Industrial Chic City View Loft wedding in Chicago, Illinois
Industrial Chic City View Loft wedding in Chicago, Illinois

I occasionally get the chance to participate in a beautiful wedding photo shoot with other photographers at venues like City View Loft in Chicago, Illinois! For this particular day, we went for an industrial chic vibe, with pink and blush accents. City View Loft provided the perfect urban backdrop with their warm brick walls, and wrap around windows for a great view of downtown Chicago. We did not shoot into the night, but I can only imagine what those twinkling lights would look like when photographing a wedding reception!

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WeddingJennifer LourieCity View Loft, Illinois, Chicago
McNichols Civic Center Building Wedding in Denver, Co | Alex and Ricky
McNichols Civic Center Building Wedding in Denver, Co | Alex and Ricky

Alex and Ricky had an amazing wedding day around Denver, Colorado, exploring some beautiful places along the way. Starting at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco to get ready, we then traveled to the St. Cajetan's Catholic Church where these two officially got married! We ended the evening at the McNichols Civic Center Building in downtown Denver, Co for not only incredible reception, but some fun portraits in the Civic Center Park!

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WeddingJennifer LourieCatholic ceremony, Colorado, McNichols Civic Center, Denver, Destination
Triple S Ranch Napa Wedding | Gina and Jordan
Triple S Ranch Napa Wedding | Gina and Jordan

I love this rustic ranch wedding, and love even more that Gina and Jordan were featured on Rustic Wedding Chic!

Gina and Jordan’s wedding at Triple S Ranch Napa in Napa, Ca (otherwise known as SSS Ranch Napa) was the definition of rustic, with vintage elements. Triple S Ranch is from 1860, and the tree they were married under was 175 years old! My favorite part of the wedding though had to be that Gina wore a necklace that had been passed down through generations in her family, being worn by every woman to get married. There is a picture of it below that documents all of the women family members! Gina and Jordan met when they were 8 years old through their families, and played together on the very same ranch that Jordan proposed on 20 years later! Gina says that, “We were maybe 8 when we first started having crushes on each other.”

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WeddingJennifer LourieTriple S Ranch, California, Dog, Destination
Sanford Winery Wedding in Lompoc, Ca | Elizabeth and Aaron
Sanford Winery Wedding in Lompoc, Ca | Elizabeth and Aaron

Elizabeth and Aaron toured a ton of local wineries for their wedding this spring, but they knew that Sanford Winery in Lompoc, California was it when they just kept going back.

The wedding day of Elizabeth and Aaron was a whirlwind of friends from around the world, complete with jokes, perfect weather and of course delicious wine. It was exactly how the two wanted it to be and even unknowingly described it “Definitely a natural, seamless, and joyous mood filled with happiness and love.”

I wish I had the officiant’s speech to pull from, because not only did it have everyone in giggles, but it also had everyone in tears. But what warmed my hoarder heart, was the fact that he still had the cork from a bottle of wine the couple drank years before, and unknowingly to Aaron and Elizabeth, pulled it out during his speech. Sometimes things truly do come full circle, including that cork being brought to their vineyard wedding years later.

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WeddingJennifer LourieSanford Winery, California, Santa Barbara, Destination
Tropical Maternity Session on Kauai in Hawaii | Danielle
Tropical Maternity Session on Kauai in Hawaii | Danielle

It was such an honor to get to photograph Danielle not only during her pregnancy, but on the beautiful island of Kauai, Hawaii. We decided to do her maternity session by the ocean, well, since it’s Hawaii, but it’s also the place she feels the most at home. The little bundle of joy she is pregnant with in the first half of these photos, is later named Makai, meaning “toward the sea”, which is exactly what Danielle did the entirety of her pregnancy.

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FamilyJennifer LourieHawaii, Maternity
Romantic Spring Downtown Chicago, IL Engagement Session | Ann and Song
Romantic Spring Downtown Chicago, IL Engagement Session | Ann and Song

It was such a blast traveling around Downtown Chicago, Illinois for Ann and Song’s engagement session! Something I have always loved about Chicago, Illinois is how centrally located so many beautiful places are. We were able to walk from The Art Institute of Chicago next to Millennium Park over to the incredible Lurie Garden filled with colorful tulips. We ended the session outside the Adler Planetarium, with the Chicago skyline in the background.

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EngagementJennifer LourieIllinois, The Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, Chicago, Destination
La Casa del Camino Wedding in Laguna Beach, Ca | Trisha and Matthias
La Casa del Camino Wedding in Laguna Beach, Ca | Trisha and Matthias

La Casa del Camino in Laguna Beach, California is the perfect setting for two beach lovers like these, and it definitely did not disappoint with it’s sprawling ocean views. But what no one could have predicted was a sweet couple walking our way on the beach.

