Your Wedding Advice - StrictlyWeddings.com Blog

Capturing the Bride

Memorable shots of the bride can run from the more traditional photo of the bride looking directly into the camera, to one of her looking off in contemplation, to those expressing the emotions of joy, laughter, love. How the photographer creates that moment depends as much on the photographer’s style as that of their subject – the bride. Here are just a few of our fav StrictlyWeddings.com “just the bride” photos.

Carasco Photography – Chicago

Fred Marcus Photography – New York

Thisbe Grace Photography – Dallas

Fred Marcus Photography – New York

Gruber Photographers – New York

Jennifer Lindberg Weddings – Dallas and Austin

Courtesy of The Adolphus Hotel – Dallas

Jai Girard Photography – Chicago

Wedding Photographers | Jai Girard | Artistic Treasures

If you follow our blog, you know that Chicago’s Jai Girard is one of our favorite wedding photographers to showcase. Actually all the photographers at StrictlyWeddings.com have incredible talent and create amazing memories for their bride and groom.

Yet, today we celebrate the magic of Jai’s work, photographed at the enchanting  Chicago Botanic Garden. Every wedding she shares with our readers include hidden treasures. We’d really love to spend a little time in her brain as she looks through that lens – how does she see that particular moment or detail that 10, 20, 30 years from now, is a forgotten memory brought back to life to treasure?

Our Bride & Groom Photographs Capture the Moments

We just love how this post came together. We’ve captured poses from our Featured Wedding bride and groom showing love, joy, drama, playfulness … all the wonderful, exciting emotions that can be experienced during the wedding day.

We are so grateful for the amazing talents of our StrictlyWeddings.com photographers who made these moments possible – Carasco Photography, Brian Dorsey, Phil Farber, Jai Girard, Thisbe Grace, Gruber Photographers, Scott Hagar, Jennifer Lindberg, Andy Marcus.

Favorite Wedding Reception Floral Designs

Here are some of our favorite examples of wedding reception floral designs from our featured weddings. These floral designs make such a statement as guests walk into the reception area. Love the color.

Chicago Featured Wedding: Sweethearts Forever

Many thanks to Chicago photographer Jai Girard for sharing these beautiful photos. They are so Jai … we just love her style.

Chris and I are high school sweethearts who dated for ten years before getting married. On a romantic trip to Las Vegas, Chris popped the question at the Venetian hotel. He took me by surprise when he brought a huge assortment of pastries up to our room, with one special box put aside. Inside? A chocolate torte (my favorite!) with a diamond ring.

As Ohio natives who have lived in Chicago for some time, we wanted our guests to enjoy the glamour and excitement of a Chicago wedding. We began planning an intimate wedding, selecting the Ritz Carlton hotel as an elegant backdrop for the reception. I did not use a wedding planner – who needs one when they’ve been dreaming of their wedding and all the details for this many years?

The ceremony was held at Fourth Presbyterian Church on Michigan Avenue. Afterwards, guests gathered in the Terrace of the Ritz Carlton for cocktails and the Dining Room for dinner. I wanted the wedding to embody modern elegance and romance, with a touch of sparkle. Jessica Griffin from Botanicals was able to meld my ideas into beautiful floral creations, which accented the rooms’ natural sophistication. Her selections far exceeded my expectations. One of the most unique elements of our wedding was the all-vegetarian fare. As a vegetarian couple, it meant a great deal to us to serve vegetarian food. Ours was the first such wedding hosted at the Ritz and they did a fabulous job! The festivities began with house-made deep-dish pizzas to keep with the Chicago theme. Chef created unique and delicious entrees and an ice cream sundae station (along with wedding cake) were served as sweet treats later in the night.

We will be forever indebted to our wonderful photographer, Jai Girard, who not only captured precious moments, but did so with exquisite elegance and beauty. We will treasure the images for years to come. A thank you to our family and friends is also in order – it would not have been the same without them!

