From the outside looking into this cute Lakeview bridal shop, it’s clear that Mignonette is unlike any other bridal shop in Chicago. Walking into this space is like stepping into a beatuifully curated bridal closet filled with one of a kind custom gowns designed and sewn by the talented shop owner Kpoene.  And of course what closet wouldn’t be complete without accessories like veils, jewelry, and vintage men’s suits to complete your bridal look. Kpoene created her shop to be a space where clients could shop, chat, and linger around for a while…which trust me is easy to do with all the inviting vintage furnishings and DIY decor she has surrounding the space. She even rents out her space to other vendors in the wedding industry to hold client meetings in.  Something that Joe and I are excited to be doing in the future.

If you’re looking for a non-traditional, vintage inspired assortment of lovely bridal dresses and accessories be sure to stop by Mignonette and prepare yourself to be inspired and add to your list of go-to shops where you’ll be happy to visit again with your mom and maid of honor in tow.

For our styled wedding shoot Joe and I wanted to create a mood that was romantic, soft, and  effortless. Tucked away in the woods The Grove Redfield Estate was our main inspiration for capturing gorgeous images around the property. Going through all the images this week has been so much fun almost as much as sharing  sneak peeks on Instagram and FB.   Joe & I would like to thank all the lovely ladies who collaborated with us on this styled wedding shoot this week.  Thank you for making our  shoot look (and taste) so amazing! And a special thanks to Carol for allowing us to take over the beautiful grounds of The Grove for the afternoon. Thanks ladies, can’t wait to work together again soon!

Dress: Mignonette Bridal / Florals: Forget Me Knodt / Cake: Luscious Layers Bakery / Makeup: Pamela Jameson / Groom’s Wardrobe: Victoria Wager / Styling: Coach House Pictures / Venue: The Grove Redfield Estate

This weekend I had the chance to visit the beautiful grounds and newly remodeled rustic barn at Emerson Creek Pottery and Tea Room in Oswego IL.  With lush views of farmland and working farms throughout the drive, when I pulled up to the space I felt like I was transported back to simple days and times. I meet with Zack, the Creative Director, who gave me the tour of the barn, tent, and grounds. Not only was he super friendly and helpful but he answered all my questions but he gave me a great feeling of the place. It’s nice  when venues work to accommodate your preferences on DIY decor, seating arrangements, and helping you create your vision for such a special day. If you are looking for a truly unique, rustic and romantic venue to celebrate your wedding day I highly recommend driving out to Oswego, IL to tour the grounds and then stop by the Tea Room for some lunch too!  Contact the events coordinator set up an appointment for a tour.  You’ll be glad you did!

Joe was working on a freelance job this weekend so he couldn’t make the trip out with me.  I’m excited to go back soon so he can see it all for himself in person. This might be the place!!

Our first brag book studio sample from Pinhole Pro arrived in the mail last night.  And it’s even sweeter in person!  I love the thick cotton fabric covers that envelop the 10 photos inside. I filled it with photos from our Mother’s Day shoot and I can’t wait to start creating some for my photo clients!  These brag books are a sweet keepsake that they are sure tote everywhere and share with everyone! With so many color options….the hardest decision is how many to order!?

I had the great joy of spending a Saturday afternoon with 3 generations of beautiful ladies this past weekend.  I meet Victoria, her daughters, and her mom in the lush covered grounds of the Little Red School House nature center in Willow Springs.  Although it was raining throughout the morning the rains held up for us as we walked the trails and took in the scenic views. I can’t wait to start creating a brag book for these mama’s so they can relive this fun afternoon session in the woods together!

Joe and I had a great time last night mingling with so many  talented vendors at Indie Wed Milwaukee (thanks to M Three Studio for the free tickets!)  Here is just a small recap of a few of our favorite vendors!  There were more…we just got lost in conversation that we forgot to keep taking photos.  Our dream is to eventually be in this show, but for now we’ll keep plugging away!  Thanks to all the vendors who took time to talk to us about our wedding plans and answering all our questions!  Can’t wait to visit the Chicago show when it comes into town!

Thanks to my bloggy  friend Leah of Sang the Bird for passing the sunshine award to me today!  It made me smile 🙂

*Here are my 10 favorites:

color(s) :: mint green & coral

animal :: Sadly I am allergic to most animals, but I love pet sitting for my brother’s min-pin Hemingway!  He has so much energy and is a great running partner!

Non-alcoholic drink:: Unsweetened ice tea with lemon, served over ice with a straw!!  Tastes like summer to me!

facebook or twitter :: Recently I’ve been connecting with so many new people on Twitter!  It’s a great source for up to minute information and a modern way to say hello/thanks/nice to meet you…I get excited to connect with people and see who they are following too!

getting or giving presents :: I get such great joy seeing people’s face light up when they open a gift, so definitely giving presents!

flower ::  Peony’s

pattern :: Floral

passion :: Capturing moments and sharing them!

number :: 13

To help kick off the month of May, Coach House Pictures is celebrating with a special for Mother’s Day month!  Book a family or kids portrait session for the month of May and receive a 1.5 hour photo session and a brag book filled with photos from our session for $150!  We like  brag books because they make great personalized gifts and are convenient  to carry around. You’ll love them because they are the  perfect way to tote around those nearest and dearest to you, plus you’ll get to show your  beautiful family off!   Check out our calendar to see which dates we are available to shoot (the ones marked in mint are taken), then contact us so we can book your session!

Our new postcards just arrived in the mail!  We’ve had our business cards for a week now but I wanted to share them both side by side.  Got Print did an amazing job!  The color in the photographs are rich, vibrant,  and true to life!  While the text on the front and back is crisp and sharp.  And I love the way the rounded corners softens the overall look and feel of each piece too. I am so proud and excited to start promoting and handing these babies out!  Thanks to Design Aglow for creating this beautiful template!  I love the way our Coach House brand look is coming together!