Sew Your Wedding Gown

In my family there is a tradition of sewing your own dress...actually, more accurately, the tradition is coming up with the idea of what you want, and my sister Kris doing much of the sewing! As one of seven sisters, it has been such a privilege to take part in this tradition that has carried over through generations - my mother sewed her dress out of eyelet white fabric and one of my first childhood memories is of my oldest sister Kris cutting and trimming her dress. This was in 1972 (I think) when empire waistlines and gold ribbon trim were popular. Have a look at young Kris and her husband Shawn...nice mustache, nice tux!!

The other day I was rummaging through a sewing box and came across the ‘dummy’ of my wedding skirt and train, a reminder of the many hours spent at my father’s dining room table thinking through measurements, pleats and folds to get that thing right! Despite the fact that I was sewing buttons onto my dress the night before our wedding (all of those tiny silk buttons that run up the back, just like mom’s did!), it was worth all of the hours stitching and hemming.

The devotion my sister Kris has to made a wedding dress this summer for our niece Alexia. Although Alexia is half Italian and was married in Tuscany this past October The family tradition continues and you can see some fabulous results below:

Finding Your Dream Wedding Gown

Plan a Fairy Tale Wedding
“The door opened, and the princess emerged with her golden hair and sparkling eyes. She was dressed in her silk gown, and it was as if an angel had descended from heaven into the room.” - Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, from ‘The Goose Girl at the Spring’, 1843

Now that my husband and I are raising little girls, I know it’s true - women want to look like Cinderella starting at about 12 months of age. Of course your wedding dress will play a leading role in completing your fairy tale fantasy, so think through your choices carefully. Whatever your budget, you can get the dress of your dreams by being a resourceful shopper, or sewer! A few ideas for the perfect Wedding Dress from the Chicago Tribune:

1. Buy secondhand, online - whitexchange.com idonowidont.com  

2. Type in “long white dress” into Google instead of “wedding gown” - edressme.com

3. Shop sample stores - I have MANY friends who have bought their amazing wedding dresses on a budget at Here Comes the Bride in Addison, IL. The salespeople were kind and courteous and selection included many designer wedding dresses for under $500 - http://www.herecomesthebrideinc.com/

4. Go vintage and restyle - if you can fit into your Mom’s or Grandmother’s wedding gown (have I ever had a 19” waist?), think about strutting down the isle in this. Or check out Factory Vintage Clothing in Evanston or Google (I just found a few starting at $49.99!). Have a look at my mom and dad above...

5. Buy non-designer - believe it or not, there is a stunning Isaac Mizrahi Bridal Dress being sold on-line at TargEt for $64.99
Sew your Wedding Gown, which by the is not the least expensive option, but is the most rewarding.

Grady is Growing Up

As a North Shore photographer it is such a treat to know so many blooming families and capture them in this fun season of life. Physical exhaustion is the underlying theme as parents try to keep up with little ones, but we sure have fun trying!

Baby Grady is growing...as you can see in these photographs his little grin fills the room. Clara says that Amelia is might just want to marry Grady when she grows up...of course he will have to phone Daddy before asking her out on a date. have a look at this glowing family, a pleasure to capture on film.

Congratulations to Lisa and Dan!

What a fabulous time we had celebrating the union of Lisa Bergman and Dan Gallas in beautiful Woodstock, Illinois. Since Lisa was starting her new life with Dan, her almost empty house made an excellent studio for her bridal portraits (look at those Liz Taylor eyes!!). Rainstorms blessed this wedding but didn't keep us from taking portraits outside in perfect overcast light.


Gridley's Grille in Long Grove hosted the reception and served a delicious filet mignon (http://www.gridleysgrille.com/). This is the spot where Dan proposed to Lisa - how romantic to have their celebration there! Gridley's very successfully met their agenda to help Lisa and Dan 'capture the past, embrace the present, and look forward to the future'. How about these very fun shots out by the original smokehouse - what a generous and fun couple!

Thanks to Lisa and Dan for inviting me to part of this wonderful day.

Davenport Design does it again!

Carl Davenport has again created some fabulous centerpieces for the annual Light Opera Works Gala. Going with the theme, 'The night they invented champagne', these fanciful Eiffel Tower sculptures were placed at each table. And have a look at the glamorous feather bouquet!

Contact Carl at 773.791.1946 or carldavenport@rcn.com to add his flair to your next function.

Fresh Start for Horizon

The time has come for a new look for Horizon Photography. YEAH! Thanks to Jessica Jones for designing a crisp new brand image for a fresh start. Check out Jessica’s blog to enjoy a sumptuous visual feast! howaboutorange And have a look at the web graphics she designed for Horizon Photography

What a joy to live in such a beautiful place. As a North Shore wedding photographer I find that my outdoor studio offers a never-ending supply of wonderful of background scenes! Partial to Evanston (I was born here and am raising my family here now), I can understand how the town earned it the nickname 'Heavenston.' Not only do we have an abundant number of churches that play an active role in many lives, but this place is so soothing to the eyes. A few of my favorite ‘backdrops’ are close by. These photographs were taken outside along the beach in Wilmette and Evanston.