Carrie & Lenny's Wedding | Waukegan & Zion | IL
Carrie & Lenny reached out to me just 3 short months before their wedding, looking for a photographer. I was a bit concerned when I asked why they had waited so long to find someone, and Carrie told me, "We just can't find one we like." One short video call later, they were booked, and we had their engagement session scheduled for the next week, and just 8 weeks later they were wed.
Carrie & Lenny's engagement at the Kenosha lakefront went smoothly, and it was clear after that that we were going to get along just fine! They both had a sense of humor, knew what they wanted, and for the most part, they were going through the formality but were really excited about their reception, and they should have been! We live just a few miles from Zion, and when she told me they were having their reception at a hotel in Zion, I thought, "odd, I can't imagine there are many places in Zion that fit their personalities." I was so wrong! The Inn on Sheridan is a hidden gem in our area. Although a smaller boutique-style hotel, it is absolutely adorable, fashionable, and fancy for our little area!
Carrie started out getting ready at the hotel, then we all booked it to Saint Anastasia's in Waukegan, where they tied the knot. The church is massive and full of grandeur. Stained glass on the windows, a spiral staircase that offered amazing spots for photos of the ceremony, a choir loft, and lots of warm brick dons the interior. Carrie said her one "must-have" was of her walking down the aisle from the back with the altar in the background. Although it was quite dark with all the rich brick and wood, it turned out so well (flash was not allowed.) The biggest compliment of the day was from the priest when he informed us during family formals that he had no idea we were there taking photos as we were so unobtrusive compared to other photographers he'd worked with in the past. I call that a major win!
After their "I dos" we headed back to the Inn on Sheridan for their reception, and it did not disappoint! Carrie put her heart and soul into all the details of the reception from the centerpieces to the arch at the sweetheart table. The ballroom was much fancier than we were used to, and it was a welcomed change. Carrie even had homemade iced sugar cookies for each and every guest at their place setting. They hired a wonderful live band that sang everything from Sinatra to the B52s. Not many people hit the dancefloor, but that gave them plenty of time to mingle with their guests and snap pictures of everyone there.
I highly recommend reaching out to Mark Olsen at the Inn on Sheridan if you are looking for a smaller ballroom with a boutique feel for your reception in the Lake County/SE Wisconsin area!
Congratulations, Carrie & Lenny. It was a pleasure working with you both, and not only welcoming new clients but new friends as well!
Ceremony: St Anastasia Church, Waukegan, IL
Reception: Inn on Sheridan
Catering & Event Coordination: Inn on Sheridan
Photography: Parker Photography IL
