How's The Weather?

Typically, one doesn't talk about the weather unless you're killin' time or caught in an awkward convo but considering we went from literally 60 degrees to 12 and these images were on the 12 side I think we should give props to this couple! 

I guess the one perk of frosty temps is it's physically difficult to blink so in all the images their eyes were open. (: 

For real though, Ky & Ashley you were troopers! 

And you're pretty dang adorable too. (: 

Here's to warmer temps for your August wedding! 

Prayer...

It was a moment in-between what I would call typical wedding chaos of we're slightly behind schedule, still running around getting ready when the bride Raquel calmly gets my attention. I honestly think I'll remember this for years to come as it was a surreal moment in that I could feel the hustle and bustle behind me but it's almost like my moment with the bride was in slow-motion. She touched my arm and said: "Just wanted to let you know that I've been praying for you and your husband. For whatever reason missions is on my heart for you guys." I honestly coulda lost it. And if we weren't running late I may have taken a moment and let myself do so. India has and continues to be on my husband and my heart. We go every year to work with an all girls orphanage that has absolutely stolen our hearts. In some ways we're at a fork in the road and Raquel's words were timely. 

I've said in the past that I pray for all my couples. Not necessarily with them or in some obvious way but little moments here and there when things remind me of them. But to have a bride say she was praying for me? Unexpected and meaningful.  

Fast forward a few minutes after we got her in her dress... 

She was stunning and so I wanted to get a few images of her but also wanted her to have a ready heart to cherish the moments that were to come. So I told her to take a second and pray for her marriage to herself. When we were done she wiped a tear. One of my favorite shots and moments of the day. 

Then after the ceremony, in this tiny little white chapel the bride, groom, and myself are doing portraits and now knowing what prayer means to both of them I told them to take another moment now that they are together and just pray for their marriage. Much like I've been doing while writing this post. (: 

And again, it ended up being one of my favorite images of the day. 

Eugene & Raquel, 

I pray that in the greatest and even in the most challenging times of your marriage that you'll be able to look back and see a path of faithfulness that God has provided for you guys and allow that to be an ever-flowing source of encouragement for you. Keep praying for one another as well as together as no doubt the Lord will answer. So thrilled for the adventures ahead for you guys. 

Congratulations!

Thankful...

Holy cow... Nearly 6,000 people from over 10 different countries view the Melissa Marie Photography blog each month. That's ridiculous! If only you knew how boring I actually am. (:

Sure... If you take random snip-its from my life:

Have 3 birth certificates...

Was in a hot-air balloon crash...

Have played soccer all over the world...

Lit my bangs on fire when I was eight pretending I was in a music video...

Am a published author...

I was a camping major in college...

Once was asked to stop eating so much by the manager of a buffet...

Married the once in a life-time God literally made him for me hunk of an Itallian Stallion...

Won a soccer National Championship in College...

I'm adopted...
I'm also a food blogger...

it may initially seem intriguing but I assure you, these days I'm not all that interesting to read about. Really... The most interesting thing in my life right now is that we've potty trained our cat. Not joking. Full on dumps in the toilet haven't owned kitty litter in forever potty trained. It's not that kind of info that get the loyal readers like we've got on this blog. And it sure isn't it's "cool" design. (New blog coming in a few months!) I'm guessing it's the amazing couples I get to work with everyday. From high-school sweethearts, to war veterans, you inspire me to capture life's little and big moments and I'm so thankful that I get to stop time even for just a moment for you through photos.

So thank you...!

Thank you for all your referrals, it's how we stay in business.

Thank you for your friendships...

Thank you for your encouraging notes & recommendations...

Thank you for loyally following us...

Thank you for all your funny comments online &  Facebook it's makes the long days more fun. (:

Thank you to Nicee who's an amazing partner in photo crime as well as dear friend.

Thank you for keeping in touch through life's milestones...

Thank you for cherishing your images...

