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When a bride shows up in the same designer gown that you wore on your own wedding day, and the groom rolls up to the baraat in a vintage Corvette Stingray instead of the traditional horse, you know it’s going to be an interesting day.

weddings at the hotel renaissance in schaumburg

We shot beforehand at the beautiful Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel where Marissa and Nirag got ready for their big day; its lofty window views and modern, marble spiral staircase a perfect backdrop for Marissa’s uber-sophisticated, body-skimming gown. She’s got great taste! (I’m not biased or anything.)

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Her bridesmaids looked like a radiant sea of cerulean and peacock blues, offset by a fresh punch of green chartreuse bouquets. Not coincidentally, the shiny Corvette (belonging to Marissa’s godfather) in which Nirag entered the baraat was of the same brilliant blue.

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The ceremony and reception took place at The Meadows Club, and incorporated both Hindu and Armenian traditions, a tribute to each of their heritages.

weddings at the hotel renaissance in schaumburg

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Of all the weddings I’ve shot this year alone, I have to say that the love I felt here in this one room was extraordinarily palpable. I absolutely adored how much Marissa and Nirag’s friends and family loved them. To say the least, it positively pulsated––from the high-energy flash mob that began with the wedding party to the surprise Bollywood style dance performed by Marissa’s father and uncles! You can see how Marissa is eyeing her dad suspiciously as he takes off his jacket, just before breaking it down, Bollywood style, yea!

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Having met this lovely couple via a referral from another bride and groom, I can see that these two march to the beat of their own drums. It’s clear that the love from Marissa and Nirag’s family and friends is tremendous and will carry them through this new chapter and throughout their journey in life!

xo, Melissa

 

Marissa & Nirag’s Wedding Guide ::

Venue, The Meadows Club // Bride’s Attire, Marisa Bridals gown, Nina shoes // Bride’s Hair, Asha of Aveda Salon // Flowers, SaniMar Décor Studio // Event Designer, SaniMar Décor Studio // Food, The Meadows Club // Cake, Swirlz Cupcakes // Music, DJ D’STYLZ

 

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Under the soaring beauty of the world’s largest stained glass Tiffany dome, Reyna and Eric were married. It was a regal ceremony highlighted by the splendid architectural details of the historical Chicago Cultural Center. The couple in love walked down a grand aisle flanked with gilded candelabra centerpieces that were capped with brilliant white peacock plumes and rose topiaries. Nothing was more breathtaking than the bride herself, a blonde bombshell who I think was the very picture of old Hollywood glamour in an Ines de Santo gown and jewel-encrusted Pour La Victoire pumps.

Before the wedding, the couple got to unleash their inner kids (also known as the couple’s portraits in official photographer speak). We made sure to shoot at some of their favorite spots in Chicago, including various locations within Millennium Park and the merry-go-round at Navy Pier. Get ready, Eric and Reyna––you’re in for the best ride of your lives! You don’t have to work your imagination too much, here’s a look at their big day and all the thoughtful details!

What began as an elegant ceremony space later gave way to a reception that was dripping in old-world glamour laced with handmade touches by Reyna herself and bits of iconic Chicago. Carol Woldhuis Designs turned the couple’s favorite local spots into whimsical, hand-drawn table cards. Reyna also custom designed her flower girls’ dresses, a colorful candy buffet, gifts for guests, handmade signs and frames. Her aunt even made a bird cage to hold all the well wishes from guests!

Reyna and Eric surprised wedding guests by announcing that the two of them will be taking Eric’s stepfather’s surname, Tomasek! This beautiful gesture by a beautiful couple really needs no explanation, but I’ll give it to you anyway––his stepfather was there every bit of the way for the last 30 years, helping his mother to raise him, and Eric and Reyna want to pay tribute! LOVE!

Congratulations to a beautiful couple!

xo, Melissa

 

Reyna & Eric’s Wedding Guide ::

Venue, Chicago Cultural Center // Bride’s Attire, Ines Di Santo gown, Pour La Victoire shoes // Bride’s Hair, Anna Suarez of Studio 62 Salon // Bridesmaids’ Dresses, Cache // Flowers, Yanni Design Studio // Videographer, Delack Media // Event Designer, Self-designed // Food, A La Carte // Cake, Peterson’s Bakery // Music, Green 13 Entertainment (DJ) and Timing is Everything (band)

 

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  • AlertFebruary 13, 2022 - 12:23 pm

    Hi, you have a racist idea n your website. You may want to consider removing her, unless of course, YOU support that. Either way, having her on here potentially makes your business look bad. I thought you should be aware to make the best choice for your business.

    https://twitter.com/thatdaneshguy/status/1492920947820707848?s=21

  • HarleyFebruary 13, 2022 - 12:48 pm

    https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLjnbw7n/

    This racist piece of s*** and her friend run into restaurants and scream and yell at people calling them Nazis, this one is now calling Hindu people terrorists and your company might come under fire because you can search their name and it comes to your page

    We are the company we keep, do not align yourself with racism and keep your business free from this type of stigma and association

    Danesh is helping to expose these people and people need to eliminate any ties to this type of hate, intolerance and bigotry

    https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLjnp1b8/

    That link is what they do, do you want your business associated with this type of behavior

  • CandaceFebruary 13, 2022 - 12:49 pm

    https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLjnQkMR/

    Is this the type of person you want your business associated with?

  • Social conscienceFebruary 13, 2022 - 1:32 pm

    reyna ree tomasek is an outright racist! Do you want that representing your company?

  • conscienceFebruary 13, 2022 - 1:34 pm

    reyna ree tomasek is an outright racist! Do you want that representing your company?

