CHICAGO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

We are Berlez. Photography, for us, is not about capturing what’s happening- it’s about seeing it with intention. Our work is art-directed, editorial, and fashion-forward but always grounded in something real. We don’t believe in overproducing moments. We believe in elevating them. Refined direction. Dynamic energy. An instinct for when to step in and when to let something unfold on its own. Because the most meaningful images aren’t just beautiful- they feel lived in. This is a more intentional evolution of our work. Less about doing more- more about doing it with purpose. Brought to life with a team of creatives who share the same standard for thoughtful, elevated storytelling: Art Director/Concept @berlez @aspenavenuestudios Florist @lifeinbloom Decor @carefullypicked Planner @eventsbyshaunrajah Photographer @laurenashleystudios Content Creator @socialbridescollective Videographer @kurtdabarbarian Beauty @glamatelierchicago Hair Color @kathyastylist Attire @lidee_woman @bananarepublic Accessories @joeyfoundit @rolex @christianlouboutin @gucci For couples who want something intentional, refined, and fashion-forward- this is where it begins.

Before booking a wedding photographer, there are a few things every couple should know 📷 From connection to experience to knowing what you’re really investing in, these tips set the foundation. Want the rest? Link in bio 🔗 Photography: @berlez

A moment to pause and reflect. Michael and I are deeply honored to share that Berlez has been named one of Loverly’s Best Wedding Photographers on the Loverly List 2025 - a recognition that celebrates artistry, trust, and storytelling in its most honest form. To be recognized among the top creators in the wedding industry - out of tens of thousands of nominations is surreal. But more than anything, we’re simply grateful. Grateful for the couples who invite us into their most intimate, once-in-a-lifetime moments. Grateful for the creative partners who dream with us, plan with us, and make iconic out of chaos. Grateful for the quiet exchanges, the wind-blown veils, the unspoken glances - the beautiful in-betweens that remind us why we do this. This honor isn’t just ours - it belongs to every couple who’s trusted us with their story, and to every artist who’s stood alongside us behind the scenes. Thank you @loverly for the recognition, and thank you all for making this wild, beautiful journey possible. Here’s to preserving the moments we never want to forget.

Getting ready is no longer just a moment - it’s a statement. With Something White Styling, founder Kate Loscalzo transforms the bridal experience into something far more intentional, curating each look with the same precision as a fashion editorial. From sourcing rare designer pieces to offering rentals and resale, every detail is considered because what you wear before the aisle matters just as much as what you wear down it. As seen in Vogue, Over The Moon, and Brides, this approach redefines modern bridal styling. It’s not about excess - it’s about curation. A wardrobe that evolves across your wedding weekend, styled with intention, designed to be remembered. Because in a world of fleeting trends, true style is knowing exactly who you are - and dressing like it. Planner @stunningandbrilliantevents @lobowles Venue @stregischicago   Photographer @berlez Videographer @aspenavenuestudios Florals & Decor @kehodesigns   Content Creator @socialbridescollective Stylist @somethingwhitestyling   Hair Stylist @nichebeauty.bykaedi   Makeup Artist @joeysoluvly   Cake @eatlavish   Stationary @breemooredesign   Jewelry @danarebecca   Groom’s Attire @generationtux   Entertainment @troycurtisliveentertainment   Publication @southernbride

An Elevated Aerial Perspective. Along the shoreline just beyond The Ringling, this engagement session unfolded with movement and intention. The first frame - a quiet twirl, effortless and unposed capturing that in-between moment where everything feels light. Then, a shift in perspective. From above, the story widens. A top-down view of the marina, rows of boats lined with precision, creating a composition that feels undeniably eye-pleasing - balanced, structured, and calm. It’s the kind of visual harmony I’m always drawn to, and a reflection of how I see my art: intentional, cinematic, and grounded in both emotion and design. Because sometimes the story isn’t just in the couple - it’s in the space around them, the scale, the symmetry, and the way a single moment transforms when seen from a different point of view.

The Groom’s Moment at LondonHouse Chicago on Film. There’s something about LondonHouse Chicago that feels inherently sophisticated - the kind of place where even the quietest moments carry weight. The morning unfolded with intention, surrounded by his closest circle - a best man, a father, the people who have shaped him. Groom prep is often overlooked, but it holds a depth all its own. This is where anticipation lives, where confidence settles in. Matt stepped into a bespoke suit by Custom Suits You, tailored precisely to him - not just in fit, but in presence. Because the truth is, grooms play an equally important role in the story of the day, and they deserve a moment that feels just as considered, just as iconic. Photographer @berlez   Videographer @aspenavenuestudios   Venue @Lhchicago Day of @nyeventschicago    Church @stalphonsuschgo Bridal Attire @ultimatebridechicago Groom Attire @customsuitsyou Stationary @banterandcharm Florist @fleurinc Rentals @prestigedecorstudio Band @tvkmusic HMUA @bridalartistryteam Cake @bittersweetpastryshop Photobooth @shutterboothchicago Transportation @the312limo Couple @M_Johnson12  & @Taylorruthwelch

