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Wedding Portraits on Chicago Rooftops

Wedding Pictures, Weddings, Wedding Photography, Wedding PortraitsWedding Creativo Photography

One of Creativo's signature portraits that we love to produce for many of our couples is from the vantage point of amazing rooftops, terraces and decks. 

© Wedding Creativo Photography

© Wedding Creativo Photography

© Wedding Creativo Photography

© Wedding Creativo Photography

How are we able to accomplish this for many of our clients, for over two decades? We'll that is part of the work we do as professional photographers.

To any up-and-coming photographers that might stumble upon this post, our free advice...our work never involves us just showing up at a private business or venue without permission.  We never just go and "ask forgiveness later."  That isn't hard to do, and that might work often enough in the short run.

However, "asking forgiveness later" also puts your professional credibility at risk in potentially disappointing your clients. And also, if you plan to be in the game for more than a few years, that is the single best way to burn bridges with other professionals that you will need to rely upon if you plan to go back to your favorite locations more than a few times over the course of your career.

Chicago Spring Wedding Portraits

Wedding Pictures, Wedding Planning, WeddingsWedding Creativo Photography

Are you planning a spring wedding in the Chicago area? If so, you can enjoy portrait backdrops of spring flowering trees including several varieties Crabapple, Cherry Blossom, Lilac, Magnolia, and several others in our region.  Planning a date around peak tree blooming is tricky, since nature doesn't follow our human calendar, but generally the first couple weekends in May are a pretty safe bet.

© Wedding Creativo Photography

2016 Chicago Festivals & Events : Spring & Summer

Wedding PlanningWedding Creativo Photography

Many of our couples and their guests at Creativo Loft and Wedding Creativo Photography ask us for ideas about fun things to do in Chicago.  So, we've made this handy guide for 2016 Chicago Festivals and Events. This guide is for spring and early summer.  Look for a new guide in a few months as we get into late summer and fall.  Have fun exploring Chicago and all of our wonderful city neighborhoods!

Perks of a Winter Chicago Wedding

Inspiration, Wedding Pictures, Wedding PlanningWedding Creativo Photography

Yes, many people dread the Polar Vortex monster that sweeps through northern and Midwest states during winter, but if you are planning a December, January, or February wedding, there are some perks to embrace as well.

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Seven Chicago Winter Wedding Perks:

1. Early sunset and twilight between 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. means you can get beautiful twilight portraits, like the one shown above, well before your cocktail hour typically starts at 5:00 or 6:00 p.m.

2. Fancy coats, furs, shawls and other warming accessories can be warn during winter for not only practical reasons, but to also add variety to your winter wedding look.

3. Seasonal reduced rates are sometimes available at some venues and with some vendors and services that are not offered during warmer months.

4. Venues and vendors often have more available dates or have last-minute availability during this time of year compared to higher demand warmer months.

5. Cranberries, pinecones, poinsettia, holly, hot toddy, mulled wine, and other winter seasonal favorites make special appearances this time of year.

6. If you like snowy landscapes, there is plenty of it for your winter wedding portraits.

7. Close snuggles with your sweetheart to keep warm.

Small Wedding at Creativo Loft Chicago : Lori + Michael

Wedding Pictures, WeddingsWedding Creativo Photography

Lori and Michael celebrated their May spring wedding at Creativo Loft in Chicago with about 70 of their family and friends.  It was a vintage style affair with teal and coral colors, and the bride's fantastic lace overlay dress from Weddings 826. Their ceremony was held downstairs from Creativo Loft at our neighbor's theater space, Chicago Dramatists.  

Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktails and a delicious dinner by J and L Catering and cupcakes by True B Bakery.  DJ Nikki Cam Cam kept the dance floor filled, while guests were surrounded by rustic flowers from Natural Beauties Floral, and an overall fun and vibrant event designed by Soiree Events.

Small Winter Wedding at Creativo Loft

Wedding Pictures, WeddingsWedding Creativo Photography

Brooke and Craig traveled from Michigan to celebrate their December wedding in Chicago.  Their morning brunch wedding at Creativo Loft was the kick-off for their New Year's Eve wedding day.  Bride Brooke chose blush, silver and gold tones for their powder-snow winter day.  The groom's family lives in Scotland, so a small gathering of the bride's side welcomed him to his new family in America.

Despite the chilly temperatures, Wedding Creativo photographer Giorgio and the couple went around to a few downtown Chicago landmarks for some beautifully snowy wedding portraits.  We coordinated an all-inclusive brunch wedding for the intimate group at our studio's own venue, Creativo Loft, including a delicious red velvet cake from Tipsycakes and adorable floral work from Steve's Flower Market.  Congratulations to the happy newlyweds!

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Chicago Autumn Wedding at Ivy Room

Wedding Pictures, WeddingsWedding Creativo Photography

We had the pleasure of having an extended amount of time for intimate portraits with Nadia and Bill.  Their chilly and rainy September wedding day began at the Hotel Sax, with lots of unusual and diverse areas for indoor portraits.  Our brave troopers then faced the windy and chilly elements outdoors at a few Chicago landmark locations, before heading to the Ivy Room for their ceremony and reception.

There was a slight rain delay, but thankfully, the clouds eventually parted so the ceremony could carry on as planned in the outside courtyard.  Afterwards, their intimate lounge-style reception featured a gourmet Mediterranean spread.   Colors of purple, orange and brown were a perfect pallet for their cozy autumn evening soiree.  Of course, a favorite moment for everyone was their fun rendition of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" choreographed dance...complete with the trademark silver glove.

