So you’re engaged and starting to plan your wedding… ahh! First off, congrats. What a fun and exciting chapter this is in your life. But also a somewhat nerve wrecking and scary at the same time. This is completely NORMAL, so take a deep breath and enjoy the wild ride that is planning your wedding! My name is John Foley, a wedding photographer based out of Chicago, IL. After photographing hundreds of weddings over the better part of a decade, I’ve learned quite a few things about what can make or break your wedding day experience. Now every wedding and couple is unique, which is one of ..read more

  Wedding Trends for 2024 Hello 2024! We saw many wedding trends emerge in 2023-some great, some not so great. Here are SIX trends I hope GROW in 2024. 01 PERSONALIZED DESSERT & DRINKS I love cake (give me all the buttercream please), but I also love seeing a variety in desserts that are special to the couple. Late night snacks are also a really nice touch and your guests will appreciate it. Make it something that really represents what you and your fiancé enjoy eating. This is a fun way to connect with your guests and give them a glimpse into your life. And don’t forget signature ..read more

Getting Ready on Your Wedding You open your eyes, rub the sleep off, and it hits you… TODAY IS YOUR WEDDING! The big day is finally here after MONTHS of planning and YEARS of dreaming. You’re overwhelmed with excitement and probably a bit nervous or even scared. And that’s OKAY. So what’s first on the agenda… it’s GETTING READY. Over the years, I’ve photographed in all sorts of situations. I’d say I’ve seen it all, but then I’ll come across a new scenario that I haven’t seen before, and that’s a big part of why I love this job. From homes, to hotel rooms, to venue suites, to conference rooms ..read more

7 Tips on How to Survive Your Wedding Day Weddings are a roller coaster of events and emotions. After photographing over a hundred weddings, here are a few tips to keep in mind on your wedding day. 1. Breathe This may seem obvious now, but remember to take deep breaths and stay calm. It’s completely normal to feel nervous on your wedding day. If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, take a moment to relax, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. Everything will be okay.   2. Be Present Stay present in the moment. Your wedding day will fly by, so make sure to stay present and enjoy eac ..read more

Sabrina + Ryan It was a warm sunny day on Saturday, September 24th 2022. This is the day that Sabrina and Ryan would say their vows to one another. They chose the beautiful Ashley Farm in Yorkville, IL to be their backdrop. The day started with Sabrina and the girls getting ready at the main house at Ashley Farm. Everyone was in good spirits and having a good time. Ryan and the guys were in the groomsmen suite, which is a garage that was turned into a lounge area. Before the ceremony, Sabrina and Ryan did a First Look, which is always sweet to capture. The ceremony took place outside and it wa ..read more

Jane & Ryan When I think of Jane and Ryan, fun.. authentic.. caring.. are just a few words that come to mind. These two are an absolute joy to be around and their wedding was nothing short of amazing. Saturday, October 15th, 2022 was a beautiful fall day. Perfect for a wedding. Jane and Ryan chose the iconic Blackstone Hotel in Chicago to be their wedding location. From getting ready to dancing with all of their guests, it was an incredible day. I’ll let the photographs speak for themselves — please enjoy their wedding story.    View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View f ..read more

The Stodola’s | 09.18.2021 On Saturday, September 18th, 2021 Deanna and Eric said their vows to one another in front of their closest friends and family. It has been 10 years in the making. These two met in college and have been together for 10 years. Their love for national parks was hinted throughout their wedding day. Beautiful touches here and there. The ceremony and reception took place at the Elmhurst Art Museum. Overall, it was a beautiful and elegant wedding that I had the honor to document. I hope you enjoy their wedding day story told through photographs…   View fullsize View f ..read more

Deanna + Joe The story begins at the Christkindlmarket in Naperville on December 1st when Deanna and Joe had their first date. The two have been inseparable since. Flash forward 4 years later and they are now devoting themselves to one another. That day is Saturday, October 1, 2022. The day of their wedding. They chose Naperville since that’s where their first date was and where they go out to dinner at Empire and other places around there frequently. They began the day at Hotel Indigo where they got ready. From there we traveled to St Michael Catholic Church in Wheaton, IL for the ceremony. I ..read more

Shayna + Oscar On Sunday, August 28th 2022, Shayna and Oscar said their wedding vows to one another in front of their closest friends and family. Everything took place at the beautiful Venue 5126, which overlooks 500 acres of farmland. The day started a little cloudy and called for rain, but the sky opened up in the evening to reveal a spectacular sunset. Coupled with the rustic barn vibes of Venue 5126, it made for amazing images. It was a joy spending the day with Oscar and Shayna, plus their friends and family. The ceremony was intimate and beautiful and the reception was equally as amazing ..read more

Karly + Laurentiu It was a beautiful summer day on Saturday, August 13th, 2022. The forecast called for rain, but it held off and the sky cleared up. This was the day that Karly and Laurentiu would say their wedding vows to one another in front of their closest friends and family. They chose the wonderful Homestead 1854 in Plano, IL which is the perfect venue for a beautiful and intimate wedding to be held. It was easy to see how excited both Karly and Lau were and just how much this day meant to them. From tears of joy to gut busting laughs, this day was magical to document. The ceremony was ..read more