WPD Wedding Photo of the Month - August

One of our favorite pictures has been selected as Wedding Photo of the Month - August 2009 - on the Wedding Photography Directory. So cool.

Congratulations Cheryl and Dan

Cheryl and Dan are a fun couple that loves to rock! The groom serenaded his bride and guests rocking out with his bandmates, and Dan even dressed up like Slash from Guns n Roses when the couple were first announced at the reception! The entire evening took place at the wonderful Carleton Hotel in Oak Park. This is one of our long-time favorite venues for smaller weddings that is great for guests want to mingle and talk with nice sitting rooms and elegant bar down the hall from the main dining room. There is also the pub outside on the corner, where we had some fun shots with the bride and groom, and where many couples like to have a little "after party" with close friends.

ALL IMAGES © GIORGIO VENTOLA INC. / WEDDING CREATIVO

Congratulations Josh and Melissa

Faith and music is what united Elgin bride and groom Josh and Melissa. Their ceremony incorporated loving traditions of their religion, including a presentation of a family heirloom necklace and washing each others' feet. Josh and Melissa are also gifted vocalists and musicians devoted to performing music of their faith, and they performed special songs during their ceremony.

All images © Giorgio Ventola Inc. / Wedding Creativo

Congratulations Meagan and Ignacio

Meagan and Ignacio met years ago in salsa dance class, which they continue to share as a major passion together. Seriously, they would sooooo beat everyone on those ballroom dance shows! After years of friendship and then dating they finally tied the knot on July 4th. The day was a little rainy and humid, but that didn't seem to bother anyone too much and we ended up having a lot of fun taking pictures of the wedding party "crashing" Taste of Chicago in between the ceremony inside the field house at Promontory Point and reception at the bride's parents lovely home.

© Giorgio Ventola Inc. / Wedding Creativo

Congratulations Edie and Scott

Edie and Scott had an intimate ceremony under an incredibly beautiful Chuppah made with tree branches. No wonder, since the evening took place at A New Leaf with their fabulous botanicals throughout the space.

ALL IMAGES © GIORGIO VENTOLA INC. / WEDDING CREATIVO

Congratulations Sam and Eileen

Sam and Eileen got married in St. Louis near their family at the Meadowbrook Country Club. It was scorching hot, but the bride and everyone stayed cool with the ceremony and reception inside. We love Eileen's delicate lace-detailed dress.

ALL IMAGES © GIORGIO VENTOLA INC. / WEDDING CREATIVO

Congratulations M and S

A beautiful Phoenix wedding with one of our couples requesting privacy. Here is one of our favorite detail shots during the creative portraiture part of their day.

ALL IMAGES © GIORGIO VENTOLA INC. / WEDDING CREATIVO

Congratulations Daniella and Marin

Daniella and Marin come from families with strong Croatian roots. They got married at St. Jerome Croatian Catholic Church in Chicago's Armour Square neighborhood and there was dancing all night long at the reception at Pazzo's. Seriously, this family knows how to party. I think we lost 10 pounds of sweat covering this celebration. I still don't know how Giorgio convinced Daniella to put her gown on outside in their backyard garden, but those are some great moments.

ALL IMAGES © GIORGIO VENTOLA INC. / WEDDING CREATIVO

Congratulations Kerrie and Bill

Two golfers with a classic 1940s-1950s fashion theme made for the wonderfully unique wedding of Kerrie and Bill. Their ceremony was at St. Alphonsus in Lemont and reception nearby at Cog Hill Country Club, a legendary venue established in 1927. The event planner Laura from The Ideal Day was great. This was also our first bride sporting this season's hot look - the birdcage hat - love it!

