Chicago Wedding Photographer

My cousin was busy planning her 2014 wedding when she asked me to not only design her wedding invitations, but to take her wedding photos. I graciously accepted the honor of designing her invitations….that came easy to me as a graphic designer, but I wasn’t sure about taking pictures for a wedding. I insisted that she hire someone with experience. Although photography classes were my favorite during my time at UIC, I knew that the pictures taken  on your wedding day are the most important photos you’ll ever have. After doing some research on wedding photography she came back and asked me again. She believed in my creativity and talent. I accepted and asked my brother (Isai) to join me. It was a nerve wrecking day, and I’m sure there were times my hands were shaking. I am the type of person that doesn’t know how I feel about something until the project is complete, but that night I felt like I did something great. I received a text message from my cousin when the editing was done. She shared with me how emotional she got, and how happy she was to relive the excitement of her wedding day.  My greatest joy from creating, whether it is in design, cake decorating, or photography, is knowing it brings joy. That’s when I knew I needed to give photography a try as more then just a hobby.

So that's my story. I am now a wedding photographer! It's so much fun to say that! I have at least 5 weddings I will be second shooting this year, and I am talking to a few others for a wedding I'll shoot on my own. This is totally nerve wrecking, but this year has been a true test. It's been hard. I am putting up my fists though and fighting for a better future. Fighting for my dream career. I can't wait to shoot! Check out my work here! 

*The first photo above was taken at the Abbey Resort and Avani Spa in Lake Geneva. That destination wedding was so much fun! The second one was taken in champaign Illinois! I love the vintage wedding theme! 

Search for the perfect venue! Kitchen Chicago

So far Joe and I have visited 3 venues.

I'm just going to talk about one today. That one is Kitchen Chicago.

I stumbled upon another bloggers blog. That Chicago blogger is BudgetBridesChicago.

She had found Kitchen Chicago and I knew that I had to check it out. I made an appointment to view the space with my fiance. Pictures can describe what I saw better then I can with words... so below are several pictures I took with my trusty iphone! 

The space has two floors. This is the view from the balcony/2nd floor.

This is where we were thinking of having a dance floor. 

HAHA that's Joe talking to the owner. 

I really liked the windows. I think some color lighting can set the mood.

First floor. (Those tables are available for use)

I loved the high ceilings!

The stairway can make a great platform for a speaker? Maybe?

Good photo op? I think so!

Taken with my iphone 4 fisheye lens.

Joe is eating the city. This window is in the hallway outside of the space where the bathrooms are.

This door looks way cooler in person. 

Good photo op #2? I think so again!

Me down by the elevators.

Fire escape also makes for a great photo. I am thinking the photographer can stand from the p.o.v that I took the picture from and Joe and I can hang out on the stairs.  

Around the corner. Another photo op. I am thinking grunge (real chicago) meets chic.

Joe and I are hoping we can have access to the roof. haha.

So as you can see there are plenty of great photo opportunities. Joe and I also really like the idea that we can put a lot of input into what goes on in the space. We can decorate it however we want. There are no restrictions on the space, and we can use whatever caterers/vendors we want. This is a really big perk. A lot of lofty type spaces have certain restrictions and you have to pick from their cater list which means food will be pricey. 

Ideas for the space? 

Food = Joe and I 100% if we pick Gino's East.

• Cheese sticks (my fav)
• Hot Wings (Joe's fav)
• Pizza - Stuffed crust of coarse (my fav which is also very Chicago)
• Fettucini Alfredo (Joe's fav)

Decor 

• Black and white
• Table seating - Instead of table numbers there will be pictures taken by myself on each table from different places in Chicago. Please be seated at the blue line please. HAHA! 
• In the hallway (where that cool door/window is) we are thinking about having chairs and pictures on the wall to represent the way he purposed to me! haha

There is also another room not pictured. There is another bathroom in that extra space. There is a blue coach. We are thinking that we could put a photo-booth in that spot. It may be a DIY photo-booth with a digital camera on a tripod, props?, and a backdrop. 

Those are all the ideas I have for now. I am uber excited to see all these ideas and plans to fall into place.

I don't know if this is the place Joe and I will pick, but I do like how it inspired Joe and I to get creative...

the best part? The space is only $2000! Yeah, you heard me correctly. 

'Till the next blog, 

Melissa

melissaisaiphotography.com