St. Alphonsus Chicago Wedding

From flirty Facebook messages in high school, to marriage vows in front of friends and family! Megan and Andrew celebrated their St. Alphonsus Chicago wedding in early November.

Megan & Andrew’s Story

These two are prom dates-turned-college sweethearts-turned-successful power couple in downtown Chicago. Megan and Andrew became friends in high school, and grew in love throughout college. They spent a few years in a long-distance relationship (including Megan’s 6 months studying abroad in Spain!), then started life together in Chicago in 2017. Andrew proposed to Megan at the ZooLights display at Lincoln Park Zoo in December. After celebrating with loved ones over the holidays, they planned their November wedding!

Planning a No First Look, Afternoon Catholic Mass, Early Sunset Wedding

For couples who love bright, natural light photos, there’s an art to planning the wedding day timeline to achieve that style.

Megan and Andrew married on November 10, right after Daylight Savings Time ended. Their Catholic Mass ceremony was scheduled from 1:30-2:30, and sunset was at 4:30. Megan and Andrew also chose not to do a first look (which was so worth it – don’t miss Andrew’s sweet reaction during the ceremony!). Because their wedding involved travel through downtown Chicago, we knew we could be tight on portrait time. Here’s how I helped them plan a timeline for the photos they wanted!

• The bride and groom were dressed and ready 2.5 hours before the ceremony
• We planned time for separate pictures of Megan with her bridesmaids, and Andrew with his groomsmen BEFORE the ceremony
• Megan and Andrew chose to do a quick bubble exit after their ceremony, instead of a lengthy receiving line
• Immediate family photos were taken at the altar – the rest were taken during cocktail hour at their venue

Each of these choices was crucial to giving us enough time for natural light photos with the full wedding party AND Megan and Andrew before sunset.

The Wedding Day

Megan and Andrew got ready for their day at the Holiday Inn Merchandise Mart in River North. After a relaxed morning surrounded by bridesmaids, groomsmen, and family, we headed to St. Alphonsus in Lakeview for their ceremony. Emotions ran high throughout their heartfelt ceremony, that included their priest from their childhood church.

After a lively bubble exit and a few quick portraits in front of the iconic blue door at St. Alphonsus, we headed downtown to the Wrigley Building for more photos. Chicago looked beautiful, newly adorned with twinkle lights and red Christmas bows!

After tear-jerking toasts from parents and friends, Megan and Andrew danced the night away in the ballroom of the Holiday Inn Merchandise Mart!

P.S. Interested in seeing another St. Alphonsus Chicago wedding? Click here.