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! 

Engagement Cake

I love making cakes. There is something so special about the reaction people have when they see a cake I've made that makes me want to make a cake for every occasion! I've been too busy with work and school to actually do so, but now that I am working a little bit less, I hope to decorate a lot more. This one I love so much. I was so excited how great it looked and how well it held up (it was my first 2 tiered cake). I know why three tiers for an engagement cake? Go big or go home right? ;)

Wedding Photos at Kitchen Chicago

I am still waiting for my photos from the wedding, but I do have a few photos shot just outside and inside (by the staircase) of Kitchen Chicago! They came out great! Kitchen Chicago is a fantastic venue, and the outside made it very rustic/urban meets chic.

Plus take a peek at my new blog and wedding photography website: www.melissaisaiphotography.com

My Etsy shop

Come visit my new etsy shop!!!! 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Spilltheink?ref=si_shop

It's just a few Save the Dates, but I hope to expand very soon! 

6 months & Goals

I haven't written in this blog in so long. I always wanted to be that blogger that everybody loves to read, but instead I'm always on blogger just to read other great blogs. There is something so nice to get away by seeing great recipes or outfit posts. Anyway, for me, I'll try to be a better blogger.

My online portfolio is finally up. It still needs work and it needs to be updated.... But, here it is. You can visit it at meltang.com.

Joe and I just had our 6 month anniversary of being married! I can't believe how the time has gone by. I love waking up and falling asleep next to him. There is something just so relaxing about spending time at home with him.

The only bad thing? Well, being a "housewife" means cooking and cleaning and it is hard! It's hard when you've never had any responsibility at home before. I'm far from being the perfect wife, but it will get easier with time right? I know I sound like a giant baby, but I'm just being honest. It's annoying to clean. haha. I don't know how two people can accumulate so many dishes! Joe is a giant help though, and does more then I could ever ask for. He's great, so I try to make up for it by cooking every once in a while. I'm tired of eating out, but it's so much easier and it's almost addicting. My goal is try to get better, eat healthier, cook more, and work out!

A bigger goal? With graduation looming around the corner, I am hoping to open up my own Etsy shop.
I already have a name and logo, I just need to work on the content a little bit more. Something, maybe fear of being a failure or just laziness, always seems to hold me back on working on it harder. Joe has been by me motivating me, but I need to push myself a little bit more as well.

To end a much lighter note....

my cute nephew

a preview from the first part of my wedding day!

Engagement Photos & Location ideas

We booked AEphotography to shoot our wedding photography. With our package came an engagement session. I was so incredibly nervous. I am not a model! Eric (the E in AEphotography) shot our session. He told Joe to tell me things in my ear and make me laugh..and boy did Joe make me laugh. That was the key to a successful shoot.  The smiles below are real. They laughing is real. The love? Also real. haha We had such a fantastic time! I mean it had to be a great day, we did it on my birthday (April 20th)!

There were so many photos! Here are just a couple of my favorites....

Location 1: Wicker Park - We found a hidden gem behind an abandoned paper company. This was in the ally. We loved the rugged Chicago look and thought it fit in well with our urban wedding theme. The photos below were taken within a few blocks from each other! 

Location 2: Lightology! This was a last minute decision. Ok, they all were. They morning of the engagement shoot we drove all around the city looking for the best spots. I somehow bumped into this one online the day before, though. With the photographer, we decided to go here! We made it just in time. They were about to close, but let us go the their roof for a few minutes. How beautiful and diverse is this roof! It had a great view and it is so wonderful that Lightoloy lets you go up to take photos! They also have really fantastic light fixtures and lamps btw.

Location 3: Montrose Beach! This is a beach that Joe and I have great memories with! It was either this spot or the John Hancock. We were worried about traffic and that it would be overcrowded since it was Friday night. I am so glad we went here! Can I just mention that it was FREEZING! The wind was crazy and the sand was whipping at my legs. We got some amazing shots though. 

lake+wind+waves=this misty raining look. 

Our hazy city in the background. How perfect. 

Ahh, twilight. The best hour to be out taking pictures! 

I'd say that this was a successful day. A special thanks to Cristi for doing my make-up! :)

outfit post - Bridal edition

Below are details from my bridal outfit. Click on the descriptions for links to that product or website, if the exact product is no longer available. I tried my best to do everything on a budget, even though my dress was a huge splurge! 

Dress: White by Vera Wang at David's Bridal

(dress was altered)

(Veil is from the same collection...similar here)

Organza Fit and Flare Gown with Bias Flange Skirt Style VW351011

Sash: David's Bridal

shoes: Enzo Angiolini Slingbacks! Currently on sale!!!! (photo from Polyvore)

Every bride needs a pair of flats! 

N by Nicole Miller at JCP

Since I twisted my ankle a few weeks before, I wore these most of the time. 

Bracelets: Forever 21 - I purchased two and stacked them

for added bling! It looks better in person! (photo from website)

Earrings: Charming Charlie

Hair Piece: Icing (pictured in black on the website)

The one thing that took me a lot longer to find was the perfect necklace. 

