I've been endlessly curious about different cultures, religions, traditions and languages for as long as I can remember. I studied Spanish in middle school as soon as it was an option and I studied abroad in Plougonvelin, France my senior year of high school. I was a part of the Rotary Youth Exchange a million years ago (ok, not that long ago but long enough that if I tell you the real date it will dramatically age me!)...but being involved with this program was so great for many reasons... one of the main ones was the opportunity to connect with students from so many different countries. Mexico, Bolivia, Czech Republic, Hungary, France, Spain, Brazil, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, India, Japan...you name it! This experience embedded in me a deep love for travel and experiencing the world through different ethnic vantage points!
As a photographer, I have been fortunate to document a wide variety of love stories through many cultural lenses. It is an honor to be let in on the special traditions and sacred rites of passage involved in these types of celebrations.
I was thrilled to receive the wedding photography inquiry for DJ & Nicole's Orthodox Jewish wedding celebration at the Perlstein Resort in Wisconsin Dells.
DJ and Nicole lived in the same area of Chicago while Nicole was completing her undergraduate degree. When they met for the first time, they exchanged some serious chemistry...not long after, they were inseparable. The pair, an archaeologist & therapist, enjoys the great outdoors & traveling together. Their favorite past time, however, is spending time with their affectionate pup, Sophie.
DJ popped the question when they were on a mountain adventure in New Hampshire. It was a cold, wintery day amidst the snowcapped mountains when DJ asked Nicole to marry him. She couldn't refuse!
Their wedding planning brought them to Wisconsin, a central location for their friends and family traveling in from various parts of the US.
The Perlstein Resort in Wisconsin Dells served as a beautiful backdrop for their summer camp vibe nuptials. Guests were able to book lodging for the weekend and enjoy the lakeside, wooded views in a serene environment.
DJ & Nicole's day was joyful, interactive, energetic, exciting and jubilant. The full range of emotions were felt as a deep reverence for life was observed by all.
The aesthetic of their wedding day was an eclectic combination... cottagecore meets dark academia meets bohemian. Nicole was radiant in a long sleeved, plunging neckline flowy wedding dress while DJ looked dapper in a green wool suit and fashionable kippah (yamaka).
Their wedding party wore an array of garments in mismatched fashion, which brought interest to their wedding photos! Whimsical florals accompanied their ensembles charmingly.
Spring in Wisconsin is a gamble, weather wise. Mother Nature threw us for a loop for the first half of the day but the rain storms opened up to a marvelous, sunshine filled afternoon just in time for the festivities to begin!
DJ & Nicole's wedding day consisted of many Orthodox Jewish traditions as well as a First Look between the bride & her wedding party, and the bride & her groom.
The outline of their day:
First Look
Kabbalat panim, an opportunity for guests to mingle with the happy couple prior to the beginning of the official wedding ceremony.
The Chosen's Tish during a Jewish wedding day... the groom is surrounded by the male wedding guests. Copious amounts of dancing, singing, laughing and toasting before the groom is escorted to the bride for the bedeken (or veiling ceremony)
Jewish Veiling Ceremony (Bedeken)
Signing of the Ketubah
Traditional Jewish wedding ceremony under the the family heirloom Chuppah & breaking of the glass to commemorate their union! Mazel tov!
Jewish circle dancing
Celebratory moments during the Jewish Hora
Documentary wedding photography was employed throughout DJ & Nicole's wedding day. Their celebration was fast paced & action packed. Artfully capturing the genuine, unscripted moments of their wedding festivities was so engaging for me as a wedding photographer and I'm grateful for the opportunity to provide them with visual memories of their best day ever, forever!
Here's what they had to say about working with Whimsical Roots Photography:
In May of 2022 my wife and I hosted a traditional Orthodox Jewish wedding in Baraboo, Wisconsin. There are A LOT of customs in this sort of wedding, so we wanted to find someone who would be able to capture all of these small moments throughout our day. After seeing her portfolio and having a consultation with Andrea, we knew we could rely on her- and are so glad we did! Andrea was clearly diligent in ensuring that she fully understood what we were looking for. Andrea was so attentive, organized, adaptable, and had great energy throughout the day. Aside for memories, photographs are all you have left after the wedding- we are both so glad we entrusted Andrea with this responsibility. We are so happy with our photos- Andrea not only has great style and a real eye for photography, she captured some amazing moments. At the wedding itself, my memories of Andrea are of her being kind and encouraging all while darting from place to place for hours straight to capture the day. My close friend told me before our wedding- "whatever you do, get a good photographer." I'm glad I took his advice seriously and had the opportunity to work with Andrea. 10/10 I highly recommend Andrea for any wedding.
