OHHHHH – writing from my new Oahu office over here, ready to scream from the mountain tops that Jim + Kerry’s wedding blog post is ready to be OBSESSED over! Starting out with a favorite, favorite of these two – because they are just some favorites. I gush about them a lot in the blog post, but that is because they deserve it. Kerry + Jim are two of the world’s greatest humans – and my word were they destined for each other (thanks to destiny aka Jason for making that happen 🙂 I mean, I am the luckiest wedding photographer because I get to write intros like this pretty often, I happen to attract wedding couples who are jazzed to be getting MARRIED – like the wedding is a plus, but at the end of the day they are going to laugh + dance + drink + laugh some more no matter what because they are hitched. These two have these humble, warm personalities that make you want to be around them, most likely laughing together. So getting to capture all of that was simply the best!! Okay – enough from me, hopefully, this beast of a blog post has loaded so you can get to scrolling!!
Little Miss P – this kid kills me : ) 
So Jim got ready at his lake house, that his Dad has built over the years. Could that be more perfect?!
Brothers!
I know I like made this happen, but I am just so obsessed. Kerry thanks for being a babe as hell trusting model 🙂
When your girls see you for the first time?
Time to get married….
They married!!!!
I mean – what a backdrop! 
These guys were having no fun at all.
Babes!
No big deal, just making more magic. 
LOVE.
First Dance :: Penny + The Quarters, You + Me
I just have the biggest crush on you two and those contagious smiles of yours! 
Alright, alright, alright – so the speeches that unfolded at Jim + Kerry’s wedding were some of the most hilarious, heartfelt, creative, cry your eyes out from laughing + for sentimental reasons that I think I have ever heard. I could have done an entire blog post just on the speech reactions! Top notch work by the speakers, and just a true reflection of the awesomeness that is Kerry + Jim 🙂 
A few words from the newlyweds…
Most hilarious moment of the day?: Hands down our vow snafu – Saying only “I” instead of “I do” – all the “I” responses between Jim and I sounded like the intro to Ozzy’s “Crazy Train”. The priest must have thought we were more perceptive than we were and when he said our reply was to be “I” (hand gesture probably to reference “you know the most common wedding phrase ever”) and we literally just responded “I” in unison…multiple times! We did not pick up the hint! The priest definitely made us aware after the fact we were to say “I do” – Jim’s still mad we didn’t practice that at the rehearsal!
Would you have done anything differently?: NOTHING, it was the best weekend of our lives!! Well, Jim said he would have worn one less layer, or lighter layers – that Church had him sweating! And maybe say “I do”:)
Favorite moment from your day?: After our post ceremony/pre-cocktail hour photo shoot, our wonderful photographer called our amazing wedding planner with our cocktail order and we sat on a bench looking out over the water, drinks in hand, a few appetizers and just the two of us! It was the perfect moment to take everything in- we were married! and ready to celebrate!
Any tips or tricks for future couples planning their weddings?: Invest in a great vendor team (we had the best!) and you (and your guests!) will reap the rewards of an unforgettable, blissful wedding! Honestly, when we first got engaged I knew only a couple details for our wedding day – I wanted the reception at Lake Lawn and Elle Rose needed to be our photographer! Laurie is so incredible as a photographer alone, you might not realize she has a wealth of wedding guidance! I emailed her late in the game, overwhelmed and desperate, in search for a wedding planner – she brought me to Sarah @ Cheers! Chicago. This was hands down the best recommendation! They are a great combo – our timelines were incredible and Sarah had every detail set out so I didn’t have to worry on our big day – I woke up stress free, which was good for Jim and I! Laurie (and Nicki!) kept our gigantic wedding party in line and on time so we could snap so many beautiful images but still meet my request of making the cocktail hour while Sarah (and Lisa!) were in the background getting us in line at church, picking up leftover jackets and glasses, setting up our reception room, putting pictures in last minute frames, the list goes on! It was everything I dreamed of and that much more! Thank you to the best team, Elle Rose – Laurie and Nicki, Cheers! Chicago – Sarah and Lisa, Holly Carey Beauty – Holly and Erin!, Olive Grace Collective – Melody!, True Shot Studios – Nick and Tim!, Treasure Hut Flowers – Stacey!, Platinum @ ACA Entertainment, Lake Lawn Resort – Jaci!, Bittners Bakery- Amy! We had the most unforgettable weekend and are so lucky to have worked with the best!
Kerry + Jim – you two, you are something incredibly special. My life is 100% better having gotten to meet y’all and capture this day of yours. We had the absolute greatest time laughing with you and your incredible group of friends + family. You two are surrounded by a whole lot of people who are super jazzed to see you so happy together – which made capturing all of this fun that much better! Thank you, thank you so very much for inviting us to shoot the best wedding photography for you – it was just the best!!! xo – Laurie
Vendor love to Second Shooter:: Nicki DeFilippis /// Day of Coordination:: Sarah of Cheers! Chicago /// Makeup :: Holly + Erin from Holly Carey Beauty /// Hair :: Melody from Olive Grace Collective /// Video :: True Shot Studios /// Florals :: Treasure Hut Flowers /// Band :: Platinum @ ACA Entertainment /// Venue + Catering + Cupcakes :: Lake Lawn Resort /// Cake :: Bittners Bakery ///
