As a Chicago wedding photographer, something I try to never take for granted are the number of incredible couples in this city I call home—and also the number of incredible venues and vendors! Racheal and Justin’s wedding day at Morgan’s on Fulton in West Loop was a reminder of all of these things.

Racheal and Justin got married on a sunny day in August, and I swear their smiles just lit up Chicago. After we had done their engagement photos out in Boulder, Colorado the summer before their wedding, I knew that their day would be special and full of so much love. Racheal is one of the most kind, warm, and appreciative individuals I’ve ever met; Justin is caring, equally as kind, and so loving towards her. This obviously made for so many beautiful moments throughout their day—their tear-filled first look on the steps of The Publishing House after they both got ready there (Racheal upstairs and Justin downstairs); Racheal shouting “WE’RE GETTING MARRIED!!!!” as the limo-bus pulled up to their venue (followed by cheers from their wedding party); Justin’s reaction to seeing her walk down the aisle with her brother; a kind man at Joe’s Imports followed us down the block after we took photos at the Fulton Market sign to invite them to come to the patio to have a bottle of champagne on him (I took a few snaps and then went to wait a block away at our next photo stop so they could have a few minutes alone to soak in that “just married” feeling; and so much more.

I couldn’t help but edit a handful of their portraits while I backed up all the photos the night of their wedding—some from our stop for wedding party photos and their couples portraits at Olive Park, and some from our post-ceremony walk around West Loop. Then the Monday after their wedding, I got to work culling and editing even more of those special “moments” from their day to include in their preview gallery. 

Scroll on down to see the photos that made their preview gallery, as well as information on the vendor team that made their day a reality!

Venue: Morgan’s on Fulton 

Getting Ready Space: The Publishing House

Photography: Marissa Kelly Photography

Planning: Glowing Moments

Florals: Flowers for Dreams

Dress: Bella Bianca

Officiant: Zen Events