From the bottom of my heart, I'm so incredibly grateful to be able to do what I do. And I have you guys to thank for that. (:

Hope you have an amazing Thanksgiving!
-Melissa

Keepin' It Real...

We were in a room maybe the size of my bedroom? Though I would kill to have that ridiculously cool room be in my house at all (Do you see the reclaimed wood ceiling? Sick!! Shoot, the whole place is ridiculously cool) but none the less there were maybe 15 chairs for a super intimate 'non-wedding" as I've heard them describe it. This "non-wedding" really at the end of the day is what every "normal" wedding wants to be if they didn't' get so side-tracked with people's expectations. They made it clear, there's no fuss, no posed photos, just a party with top of the line artisan food & drinks with the people closest to them, to honor the commitment that their hearts made long ago but now has been made official. 

I remember the bride from another wedding I did as she has some epic dance moves! it didn't matter that this "dance floor" was probably the size of my car. A Honda. (: 

She was there to have a blast and it was so fun watching her do so! 

We're comin' up on engagement season here and I think there's lessons to be learned from today's bride and groom: Sarah & Patrick. The more you stay true to what you actually want, who you really are, and what is the best reflection of who you are as a couple. Do that...I think you'll find wedding planning to go a whole lot smoother when you do and no doubt you'll cherish your big day all the more. 

Patrick & Sarah, thank you for sharing yours with me. (: 

Croatia Wedding!

This was my shortest trip to Croatia. 

Got immersed in the language, food, the people, the traditions, and then realized that I'm actually still in Chicago. 

When all the discussions are either in Croatian, or are talking about what it means to be from there, when the ceremony is not only in a Croatian church but is given in the language, when shots of liquor are given up greeting, and traditional platters of homemade pastries brought by guests overflow numerous banquet tables, and when "Sweet Caroline" is replaced with well... I don't know the name of it because it's in Croatian you feel like you've been transported. 

I absolutely loved it! And I absolutely love today's couple Tom & Ana. 

They're laid back, yet willing to try anything. Including literally jumping bushes to stand on the tippy edge of a fountain.  Seemingly quiet but then can open up and share about life. Their eyes would fill with  genuine appreciate for each one of their guests and then be the first ones lining up a traditional dance or the one to grab the mic and bust out some awesome lip-syncing.

I admire the deep respect they have for one another. They didn't just want to merely please or appease the each other which is good don't get me wrong, but they really took to heart what the other's opinion was; they had a profound respect for one another. 

It was one of those days where I left feeling truly honored to be a part of it. 

It really was something special. 

Congratulations Tom & Ana, may your eyes always sparkle they way they did this day when you look at one another. 

Ralph Lauren Bride...

There's the punk-rocker I used to have purple hair in high school bride. There's the I just stepped out of a Disney movie and permanently have Bambi eyes bride. There's the Martha-Stewart I'm gonna be a crafting maniac up to the minute of "I Do" bride. 

So Mallory is my Ralph Lauren bride. The gorgeous girl at a polo match that everyone is just infatuated with. Common now... Are they not a walking advertisement for Ralph Lauren? Yes, I totally make up scenarios in my head but generally there's a bit of truth to it and it helps with the pics. (: 

 I've always been obsessed with photos/ads and growing up I had pages from magazines literally surrounding the entire top border of my room. One of my favorite was this gorgeous black and white ad of a girl with long blonde hair, hand in hand with her groom. The first time I met Mallory that RL Weddings ad is what I thought of. I found her first Ralph. (: 

Actually... No. Joe did! Lucky man!

Our last photo of the day was while they were kissing on a Chicago street while a huge double decker tour bus came right behind them with a massive sign that read: "The Next Big Thing Is Here!" 

They just may be that! They are so easy to photography its unreal. Even if they don't grace the billboards on Michigan Ave. the next big thing for them is here (Well, almost...) Their wedding! 

