It was a cold January night, the stars were so bright, and Lauren and Justin were game when Bob asked them if they were up for an adventure! They braved the weather and this is one of the images that he captured. One of my favorite images from the day!

Ready for Day 2 of 3 of our Real Wedding Workshop? The BIG day.... Lauren and Justin's beautiful wedding at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation. We certainly were... all 19 photographers. Yes, this is always crazy... but crazy fun!

Lauren and Justin visited Hawks Cay Resort in Florida every August around his birthday since they started dating in 2011. Little did she know when he made it a couples trip with three of her best friends and their husbands, in 2013, that he would be planning a little surprise for her that would change her life forever. Their first day there, they all spent the day boating. As they were walking back to the resort, hand in hand, she said to Justin that she wanted to make this an annual trip for them and bring their kids one day. That's when he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him with the promise that the resort would always be their special place.

A year and a half later, their wedding day had arrived. The most beautiful day - picture perfect! The sun was shining and everyone was smiling. Lauren and her bridesmaids have an incredible bond, they love each other like they are sisters. Justin and his boys are equally tight, and his dad was his best man. How cool is that? The love that surrounds them is undeniable. Lauren looked incredibly beautiful in her stunning Rivini gown with a gorgeous pair of satin red Badgley Mischka shoes with an embellished peep toe. The Rivini jewelry she wore was equally beautifully. All her college friends have been passing down a Gator garter, and they each have it monogramed after wearing it. I mean seriously, that is the best! Her girls all wore Amsale with a faux fur grey wrap, while Justin and his boys were looking dapper in their slim fit tuxes by Black by Vera Wang. I'd say this was a beautiful bridal party!

Their first look was like no other! It took place on a spectacular bridge, surrounded by trees everywhere which made for a romantic setting and so many photographic opportunities. Lauren and her daddy headed to the Christ Our King and Savior Catholic Church in a white 1966 RR Princess Vanden Plas. Can it get any better than this? The service was beautiful. I think I cried through the whole thing, it's a good thing I wasn't holding a camera... lol.

The cocktail hour took place in The Forest on the Ritz property, with hanging bistro lights, beautiful lanterns everywhere, and beautiful lounge furniture, not to mention the view of the lake in the background. The cocktail hour music was dedicated to Lauren's late Grandmother who loved Frank Sinatra. The food served had a southern flare including tomato soup with heart shaped grilled cheese... just incredible!!! Their winter southern wedding was romantic and classical with beautiful red roses everywhere! Their reception was in the Ballroom and the decor took your breath away when you walked in. The entertainment, the cake, the dessert table, the first dance, the speeches, the sparkler exit... OMG...

I think I've said too much.... so why not discover for yourselves how incredibly beautiful this wedding was. A huge thank you to Lauren and Justin and their families for welcoming our group with open arms. They treated us with such grace and I just can't thank them enough for all their kindness. Same to Ashley Scott at the Ritz, who was truly an amazing coordinator! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Then we have Tracey Taylor and Dee Green who also assisted us as well. They came all the way from Japan to help us. We met them at our 3rd Real Wedding Workshop in Nashville, and these beauties have become dear friends. Without this them, we would the coverage of this wedding would never be what it is... so thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!

Lauren and Justin, we love you both and wish you a lifetime of happiness together!!!!

xxoo!!!

~ Dawn and Bob

Ps: Be ready for Day 3 of the workshop up next...

After an incredible wedding day, we began Day 3 of our Real Wedding Workshop reviewing images from the wedding. Also, recapping what Bob had shared on Day 1 and the wedding day. After that, I shared how we grew our small town business to success and my love for sales, marketing and branding. It's awesome when you learn how to attract the client that appreciates your talents and doesn't try to micro manage your business.

We're certainly not perfect, but with the mistakes we've made we have constructed building blocks that have brought us further than we ever imagined. I believe that everything happens for a reason and if we look at mistakes as lessons learned, they are not mistakes at all. It's like dating someone that is not good and breaks your heart. You learn what is not acceptable for your next relationship. And if you're lucky, you'll meet the person of your dreams. I've had a few not-so-good relationships that weren't right for me. But they all prepared me for what I knew I wanted in my husband. I'm a lucky girl.

