Jen and Josh’s Lavish New Year’s Eve Wedding | Chicago’s Stan Mansion

Jen and Josh’s New Year’s Eve wedding in Chicago is one for the record books. Alex and I often times speak about “LewChan Top 5,” it’s a secret list the two of us keep to talk about our most epic and memorable moments we’ve had in LewChan history. The list contains certain lovable clients, hilarious reception moments, and of course weddings that were too good to be true. Jen and Josh’s wedding will be at the top of this list for years to come. So many times I think back to their momentus and glamorous NYE wedding. Jen reached out to me a year before the big day, it was in our calendar and on our minds for a long time. There was so much anticipation leading up to this that I’m not going to lie, I was a bit nervous. I knew anything that Jen planned would be gorgeous and wonderful and I wanted so badly to do their big day justice.

Jen and I attended art school together. We both graduated with our BFA’s in Graphic Design from Bowling Green State University and we had many critiques with one another. I have a distinct memory of looking at her during a two hour critique and sharing an eye roll. She’s wonderfully sarcastic and charismatic and if you’re friends with Jen you’re not doing too bad. I hadn’t met Josh until the big day (moments before their first look to be exact) but I knew that if he won over Jen then he must be pretty freakin’ fantastic. I was right. The entire day was chock full of laughter, nostalgia, and pure joy. Alex and I both felt so much honor to be a part of it all and to be trusted to capture their memories perfectly in time.

I’ll never forget their classic Hollywood-esque first look. Jen had a vision of Josh being in the art deco hotel lobby waiting for her elevator to arrive and for the doors to open and their eyes to meet. Pure style and pure elation. It’s moments like those that we strive to capture perfectly and I’m officially obsessed with that picture.

Jen and Josh’s reception will go down in history as one of the wildest most opulent parties we’ve ever photographed. The ballroom was dripping in gold and black and champagne (literally) and the dance party that ensued was bananas. At the strike of midnight balloons fell from the ceiling and Jen and Josh shared the most perfect New Year’s kiss. Photographic perfection I tell ya!!!

Dearest Jen and Josh, a million thank yous for your trust in our work. We realize you could have hired any photographer in the Chicago area…but you chose us and we’ll be forever grateful for this opportunity. Best of luck to you two lovely people in the future. I see only amazing things happening!!