I can’t believe I’m sharing the LAST wedding of 2017!! Ahh! I have been looking forward to this day ever since Drew and Mike’s Chicago engagement session last October. You know, the one where we visited Wrigley Field right after the Cubs won the World Series?! Haha! As I shared in that post, I’ve known Drew since our student teaching days at Indiana University. She and Mike are hands-down two of the most joyful, kind, and adventurous people I know. If you know them, then you know just how much their marriage makes sense, and I am so happy that their travels with Teach for America brought them together! I mean, just think about it: they both grew up in the greater Chicago area. However, it took a move all the way down to Georgia to finally cross paths!

Needless to say, it is only fitting that their wedding day was full of celebration and joy, too. I loved the way their families’ excitement overflowed non-stop. Everyone — and I mean everyone — was just so happy to be celebrating Mike and Drew!!! It may have snowed that very morning while Maggie and I grabbed breakfast in downtown Naperville…but you would never guess it by the warmth and LIFE in their photos!

I am so excited to share this one with you friends, and I hope you enjoy a peak into the love and laughter that made up Drew and Mike’s wedding day!

Photography: Sami Renee Photography // Second Shooter: Magdalene Mastin // Videography: Ridgeback Films // Wedding Dress: White Satin Bridal // Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka // Florist: Town & Country Florist // Ceremony: Century Memorial Chapel at Naper Settlement // Reception: Le Jardin Room at Cantigny Park // Invitation: Wedding Paper Divas // Wedding Band: Soda

Love these photos on Drew’s childhood bed!

There is something so sweet about stepping into your wedding dress in the very rooms you grew up in. Drew, you are absolutely radiant!!

And then it was time for their First Look! Drew and Mike are truly two of the most joyful people I know, and it was so much fun seeing their reactions!!! Cantigny Park made for the perfect backdrop. I only wish we had a space like this in Indianapolis!!

OBSESSED with this shot of Maggie’s!

Drew and his friends grew up playing all over Cantigny Park. Needless to say, we may or may not have had some fun climbing on the tanks again! :)

Favorite!!!

So, so beautiful!!

I still can’t get over how beautiful Drew’s bouquets were, too! She had such a great group of bridesmaids, and they were all total troopers — you’d never know how FREEZING it was in this photo!!!

I *love* that Erin, Drew’s maid of honor and Mike’s little sister, actually THREW her bouquet for this shot!!! Haha!!

And then it was time to warm up on the trolley and head to the church! Drew and Mike chose to say their vows at the same chapel Mike’s parents were married at, too. It was absolutely perfect!

Officially husband and wife!! Like I said above…the most joyful couple EVER!!! :) And I love the photo on the right with Mike’s parents — how neat to see your son married in the same spot were you and your husband promised forever years ago?!

After the ceremony, we headed back to Cantigny Park for the reception. The room was absolutely magical, and it was so fun seeing Drew’s reaction when she walked in for the first time!

After dinner, Drew gave a beautiful toast to her mother and invited her onto the floor for their mother/daughter dance to the Gilmore Girls theme song. A few minutes in, all the mothers and daughters hit the floor for the sweetest celebration of such a special relationship!

And then it was time for the party to begin! Soda was PHENOMENAL and kept the energy up all night long!!

Chicago, IL

If you liked Drew and Mike’s wedding, you’ll love these Indianapolis weddings, too!

Christine & Scott’s Wedding at The Alexander

Lindsay & Stephen’s Indianapolis Wedding at the Conrad

Best of Weddings: 2016