It’s not often that I photograph weddings… but some weddings you take on because they mean so much to me and the intention behind every moment is genuine and remarkable.

SJ and Rocky’s lake house summer wedding was just that and more. Holy cow. This wedding was truly authentically them. And I can attest! I worked with both SJ and Rocky at a restaurant for several years in Chicago and immediately hit it off with them as soon as they started working there.

They had their wedding at SJ’s uncles Wisconsin lake house, which is a very special place for SJ’s family, as she and her siblings grew up going there. Rocky is from Mexico and a lot of his family was able to make it to the wedding, which was incredibly special too. AND… get this, they hired a mariachi band for the cocktail hour, which was a HUGE hit! The band was incredible and made for a simply unforgettable detail of their day.

The couple had a pre-ceremony cocktail hour that allowed guests to arrive, mingle, dance, and sing along to the mariachi band. SJ stayed upstairs in the bedroom to make her grand entrance through the double doors of the lake house for the ceremony! Personally, I think everyone should start doing pre-ceremony cocktail hours! This made the intimate party more comfortable and allowed people to arrive without a worry to be late to the ceremony.

During the ceremony, they both did their vows in English and in Spanish… and SJ surprised everyone by doing her vows in Spanish too, cue the tears. Some family members of Rocky’s recorded the ceremony of the family that wasn’t able to make it to the wedding from Mexico.

The ceremony did have to be moved indoors due to the forecast of rain and on and off misting throughout the day prior to the wedding. Thankfully after the ceremony, the rain held off for the rest of the day and ended up being a beautifully overcast, magical day for the cocktail hour and reception!

SJ and Rocky has a seafood and oyster buffet dinner, included with the cutest personalized bibs for everyone to wear! The catering was incredible and guests were able to eat wherever they pleased at high top tables set up throughout the yard and open aired basement.

The speeches were all thoughtful and personal. SJ’s childhood best friend, Rocky’s cousin, and SJ’s mom. Now, I will say that SJ’s mom’s speech took the cake and may possibly be the best wedding speech I’ve ever heard to date. She had stories galore and it all came full circle at the end of her speech. She even included old art projects of SJs that she proudly showcased over the balcony from which she stood. Talk about amazing relics from SJs childhood. (Don’t miss out on these photos when you scroll through!)

The evening ended in dancing in the living room of the lake house and the party continued on with an afterparty at a nearby local bar on the other side of the lake.