Andrew & Erika’s wedding day started out with getting ready at the Hotel Baker in St. Charles, IL which is the bride’s hometown.  Downtown St. Charles along the Fox river was the ideal and very scenic place for pre-wedding photos including a very fun and romantic first look.  It was a December wedding, but fortunately the weather was tolerable!  The bride was very smart and had a off-white shawl to wear during outdoor photos.  She was also very clever to buy her bridesmaids coordinating wraps for outdoor photos.  And they can definitely be worn on a regular day, too.  Love the idea!  Everyone braved the crisp December air for these awesome photos along the river downtown St.Charles.  Winter skies can be so dramatic and provided a great backdrop here with the riverwalk!

We then headed to Elgin for the main event.  The Haight is a old warehouse downtown Elgin that has been converted in to a rustic, eclectic, and down to earth event space.  It fit Erika and Andrew well, but they also added touches to make it there own.  You’ll see a Boston College flag and a NY Giants scarf representing the groom’s east coast crowd.  And to make things even more special, the bride’s brother provided the cocktail hour music.  Check out the unique features of The Haight as well as the rustic decor this couple added to fit the occasion.  The bride’s father made the wedding ceremony arch from birch branches that so elegantly fit in to the December decor.