welcome to
The SWP Journal
Let us take you on a little journey through real weddings, editorial shoots, planning tips, and more. Get inspired by past couples and learn our top tips for a stress-reduced planning experience.
Inspiration for a beautiful wedding and a beautiful life
Emily and Chuck exchanged vows on a beautiful fall day in November. Here is their story from their perspective: How did the two of you meet? Emily: “We met online. Chuck later revealed he didn’t think I seemed interested with my one word answers. I never do anything spontaneous, but I lost a bet in […]
read post
Elevate your wardrobe. Statement pieces. Timeless classics. You are investing in portraits that will last a lifetime, so go for quality pieces that fit great and make you feel amazing. Simple, solid colors are preferred over busy patterns. We will do one or two outfit changes, so bring a few options from casual-chic to night-on-the-town, […]
Read More
Going to the German Christkindl Market in Chicago has become a tradition for our family in recent years. I am a city girl through and through, so anytime I get to head downtown a little piece of my soul comes alive. Sharing that joy and excitement with my kids is so important to me, and helps […]
Read More
If you want to get a girl to like you just take a tip from Roger and send her flowers before your first date! Roger has been making Erin feel loved since then and it didn’t take long for either of them to realize they had found the one they want to spend the rest […]
Read More
I met Sage and Joe at the Monarch Financial event that I photographed earlier in the year and even though they had only been dating for 5 months at the time, they had that special connection that movies are written about. It was evident in their every interaction and stolen glance. I often feel […]
Read More
Bill and Kathy’s wedding day at Illinois Wesleyan University could not have been more elegant, beautiful, and sophisticated. From the stunning Pronovias designer gown Kathy wore, to the classic gentleman’s attire, all the way down to the ceremony and reception decor, the show-stopping wedding cake from Janet’s Cakes & Catering and even the jazz band […]
Read More
featured posts:
Have Your Cake and Eat it too: How to Enjoy the Day and Build Memories to Look Back On Your wedding day flies by so quickly. After months and sometimes years of planning, it’s gone in just a few hours. So how can you slow time and savor your oh-so-special day? Here are a few […]
READ THE POST
More from Around the Site
featured posts:
5 Unique Ways to Tell Your Chicago Love Story Setting is a significant part of any story of course. It’s all about location, location, location! A skilled Chicago wedding photographer can help inscribe the beginnings of your life together with your City as a backdrop. 1. Get playful Capture the fun in your relationship. For […]
READ THE POST
More from Around the Site
featured posts:
10 Best Chicago Wedding Venues: If your venue was a cocktail! When there are so many amazing Chicago wedding venues, how does one choose which is right for your celebration? A venue can help set the mood for your celebration much like a drink can set the stage for the night. Here are the ten […]
READ THE POST
More from Around the Site
featured posts:
Weddings in the Midst of Coronavirus There is no doubt that we are living in a historical time. Our day-to-day culture has changed and there are several ways this will influence wedding industry trends. There has been an obvious shift to having more emphasis on the health of your guests. This is not something that […]
READ THE POST
More from Around the Site
featured posts:
Why you should consider a Friday or Sunday wedding in 2021 Currently there is a constant shifting happening in the wedding industry. For 3 months and counting couples have had to put a pause on their big day. Some are holding their summer dates in hopes their dreams will come true by then. Others have […]
READ THE POST
More from Around the Site
featured posts:
6 Tips for Choosing a Chicago Wedding Photographer Marriage is the biggest decision you’ll ever make. Choosing a photographer is the biggest wedding decision you’ll make. Once the day is done, all you have left are your photos. Use these tips to help you choose a Chicago wedding photographer that will perfectly capture this once […]
READ THE POST
More from Around the Site
Get On the List
Your engagement session is the first step in telling your love story, so I've put together this mini-guide to help you prep for your session. By signing up, you'll also receive wedding planning tips and advice straight to your inbox every week.
Don't worry, I'll only send the good stuff.