”Okay guys, now let's look as cute as these two do!", I shouted, above the crashing waves. The couple stopped, and looked at Trisha and Matthias on their wedding day, and said, "Do you know why we look this cute? Because it is our 45th year anniversary. It must be a lucky day."

Sometimes you just get that perfect moment, of two people walking hand in hand 45 years later, and two people walking hand in hand; on the first day of the start of the rest of their lives.

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WeddingJennifer LourieLa Casa del Camino, California, brunch wedding, Orange County, Destination
El Capitan State Beach sunset Engagement Session | Megan and Jonathan
El Capitan State Beach sunset Engagement Session | Megan and Jonathan

I absolutely love working with Megan and Jonathan, and when they wanted to shoot at El Capitan State Beach in Santa Barbara, California I knew it was going to be special. El Capitan State Beach is off the beaten path, but ends up being a perfect little private beach for an engagement session, or just to take some updated couple pictures.

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EngagementJennifer LourieEl Capitan State Beach, California, Santa Barbara, Destination
Oak Room wedding at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, Ca | Stephanie and Eddie
Oak Room wedding at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, Ca | Stephanie and Eddie

Stephanie and Eddie had an absolutely incredible Southern California wedding day. Starting at the Westlake Village Inn in Westlake Village, Ca for their first look, they moved to the Oak Room at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, Ca for their ceremony and reception. The extra special part of the day though was driving down to El Matador Beach in Malibu, Ca for their portraits. El Matador Beach is not only where Eddie proposed, but where they took their engagement portraits before the wedding day. We were blessed with blue Southern California skies on their wedding day, so it was quite the beautiful experience to get to photograph them in their wedding attire with the ocean behind.

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WeddingJennifer LourieCalifornia, Calamigos Ranch, Westlake Village Inn, Malibu, Destination
Denver Union Station 1920's Engagement Session in Denver, Co | Samantha and Michael
Denver Union Station 1920's Engagement Session in Denver, Co | Samantha and Michael

When Samantha and Michael told me they wanted to shoot their engagement session at the Denver Union Station in Denver, Co I was so excited! When they told me that they were also dressing up in 20’s vintage attire to match their Gatsby themed wedding, well words don’t even describe what I was. Historic Denver Union Station provides the perfect backdrop for such an engagement session, having been built in 1914 in the current Beaux Arts Classicism and Italian Romanesque style. Luckily for us, the “no kissing” rule established in 1902 by the Denver Union Station depot police is no longer relevant; and Samantha and Michael were able to kiss to their hearts content.

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EngagementJennifer LourieColorado, Denver Union Station, Denver, Destination
Blush and Gold Wedding at 2400 On The River in Georgia
Blush and Gold Wedding at 2400 On The River in Georgia

Whether your destination wedding is big or small, 2400 On The River in Ranger, Georgia provides the perfect backdrop for a couple in love! For this blush and gold summer wedding next to the Coosawattee River, these two prioritized elaborate floral design for their gazebo ceremony and outdoor reception. Utilizing the unique architecture throughout the venue, the hints of gold in their decor balanced the epic natural backdrop of northwest Georgia!

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WeddingJennifer LourieGeorgia, 2400 On The River, Destination
Griffith Observatory Elopement in Los Angeles, Ca | Brenna and Justice
Griffith Observatory Elopement in Los Angeles, Ca | Brenna and Justice

Brenna and Justice traveled from Oklahoma all the way to Los Angeles, California to elope. They knew they wanted a location that would show the beauty that is Southern California, so they chose Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, Ca. Griffith Observatory is an incredible location to take some elopement pictures, especially when you arrive at sunrise!

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WeddingJennifer LourieIntimate, California, Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, Destination
Buckingham Fountain Wedding in Downtown Chicago, IL | Allison and Jeremy
Buckingham Fountain Wedding in Downtown Chicago, IL | Allison and Jeremy

April showers bring May flowers, and luckily for Jeremy and Allison, it also brings beautiful light in Chicago, IL. It really does not matter where you are when it starts to rain, but the rain in Chicago truly lights up everything it touches! Including Buckingham Fountain, the Lakefront trail, and all the way over to Olive Park. It was just a matter of Chicago spring luck that the day Allison & Jeremy's 4 year anniversary shoot was planned that it called for torrential downpour. This in no way hindered our plans, and encouraged the tourists to stay inside; allowing us free reign of several popular destinations that would otherwise be quite crowded.

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WeddingJennifer LourieIllinois, Milton Lee Olive Park, Chicago, Destination
Santa Margarita Ranch Wedding in Santa Margarita, Ca | Jayna and Daniel
Santa Margarita Ranch Wedding in Santa Margarita, Ca | Jayna and Daniel

Jayna and Daniel planned their destination wedding in California from Washington, DC, flying out to Los Angeles on the regular to meet with vendors and make sure all of the details were perfect. After viewing Santa Margarita Ranch, they knew they had found the right place. “The greenery and florals in the garden coupled with the stone walls in the barn created such a romantic and unique ambiance - we knew we found a gem.” What they definitely didn’t know was how beautifully green their venue would be, after what some are calling the wettest winter in Southern California in decades. This fact didn’t fail to disappoint, when it started to sprinkle on their wedding day.

