Kate & Mike’s Romantic Wedding at The Brix

A Celebration of Love on the Fox River – Mike and Kate’s Wedding at The Brix

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of capturing Kate and Mike’s wedding at The Brix on the Fox, a venue that holds a special place in their hearts. Their love story is as timeless as the venue itself, and their wedding was filled with personal touches that reflected their unique journey together. The bride’s sister created a special experience for just her and Kate to try on dresses at a small local shop in Brownsburg, IN. They planned to just have fun together and didn’t expect what they found. There were so many beautiful dresses and the shop owner was amazing to work with. At the first visit, the bride knew she found the one but went shopping one more time to make sure it couldn’t be beat. The bride returned to Ivry Lane Wedding Gown & Tuxedo to say yes to the dress, knowing it was the one when she felt so beautiful with just enough detail and shimmer, elegant with the long train and buttons down the back, all while feeling comfortable to dance around and feeling like herself.

How They Met and The Proposal

Mike and Kate matched in June of 2021. Their first date was taking a walk through a forest preserve on the Fox River followed by lunch in St. Charles. Little did they know, outdoor adventures would become one of their favorite activities together, and that one day they would be getting married on the same Fox River where they first met.

Mike and Kate took a mini getaway to Galena, IL. Mike proposed on their first night of the trip in their cozy A-frame in the woods.

The Big Day at The Brix on the Fox
Their wedding day was an emotional and beautiful celebration. Kate and Mike chose to have a private first look before the ceremony, a moment they shared just between the two of them, honoring their late fathers. This intimate time together set the tone for the day: emotional, filled with love, and surrounded by close friends and family.

The couple couldn’t have asked for a better venue. Having passed The Brix on their kayaking adventures along the Fox River, they fell in love with the industrial-chic vibe and open concept of the space. The flexibility to create their own vision made the venue an easy choice, and the Brix team ensured everything ran smoothly.

Favorite Moments
One of the couple’s favorite moments was seeing their guests truly enjoying themselves. From the emotional ceremony to the lively reception, it was a night filled with love, laughter, and pure joy. The bride’s dress, found at Ivry Lane Wedding Gown & Tuxedo, was a stunning blend of elegance and comfort—perfect for dancing the night away.

Despite some pre-wedding nerves, particularly Mike’s foot injury, the day turned out better than expected. Not only did Mike walk down the aisle and dance, but he did so with a smile that never left his face.

A Day of True Love
Their first dance, “You’re All I Need to Get By” by Emilia Jones and Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, was an emotional moment for the couple. The song, from the movie CODA, holds a special place in their hearts, and the sentiment carried through their entire wedding day.

As Kate and Mike described, their wedding wasn’t about grand expectations or perfect details, but rather about celebrating their love and the beginning of their journey together. The day was everything they could have dreamed of, filled with memories they’ll cherish forever.

I asked Kate, what were you most anxious or nervous about regarding your wedding day, and how did it turn out?
The groom’s recently injured foot in a walking boot. It turned out amazing and better than they expected. He was able to walk down the aisle, dance and enjoy his wedding day.

Was your wedding different from how you always imagined it, or was it just as you envisioned?
As much as the bride and groom couldn’t wait to get married, they have bigger visions and goals to start a family together. Because of this, they didn’t have this big vision of what the day needed to be. They knew, no matter what, it would be about their love and that was exactly what they imagined.

Advice for Future Couples
For couples planning their own weddings, Kate and Mike’s advice is simple: communicate, make decisions together, and don’t worry about following trends—just make the day your own.

I can’t wait to share more photos from this magical day! Stay tuned for more sneak peeks of Kate and Mike’s beautiful wedding at The Brix on the Fox.

Click here to see another beautiful wedding at The Brix in Carpentersville.