susan + ryan / springfield wedding

Susan + Ryan’s passion for each other is indescribable so of course their wedding day had to be!  After their engagement session this past fall I was beyond excited to get to capture the feeling of their love on their wedding day because its shines without any effort. The day was just as romantic as I imagined it would be. When the day begins by exploring Susan’s childhood farm with her sisters by her side, its an automatic favorite of mine. Their ceremony was held in a quaint rustic hall fireside in January, have you ever heard of anything more perfect? With the help of lots and lots of family, friends and even a quick visit from their doggy, their wedding day was perfection. Just as it should be.

Venue: Hamiltons Catering, Franklin, Illinois

molly+wes / trailside event center wedding

When Molly first asked me to photograph her wedding last year, I had to quickly reminisce of the day I met Molly. We met at a college party (or was it high school?) and she shared a McDonald’s cheeseburger with me. I even have pictures to prove that first moment of friendship but Ill refrain from sharing 🙂 When I heard of her engagement I couldn’t be happier for such a sweet girl to find her perfect man!

After meeting Wes during their engagement session I knew these two lovebirds were the real deal. Surrounded by so many great friends and family who helped make their day so memorable, I was beyond honored to be there to capture it. It was just as perfect as they are!

Ceremony: St. Philomena, Peoria

Reception Venue: Trailside Event Center, Peoria Heights

Bridal Dress: Country Bride, Peoria

Bridesmaid Dress: David’s Bridal, Peoria

Groom’s Suit: Jos A Bank

Floral: Flowers by Mona

Cake: Trefzgers, Peoria

DJ: Complete Weddings 

Videographer: Hannah Lefler Photography

Hair & Makeup: Colleen Elser

cassandra + bruce / mackinaw valley winery wedding

There was so much to love bout Cassandra and Bruce’s day. Theres just something about the way Bruce looked at Cassandra all day, clearly blown away that she was becoming his wife. And the way he made her smile from ear to ear all day long. So many memories their family members made throughout their day from a choreographed dance by her bridesmaids to a mashup first dance with the father of the bride. I love when weddings have special features that set them apart from any other. By far my favorite moment of the day was the intimate prayer with both the bride and groom’s parents on the alter during their ceremony. Its clear these two are the perfect pair and their day was equally as perfect!

Venue: Mackinaw Valley Vineyard

Ceremony: Metamora Mennonite Church

Bridal Dress: Adore Bridal Boutique

DJ: Weddings With Wes

Floral: The Flower Basket

samantha + zach / orchard ridge farms wedding

With Thanksgiving tomorrow I can’t help but think about all the amazing opportunities and people I meet through this hobby of mine and I am so so so incredibly thankful for that! Thinking back to this aaaaaamazing wedding gives me chills. Not only were Samantha and Zach a picture perfect bride & groom, their attentiveness to detail & style made this day one to remember. From the jaw-dropping venue at Orchard Ridge Farms, to the personalized pumpkin place settings this wedding was your perfect fall celebration. Can we just go back and relive this day already?

Venue: Orchard Ridge Farms/ The Pavilion Rockton, Illinois

Planner: Backyard Soiree Wedding and Events

Caterer – Henrici’s

Videographer – Matt Eickoff

Florist – Event Floral

Rentals –Forever Birdy

DJ and lighting – Luxe Productions

meelay + joe / the barn at hornbaker gardens wedding

First off, any wedding where the recessional is “Chelsea Dagger” (the Blackhawk’s goal song) notches up on my top wedding list. Then add the sweet details throughout the day and I don’t just mean the vintage decor, stunning florals and adorable barn venue. What I remember most was the heartfelt wedding ceremony performed flawlessly by Joe’s cousin. Then add the reserved front row seat where we all felt Joe’s mothers presence through the ceremony. The lockets both bride and groom kept close to them with her photo so she was with them all day. Or how about my favorite memory of all, the way that Meelay repeatedly told Joe how good he looked with that ring on his finger.

It was a wedding to remember to say the least and these two filled my heart with their laughter, love and sweetness for everyone on their day, including myself.

venue: the barn at hornbaker gardens, princeton, illinois

dj: DJ4U, peoria, illinois

floral: hannah graham with PLAN events & design, jacksonville, il

cake: christy’s kitchen, peru, illinois

hair:  janni robertson and karla humphrey from emerald bay salon, geneseo, il

makeup: deanna lewis makeup, naperville, il

bride’s dress: house of brides couture

suits: jos a bank, peoria, il