weddings

A Black Tie Backyard Wedding in Winnetka, Illinois

26/10/2023

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Y’all know I LOVE a good backyard wedding. But this? This was BEYOND. A true black tie backyard wedding.

As some of you already know, I am getting married in 2024. So, anytime I have a client with a tent wedding, I get so excited for my own wedding. Hilary and Brewster’s wedding not only featured a gorgeous tent, but a tent done by the tent company I am using for my own wedding, Blue Peak Tents. *Insert squealing here.* The theme for the day was black tie backyard wedding and it truly met and exceeded every expectation.

Hilary, like myself, lets no detail go unturned. She is an incredible graphic designer and designed her entire invitation suite. Her florist? My florist and friend, Kara, who made her black tie garden party dreams come true complete with figs, mushrooms, pears and blackberries for table decor. Beautiful rentals for cocktail hour? Check. A beautiful catering menu? Double check. Like I said, beyond.

While the beautiful details obviously make a wedding day a photographer’s dream, it is the genuine moments shared between a couple and their loved ones that truly makes a day special. The moments between Hilary and her parents. The moments between the fathers of both the bride and groom, who have know each other for 30+ years and are now in-laws. The love shared between friends on the dance floor. Genuine, unposed, moments are my favorite part about a wedding day. I can never get enough. And I will never be a photographer who interrupts a moment from happening to make sure it looks “just right.”

How to get beautiful unposed photos:

So, you read that above paragraph and thought, “how do I get photos like that?” And while it may be easier said than done, my biggest suggestion to that is adding buffer time into your timeline. This gives your photograph time to make magic happen. Going to leave it there so we can dive into the photos.

Unreal invitation suite, right? Hilary drew every single piece of art. Stunning. S/o to Kara for giving me fruit for the flat lays. *chefs kiss*

The end. The best day.

Vendor Team:

Photography: Arielle Gallione Photography

Planning and Coordination: North Shore Weddings and Events

Florist: Bou-K Bridal

Stationary: For You By Hilary

Tent and lighting: Blue Peak Tents

Rentals: BBJ La Tavola, Bowery and Bash, Halls Rentals

Catering: J&L Catering

Entertainment: Gold Coast Events and The Music City Allstars

All images © Arielle Gallione 2023

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Artist's statement

hi, i'm Arielle.

I am an empathic lover girl. Gift giving is my love language. I love deeply, and am unwaveringly passionate about caring for others. Years of experience combined with an empathetic heart have allowed me to anticipate moments that truly capture the essence of your wedding day. I strive to create photos that feel perfectly, yet effortlessly, you. 

Your wedding photos should become apart of your legacy. They deserve to be family heirlooms. You should be able to look at them and remember exactly how you felt in those fleeting moments. 

I specialize in blending documentary photo journalism with fine art, creative portraiture. I aim to capture every moment with intention and care - from event design and perfectly curated details to the unedited joy of you on the dance floor with your best friends. From intimate, single night events to multi-day destination productions, I strive to tell stories within your photo galleries that are a perfect reflection of you. 

It is an honor to be the person behind the lens on your wedding day, and it is one that I will never take for granted.

xo,

Arielle

 

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Arielle has photographed over 250 weddings across 12 states, 6 countries, and 3 continents. While her heart beats for coastal and countryside Italian weddings, she is willing to travel anywhere and everywhere to document your day.

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