  • StephanieFebruary 13, 2022 - 1:56 pm

    Why do you support racist in your websites ????? Do the right thing and take this profile down

  • Concerned CitizenFebruary 13, 2022 - 2:30 pm

    Just another RACIST wedding venue. How do you say white terrorist without saying white terrorist? Reyna Thomasek is a RACIST.

  • Shawn DuPontFebruary 13, 2022 - 5:45 pm

    This women is a shockingly terrible human being. Basically called a dark skinned person a terrorist because he had dark skin.

    Just an awful human being.

    I would avoid her Al all costs.,

  • YikesFebruary 13, 2022 - 6:59 pm

    Did you really say that when someone claims to be Hindu you think they’re probably a terrorist? Yikes.

  • BirdyFebruary 13, 2022 - 8:51 pm

    It looks like you do decent work and I know we don’t always know the content of our customers character but… I wouldn’t want my brand associated with a blatant racist (amongst many other disturbing character traits). Maybe consider removing it?

  • BirdyFebruary 13, 2022 - 8:54 pm

    It looks like you do decent work and I know we don’t always know the content of our customers character but… I wouldn’t want my brand associated with a blatant racist (amongst many other disturbing character traits). Maybe consider removing it? Her behavior is on display in the link attached.

  • Javier ValentinFebruary 14, 2022 - 12:31 pm

    Little disappointed by her comments about Brown people being terrorists.

    Great pics though, my fiance and I are planning on getting married soon in Chicago. We don’t hate people from the middle eastern or other regions of the world.

  • AJ PowarFebruary 15, 2022 - 6:51 am

    What a gross piece of shit!
    And, thank you for keeping your this post up!!!

  • KimberlyFebruary 15, 2022 - 5:58 pm

    This bride is a racist and she’s stained Chicago with her ugly hatred. We don’t claim her, neither should you.

  • MariaFebruary 16, 2022 - 1:56 am

    It’s a shame you’ve had these comments up so long & continue to keep supporting a racist by having her pictures and story on your website.

  • JenniferFebruary 16, 2022 - 1:11 pm

    If you guys keep up with D on TT exposing her, the creator of this website CHOSE to keep this up because the bride asked it to be taken down because it exposes her personal life. She’s not supporting the bride, shes not letting the bride hide from the internet. Leave the creator alone. She supports US not her.

  • Reyna Ree TomasekFebruary 17, 2022 - 11:02 am

    I’m shitty racist to the point I don’t even know the difference between someone who is Hindu and someone who is Muslim https://www.tiktok.com/@thatdaneshguy/video/7064255352518495534

  • Jeremy TillmanFebruary 18, 2022 - 12:47 am

    Glad to know you are keeping this up so tomasek can’t hide. You take amazing photos!

  • MelissaFebruary 18, 2022 - 1:11 am

    Reyna created a fake profile and left me a bad review on Google. If you can be so kind and leave me a super quick review to counter her one star, I would be SO grateful!!!

    Here’s the link
    Check out Melissa Diep Photography on Google!
    https://g.page/r/CQO6YMIvJlIxEAo

  • MelissaFebruary 18, 2022 - 1:12 am

    Reyna created a fake profile and left me a bad review on Google. If you can be so kind and leave me a super quick review to counter her one star, I would be SO grateful!!!

    Here’s the link
    Check out Melissa Diep Photography on Google!
    https://g.page/r/CQO6YMIvJlIxEAo

  • MelissaFebruary 18, 2022 - 1:12 am

    Reyna created a fake profile and left me a bad review on Google. If you can be so kind and leave me a super quick review to counter her one star, I would be SO grateful!!!

    Here’s the link
    Check out Melissa Diep Photography on Google!
    https://g.page/r/CQO6YMIvJlIxEAo

Posted in weddingsTags: ,,,

 

There was a boat. There were fedora hats a la MJ. And there was some serious booty shaking.

I’ve photographed many Indian weddings, but no two are alike; each one is magnificently ornate, colorful, and seemingly more lavish than the one before! Give me a vibrant affair with Bollywood dancing any day and I’ll shake my little, Indian wedding-loving booootay right along with everyone else. Especially if said soiree takes place in a venue so spectacular as Northerly Island. I hope to have captured the energy and love of Archita and Ankit––here are some peeks so we can all gush over every special detail of the day! (And if you missed Part 1 of this wedding week, check it out here!)

The couple had a traditional Northern Indian ceremony under a Mandap, an altar elegantly draped with cerulean and champagne silks. The open waters surrounding the island and wisps of the Chicago skyline should be decor enough, but Archita and Ankit embellished with thoughtful touches such as silk parasols and fans, allowing their guests to stay cool. As always, all the gorgeous silk saris added color and texture to the event, but all eyes were on the bride, who was regal in a Thakkur-designed lehenga bought in Baroda, India.

After the ceremony, the party moved into a splendid tent on the island. This lucky bride got to wear two special outfits, changing from her traditional lehenga to a hot pink number for the reception. The event, which was designed by Kehoe Designs, was awash in chic peacock blue tones and dramatically illuminated. Don’t forget to check out Archita and Ankit’s Wedding Guide below the photos!

Happy wedding day, Archita and Ankit!

xo, Melissa

 

Archita & Ankit’s Wedding Guide ::

Venue, Northerly Island // Bride’s Attire, Thakkur lehenga (Baroda, India), Badgley Mischka shoes // Bride’s Makeup and Hair, Diem Angie Nguyen // Groom’s Attire, HUB (Baroda, India) // Bridesmaids’ Dresses, purchased from India // Flowers, Kehoe Designs // Videographer, Smiling Toad Productions // Event Designer, Kehoe Designs // Food, Jewell Events // Wedding Consultant, AnaCristina Aguirre of Deseo Events // Cake, Flour Cake and Pastry // Music, DJ Sachin

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