Deonna Caruso Photography

On May 26th, 2013 Stephanie Simms & Brian Kuhn were married!  Their relationship began way back in their junior year of high school 8 years ago.  The met on a blind date.  It was around Christmas time and Stephanie told her friends that if they wanted to get her something for the holidays she wanted a boyfriend so they set her up on a blind date to meet Brian her future husband.  They made it through a long distance relationship in college.  Brian went to Bradley and Stephanie went to Purdue.  After their college years Brian began working in Champaign and they had to endure another year of long distance.

On December 2011 Brian proposed to Stephanie.  He originally wanted to take Stephanie to the Signature Room and propose but that week Stephanie became ill with food poisoning.  Brian opted for making Stephanie a lovely dinner at her parent’s house and proposing to her on bended knee.  She said yes of course and the rest was history!  Stephanie & Brian are both living in Champaign and happy their long distance relationship is over!

Their wedding day was wonderful!  The ceremony took place at Trinity Lutheran Church in Roselle and the lovely reception was at the beautiful Makray Memorial Golf Course.  My second shooter, Petr Poliak, and I had a great time with Stephanie and Brian and the entire bunch all day long.  Everyone was so friendly and fun-loving!  I loved their bright red flowers, shoes and the wedding dress was incredible!!  I want to thank Stephanie & Brian for allowing me to be a part of their special wedding day.  Here are some of my personal favorites from the day!  Enjoy!

Wedding Gown:  Volle’s Bridal & Boutique

Invitations:  Simply Elegant Designs by Stephanie

DJ/Music:  Elite DJ’s

Bridemaid Dresses:  Zappos

Reception: Makray Memorial Golf Club

Flowers: Brianna’s Flowers

Jessica & John met way back in January of 2006.  They were friends in the beginning and through the years their friendship turned into something much more.  They were part of a group of friends that went to Western Michigan University.  Jessica was working at Starbucks through her college years and finally got John to come and try the Orange Creme Frappacino.  After that first invitation he came by almost every day.  Jessica thought he really enjoyed the Frappacinos but John had a secret crush going for Jessica.  Through the years they stayed friends but later found that they had more than a friendship.  Their relationship endured other boyfriends, girlfriends, long distance, Tech School for the Air Force and much more but they finally reconnected and started officially dating in September of 2011.   On May 26, 2012 John took Jessica to the Morton Arboretum and proposed to her which took her completely off guard.  She was ecstatic and of course said YES!!  Their personalities compliment each other very well and their prior friendship paved the way for their strong relationship today.

On May 24, 2013 they were married at the place he proposed to her.  The day could not have been more beautiful!  Sunny skies and moderate temperatures.  Perfect for their beautiful ceremony in the Fragrance Garden.  After the ceremony we had a great time on the grounds getting some gorgeous shots of these two lovelies and we finished off the night with a nice reception party at Jessica’s parents house.  Everything was beautiful and I’m so glad I got the chance to meet Jessica & John.  They are very open and friendly and just were just a joy to work with.  Here are some of my favorite images that my second shooter, Liz Dwenger, and I captured.  Enjoy!!

Catering: My Chef Catering

Cake:  Creme Bakery

Dress: Nordstrom

Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Flowers:  Walden Floral Design

Invitations:  Ashley’s Custom Stationery

Cellist:  Jo-Jo Murphy

Harpist: Lisa Boggess

Venue:  Morton Arboretum – Fragrance Garden

On April 27, 2013 Rana & David were married at the beautiful Hilton Hotel in Rosemont.  Rana & David had such a great wedding day and Rana turned out to be one of the happiest and most relaxed brides I’ve ever encountered.  That’s how it should be!  She truly enjoyed her day and it showed.  Rana & David met each other through e-harmony and had their first date on January 9, 2011 at the La Bella restaurant in Oak Park.  Rana loved David’s sense of humor the fact that when she asked him a question he gave very detailed, thoughtful answers.  David loved the fact that Rana enjoyed talking about the same topics he did and found out that even though they came from very different worlds they were very similar in many respects.  Rana was born and raised in Iran and David is a Chicago native.

David proposed to Rana on September 8, 2012 and this is what was written about their proposal day that I thought was beautiful!

Birds were chirping, the sky was blue

It was almost sun down; he said this is about me and you.

Driving through the woods, my heart was beating fast

Is he going to propose, I wanted this moment to last

The narrow road to St. Mary’s was so serene and peaceful

He was setting the stage, this was planned and thoughtful.

There was a narrow bridge, we stood and looked around

The beauty of the lake was breathtaking; wonders abound

Walking down the steps, we got to the lake

A dome on each side stood tall, nature was awake.

Orange, green and red, were painted on each tree

A picture so perfect for the moments that were about to be

We walked back into the woods, sat under a tree

He held my hand and said, oh how much he loved me.

I have waited so long he said, and finally found the one

You are the best thing for me, you are my number one

From now to eternity, I want you to be my wife

The mother of my children, a partner in my life.

Here are some of my favorite images that my second shooter (Bryon Landerman) and I  took at their beautiful wedding.  The day was filled with both Persian and Jewish influences .  As you can see it was a really fun day for everyone and a truly joyous occassion.  A special thanks to Rana & David for choosing me to be a part of your special day!  It was an honor!

Wedding Coordinator – Simply Azure Events (Farrah Singh) 708-404-9965

Videography – Windy City Production (Katie) – 708-663-0637

DJ Sultan (Ped) – 630-248-4247

Hilton Rosemont – 847-928-6176

Linens by Violet (Carmen) – 773-934-8371