Beth and Brock first met when they lived next door to one another while they both were college students at Notre Dame. After crossing paths unintentionally at first (and then intentionally, soon after) they eventually became a couple of neighbors who were falling in love with one another. After graduating, Beth ended up taking a job in Chicago while Brock was heading to Florida for the Navy. One of my favorite things the priest said on their wedding day was that “we only know if love is real once it’s been tested by real life”, and hundreds of miles + big life changes gave Brock and Beth plenty of that. They grinned at each other not only when he said this, but throughout the entire course of the day – because these two really are constantly beaming at each other, seemingly still in disbelief that the other one exists.

Beth and Brock live in San Diego now, so while we logged many phone calls during their planning process, I didn’t actually meet them in person until the morning of their wedding day. It was immediately clear how much they each fill a room with joy when they’re in it – from when they were separately with their friends while getting ready to their hand-squeezing, letter-reading no-look first look one hour before they’d say their official vows in front of all their loved ones, it felt like everyone around them (including myself) couldn’t help but grin at and with them, too.

It was incredibly cold on the day of their January wedding, but I’m convinced that they hardly noticed. They hopped on the trolley with their friends and rolled around the city, walking happily through snow and popping champagne regardless, and I can’t think of better way I could have started the 2018 wedding season.

Reception Venue: Congress Plaza Hotel, The Gold Room
Florist: Flowers for Dreams
Bride’s Dress: The White Flower Bridal Boutique
Cake: The Baking Institute
Catering: Congress Plaza Hotel
Videographer: Avant-Garde Videography
Transportation: Chicago Trolley and Double Decker Co.
DJ: Toast and Jam