Needless to say, 2020 has been a year for the history books! So many people in all stages of life have mourned the loss of the events and gatherings they had been looking forward to & planning for this year and next. At the beginning of 2020, I had the honor of photographing a small wedding for worship leader of a local Aurora church and his (now) wife. This all took place in early March before the stay at home orders were put in place; knowing that the cancellation of their late spring plans was eminent.

I have to say that back in March I feel like I had no scope of the longevity of a global pandemic. Maybe it was naivety, maybe it was hopeful thinking? Either way here we are, in October of 2020 with another COVID wedding to share. Enter, our dear friends... Reid & Camille.

I might argue that their love story is one for the history books :) For the sake of time, let's just say that I'm SO excited that they're finally married! 10.10.20 was pure perfection. We'll call this day an elopement meets a zoom wedding meets COVID-safe wedding. Every detail of their Lincoln Park nuptials is worth drooling over.

Reid & Camille started off their weekend staying at The Peninsula Chicago getting together leisurely that morning after an outdoor brunch. Imagine getting ready and dressed while talking to your Mom & Dad on FaceTime on your wedding day. Technology made for some really sweet and meaningful moments that made me wish I could've reached through the phone to hug everyone. Up next was the "first look"... watching the Groom is always the best part of a big reveal whether it's an intimate moment or walking down the aisle.

After everyone was ready to go, we headed out and hit up various spots around the city for portraits & fun!

Once it was go time for the actual wedding ceremony and everyone was logged into Zoom (ready & watching from all over the country), we settled into a gorgeous little nugget of space around the Lincoln Park Boardwalk.

Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs Gillam! To all of those 2020 wedding couples out there with postponed or modified plans... I have one last piece of advice that Brandon and I were told when were were planning our wedding nearly 7 years ago.

“Remember you’re getting “married”, not “wedding-ed” ... In other words, preparing for the rest of your lives and not just one day is more important than ever! ”

Surrounding yourself with those that love you and care about you is always the best medicine. Even if you're virtually surrounded!