It’s a joy when wedding days remind me exactly why I love what I do. Brooke & Zach’s wedding at The Crawford was absolutely one of them!

From the very first time I chatted with Brooke, I had a feeling we were going to be a great fit. We talked for what felt like forever, and by the time we hung up, I already knew I was going to love being part of this wedding experience! Then I met Zach for their engagement session and got him comfortable in front of the camera. Somewhere between the posing, the laughs, and our conversations, I knew we had officially become a team.

Their wedding day was a warm Sunday in July, but honestly, it never really felt like a Sunday! The energy of the day felt completely like a Saturday celebration, with so much excitement, laughter, and personality filling The Crawford from start to finish. Speaking of, The Crawford is such a beautiful backdrop! There was no shortage of gorgeous spaces for portraits, family photos, and all of the little moments throughout the day.

And then there was Brooke’s wedding planning style. As a school teacher, her Type A tendencies probably shouldn’t have surprised me, but she truly came prepared! She created a PowerPoint for family photos AND printed cue cards for us to follow. Honestly?! I respect it! There is something so amazing about a bride who knows exactly what she wants. Brooke made my job incredibly easy! We had a plan, knew who needed to be where, and were ready to make those family photos happen.

Of course, every great wedding day needs someone who keeps the energy high, and Zach’s brother absolutely understood the assignment. He was the STAR of the show all day long! He was genuinely so excited to step into his role as Best Man, and he wore that title with pride. From his personality and sense of humor to the energy he brought to the day, we could not get enough of him! He kept everyone laughing and brought so much fun to every part of the celebration. 

The vendor team was also one of those dream teams that made the entire day flow so effortlessly. The DJ kept the energy high, the content creator was so fun, and everyone loved being part of Brooke and Zach’s day. Those are the wedding days where I get to do what I love most: photograph the moments as they happen, laugh alongside my couples, and be fully present in the experience with them.

And I think that is one of my favorite parts of this job! The relationship doesn’t start and end with the wedding day. I had so much fun getting to know Brooke and Zach throughout the entire planning process. By the time their wedding day arrived, they felt like people I genuinely knew… Not just a couple whose wedding I was photographing. So when the night finally came to an end and it was time for me to say goodbye, Zach’s reaction was priceless. He genuinely didn’t want our time together to be over! 

And then, the very next day, I was already on the phone with the two of them… Debriefing the wedding day and talking through all of the things we had just experienced together! That’s when you know you’ve created something more than a client relationship. You’ve created a friendship, a connection, and a relationship that I hope continues for years to come.

Brooke put it perfectly when she shared her review after the wedding:

“BEST DECISION WE EVER MADE WAS BOOKING JILL!

Jillian was absolutely incredible to work with and truly helped make our wedding day unforgettable. From the very beginning, she made us feel comfortable, confident, and completely taken care of. She has such a talent for capturing genuine moments, emotions, and all the little details that made our day so special.

Our photos turned out better than we could have ever imagined. She captured the love, joy, and excitement of the day so beautifully, and looking through our gallery feels like we get to relive our wedding all over again. Beyond her incredible photography skills, Jillian was kind, organized, professional, and such a calming presence throughout the entire process.

We are so grateful we chose Jillian to be part of our wedding day and would recommend her to anyone looking for a photographer who truly goes above and beyond. She is incredibly talented and we will treasure these memories forever!” – Brooke

Brooke & Zach, thank you for letting me be part of your wedding day, for trusting me with all the details (PowerPoint and cue cards included!), and for making this experience so much fun from beginning to end. I’m incredibly grateful our paths crossed. I already know this is a wedding I’ll think about for years to come!

And Zach, if you’re reading this, I promise I’m not ready to say goodbye either!

VENDOR TEAM LOVE || Venue: @thecrawfordvenue | Planner & Florist: @lovelushevents | Photographer: @jillianphotography__ | Makeup: @makeupwithkristin | Hair: @kyliemurphyhair | DJ: @midwestbestdjs | Bride’s Dress: @thealtarbridalbarrington | Catering: @leeneddies1959 | Cake: @fienesbakery | Content: @fallsocial_

Jillian Photography is a Chicagoland wedding & senior photographer serving Naperville, St. Charles, and beyond. Get in touch with Jill here & follow along on social for what’s happening behind the scenes!

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