Anyway, we spent the morning talking business. I know it's not every photographer's favorite thing, but it's a necessity. Most would rather be out shooting and learning how to take better photos. That's great, but truth be told, you can be the best photographer in the world and fail if you don't know how to run a business. It's equally important, if not more, to learn the business side.

After lunch, we later joined Lauren and Justin for a final photo shoot, this time on the Ritz ice skating rink. They were champs, they partied all night and were still up for more photos the next day! How cute are they?

Another once in a lifetime experience. Thank you to all our amazing photographers who joined us. Jensen Bell, Pam Bell, Whitney Bower, Marisa Carey, Christina Corneau, Melissa Del Vecchio, Greg & Theresa Favello, Jasleen Kaur, Chrissy Kruger-Gruendyke, Greg Moran, Sebastian Orr, Felix Peter, Shayla Samples, and Rochelle Wilhelms WE LOVE YOU ALL...!

Bob, I, and our team, Michele, Tracey Taylor and Dee Green left exhausted, as I'm sure they did as well, but we left with such happy hearts. We had many repeats attendees and made several new friends. We are blessed and so happy to share our love in an industry that is filled with so many creative people!

Lauren, Justin, and your families.... thank you again for trusting us with your wedding! And letting all our photographers share in your day! We love you and can't thank you enough for your kindness!!!

All our love,

~ Dawn and Bob

So excited for our super sweet couple Ashley and Greg as their beautiful wedding at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago was selected to be featured in Modern Luxury Brides | Chicago. Thank you Andrea Mills for sharing this incredible wedding and family in the June 2015 edition. I can speak for everyone involved and tell you how grateful we are to you all at Modern Luxury! Thank you! Thank you!!!

xoxoxo...

~ Dawn and Bob

To say that this wedding was beautiful is an understatement! When the talented, Reva Nathan reached out to see if we were available December 31, 2014 for a New Year's Eve wedding at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago we couldn't be more thrilled to have the date open. And when we met with Caroline, her mom and sister at their home in Hinsdale, we knew this was going to be an amazing wedding! They are the nicest family and graciously welcomed us into their home and we loved getting to know them.

Though Jack says he knew Caroline in high school, Caroline says the officially met when her sister, Margaret got engaged to Jack's best friend, Phil. How cool is that? Even though they talked all night about the mutual friends they shared from their days of water polo at Fenwick, a year had past since they ran into each other again at Margaret and Phil's wedding shower. A few weeks later they met up at a Blackhawks game and talk all through the game, but still didn't see each other again for a few months. I guess that is how long it took Jack to get the nerve to ask Caroline to a party. She dragged all her friends with her because she had a crush on Jack... and that is when their love story began. They dated a little over a year and half before Jack popped the question at Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo and a little over a year later, they said "I do!" I would say their love was worth the wait...!!!

Caroline's mom, Lisa was instrumental in helping her daughter plan for their big day. They said "I Do" in the evening at St. James Chapel. One of my favorite churches in the city of Chicago! Reva Nathan & Associates and Rishi Patel and his team at HMR Designs did an outstanding job transforming Four Seasons Hotel Chicago and bringing Caroline and Jack's NYE dream wedding to fruition. It couldn't have been anymore beautiful and FUN! Caroline looked stunning her Pnina Tornai gown that she purchased at Kleinfeld. Of course, having one of the BEST in Chicago, Caroline Shaw owner of The Wedding Dresser help everyone get into their gowns is always a plus!

Everyone danced the night away while Rendezvous Music entertained the crowd, not a moment the dance floor wasn't rockin'.

Caroline and Jack, we wish you both so much happiness. Marriage is wonderful, Bob and I know this after being married almost 23 years. Thank you for inviting us into your lives and trusting us with one of the most special days the two of you will share with all your friends and family!

xoxo!

~ Dawn and Bob

Ohhh how we love this family! Thank you, thank you, thank you Marcy Glink at Great Events, Event Planner extraordinaire, for introducing us to Leslie Kind. We had a blast working with you on her son, Michael's wedding to Fran and we're so excited about Allison and Scott's wedding in November!

Allison and Scott met through mutual friends and they hit it off that night but it wasn't until months later did they meet up again at a Single's Valentine's Day dinner and instantly connected again spending the entire night talking as if no one else was there. The rest is history!

We can't wait for our wedding day you two lovies!!!!

xoxo,

~ Dawn and Bob