Pearls & Platforms: Jimmy Choo SACARIA. A masterclass in modern bridal glamour, blending classic couture references with bold, maximalist design. Crafted in Italy from luminous white satin, the silhouette draws inspiration from vintage evening heels of the 1960s, reimagined with a sculptural platform and a striking 120mm heel that elongates the leg while maintaining balance through a subtle front lift. What truly defines this pair is the all-over pearl embellishment - a nod to timeless bridal jewelry - finished with an oversized logo-engraved pearl that feels both regal and fashion-forward. The open toe, delicate ankle strap, and smooth leather sole keep the design refined, while the layered pearls transform the shoe into a statement piece worthy of couture runways, making the SACARIA sandal the kind of heel designed not just to be worn, but to be remembered. Venue @langhamchicago Planner @rosannacoweddings Photographer @laurenashleystudios Film Photographer @berlez Videographer  @aspenavenuestudios Florals & Production @yannidesignstudio Dress @ultimatebridechicago  @moniquelhuillier  @moniquelhuillierbride Accessories & Jewelry @edenluxebridal  & @raznyjewelers Entertainment @djleemichaels  & @dgsax_ Hair Stylist @hairandlashesbykaedi MUA @lgmakeuptans  & @makeupfrancesca Photobooth @rentpixelperfectbooths Invitation @beautifullydifferentdesigns Cake @eatpistorescakes Ice Sculpture @natesice Transportation @celebluxlimos  & limotainment Couple @giannamarieciaravino  & @anthonyciaravino

A Chicago Courthouse Wedding, Styled in Oscar de la Renta. Before saying “I do” in Italy, Pauline and Josh created a moment closer to home - an intimate courthouse ceremony in Chicago defined by timeless vintage fashion. Pauline, the owner of Aveil Brides, wore a striking Oscar de la Renta design that felt equal parts classic and cinematic. The setting was simple, but the style was anything but proof that sometimes the most iconic wedding moments happen quietly, in city halls and courthouse hallways, long before the destination celebration begins. Photographer @berlez Cinema & Super 8 @aspenavenuestudios Dress @somethingwhitestyling  @oscardelarenta Suit @suitsupply Accessories @aveilbrides  @gagediamonds MUHA @cade.cosmetics Wedding Bands @takohl_gallery Florist @stevesflowermarket Chanel Shoes @paststudies Couple @paulinekulka  & @josh_hribar

An Atelier in Bloom. There are dresses, and then there are declarations. River & Rose has never been interested in the former. For the designer, nature is not a passing motif but a foundation a starting point from which every silhouette, texture, and detail unfolds. Petals become pattern. Vines inform line. The quiet architecture of a garden at golden hour translates into sculpted bodices adorned with hand-appliquéd florals, beadwork that glimmers like morning dew, and veils that move with the softness of something caught in a breeze. Her gowns feel grown rather than constructed - organic in spirit, yet executed with couture precision. With Life in Bloom shaping the floral and stage design, the setting became an extension of River & Rose’s philosophy - gowns that feel grown, not made. Architectural branches, rare orchids, and layered garden roses framed the collection like a living landscape, echoing the dimensional beauty stitched into every piece. The result was immersive and intentional: a world where fabric and flora spoke the same language, and where River & Rose’s devotion to nature revealed itself not as inspiration alone, but as identity. Dress Designer @riverandrose_design 
Photographer @berlez 
Video @aspenavenuestudios 
Florist @lifeinbloom 
HMUA @glamatelierchicago @lexie.glamatelier 
Agency @fordmodels 
Model @river_wheaton 
Studio @southfacingwindows

Sculpted in Light - Flat Lay. A flat lay is where restraint becomes art. Invitations, vow books, heirloom rings - they don’t need drama; they need intention. In your first image, the hard slice of light creates tension, carving shadows across the paper and florals like a still from an old European film. It feels editorial. Architectural. The contrast pulls the eye to texture - the deckled edges, the wax seal, the folds of each petal giving the stationery a sense of weight and presence. Hard light in a flat lay transforms paper into sculpture. But in the second image, where the light is soft and constant, everything exhales. The shadows are gentle, the tones even, the typography perfectly legible. This is where flat lays thrive: diffused light wrapping seamlessly around silk ribbons and engraved names, allowing every detail to be seen without distraction. It’s less about mood and more about clarity - the quiet luxury of balance. In flat lay styling, lighting isn’t just illumination. It decides whether your invitations whisper elegance or command attention. Venue @chateaudetourreau Wedding Planning, Styling and Design @amv_weddings Editorial @amv_retreats Bts Photography @thomasaudiffren Florist @lablondeetlebarbudesign Cake @k_n_kakes Rentals @jolibazaar Linens @nuagedesignsinc Stationary @laurenelizabethpatrick Hair @karinebrossardmakeuphair Makeup @kaylakollection Bridal Dressing @goldleafbrides Ceremony & Reception Dress @berta  @bertabridal Ceremony Earrings @megantheresecouture Reception Earrings @whitejasmineaccessories Shoes @katewhitcombshoes Flat Lay Styling @kbellaevents Styling Mats @aprilandmikeraymond Ring Boxes @thestylingreserve

Roman Vows, Effortlessly Considered. To marry in Rome is to balance poetry with precision. Whether beneath the vaulted ceilings of a Catholic church, inside a storied civic hall, or within the gardens of a private villa, each ceremony carries its own quiet grandeur. The setting is never just aesthetic - it is layered with history, ritual, and intention. In a city this timeless, your vows should feel equally deliberate. Yet behind the romance lies refinement. Legal documents, official filings, and for international couples an interpreter for key proceedings are all part of the process. This is where an exceptional Italian planner becomes essential: navigating bureaucracy, curating trusted creatives, and ensuring every detail unfolds seamlessly. In Rome, beauty is expected. Effortless execution is an art.