Gina is one of Alicia's friends and Stritch classmates. She and Yathi had a "double-header" wedding to accommodate the cultures of both of their families. (See images from their Hindu ceremony here.) We were invited as guests, and I also acted as a "supplemental" photographer at their request.

Their second ceremony was held at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Chicago, followed by an elegant reception at Monastero's Banquet Hall.

Thanks for the invite, Gina and Yathi -- we had a great time! :]

Gina is one of Alicia's friends and Stritch classmates. She and Yathi had a "double-header" wedding to accommodate the cultures of both of their families. (See images from their Catholic ceremony here.) We were invited as guests, and I also acted as a "supplemental" photographer at their request.

Their first ceremony was held at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago in Lemont. This was my first Hindu ceremony, and aside from the bold colors adorning the participants and guests, I was also struck by the use of many different foods during the ceremony. In general, it was just a laid-back, stress-free, interesting event. (Personally, I think other cultures could take notes to make their own wedding ceremonies somewhat less stuffy affairs.) ;] After the ceremony, all the guests enjoyed a delicious lunch of Indian food. Mmmmm...

Thanks for the invite, Gina and Yathi -- we had a great time! :]

Andrew is a good friend of mine from high school back in Connecticut. He and I reconnected two years ago when he proposed to Ioanna only weeks after Alicia and I got engaged. And their wedding date was exactly one year after ours on the same date (May 30)! They both attended our wedding in Los Angeles last year, and we felt so privileged to be able to attend theirs in Chicago!

Ioanna's family is Greek, so their wedding ceremony was held at St. Andrew's (how fitting!) Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago. Their super classy reception was at the Intercontinental Hotel downtown and featured a live band well versed in both Greek and American pop music. It was quite the celebration of their marriage and our one year anniversary! ;]

Seriously, though, it was such an honor to be a groomsman in the wedding of a great friend, seeing him marry his perfect match and the love of his life. Congratulations, Ioanna and Andrew! :D

See the full proof gallery here.

Recently I had the privilege of being a groomsman in my friend Andrew's wedding. We had the rehearsal Saturday night followed by a wonderful dinner at Buca di Bepo in downtown Chicago. Andrew's family did a great job planning the dinner, the highlight of which was Ioanna's groom's cake for Andrew -- he was so surprised!

Stay tuned for pictures from their wedding!

Thanks to Henry Chen, I found myself assisting at Rebekah & Jeremy's beautiful wedding on Saturday, February 13 at Verandas in Manhattan Beach, California. Jenny Liu was the second shooter, and she and Henry provided me with many valuable tips over the course of the evening. Thanks!