Now that busy season is over, I can finally start sharing more of the weddings and sessions I have had over the past few months. This season was absolutely incredible to me – five states, four countries, and three continents between May and October – but we are beyond ready for some rest, relaxation, and holiday cheer (if you know me, you know ya girl lives for Christmas movies, baking, and allllll of the warm, cable knit sweaters and fuzzy socks that Abercrombie, Aerie, Quince, and Aritzia have in stock.) But before we start getting snow I want to flash back to a spicy Labor Day Weekend in Chicago with Jaclyn and Tom. By spicy, I mean literally 85 degrees and a church so old that they’re not allowed to install air conditioning, but the portraits are a lil spicy too.
This was a classically Chicago wedding with two big Italian families: a vibe right up Arielle’s alley. Jaclyn and Tom had the biggest and best crew surrounding them on their wedding day, and it was a party from start to finish. The pair got ready at London House Chicago, were wed at The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii (the oldest Italian church in Chicago, that both sets of grandparents were married at of course), took photos by the Wrigley Building, and returned to London House for their reception in one of London House’s beautiful ballrooms. Fun fact: pre-COVID I used to photograph LondonHouse’s New Years Eve party and it was wild, but watching the fireworks over the Chicago river from their ballroom is a core memory for me. Jaclyn and Tom’s families are so close and it made the day so intimate, despite there being nearly 200 people in attendance. I had the best time documenting this big Italian bunch and am looking forward to documenting all of life’s biggest moments for them in the years to come. Scroll to see some of my favorites from their day.
My guy Derrick Tate happened to be playing his sax near the Wrigley Building where we were taking photos and naturally the bridesmaids were living for it. Derrick plays at weddings too!
All images © Arielle Gallione 2022.
