CHICAGO | DETROIT

KRISTEN CLOYD

lifestyle

personal

portraits

Weddings

POST CATEGORIES

Why you should consider doing a first look

read the post

The best Florists in
Martha's Vineyard

SEARCH THE SITE

get to know kristen

Kristen is a Chicago wedding photographer known for her calm, organized approach and timeless, light-filled images. She creates a seamless experience while capturing each couple’s story with care and intention.

chicago wedding & portrait photographer

meet Kristen

Fountain Blue Des Plaines Wedding

March 18th, 2018

Real Weddings

This elegant Fountain Blue wedding in Des Plaines was a highlight of the summer wedding season in Chicago! From getting ready at the bride’s parents’ home in the suburbs, to saying vows at the ornate Holy Trinity Polish Catholic Church, to classic wedding portraits at Olive Park, this day was rich with meaning and romance.

Renee & Roland’s Story

Renee and Roland met via dating app and shared drinks downtown on their first date. They hit it off immediately, and Renee’s family quickly came to love Roland too! He planned fun dates and their relationship grew as they lived and worked in downtown Chicago.

One weekend, Roland told Renee they should meet up with friends in Lincoln Park for drinks. As they walked he pointed out a great skyline view that Renee turned to take pictures of. When she turned back around, he was on one knee, asking her to marry him! They celebrated with a fun Chicago stay-cation, complete with a nice dinner, spa day, and surprise engagement party with family.

When choosing a space to get ready for your wedding day, you may find that a familiar location helps you feel more at ease. Renee chose to start her day at the home she grew up in, surrounded by her family and bridesmaids. For her, it was comforting to be in her childhood home – she had plenty of space to relax and enjoy intimate moments with loved ones. If your parents love hosting and live nearby, this is a great option for getting ready!

Renee and Roland’s love story is full of Chicago memories, so it made sense to plan many of their portraits for downtown locations. With an early ceremony and later cocktail hour, we had plenty of time to stop at LaSalle Street, the Art Institute Gardens, and Olive Park for bride and groom portraits, and portraits with their wedding party! The best way to keep this part of the day low-stress is to rent a party bus or trolley – let someone else handle the traffic and enjoy drinks and music with your people between locations.

Renee added a unique surprise to her ensemble – a dress with TWO skirts! She removed the ballgown skirt to reveal the sleek dress beneath halfway through portraits. Roland loved it!

The Wedding at Fountain Blue in Des Plaines

Cocktail hour was held in the Lions Gate Garden at Fountain Blue – a floral-filled, private area that let guests mingle and enjoy live music. Renee and Roland rented custom furniture to give the space a fun, one-of-a-kind feel.

Cocktail hour adjourned to the lavish Versailles Room, where heartfelt speeches brought both laughter and tears. Then, the party started! These two hit the dance floor and celebrated their first night as newlyweds with all their loved ones.