”When we saw each other for the first time it was truly "love at first sight". He introduced himself and handed me a bottle of wine he brought as a dinner party gift. We ended up opening the bottle of wine and sitting by the fireplace talking all night - and the rest is history.” - Jayna

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WeddingJennifer LourieCalifornia, Santa Margarita Ranch, Destination
Pacific Palisades, Ca sunset Engagement Session | Jennie and James
Pacific Palisades, Ca sunset Engagement Session | Jennie and James

Photographing Jennie and James around Pacific Palisades, Ca was anything but boring! We started at the Temescal Canyon Park in Pacific Palisades and ended for sunset at Will Rogers State Beach, and the entire session was a ball of laughs. I honestly would not have expected anything less from a couple that got engaged at Disneyland on the Fourth of July. Between running from the ocean, and skipping through the fields, Jennie and James make a perfect pair that are always finding joy in each other’s company.

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EngagementJennifer LourieCalifornia, Will Rogers State Beach, Temescal Canyon Park, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, Beach, Destination
Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve Family Session in Carpinteria, Ca | Dan & Andy
Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve Family Session in Carpinteria, Ca | Dan & Andy

Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve Family Session in Carpinteria, Ca is the perfect location for not only engagement photos, but family photos as well! Dan and Andy, known to their friends as “Dandy” traveled down from Oregon to see some family, and get some updated family photos. These two were married in Malibu several years earlier, and it was so much fun to see their family grow by two beautiful twin babies.

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FamilyJennifer LourieCarpinteria Bluffs, California, Santa Barbara
Griffith Observatory Engagement Session in Los Angeles, Ca | Eugenie and Justin
Griffith Observatory Engagement Session in Los Angeles, Ca | Eugenie and Justin

Eugenie and Justin chose the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, Ca for their engagement photos, and it is such a stunning place to get to visit. Besides its sprawling views of the Los Angeles skyline, this historical building also boasts incredible architectural. Opened in the early 1900’s, it was the first institution in the United States dedicated to public science. The Griffith Observatory is always free to visit, and makes for a beautiful location to capture an engagement session. Eugenie and Justin chose to do their engagement session at sunset, and we were able to watch the sun descend over the Los Angeles basin.

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EngagementJennifer LourieCalifornia, Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, Destination
Engagement Session at Lizards Mouth Rock in Santa Barbara, Ca | Bree and Mark
Engagement Session at Lizards Mouth Rock in Santa Barbara, Ca | Bree and Mark

When fellow photographer Bree reached out for an engagement session before tying the knot at the Santa Barbara Courthouse, I was excited to say the least. It is always such an honor to photograph a fellow creative, and when they chose Lizards Mouth Rock in Santa Barbara, Ca for their engagement location; I knew we were going to create something magical. When I’ve gone up to Lizards Mouth Rock in the past, sometimes the wind is just too much- so I am always so happy when the Santa Barbara weather conditions line up perfectly to take some pictures.

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EngagementJennifer LourieLizards Mouth, California, Santa Barbara, Destination
Eagle Brook Country Club Wedding in Geneva, IL | Julie and Jon
Eagle Brook Country Club Wedding in Geneva, IL | Julie and Jon

I absolutely loved photographing the wedding of Julie and Jon, partly for their beautiful locations, but mostly for their beautiful personalities! Their first date was on 12/13/14, and that’s a pretty incredible start to any relationship if you ask me. I had the pleasure of meeting these two before their wedding for their Lincoln Park, Chicago, Il engagement session, and I’m so glad I did. Nothing is better than arriving to a wedding and already knowing the couple, before getting to see them tie the knot.

We started their wedding at the St. Katherine Drexel Catholic Church in Sugar Grove, Il, and their ceremony was tear-worthy- at least that’s what the guests and Jon thought. With their love story, I wouldn’t have expected anything less, “Jon says it was truly love at first sight,” the bride Julie says.

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WeddingJennifer LourieCatholic ceremony, Illinois, Eagle Brook Country Club, Destination
Intimate Chicago Winter Wedding | Takesha and Vincent
Intimate Chicago Winter Wedding | Takesha and Vincent

Intimate weddings come in all shapes and sizes, and for Takesha and Vincent’s they chose one with a small group of their friends and family in Chicago, IL. Held at the First Baptist Congregational Church (otherwise known as the Union Park Congregational Church) in Chicago, IL, these two had a short religious ceremony before a quick first dance and dinner. Before parting ways with their small group, they went and around the room and each attendee gave the couple their well wishes!

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WeddingJennifer LourieIntimate, Illinois, First Baptist Congregational Church, Chicago