The week leading up to one of our weddings, we’re checking the weather constantly to make sure we’re as prepared as we can be, especially if there is rain in the forecast. Before Frank and Brianna’s wedding, we kept hoping that the rain would disappear. We would close the weather app and reopen it, hoping for a different result, but no matter how often we checked, it looked like we should be expecting a solid 80% rain pretty much all day. We thought about alternate portrait locations, and packed up our clear umbrellas for photographing in the rain. But as the day went on, the most amazing thing happened: the rain kept holding off. Guys, we were able to get all the photos we needed without a single drop of rain dampening our day!

Although we managed to avoid the raindrops, nobody could possibly avoid teardrops on this emotion-filled wedding day. Brianna’s dad is no longer with us on Earth, but there was no doubt about his presence on her wedding day. A sweet poem sat on his otherwise empty chair, and in place of a father-daughter dance we all watched a beautiful video/photo slideshow of Brianna and her dad as she grew up. Her niece did an excellent job putting the video together, and there literally was not a dry eye in the room as we heard her father’s voice and felt how much he loved his daughter. It gives me goosebumps just thinking back on it! Not only was Brianna’s dad present through these nods to him in the details of their day, but we can’t help but feel like he was also helping out with our weather situation. After we finished our portraits, the rain poured down for a while, but at some point during dinner the showers paused and a beautiful rainbow appeared over Lake Michigan. We knew he was watching. The rain continued to hold off into the evening, and Brianna & Frank surprised their guests with a magical fireworks display!

Our groom, Frank, also had lots of his own feels on his wedding day. This leads me to a quick PSA (and this applies especially to the men out there): Take it from me (Ryan) speaking on personal experience – don’t hold back those emotions! The day I married Alyssa, I worked way too hard to hold back my tears and ended up looking like the internet meme “grumpy cat”. Frank must have heard my advice, because you can see the emotions on his face and it brings me right back to the day, just as I’m sure it will for him once he sees these photos 🙂 He was overwhelmed with excitement, and also the love he has for his now wife Brianna, and there is no sweeter thing in the world. As you look through these photos and feel the emotions within them, don’t forget to stop and appreciate how great he looked in his custom patterned black suit!

We couldn’t be happier for the new Mr & Mrs Wisniewski! Brianna + Frank, thank you for inviting us to laugh, cry, and celebrate with you! Without further ado, here are some of our favorites from August 28, 2022.

Vendor Love

Photography – The Keel Collective

Videography – Ward 3 Media

Wedding Gown – Vera’s House of Bridals

Bridesmaid Dresses – Revelry

Tuxes – Men’s Wearhouse

Cake/Cupcakes – Batter MKE

Donuts – Cranky Al’s

DJ/Photo Booth/Lights/AV – Sound by Design

Rentals – All Star Rental and Canopies

Linens – Windy City

Hair/Makeup – Team Bride MKE

Guest Phone Book – After the Tone

Stationary – Zola

Wedding Rings – Kay Jewelers