just a few weeks ago i photographed sandra and tim’s wedding at the brookfield zoo, where karen was a bridesmaid. today it was karen’s own wedding in chicago, and this time sandra was a bridesmaid. before sandra’s wedding, i spent time photographing today’s bride and groom during an engagement shoot on some abandoned railroad tracks. this wedding drew people from all corners of the country incluing matt’s childhood rabbi flying in from new jersey and karen’s sister / maid of honor flying in from boston. i arrived several hours before the wedding ceremony to document the ladies getting their hair done by stylists kristina and toni at the ruby room, in which CNN calls it “the nation’s first spiritual spa.” after getting ready, we headed over to the west loop’s black walnut gallery where the ceremony and reception were held. friends and family assisted in pulling together last-minute details including filling tall vases from CB2 with lemons, oranges, and limes which led the theme for their citrus-inspired colorful spring wedding. the bridesmaids wore yellow dresses of varying shades. the black walnut gallery accommodates up to 125 guests inside, although today’s fantastic weather allowed the couple hold their ceremony in the beautiful courtyard. i shot reportage style, documenting many jewish wedding traditions such has dancing carrying the bride and groom on chairs, stomping on a champagne glass ending the ceremony, and some unfamiliar orthodox traditions.
