I got connected to Joan & Jabari through a Val…friend and fellow seminary student of Jamie’s. SO to start off I really need to thank Val for the amazing connection! I felt honored to be asked to shoot this wedding, and it was truly my pleasure to be there.
Joan & Jabari are a wonderful couple with amazing friends and family surrounding them, and their wedding was beautiful. It was difficult to choose favorite photos from this day, but I hope that this blog preview will do justice to the story of their day!

Gorgeous…right? Joan’s hair and make up was done by a friend who is an incredibly talented artist, and contracted with Ford modeling agency – she made all of the ladies look simply stunning!I love this! Joan and her ladies were getting ready at the W Hotel downtown Chicago – amazing venue. Not to mention, Joan’s married name is Williams…so the W really worked for us.Hello! Workin’ it…and she looks GOOD, right?!As soon as I got this shot I loved it, theres just something about it.The lovely ladies! These girls were so fun to shoot! They were truly just laughing and having fun, and that makes for the best group shots.Here’s our groom! Jabari looked very classy in his chocolate brown tux.The gentlemen of the day…This moment where the dad steps back ALWAYS gets me.Joan & Jabari wrote their own vows, and I think Jabari had everyone in that place tearing up – it was beautiful.I love these recessional shots…they’re SO happy.I’ve shot a few weddings at Garfield Park, and it never gets old. The best thing about this place is that it changes with the seasons so each time I go there it looks different and always beautiful.Love.After the cocktail hour, leading in to the reception was an amazing African dance…such a great touch which added so much to the event.
Ok, I LOVED the reception set up, it was so classy and incredibly beautiful. Cudos to the event planner who managed to fit close to 300 guests on the blue stone patio without making it feel cramped! Every detail was perfect.Cutest flower girls ever…Congratulations Joan & Jabari! You two are wonderful and I wish you all the best!