Some say there is no greater test for a relationship than planning a wedding long distance, and luckily Joe and Ginny passed the test! They knew they had to keep their priorities straight- being together was the most important thing, and of course lots of laughs and maybe a few glasses of wine thrown in for good measure. All their hard work paid off, the weather was perfect and everyone had a blast. After working with Ginny a few years ago, I heard through the grapevine that Joe had popped the question. I secretly hoped for a phone call or email regarding photography for their wedding, crossing my fingers that she would remember me, and I was super excited when the email came only a couple days later! It was great to be a part of their wedding, documenting the emotional moments as well as the hilarity. Congrats Ginny and Joe, may you continue to geek out and dance to “the final countdown” for many more years to come!
It was such a nice day, the girls decided to get some ice cream.
Sponge bob!
He was sad because one the eyes had fallen off of his sponge bob.
It turns out that Sponge Bob tastes really gross!
The boys decided their flasks were a much better choice over ice cream.
Back to the West loop for some more photos.
They weren’t afraid to crawl under fences for the sake of a photo.
Everyone headed to the Bottom Lounge across the street for a drink.
Segways were the only thing missing from this “Final Countdown” entrance.
Ginny laughs a lot…
Joe’s mom was getting’ down with the groomsmen…
Congrats Ginny and Joe!
Hair and makeup: Image 2 Salon, Urbana, IL. The ladies came up to Chicago to do hair and makeup for the wedding, and the same woman who did my hair for senior prom did it for my wedding…=)
Florist: Jordan’s Food of Distinction
Ceremony location: Loft on Lake
Reception location: Loft on Lake
Event Planner: Um….us? We worked with Pam Spritz at Jordan’s who was very helpful, but Joe and I put the whole thing together ourselves.
Cake: and cupcakes by Sweet Mandy B’s
Caterer: Jordan’s Food of Distinction
Dress: oncewed.com and altered to within an inch of its life
Accessories: hair flowers: nomsa via etsy, earrings: bridesmaid present from when I was in the wedding of one of my bridesmaids
DJ/Band: Luis Jacques @ Elite Beats DJs
First Dance: “I Will” by The Beatles
Father/daughter; Mother/son: “Dream a Little Dream” by Mamma Cass
Q&A with the bride and groom:
What was the most memorable moment of your day?
Joe: Seeing Gin walk down the aisle. It literally took my breath away.
Gin: Saying my vows to my husband. It was like there was no one else in the room.
What was your favorite detail?
There are lots: the lanterns on shepherd’s crooks that framed the ceremony were Joe’s creation; taking pictures in an abandoned lot with cool graffiti; handmade glass ‘love bird’ cake toppers on yummy carrot cake; having Labatt Blue beer — the local favorite of Joe’s hometown of Buffalo, NY; being announced into the reception to ‘Final Countdown’ as a nod to our Arrested Development nerd-dom.
Funniest memory from your wedding day?
The best man speech complete with a safe-word; watching Joe’s uncle almost lose his shirt on the dance floor; the chalkboard photo booth pic that you can’t put on your blog; taking a shot with the bridal party at Bottom Lounge before the ceremony.
Any advice for future brides/grooms?
If you can avoid it, don’t plan a remote wedding! And if you can’t avoid it, like us, make sure to thank the people who helped you plan about a million times over; Make sure you love your photographer and caterer; Do what you want, not what tradition dictates — make the day as authentic to you and your spouse as possible!!!
If you could do it all over, would you change anything?
I wouldn’t get caught up when the hair and makeup crew showed up early and forget that Joe was asleep in the other room! Poor guy didn’t have his clothes, and had to call my cell phone to get me to bring some in so he could go hang out with the boys pre-wedding.
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We had a “homeymoon” — stayed home and played hookey from work for a week. We’re saving up for a big trip for next year, but in the meantime we got a boxer puppy named Henrietta, and Joe’s dream TV setup!