creative hearts smile.

This week's photo is from Cat and Matt's wedding from a couple weeks ago.  We love them under this majestic weeping willow tree at Cantigny Gardens.

© Wedding Creativo Photography / Giorgio Ventola

Steffanie & Kyle's Wedding at Galleria Marchetti

Wedding Pictures, WeddingsWedding Creativo Photography

Diamonds and snake skin never looked so chic as when worn by Chicago bride Steffanie who married her dashing groom Kyle at First United Methodist Church.  A whimsical outdoor pavilion reception followed at the elegant Galleria Marchetti, which is located just a few blocks from our studio in Chicago's River West neighborhood.

High fashion and modern styles set the tone for this wedding day, starting with the bride and bridesmaids glamming it up with makeup by Starlight and hair by Lush.  The bride's gown was a contemporary Augusta Jones design with a stunning diamond belt by Lazaro.   The bridesmaids wore short black cocktail dresses that they all selected themselves.  Later in the evening the bride also changed into a white and silver short number when it was time to party on the dance floor. The short dress was a hot look for wedding styles this summer, and these women were spot on with that look!  I hope we see this trend continue into 2011.  The radiant diamond ring, bracelets and earings were hand-made by jeweler Steven Saitelbach.  As for the fellas, they were outfitted by Formally Modern Tuxedo who did an absolutely impeccable job tailoring those sharp-as-a-tack suits.

From the violet and yellow bouquets to the jaw dropping Manzanita tree branch centerpieces, the floral decor by Blumen was spectacular.  Flowers also accented the wonderful wedding cake by Amy Beck.

We stopped for some fun bridge shots on the way to the reception with Chicago Trolley transporting us with a safe and fun ride.  

Entertainment by the band Groove Addiction made it an enjoyable time for the happy guests, who all received special favors of lemon truffles, picture frames and commemorative bottles of wine at their tables.

It was an exuberant and joyful day that we were so grateful to experience, and Giorgio and I left wondering if we will ever see such an awesome pair of diamond snake skin bride's shoes ever again. We can only hope!

© Wedding Creativo Photography by Giorgio Ventola Inc.

Inspired Finds:

Wedding Creativo Daily Photo: 05.30.2010

Wedding Pictures, WeddingsWedding Creativo Photography

Nissa and Mike got married at the Cuneo Mansion and Gardens and not too long after their wedding they moved to South Korea where they are journalists and teaching! This is one of our favorite "kiss" portraits with the beautiful mansion in the background.  The estate was recently donated to my alma mater and is now part of Loyola University. 

All this month we've been looking back at some favorites from years past as we celebrate three decades in business this year.  

@ Wedding Creativo Photography

 

Engagement Package Giveaway

Creativo News, Wedding IdeasWedding Creativo Photography

We are excited to announce that we will be participating in Love at Breathtaking Heights, an exclusive boutique wedding show hosted by the The Metroplitan Club.  This event takes place on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at Willis Tower. 

During the door prize drawings at 5:30, we will be giving away a premium Engagement Package to one lucky couple, which will include:

  • A Location Engagement Session (downtown Chicago area)
  • Our custom-designed Wishes and Wisdom™ Guestbook
  • Framed 8x10 Engagement Print
  • a value of $700!

We hope to see you there!