Tag: Dennis Lee

Kristina + Vytas

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Kristina and Vytas had such a beautiful wedding. The charm was in the details, from the bride wearing her Mother’s gown to all of the Lithuanian traditions.  Dennis Lee Photography caught all of the lovely little things that made the day special!

After the ceremony, the bridal party took photos on the golf course at the Silver Lake Country Club, and then everyone proceeded to party!

I had such a great time helping Kristina and Vytas make their wedding day as spectacular and vibrant as it turned out to be. Everyone loved the celebration, and the newlyweds could not have been happier.
Band: Indigo
Dessert: Bittersweet Pastry
Cake: Grand Dukes Restaurant
Ceremony: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Decor: Exquisite Designs Chicago
Hair: Livia Caporale 
Make-up: Sonia Roselli Beauty
Officiant: Father Lukas Laniauskas
Photographer: Dennis Lee Photography
Reception: Silver Lake Country Club
Wedding Coordinator: Honey Bee Weddings

Christine and Marc Part II: Ceremony and Reception

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Yesterday, I blogged about Christine and Marc getting ready.  Today’s post focused on the ceremony and reception.  If you haven’t been to the W City Center,  the W is very unique compared to other hotel ballrooms.  There is a smaller ballroom for the ceremony and a large ballroom for the reception.  Both ballrooms are on the same floor on the mezzanine level, overlooking the gorgeous lobby.  It was a perfect fit for Christine and Marc!

All Photos by Dennis Lee Photography.


The aisle had bright flowers, which was exactly what the bubbly Bride wanted.




The aisle was lined with tall arrangements


Christine had a custom unity candle made for their ceremony.

The monogram on the programs was designed by Christine’s Mother.

Marc walking up the aisle with his parents. Both families were involved in the family.  It is so wonderful when everyone participates in the planning.


Marc waiting for Christine.




Christine walking down the aisle with both of her parents.

The very chic bridesmaids all lined up.

I love a photo that catches a moment like this, during the ceremony.

Mazel tov!

The escort cards were also the favors!


A little special something for one of the guests?

Is this not the most amazing cake?  Yes, it is a cake.  Christine really wanted their dog to be apart of the wedding day but realized that it wouldn’t work out.  So, to surprise Marc, she had TipsyCake make a cake to look just like him!

The room set-up for the reception.

The room was decorated with two different centerpieces.  

Christine wanted pops of color with black and white.  The colorful centerpieces were so vibrant in the grand ballroom.

The cake was decorated with skylines of Chicago and Cleveland as well as swirls.  Christine came up with the clever design herself!

The hora is always my favorite part of the evening.

Congratulations Christine and Marc!  I had such a wonderful time being apart of your wedding day.

Christine and Marc: Getting Ready

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It didn’t take long after meeting Christine and Marc to figure out that they are a fun couple.  In fact, their social life was probably the only “problem” during their wedding planning: they were always busy!

All joking aside, we had so much fun planning this wedding.  Christine and Marc really put a lot of thought into their wedding.  They combined many traditions (Christine is Catholic and Marc is Jewish) to create a distinctive wedding.  

Band: Chicago Groove Collective
Cake: Alliance Bakery
Grooms Cake: TipsyCake
Florist: Tina and Dollie
Reception: W Hotel
Make-Up Artist: Andie Cumber
Hair Stylist: Livia Caporale


All Photos by Dennis Lee Photography


Christine’s gorgeous ring!

Marc puts on his custom tie.

Can I tell you how much I adore this gown? 

It’s the fun details that make the day.  Christine in her Bride robe.

Can we say gorgeous?  I love the lushness of these flowers!

The finishing touches before the first look!

Having someone else put on your shoes always causes a few laughs!

The gents.

Christine heading out to the First Look.  (And, can I tell you that Christine looks like this almost every time I see her?  Christine is truly radiant!)  PS.  Do you see the flash of color on her fabulous shoes?

All tulle and silk.



I think everyone should do a First Look.  Seriously, take a look at these photos.


It’s so nice to have a few minutes alone in the middle of such a meaningful day.


…but it doesn’t last long!




After the first look, the bridal party went out to take photos around the city.








There will be a second post tomorrow of Christine and Marc’s ceremony and reception.

Lauren + Charlie – The Details

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Earlier this week, we featured Lauren and Charlie’s ceremony and reception. Now we’ll highlight some details from their event.


All photos by Dennis Lee Photography.