Cannot wait to shoot my own Ralph Lauren Bride. (: 

Destination? Country.

This kinda was like a destination wedding in the fact that we'd look around and be like "Where are we!?" This place was absolutely gorgeous but not gonna lie we were in the boonies! Which last time I blogged that I was in no-man's land I got a reader's comment claiming they too lived there and it's "not in the country." Sorry "Y'all" but when a gas station is hard to find and the next driveway to make a u-turn is measured not in blocks but barns we're in the country! (: 

And we loved every second of it!

For real, I could live there. No exaggeration or sarcastic eye roll, I really could. The landscape is freak-out worthy (believe you me, Nicee and I almost to an excessive point would look at each other and be like "Are you seein' this!?" and the people especially someone named Jason and a beautiful girl named Kate are so down to earth and genuinely great people you wish you were neighbors. 

There's a serenity to it. Unlike my house right now. It's crack-of dawn early, (for real, check the time at the bottom of this) and every leaf-blower, and lawnmower in the state (okay nooooow I'm exaggerating) is doing our lawns. It is border-line crack of dawn early though for which I shall make myself a giant mug of coffee and go to my "happy place" aka these pictures and all will be right with the world again. 

In all seriousness, we loved being a part of this wedding! 

Jason & Kate... Congratulations!!! 

The Beautiful Anchor of a Legacy...

It's kinda unfair that there were so many beautiful moments, details, & people at this gorgeous wedding at one of my favs Independence Grove in Libertyville. From a dramatic sky rolling over the prairie grasses to a ceremony completely immersed in the gorgeous garden, I was lovin' life. But ya know what was my favorite moment? That Vicki was my bride cuz she's crazy stunning!? Mmmmk. Fair enough. You know what was tied for my favorite moment of this wedding? Outside of the glamour of what was no doubt an absolutely beautiful wedding was in an unassuming hotel room before the hair, before the make-up (thank goodness!), before the day got in full swing this moment was anchor for the day. A time that I'm pretty sure I'll remember for the rest of my career and more importantly one that Vicki will cherish for the rest of her life?

The moment where it was just Vicki, her sister, and her mother, huddled together while the bride opened a little box with one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever seen. A pocket from Vicki's late-father's favorite Harley Davidson shirt holding notes & well-wishes from her sister & mom. After a few tears we pinned it underneath Vicki's dress. People sometimes say these are sobering moments but I think they're perspective shifters. It can be easy to get caught up in the what-nots of a wedding day and not really end up thinking too much of what is soon-to-be a marriage. I think there's no greater way to honor our loved one's than to love un-circumstantially, to be gracious even when it's undeserved, to be so generous with what has been given to us that it overflows to others, and to live a life that is so undeniably passionate that we ourselves are continuing to be a living-legacy of those who have gone before us. Adam & Vicki... May you be this for each other. 

Thank you for letting me be a part of capturing this beautiful chapter in your life! 

Outshine...

People always say "Like a kid on Christmas day" when referring to excitement but Mindi & Michael are Jewish. There's not a secret Hanukkah term that implies being absolutely ecstatic is there? None the less, there may not be two people more head over heals, holy cow lets get the party started ready to get married than today's bride Mindi & her groom Michael. Some brides shed a tear in anticipation Mindi jigged. Is that a word? Spell check didn't correct it so I'm gonna stick with it! And Michael...Lets just say every girl wants to be adored the way Michael adores his beautiful bride. They are an amazing balance of over the top fun, and an undoubtable sense of genuine love & respect for one another. It's nice to see LOVE outshine all the beautiful details that a wedding brings. 

And for love to outshine details like these is somethin'. Cuz Mindi's accessories were fab and the cool factor of the furniture in the Hotel Sax was ridiculous. From beginning to end we were honored to be a part of your special day. 

Keep having fun...

Keep adoring each other...

And both on good days and ones that are difficult remember this day: 

It was a good one!

So happy for you guys!