Kevin and Laura | Chicago, IL

Kevin took hold of Laura's hand and led her up the steps toward the stage. Her father slid his hand from her arm and stepped aside, his face full of pride and love. Laura lifted her dress and walked lightly up, only to have one of her shoes get caught on the top step. She stumbled slightly forward as the heel strap came off her foot, and Kevin grasped her arm to steady her. Laura began laughing, the pastor stared in shock, and Kevin doted on his bride. Laura kept giggling and finally, after reaching down and slipping the strap back in place, turned to the crowd behind her and said, "The wrong one came off!"

Kevin laughed and grabbed the white shoe that he had been hiding in his coat and knelt down to slip it on his very own Cinderella. They had planned on Kevin slipping a white shoe on Laura's foot at the beginning of the ceremony, replacing a temporary one that she wore down the aisle, symbolizing that he would be her prince forever. Apparently, though, this symbolic moment was meant to be real when her shoe actually slipped off on her way up the stairs! For a moment, Laura became a real princess and Kevin became her true prince that helped to slip on her shoe.

Kevin and Laura believe in Happy Ever After, and I think that everyone who knows Kevin and Laura believes that Happy Ever After will come true for these two. Jeff and I were thrilled when Kevin asked us to come out to Chicago to photograph their wedding at Willow Creek Community Church where both Kevin and Laura work. Kevin works on the production team and this wedding definitely reflected his love for all things production!

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Laura's Cinderella shoes that decided to slip off at just the perfect moment. And I mean it.

I love this moment just before their First Look.

And this one right after!

Kevin and Laura decided to a First Look so they could hold a communion with their parents just before the ceremony. It was such an intimate and priceless experience for everyone involved. It's moments like these where the word privileged doesn't even begin to describe how I feel getting to witness things like this.

They held the ceremony inside the Lakeside Chapel, where Kevin's good friend Eric played one of Kevin's favorite songs of all time. Yes, I do believe that this is the first wedding I've ever been to that the ceremony was preluded with a live performance of "Cliffs of Dover" by Eric Johnson - and he ROCKED it!

Meanwhile, I was outside the chapel with a long lens capturing Laura and her father. I love Rudy

They're married!

After the ceremony, we got to play in the best light of the day on a beautiful June evening. The church has a gorgeous lake that is surrounded by tons of romantic willow trees. Amazing!

When we finished out by the willows, we told them to head back toward the church and the limo, and we caught these along the way. Aren't they so cute?

But of course, if you've ever shot with us, we are rarely done when we say we are. Jeff and I tend to have 10 "just one more" shots, and we brought Kevin and Laura out to this bridge for "just a couple more." I think they turned out to be my favorite.

The reception was held at the Chicago Marriott Northwest, and they're staff was priceless at not only running a chic reception, but also helping us out with any of our needs. I love Laura's castle cake topper. She is such a princess!

This reception had tons of personal touches. Laura's grandmother makes all kinds of homemade jam, so they bottled it up into the cutest favors. I fell in love with these as soon as I saw them!

But the best part of the night was when Ronson, the best man began to RAP his speech. Yes, I said rap, and yes, this white guy from the suburbs of Chicago did AWESOME! But not only did he rap, his wife (and bridesmaid) joined him halfway through! It was classic!

Kevin and Laura loved it!

The father/daughter dance was super sweet and emotional, along with Kevin and his mom. I loved this moment between Rudy and Laura...

Ok, I take it back. The actual best part of the night was when the bridal party broke out into a choreographed routine to Michael Jackson's "Beat It." No one saw it coming, but everyone was on their feet!

Work it Kevin... work it.

Anyone recognize these two? We shot Amy and Andy's wedding last August, and Amy just so happens to be the sister of the fabulous bride. It was so great hanging out with you guys! We love you both!

This guy rocked the house, and everyone that was there knows what I mean! Anyone that can guess what song he's dancing to gets a free hug. (And a huge hug goes to Joe of All Access Weddings for keeping the party going all night.)

I don't want to talk about my flare.

Kevin and Laura: We absolutely, positively LOVE you guys, and we were so blessed to witness the beginning of your Happy Ever After. Have the best time in Hawaii and soak up some beach sun for Jeff and I! We can't wait to see you again soon!

Hugs,
Erin