Bridal Gown: Kenneth Pool with Swarovski crystal buttons added down the back. I tried on over 100 gowns before I found this one!
Headpiece & Shoes:  the Left Bank
Photographer: Jai Girard
Wedding Ceremony: Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago
Wedding Reception: The Ritz Carlton, Chicago
Florist:  Botanicals
Bridal Party Hair: Ginger Damato
Bridal Party Makeup: Wendy Woodside, Wendy City Faces
Bridesmaids’ Attire: Bella Bridesmaid
Music: Cagen Music, Incognito
Cake: Sarah’s Pastries & Candies

Class. Today We’re Going to Learn the Right Way to Propose.

It’s been too long since StrictlyWeddings.com Chicago photographer Jai Girard has been showcased in our blog. Far too long because we love Jai (our StrictlyWeddings.com landing page photos are courtesy of her)! Anyway, we laughed with joy when we read how Ricky proposed to Ellen. Kudos to Ricky!

How they met:

Ellen and Ricky met at a wedding in February of 2010. Ellen’s best friend, Jessica, was a bridesmaid in the wedding and Ricky was a groomsmen. Jessica called Ellen the night before the wedding and said, “I met your perfect match!” There was something about Ricky’s personality that convinced Jess without a doubt that he was the right guy for Ellen. The two met and danced together at the wedding and the rest, as they say, is history!

The Proposal:

June 2, 2011 turned out to be one of the most surprising and amazing nights of Ellen’s life! Ellen is a Kindergarten teacher in Illinois. At the end of each school year her students wear caps and gowns, sing songs, and walk across the stage at their graduation ceremony. The room was filled with thirty-two kindergarteners and one hundred fifty guests including parents, siblings, and relatives.

At the conclusion of the ceremony the Principal said, “At this time, I would encourage everyone to keep their cameras rolling as I invite up a special guest. Mr. Ricky Stern, please come up to the stage.”

With a bewildered look on her face, Ellen turned to the teacher standing next to her and whispered, “WHAT is going on?” Ellen was completely shocked!

Ricky introduced himself as Ellen’s boyfriend and complimented Ellen on her dedication toher students. He went on to say, “I’ve seen first hand how much Ellen cares about each of her students, and I came here tonight to show her how much I care about her.” Then he got down on one knee and proposed!

She screamed, “YES!” (three times). Ellen never anticipated that the night of her kindergarten graduation would transform into one of the most magical evenings of her life!

Photos Courtesy of Jai Girard Photography

Chicago Featured Wedding – Abby & Chad

Chad and I met the summer entering our freshmen year at the University of Illinois. My first cousin, Jeff, who is like a brother to both of us introduced us. Though the story did not unfold that quickly. While we instantly became the closest of friends, our first kiss was 2 years later, at his sister’s wedding, and that’s an entirely different story on its own. From that point on, our relationship evolved into what it is today. Best friends that are more into each other today than ever before…gotta love it.

The day he popped the question was the most perfect day. I became a bit suspicious as Chad asked me to take the day off work – something we don’t ordinarily do – but deep down I thought he would wait until his place sold. We went to lunch at Fred’s on top of Barney’s. He didn’t seem nervous or anything so I thought this was his way of making me think we were getting engaged to throw me off.

After lunch we walked around the cold city, stopped by the Drake hotel (the location of our first kiss), and went back to my apartment. Unbeknown to me he’d picked up a red rose at the Drake. He gave me the flower and, as I turned around to reach for a vase, Chad said, “I have something else for you too.” I turned around to this gorgeous super sparkly ring and my incredible husband down on his knee. If that wasn’t enough, he had planned an engagement party for me at my favorite restaurant, Rosebud Prime, with 60 of our closest friends and family.

We took a “mini-moon” at the St. Regis in Punta Minta Mexico. It was so perfect and relaxing. We rarely stopped speaking about our most perfect wedding weekend. We plan to honeymoon in the summer - Biking Tuscany…we both love activities.

Wedding Gown – Vwidon By Carla and Kenneth (a local chicago designer)
Wedding Shoes – Jimmy Choo
Bridesmaid Dresses – Jenny Yoo
Wedding & Reception – The Standard Club
Floral & Event Design – Heffernan Morgan Ronsley
Wedding Planner – Randy Schuster and Kim Schwartz (my Mother – a total rock star!
Entertainment – Larry King Orchestra
Cake – Take the Cake
Hair – Aaron Scott
Makeup – Stella Mikhal
Videography – idofilms
Photography – Jai Girard

Featured Wedding – Alyson & Daniel

Our Chicago photography partner, Jai Girard, who’s supplied so many of our wonderful featured weddings, has added a new favorite.