ALL IMAGES © GIORGIO VENTOLA INC. / WEDDING CREATIVO



















Cake Girls did the awesome golf bag wedding cake


Scarlet Petal handled the florals














Inspired Finds:

Personalized Metallic Golf Balls      Peacock Beaded Clutch        Peacock Feather Headband

       

Peacock Feather Hair Clip              Peacock Cufflinks                        Peacock Clutch

   

1970s Inspiration

We recently did an engagement session with a couple who are fans of vintage 1970s styles. The first thing that came to mind for me was the Ralph Lauren type style in the classic film Love Story with Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal. Ali was certainly an icon of classic American style at this time, and O'Neal wasn't too shabby either.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9blFYZArEwA]





Check out the blog Couture Allure for more vintage Ali

Congratulations Alicia and Eric

Alicia and Eric could not ask for a more beautiful day for their wedding. We did a lot of outdoor location shots with just the two of them before the wedding. Their details reflected a mix of classic and modern elements with venues including Palmer House and Flatfile Gallery.

ALL IMAGES © GIORGIO VENTOLA INC. / WEDDING CREATIVO

Adventures in Feminist Wedding Planning

Jessica Valenti, founder of Feministing.com, posted her issues about being a feminist getting "hitched" on her site back in March 2009, and it has inspired a big response from readers, other bloggers, and the media. It is an interesting read, regardless of anyone's personal convictions. I'm betting the comments will keep rolling in well beyond Jessica's wedding date.

I would be honored

Redefining Wedding Photography

We describe our wedding photography work as "editorial" and have laid claim on redefining the term on the Big Word Project.

Happy Mother's Day 2009

Congratulations to all of our growing families! Thanks to all that have had us continue to creatively document your circle of life.

Gabrielle and Chad, and introducing baby Chloe.



Kristy and Art, and introducing baby Lilliana.





Michelle and Jeremy, and introducing baby Andy.

Wedding Creativo May 2009 Video

Our first promotional video. Yay!

http://vimeo.com/4653978

Wedding Creativo Photography May 2009 from Sarah Toulouse on Vimeo.

Congratulations C and T

Our couple for this wedding are "kind of a big deal" as the kids say today, so out of respect for their privacy we just have a few cute details of their beautiful wedding at Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

ALL IMAGES © GIORGIO VENTOLA INC. / WEDDING CREATIVO

Congratulations Beth and Sam

Elizabeth and Sam had a spring wedding in Naperville, and for the most part, dodged the spring showers. Though, Giorgio did give his Italian blessing befitting such days, "sposa bagnata, sposa fortunata," which means: wet bride, lucky bride. The ceremony was at St. Raphael Catholic Church, which has fantastic natural light and is amazingly well designed for a modern church (meaning, it does not look like it was designed by Mike Brady circa 1970s like a lot of "modern" churches....sorry, but don't a lot of them look like they were based on the Brady bunch house? Or is that just me?) Anyway, St. Raphael doesn't fall into that stereotype, it is lovely. Their reception was at the fantastic Danada House, which was built in 1939, and includes a horse stable and wide open spaces where the horses roam. It was the home farm of the 1965 Kentucky Derby winner "Lucky Debonaire." I would say Beth and Sam have certainly started their marriage off with lots lo luck!

ALL IMAGES © GIORGIO VENTOLA FILM INC. / WEDDING CREATIVO

Congratulations Luchana and Egidio

Combining their Italian and Italian/Puerto Rican heritage and romantic cultures, Luchana and Egidio's wedding was filled with grandeur  and lots of emotion.   I even cried when Luchana's papa showed an old home movie of him dancing with Luchana as a baby while they danced their Father-Daughter dance.  So sweet!  The bride and groom each got ready separately at their parents' homes, then had the ceremony at St. Alphonsus in Chicago, and the reception at European Crystal in Arlington Heights.

ALL IMAGES © GIORGIO VENTOLA FILM INC. / WEDDING CREATIVO

I don't vant to smile - that's okay

Greta Garbo always looked spectacular, especially when she wasn't smiling.  She's a great one to study if you're trying a more serious, dramatic and sensual look.

from goldensilents.com

Congratulations Christina and Rasmus

Christina and Rasums had a romantically intimate wedding at Vivo restaurant. They had preparations at the Drake Hotel. More pictures from this wedding are included in the "Featured" gallery on our website.

ALL IMAGES © GIORGIO VENTOLA FILM INC. / WEDDING CREATIVO