Northbrook, IL Wedding Photographer | Steve & Ellie

Northbrook, IL Wedding Photographer

Steve and Ellie were married on a beautiful spring day in May at Camp Dan Beard in Northbrook, IL. When Steve and I first talked about their day, he told me that they wanted it to be super laid back and that ultimately they just wanted everyone to have a fun time without the usual constraints of a traditional wedding. The attire description for the day in their invite was, “As formal as you care to wear outdoors by a fire in spring, with optional mystical/masquerade elements.” The only hard planned times of the day were my arrival and departure, the ceremony start time (which was still a casual, “Okay, I guess let's start!), and the food's arrival. They wanted to avoid formal, posed pictures aside from a few family photos and photos with their daughter, Joelle. They played music from their phone through a speaker while they danced and sat around the campfire chatting. There were lawn games and bubbles and a table with supplies to decorate masquerade masks (some guests came with their own). Steve and Ellie had a camping tent set up about 50 yards from their party tent so they could sleep under the stars for their first night as husband and wife. I would describe their day as giving intimate, come-camp-with-us-at-a-Ren-Faire-and-we're-also-getting-married vibes, so I wholeheartedly think they accomplished their goal of bucking tradition! It was such a lovely time and a pure joy to document!

Bride’s Dress: Needle & Thread
Groom’s Kilt/Outfit: USA Kilts
Venue: Camp Dan Beard
Caterer: Chiya Chai
Cake: Molly's Cupcakes
Rental Service (chairs, tables, etc): Mario’s Event Rental