I originally fell in love with Vera Wang's Big Crystal Necklace. It is no longer available, and it was not in my budget. This was the only other necklace that stole my attention from all others. The price wasn't right again. I was so annoyed. I spend months looking for a necklace. Then, this one popped up on ebay! My dad and and I waited until the last second and bid on this beautiful statement necklace by Kate Spade! 

Who doesn't love Ebay (a recent auction)

(corset is also from David's Bridal, Panties from Victoria's Secret)

A bonus picture with my husband!!!! 

Suit: rented from Formally Modern Tuxedo

Tie: Marshalls

Shoes and shirt : gift

Review = The Smitten Bride

Throughout the planning process, I kept my eye out for any great wedding deals. It's how I got my wedit cameras for less then half the price, my photo booth for $420ish. Subscribing to Groupon and The Wedding Channel deals, for example can be a huge help!

It was through wedding channel that I found The Smitten Bride. I contacted them to ask them a few questions. My biggest concern was the day of the wedding. I went through so many different vendors.  I was worried there would be nobody to guide them, and to make sure they did their task and the room change. I didn't want to ask family to do a room change. It would be too much stress on my mom and I to think about what was going where and if it would be done correctly.

I had talked to at least one other wedding coordinator in person at a bridal expo. I told her about my concerns and her response was that the caterers should take care of that. It wasn't her job. Then she suggested (because I had a two hour gap) to hire a trolly to take people around the city. I didn't like her personality or her attitude. She also didn't answer my questions the way I wanted. It felt like she only worked with high end brides.

I could not believe the difference when I talked to the smitten bride. They work with all kinds of brides (including ones on a budget) and immediately said they would help me with whatever I needed the day of! Even moving the rentals themselves to help me with the room change. I was so excited. After meeting up with them, I found that they were the sweetest ladies I've met in the wedding industry. They were so kind. I ended up working mainly with Katie who was just fabulous. I was always a nervous wreck when I  met with them, but left feeling so much better knowing that they would be there to assist.

What did they actually do?

• They, without even knowing it, calmed my mom and I down. When we booked them, my mom said she literally slept better that night. 
• They met with me three times total before the big day. The second was to talk about details. She, after looking at my confused face I'm sure, even said if I needed to we could talk some more later at another meeting 
• Katie responded to my e-mails quickly and gave me helpful suggestions when I needed another opinion. 
• I never felt judged even when I gave them my blank stares because I was stressed! Hey that's helpful right!?
• They wrote up the timeline for the day. I know that sounds easy, but I had a cocktail reception. I've never been to a wedding like that so I didn't know the order of things and when it should take place. They wrote that out. I was so relieved when I got that!
• They confirmed everything with all the vendors before the wedding! So incredibly helpful!
• They held on to all the contracts. That was also great. You never know what you might need the day of!

The day of...

• They set everything up for the ceremony.
• Helped line everybody up when it was time! 
• They did the room change! This was worth every penny in itself! Kitchen Chicago has a balcony and they brought stuff up and down the stairs! (I believe my servers that I hired also helped)
• They made sure everything went smoothly with me and the vendors. 
• Katie was there constantly checking on me. When my husband and I were going around greeting each guests, a lot of them handed me their gift. Katie would come out of nowhere to grab it and put it in safe keeping. 
• She got us drinks and food! That was great!
• They were there until the end
• They cleaned everything up and broke everything down. 
• She organized all my wedding stuff like the decorations and gifts so that it was easier for my mom and dad to take with them. 

They were fantastic. If I had to rate them I would give them a hundred stars! They were great. I literally don't know what I would have done without them there that day. I had so many different vendors. My photographer, DJ, caterer, table rentals, photo booth, servers, and bartenders where all from different companies! So you can imagine how happy I was that they were there to run everything. I would strongly recommend them to any Chicago bride! I only had them for the day of coordination and they were great!

A wedding planning, photo taking, cake planning post!

When it comes to the whole planning a wedding thing, I'm a bit behind. I feel like I'm at a standstill. Part of the reason is school and procrastination. Part if it may be my sadness over this whole who's gonna marry us thing. Last post, I briefly mentioned going to the paster and asking him if he could marry us. He said yes. When we went to church on Sunday he told us he didn't realize that they were going to leave on vacation that day. I was devastated. It hurt... a lot. I took it for granted, so when I found out, I was crushed. It was something that I didn't think I would have to worry about. Is it good luck when so many things go wrong during the wedding process?

