Imani & Edwin's Wedding | Highlighand Loft | Elgin, IL
It's honestly how small this world can be. I met Imani and Edwin in mid-2021 and photographed their engagement in early October of that same year. My second photographer, Sierra of Sierra Marie Photo, saw their blog and reached out to me, "Is that Edwin? Edwin Sanchez?" I told her, "Yeah, we're photographing their wedding in 2022." She squealed in excitement, "That was my middle school locker buddy!!!!"
Imani & Edwin were the cutest couple. All she did was giggle through the entire engagement session because I truly believe she is just a very happy person about life in general. She would giggle, and Edwin would just smile at her demeanor. I could tell he wasn't a huge fan of being there, but he agreed to it for her. Fast forward a full year later, I stood in the bridal suite with Imani and just like always, she was beaming, laughing, and just being herself. I head over to the groom suite, and Edwin is also, just Edwin. Very low-key, and quiet (but still smiling) and I find him a little more than nervous, but in a good way. He was so ready to get things started, walk down the aisle and marry his giggling blushing bride.
They chose to do a "non-look first look" where we put them back to back in the bridal suite to share a last sweet moment together before walking down the aisle. They were both misty-eyed and laughing at how nervous and excited they both were. They were joined on both sides at the front of the ceremony by 16 of their closest friends to say their "I do's" and the entire wedding theme was red, white, and blue, while a large crowd of almost 200 friends and family joined in to wish them well.
We snuck out for sunset portraits in downtown Elgin, and the trees were in prime fall color with a gorgeous golden sunset. We ended the evening with one last nighttime photo on the first floor under the stairs at The Loft. If you find yourself booking this venue, there are some very plain, unexciting areas that are perfect for dark and moody shots like the ones we ended with!
Congratulations Imani & Edwin... it was an absolute pleasure to be a part of your year-long engagement and photograph the biggest day of your lives so far!
Venue: The Highland Loft
Flowers: Dagny & Lane Floral
Hair & Makeup: Lotus Salon & Kiss and Makeup by Steph
Bridal Attire: Cleo Bridal, Stella York, & Black Tux
Catering/Day of Coordination: Your Day Your Way Weddings & Events
Cake: Mad Batter Bakery & Confections
