JAMES + HAYLEY
MORTON ARBORETUM WEDDING PHOTOS: MELISSA MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMES + HAYLEY
When your wedding is at the Morton Arboretum you could pretty much take photos literally anywhere on the grounds and it will be pretty. But what do I always say? We not only want pretty, we want personal! Ways and that transport them back to the most incredible moments not only of this incredible day, but this special chapter in life. A few days before the wedding I asked the bride how they were getting around from spot to spot. Trolly? Party bus? Uber? When she said: "Our Jeep" actually, no, I think she said: "Our pride and joy," all the Insta posts of them off roading every weekend, detailing, and caring for this Jeep came rushing back to my own memory. (Let alone there's!) I knew we had to incorporate it! It came in handy too as the sunlight was fleeting. The best man jumped in the drivers seat and scooted us around to all the spots that we couldn't get to earlier because it was a bazillion degrees and blazing sun. Which brings me to my second suggestion: "Be flexible in coming back to it." We could have taken the photos earlier; rushed, hot, and super harsh shadows on the spots they really wanted. We woulda been able to check it off our list and move on to next parts of the day. If you're willing to roll with it. If you're willing to trust me. It is soooooo worth coming back to it. For these two, we jetted out while the guests were eating their entrees. (Instead of going table to table)
I'm tellin' ya....
Make it personal....
+ Come back to it if it'd be better...
Take those two into consideration, and your wedding photos will be so much more meaningful and turn out so much more beautiful.
James + Hayley. I have absolutely loved the adventure of capturing this chapter for you guys! From donut + coffee break at the Morton Arboretum for engagement photos, to jet-settin at sunset in your Jeep for the wedding. It has been a blast. Hope you feel that each time you look at your wedding images!
PHOTOGRAPHER: Melissa Marie Photography
VENUE: Morton Arboretum
HAIR + MAKEUP: Blush & Braids Beauty Bar
PLANNER: Event Daydreaming
FLORAL: Floral Events
DESSERT: Mollys Cupcakes
COOKIES: Crubl Cookies