Also, for a fun interactive activity for their guests at their reception, Nadia and Bill included our fun Polaroid cameras and guest book.

© Wedding Creativo Photography

Event professionals:  Wedding Creativo Photography, J&L Catering, Flora, I Do Films, The Left Bank Jewelry, Wedding Bells Bridal, Art + Science Salon, Home James Chicago Limo

Authentic Victorian Era Style Wedding

Wedding Details, Wedding Fashion, Wedding Ideas, Wedding Pictures, Wedding Planning, WeddingsWedding Creativo Photography

Terah and Ross celebrated their emerald green and gold wedding at Unity Lutheran Church and the Fortnightly Club in Chicago.  The bride is a historian and created an authentic Victorian era theme wedding....down to making her own dress!  It was modeled off of a 19th century Civil War era design. The groomsmen's suits were also period inspired with old fashioned ascotts instead of modern ties.  The bride's mother Linda also helped a great deal by elaborately designing the reception table centerpieces. Each table had a different traditional scholastic subject theme and was decorated using a varieity of antiques and vintage pieces such as inkwells, maps, globes, books, and old photographs. Overall, the style of the wedding reflected both Terah and Ross's professional careers in academia.  Terah and Linda also made the invitations and programs, and many other details. All in all it was truly an exceptional D.I.Y. wedding, We will always look back on this as all-time favorite for us, not only for the amazing details, but primarily because Terah and Ross were such wonderful and kind couple, an absolute pleasure to get to know, and we were so honored to be included on their memorable day.

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October Wedding at Metropolis Ballroom

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Deep orange and purple colors, vintage style, and candle-lit mason jars created a lovely setting at the Metropolis Ballroom in Arlington Heights, Illinois for Bailey and Dan's October wedding. The couple were inspired by autumn farmers markets for the overall feel for their wedding.

There were several unique and personal touches by the bride and groom, as well as their family members, for their Jewish wedding details.  Some highlights included adorable personalized seed packets that doubled as escort cards and guest favors, which were strung up with mini clothespins. The laundry line theme was also carried over in the cocktail room were a wall was strung with their childhood photos. Lots of mason jars that the couple collected were used as candle holders for the ceremony aisle and reception tables. The beautiful ceremony chuppah was constructed by the groom's father, and draped with the bride's family heirloom embroidered top.  Small pumpkins and fall foliage were also nice touches used throughout the reception decor.

The bride's spectacular vintage style dress and veil were custom creations by local designer Dame Couture.  She also wore lovely accessories including a hairpin was from Blue Bow Millinery, great-grandmother's earrings, maternal grandmother's accent ring, and Mariana shoes by GOLC.  The groom wore a gray Kenneth Cole suit, and bridesmaids dresses were majestic purple Alfred Sung gowns from Dessy Group.  For their wedding rings Bailey and Dan chose conflict free diamonds and recycled platinum from Brilliant Earth.  The bride's handkerchief and groom's fedora hat were also fantastic accents to express their style.

Event professionals: Rabbi Max Weiss, Beauty on Call, Sprout florist

Wedding Creativo Photography


Magic Wedding Moment : Nervous Ring Bearer

Inspiration, Wedding Details, Wedding Ideas, Wedding Pictures, Wedding PlanningWedding Creativo Photography

The little ones that carry rings and flower baskets at weddings are usually pretty aware big importance of the wedding day, and kids always create spontaneous and unique magic moments.  To help them feel more comfortable and confident, it is nice to have a parent come a little early with them to the ceremony so they can "practice" their job before walking down the aisle in front of all those people!  Sometimes this does not work at all when kids are extremely terrified, but frequently kids fare better with just getting an opportunity to feel more familiar in uncharted territory.  Even a brief run up and down the aisle can be a big help to settle their nervousness. This little guy took his job as ring bearer pretty seriously and is shown here eagerly awaiting his cue to present the all important wedding rings. So adorable!

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Creative Wedding Portrait : Wedding Party Jump

Inspiration, Wedding Details, Wedding Fashion, Wedding Ideas, Wedding PicturesWedding Creativo Photography

The wedding party "jump" is a classic fun portrait to do, especially with a larger wedding party lined up and jumping in perfect timing.  We worked with the monochromatic details to give this portrait a bit more creative flair for this wedding party jump portrait. It worked out nicely with the orange barn, golden sunest sky, and burnt orange bridesmaid dresses at Jenny and Patrick's wedding in Glen Ellyn over the weekend.

Wedding Creativo Photography

September Wedding at University Club of Chicago

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Mary and Matt were married on a September afternoon at Assumption Catholic Church, with reception at The University Club of Chicago.  Giorgio and I enjoyed celebrating with this fun couple and their friendly families. They all have a wonderful sense of humor and love to sing and dance.  Mary and Matt really threw a great party at their wedding!

The peachy colors with red accents were a nice color pallet for an early September wedding transitioning from summer to autumn. The bride's Vera Wang gown and Stewart Weitzman shoes gave the wedding style a classic foundation.  However, some modern-vintage pieces added personal touches, especially the heirloom veil, which had been worn for three generations in the bride's family.  Contemporary understated styles from Anthropologie and J.Crew adorned the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

A fantastic team of professionals helped this couple create a warmly welcoming and fun-loving wedding day: ceremony officiant Msgr. Jerry Ward, Windy City Trolley, Simply Flowers, Publicide invitations, Little King wedding rings, and reception catering and cake by the University Club of Chicago.

Photography © Wedding Creativo Photography