Lauren wore a beautiful lace dress by Monique Lhuillier.


Her shoes added a playful touch.

Lauren carried a beautiful umbrella. This usually guarantees dry weather… and we did avoid rain for most of the day!

Their color scheme was black and white with pops of bright yellow. Here is the ceremony set up.

The flower girl basket and ring bearer pillow.


Runners on the dinner tables coordinated with the damask pattern. Vibrant flowers brightened up the space.

The cake perfectly matched the color scheme.

Lauren made the rosettes on the escort cards. It was such a pretty DIY project.

Congratulations again on a fabulous wedding!

Lauren + Charlie – The Reception

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Yesterday’s post showed Lauren and Charlie’s ceremony. Now we’ll look at the party!

All photos by Dennis Lee Photography.

The maid of honor and best man gave some great toasts!


They shared their first dance to “The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson.


After cutting the cake, the bride took a nibble off the decorations!

Winding up to toss the bouquet.

And Charlie threw the garter into the crowd!

The couple spent lots of time on the dance floor. This always makes me happy!


Guests always love stepping out on the balcony for the fireworks show.

In the last post, we’ll check out some details from their wedding.

Lauren + Charlie – The Ceremony

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Lauren and Charlie were planning their ceremony and reception at Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier, a location where I had previously coordinated a wedding. It’s always interesting to see the same space decorated in a totally different way!

Cake Amy Beck Cake Design
Caterer Phil Stefani Signature Events
Ceremony + Reception The Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier
DJ Toast and Jam
Florist All Things Elegant
Linens Elite Chair Covers
Makeup Starlight Makeup
Officiant Meaningful Moments
Photographer Dennis Lee Photography

All photos by Dennis Lee Photography.

Almost ready at the hotel. Lauren was very calm the morning of the wedding.

Ready to go out and meet her groom.

Lauren and Charlie opted to have a first look before the ceremony.

The bridal party took photos at River Esplanade Park.

The groomsmen were a bit more animated!

Here’s a creative use of your surroundings!

Crystal Gardens is such a pretty, lush backdrop for a ceremony.

Members of the bridal party each took a moment to bless the couple’s rings.

In the next post, we’ll look at their reception.

Click for the Cure 2010

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One of my favorite photographers, Dennis Lee, is offering a wonderful opportunity! Get your photo taken by him for a donation that will go towards Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Inc.

Saturday, November 13, 2010
10 – 6PM
Studio 415
415 W Huron St.
Chicago

Bear Necessities Pediatric is a national organization founded in 1992 and has been actively contributing to children stricken with cancer. President Kathleen A. Casey and her 8-year-old son, Barrett “Bear” Krupa, started Bear Necessities during a long, exhausting struggle to defeat this devastating disease. Ultimately, the disease took the life of “Bear”.Cancer is the #1 disease killer in children under the age of 15.Bear Necessities is there to provide hope and support through medical research grants, information and support grants and their Small Miracle Program which works to fulfill special wishes to help brighten the life of a child going through cancer.

Here’s how it works. For a minimum donation of $100.00, Dennis will spend 10-15 minutes doing a portrait session of you, your family, your pets, your friends or even something you want to sell on e-Bay. Just show up. You’ll get a large amount of images in that time; he shoots fast and everything is already set up. All the photos are burned to disc for you to take home. Lastly, as in previous years, every single dollar contributed goes to Bear Necessities.

They won!

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Awhile ago, I posted, Vote for Cheri + Adam, about a previous client of mine that was in a contest to be selected for Dennis Lee’s next advertisement. Well, they won! Their ad is in the current issue of CS Brides. To look at the advertisement, click here for a digital copy of the magazine and turn to page 262.

Click to Cure 2009

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One of my favorite photographers, Dennis Lee, is offering a wonderful opportunity! Get your photo taken by him for a donation.

Sunday, July 12, 2009
10-6PM
Studio 415
415 W. Huron
Chicago

Come in to the studio and I will shoot portraits for a minimum donation of $100 to the Cancer Research Foundation. Bring your family, friends, dogs, cats, whatever. Write a check for a minimum of $100 and I’ll shoot it for you.

This is a first come, first served event. There are no reservation times. Walk in, spend a few moments taking photos and leave with a disc of all the images. This won’t be a full session. Rather, he will shoot maybe 10 minutes, but he’lI shoot fast; and you’ll get a nice selection of images. This is to raise money for cancer and help support an important cause. Come and support a great cause.

PS. Be sure to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Dennis.