From our bride … “Daniel and I both went to Indiana University. We met when I was A Freshman, yet didn’t started dating until my Sophomore year. I always knew that Daniel was the one because he always went over and beyond with me on everything. For example, a few weeks into dating, he surprised me outside my college class with a Starbucks in hand and a ride home during a rainstorm.

We began planning our wedding long before we were engaged, always knowing it was going to happen eventually. Our ceremony was the most amazing part of our wedding because of the tradition of being married by the same rabbi as my parents in the same spot 30 years later. The Willow Tree served as the Chuppah and it was the most magical and beautiful thing I have ever seen.

Everything about the day was absolutely incredible, and perfect. We could have done without the major rainstorm, but everyone was too busy dancing the night away to notice!”

Dress Designer –  Amsale
Floral Designer –  ArtQuest in Highwood, IL
Shoes – Manolo Blahnik
Photography – Jai Girard
Venue – Ceremony was at the bride’s Grandparent’s backyard in Highland Park, IL underneath the same willow tree that her parent’s were married 30 years before.
Reception – Chicago Botanic Gardens at the McGinley Pavillion
Catering – Chicago Botanic Gardens catered the event
Entertainment – Dan Hayes Band
Wedding Planner – Lindsay Stein Cohen at Designer Events Chicago
Cake – Rolf’s Patisserie

Sexy valentines – boudoir photography

Want a great gift idea for the groom for Valentine’s Day that is guaranteed to hit all his buttons? It’s boudoir photos. They capture for your special man the essence of you – the sultry vamp, the playful kitten, or just the oh so sexy come hither look.

Don’t wait until Valentine’s Day. There’s the groom’s gift, anniversary, Christmas or just because. If you have a husband that travels, a little black book of these photos will keep you top of mind while he’s on the road. And even though StrictlyWeddings.com is all about our brides, ladies we’re just as beautiful in our 40′s as we were in our 20′s.

Many thanks to Chicago photographer Jai Girard for these boudoir shots.

“Oh What a Night” – Featured Wedding: Jodi and Scott

Not many brides can brag that they were serenaded by the Jersey Boys at their wedding reception, but for Jodi and Scott, they have the photos to tell the tale.

Oh, what a night!

About 3/4 way into dinner, the Jersey Boys appeared and started their show with backup music provided by Ken Arlen Orchestra. Singing first to the bride, “My Eye’s Adored You” and then to the whole group. After several songs, everyone got up and joined on the dance floor. Everyone loved dancing to the songs! “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” ”My Eyes Adored You,” “Sherry,” ”Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Working My Way Back to You,” ”Who Loves You,” and of course, “Oh What a Night.”

The bride’s gown was by Ines Di Santo and her shoes by James Ciccotti.

Their story …

Scott and I were friends in high school, but did not date. After graduating, Scott went to the University of Michigan and I went to the University of Illinois. After college, both of us moved back to where we grew up. Scott was in medical school and I had just started teaching first grade. In the winter of 2007, we bumped into each other at a bar in Chicago. Shortly after, we started dating.

The engagement …

Scott loves architecture and had been asking to go to the top of the Sears Tower. One day, he called me to tell me he had won a raffle at the hospital to two tickets to the Sky Deck. When we got there, the Sky Deck was actually closed because they were constructing the new observation decks at the time. We ended up going to the 99th floor. We walked around for a bit and then Scott distracted me, and when I turned around he was down on one knee proposing!  Afterwards, we went for drinks at Rockit, the place where we met. He was smart and thought ahead for dinner, making several dinner reservations for that night and letting me pick where I wanted to go. We got engaged on May 2, 2009 at the top of the Sears Tower, (prior to the name change to Willis Tower) and married on June 12, 2010.

Wedding & Reception – Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
Design Team – Heffernan Morgan
Wedding Planner’s Name – Barbara Moss
Photographer – Jai Girard
Video – Larry Wayne