It was chilly but sunny and the last roses of the year still bloomed pink and hopeful on long slender stems outside the Wisconsin Club. The sky blue sky framed the Club tower perfectly; behind it a wedding play on multiple levels was unfolding. Tony moved between the lowest level and the ground floor, relaxing with his brothers, putting the finishing touches on a love letter of a card addressed to his bride, and breathing in all the excitement of a day long imagined now made real. On the upper floor Amy’s dress hung naturally from a chandelier as if the bridal room were a dress shop showroom. Surrounded by sisters and women long held close, Amy looked lovely without makeup, or lace, or tulle and final touches. But once dressed and veiled, simply standing in her Vera Wang flats she positively glowed. And the glow was an infectious, all-encompassing sort of glow that danced its way from Amy to all the women in the room. Amy & Tony wanted a traditional first look – coming down the aisle, that is – and by that time the glow had wrapped itself around everyone now standing in Gesu’s huge nave. Giddy with love and happiness Amy & Tony became Wife & Husband.
Amy's look-alike sisters serve communion wine
By the day of Amy & Tony’s November wedding I felt like a member of the wedding party, or a close cousin at the very least. We had explored the streets of Chicago for their engagement session together. I had photographed her lovely sister’s wedding a few months earlier. And I was already slated to spend a day with another sister’s newborn. So the big day unfolded easily and comfortably and we simply played – in the street, at a park, at the Club. No matter the location Amy & Tony and their wedding party made me remember why I’m a wedding photographer: I can think of no better way to spend a Saturday than with people in love.
Amy & Tony requested my associate photographer Ellen also shoot the wedding with me and we had a blast tag team shooting the day. The last image was made with Ellen holding a video light to illuminate Amy & Tony. I love the spotlight quality of the light and how the tower commands the frame from behind them.
Amy & Tony were awash in good wishes and happy thoughts during their day, but I’ll add my own to the heaping pile of love: Thank you for allowing me to document your day and participate so fully in capturing the start of your life together. May you keep the glow of your wedding day with you forever; I have a feeling that won’t be hard for you to do.
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