Ahh pigeons.
Yeah, pigeons. I'm in an animal based photo class right now. I couldn't think of anything extraordinary to do other then street photography for my semester long project. That was sort of a bust. I started to follow pigeons and something interesting is coming out of it. I feel so stupid that I am the pigeon lady. The crazy person you always pass by that is interacting with them. I take photos and Joe feeds them. It's kind of silly, but kind of fun too. It's interesting to start to care about an animal when I haven't really been close to any before. I mean the closest was a bird that died soon after we even got him when I was like 6. I don't really count him or our fish. Pigeons are also something that Chicago natives ignore and think of as rats with wings. I am going to attempt to explore them. Giving them a comical human humor. I also am going to try and create some aesthetically pleasing picture that involve their feathery little bodies. I'll give you a sneak peak soon.

This weekend I am going to create a cake for my grandparent's 50th anniversary. Can you believe it?! 50 years. That's fantastic. This photo below is my inspiration for the cake. It will be two layers, made up of carnations instead of roses with a giant 50 on top. I don't normally like cake toppers, but this one will do. A traditional sort of cake. I'm excited to do something for them. I don't like the gold little balls, so I am thinking a traditional buttercream border. I can't decide if it should be gold or white...maybe white. It's a little more traditional.

This is my sketch. haha.

Other then that no other updates. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow.... I hate doctors, they terrify me.

Wedding shoes and stress free news! haha

I haven't really progressed too much in the wedding planning. I am still searching for the catering. I think I have pretty much found the rental company, but catering is something I still feel really lost on. I can't go over budget on this. I am stressing out about it. Stressing like crazy. It will work out in the end...

I have purchased the shoes though! I am so excited! They came in the mail today, and I love them! I am concerned that I will be taller then Joe. I am almost sure I will be at least as tall with those 5 inch heals. We'll see. I really love them, and it would stink to have to return them. I plan on trying them on with Joe blindfolded next to me. Hahaha.

I am about to book.....(drum roll please).....
A wedding planner! More specifically, a day of coordinator. If somebody would have told me a year ago that I would hire one, I probably would have laughed in their face. As this planning comes closer to the big day, I have come to the realization that I will have to go through so many vendors. I am so worried that I, or somebody close to me will have to run around like crazy on that day. I am also worried about the room change. I don't want any family member to have to lift a finger. The rental companies that I have corresponded with have told me that they either don't do a room change, or I found out that the price was insane and it wouldn't even include putting up the decorations! That is when I saw a wedding deal online with The Smitten Bride. I quickly e-mailed them for more information. I met up with them, and my mom, Joe, and I fell in love with them. I  met up with two ladies from the team and loved their personalities. I was worried, because I recently attended a bridal expo and when asked about a room change, (in her loud and slightly obnoxious voice) she stated that the catering company would do it. I was scared they would give me the same attitude. When we asked The Smitten Bride, there response made me feel so great. They will have their team physically do the room change! They will make sure everything is put together exactly how I want it. I instantly felt relieved. We left so excited and my mom felt a lot calmer. That was super important to me. We are about to sign the contract within the next day or so. Now they do offer a lot more then just the room change, but that was my main concern. They will assist with other things such as creating a timeline (which has stressed me out since we are having a cocktail only reception), they will be in charge of the rehearsal, they will be there all day on my wedding, they will set up and break down, make sure to oversee the other vendors, they will look over all the contracts and make sure everything is perfect, and many other things. The best part? A stress free day. 


I am a little stressed, but also really excited.

Statement Necklaces!

I've been trying to find the perfect statement necklace for my dress. It's not just any dress, it's the dress. So the necklace has to be perfect! Those who know me, know my obsession for jewelry that has been around since I was 13. I feel like this necklace has to be fantastic, but more importantly, unique. Here are some necklaces that I love, but just aren't quite the one. I haven't given up though! The truth is, the necklace I fell in love with is by Vera Wang and is no longer available. It's probably better for my pocket this way. haha!

Necklace from Ebay!  

This is so pretty and super affordable!

This is a necklace you can rent, and then buy if you love it! 

How awesome is that! It isn't that affordable, but is by the designer Kenneth Jay Lane. 

www.bagborroworsteal.com

I kind of liked this one. I'm not so sure anymore. 

http://dramatic-jewels.com/products/crystal-bridal-necklace-on-multi-strand-collar

This one is no longer available. 

It isn't exactly what I would want for a wedding.

It is a fantastic necklace though. I want it! 

Versace Necklace

This one isn't available anymore, 

but you can look on amazon for some great prices on jewelry.

Amazon!

This is a dream necklace. Tom Binns is a fantastic designer. 

For those who really want a statement and some color, this one is a dream!

Tom Binns

I'm so sorry for the screenshots. It wouldn't let me copy the images.

These two necklaces are fantastic. I've never purchased anything from this

website but their jewelry is simply amazing. I love the second piece for incorporating 

black into their Designer inspired statement necklace. It is stunning. I'm considering this one for a rehearsal dinner or something. The prices are super affordable. 

www.happilyeverafterjewelry.net/#!designer-celebrity-inspired/productsstackergallery3=20

Those are all the necklaces that I love. The one's that I love the most, I can't share just in case Joe stumbles on this blog! 

What statement necklaces are you in love with? 

melissaisaiphotography.com