sarah + evan / luthy botanical garden wedding

These two are just too cute for words. I love a couple who can laugh with each other throughout the day and just truly enjoy every moment to the fullest. Even with the threat of rain during their outdoor ceremony, nothing took a smile off of either of their faces. For some reason one of my favorite moments of the day is seeing what the bride and groom choose as their first dance. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Ed Sheeran tune, but when you find a song that just FITS you and is different, I get way too excited. On that note, I’ll end with a few lyrics to their pick because its probably my favorite thus far!

Both of us have known love before
To come on up promising like a spring, to walk on out the door
Our words are strong and our hearts are kind
Let me tell you just exactly what’s on my mind
You are the best thing, ever happened to me

-Ray LaMontagne

Dress – Adore

Hair & Makeup – Loft Bridal

Ceremony Venue- George L. Luthy Botanical Garden, Peoria, IL

Reception Venue- Pere Marquette, Peoria IL

Floral – LeFleur Floral Design and Events

jessica + jon – june wedding

Oh my goodness this summer has been a busy one and I can’t believe this beautiful day was back in June already! These two tied the knot on a warm summer day, luckily missing any rain that was in the forecast! Surrounded by some pretty awesome friends and even more amazing family, these two were overjoyed with love and support on their big day and I was lucky enough to be there to capture it.

Bridal Dress- Cloud Nine Bridal, Peoria, IL

Floral- Create A Scene

Event and Planning – Create A Scene

Hair – Salon Seven, Metamora, IL (Kelsey Tintori)

Makeup – Mercedes Meyer

Ceremony Venue – St. Philomena, Peoria, IL

Reception Venue – IToo Hall, Peoria, IL

DJ – Team E Entertainment

Videography – Neckbone Pictures

tara + joe / waterhouse wedding

Spent a beautiful day back in May with the new Mr & Mrs Cruz. I always love seeing how everyone’s day ends up being unique and special in their own way, this one was beautiful from start to finish. From the constant smiles Tara and Joe kept on each others face, the pristine details laid out through the day and the all around joy at all times, its hard to top a day like this.  You can see it on their face how much these two are over the moon for each other, and I couldn’t be any happier for the two of them! Their family is finally complete 🙂

Bridal Dress: Mia Grace Bridal

Ceremony Venue: St Mary’s Lourdes Church, Metamora, IL

Reception Venue: The Waterhouse, Peoria, IL

Cake – Cake Crumbs Unlimited

Floral & Planning – LeFleur Floral Design & Events

Videography – Patrick Clark

Hair – Salon Seven and Blush Studio

Makeup – Kari Uzelac and Brittany Roseboom

Band – West Maqueen Street

laurie + brian / big bear lake intimate wedding

I am a firm believer that everyone you meet in your life, whether its for a short period or long, enters your life for a reason. It could be a life changing or just lead you to another encounter in your life. I met Laurie back in 2010 when I moved to South Carolina on a whim. I only lived there for a short period but the friendship Laurie and I created during that time held up through the years and distance. We’ve seen each other through numerous relationships, moves and jobs, while checking in on each other here and there. I remember when she first told me about Brian, she had said something along the lines of wondering if she would ever find that comfortable relationship that you just “knew” they were THE one, like I had found in my husband Ryan. But when she found Brian, she knew. It all fit and it all felt right, just like it should. Fast forward a few more years and Laurie reached out to me about photography, wondering how I got started and some tips of where to begin. Watching her grow in the photog business and grow in her relationship with Brian, I am truly amazed by her happiness and success. When the ways of the world lead her to asking me to fly out to California and shoot her intimate wedding at Big Bear Lake, I had to make it happen. Watching these two, so deeply in love, giggle and flirt their way through the day just had me crying happy tears for my friend. Finding your forever person is the best thing in the world <3

Reception: The Pines Lakefront, Big Bear Lake, CA

Cake: Sister my sister Bakeshop

Dress: Spell the gypsy

Hair & Makeup: Brianna Tait

jenna + tyler / orchard ridge farms wedding

This is one of my favorite wedding venues to photograph at, and this only being my second time here! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Orchard Ridge Farms, then you add the most bubbly, laid back and playful couple to the mix and theres nothing I would rather do on a Saturday afternoon. (don’t tell my family)

I met Jenna back in the college years, probably in some extremely funny way involving alcohol and I’ve loved her ever since. Fast forward a few more years and I see her again dorfing it up for the weekend at Elandorf. Fast forward even more and she’s asking me to photograph the biggest day of her life, talk about an honor! I had never met Tyler until the day of and I wondered what kind of guy could match Jenna’s charismatic and hilarious personality. Then bam, I was snapping away at their first look and it was like you could feel the love and perfection radiating from them. I even remember Jenna saying that just being around Tyler made her nerves go away. They compliment each other to a T. I think every guest at the wedding left with full hearts for this couple. The day could not have been any more amazing to kick off the next chapter of their lives together.

Venue: Orchard Ridge Pavilion 
Cake: Caleri’s Bakery 
Floral: Lily ‘n Rose Flowers and Gifts
Bridal Dress: Adore Bridal
Tux: Seno
Catering: Henrici’s
Band: Martini Lunch
Hair: Bree – The Loft Salon
Make-up: Jenni – The Loft Salon