A Café Brauer Wedding! Chicago, IL//October 2019

I actually met Jenna and Danny well before their engagement in the summer of 2017. Danny’s sister-in-law contacted me to come shoot a family vacation of sorts in New Buffalo, where the family had rented a house for some R&R. When I got there, what I found was an incredibly close family that consisted of four brothers and their wives, girlfriends (at the time), and only grandson (at the time). Everyone was lounging by the pool, playing bags, there was music, spirits, and lots of laughter. Their family is the type of family you don’t actually believe exists until you see it, and then you wish you were a part of it. When my phone rang almost a year later and it was newly engaged Danny and Jenna, I was thrilled to spend some more time with one of my favorite families!

Danny and Jenna tied the knot at Café Brauer in Lincoln Park. Café Brauer has all of the Chicago glamour with cocktail hour overlooking a breathtaking view of the lit up skyline, but also the beauty and tranquility of Lincoln Park Zoo’s natural landscaping being right by the Lincoln Park Nature Boardwalk. The inside of Café Brauer lends itself to the aesthetic of a modern bride; lots of greenery, lots of soft lighting. It is an incredibly romantic space.

The two got ready in their apartment building on separate floors.

We debated back and forth about using the roof for the first look, it was incredibly windy. But the ever-so-laid-back-bride Jenna wanted to roll with it, and I am thrilled she did. As a wedding photographer, I am all about documenting your day exactly as it unfolds with all the snafus and mishaps, because those are part of the story and part of what makes the day so memorable. And you could not beat the view up top.