My family has known Kayla’s since before any of us were born! Kayla’s mom was my older brother’s babysitter, and she had Kayla’s older sister, Lauren, a few months before my mom had me. Lauren and I became fast friends in preschool and have been besties-for-life ever since, and much of my childhood was spent at Lauren’s house playing dress-up and watching musicals with her and Kayla. We’ve come a long way since then, and it’s been wonderful to see Kayla grow up and start her new life with Joe!

Kayla’s enthusiastic energy and zest for life has always been infectious, and it was perfectly reflected in her wedding. If I were to pick anyone to have a fun, flirty, pink wedding, it would definitely be her!

“I loved every minute of the day” Kayla said, “from waking up in the hotel room with all of my closest friends, to putting finishing touches to our centerpieces that morning, to 10 second dance parties when we found out the ceremony could be outside (there was rain the morning of the wedding and the grounds crew was unsure if it would be dry enough for us) but probably my favorite parts of the day included being with the people I love the most! I was surrounded by friends the whole day.”

I'm absolutely biased toward the photos of Lauren and Kayla together, but there's truly nothing better than watching sisters who are so close share life's sweet moments.

“When [Joe and I] finally got to see each other, everything felt right. Whatever nerves we had disappeared and it was just the two of us. Even when we were taking pictures, when we would look into each other’s eyes we were just focused on each other. We were in our own little world!”

The ambiance of Kayla and Joe's ceremony was stunning. With the rain earlier in the day and the uncertainty of being able to have it outside as planned, everything coming together was even more special.

One of Kayla's favorite parts of the day was dancing at the end of the night.

“I took a moment to look around at everyone and I had a realization that everyone was here for Joe and I! This party was for us! I was just so blessed by that.”

If they had to do it all over again?

“I would start projects earlier (like deciding what signs we needed and finishing place cards and things like that). And it would have been really great not to have to work full time during the planning process, or at least in the last few weeks. At least for us, that wasn’t a possibility, but it would have helped a lot.”

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THANK YOU to Kayla for letting me share her special day, and to Sabrina Siegers for the beautiful images.

Photography: The Siegers Photo Video
Venue: Rockford Bank and Trust Pavillion
Flowers: Melissa Findlay, Hyvee | Flower Sourcing from Sam's Club and Costco
Wedding Dress: Wtoo by Watters for BHLDN

I have known Maddie since we were little - from running around the halls at church together as toddlers to her mom being my high school English teacher, her family has always had a special place in my life. It's a little surreal to think that we're all grown up and getting married, but I couldn't be more thrilled for her and Christian!

Maddie and Christian's wedding kept some traditional conventions, but the vibe was anything but typical. The industrial venue, her bohemian gown, and relaxed atmosphere put a signature stamp on their big day that was completely unique.

"There is so much pressure in the wedding industry on the 'right' way to do a wedding - from venue, to budget, to dress, to Pinterest," Maddie said. "The first few months of planning I felt so wrapped up in these expectations. But, as all the pieces started coming together, it was so evident that the wedding day would perfectly and naturally reflect Christian and I. It's a comforting revelation, and one that I hope most brides can be confident in!"

It's hard not to love a good first-look session, and it's even harder not to love one that features a lush ivy wall.

Maddie and Christian's bridal party was huge, and their friendships were delightfully showcased in their photos.

"It was so, so special for Christian and I to be surrounded by all of our favorite people through each element of the wedding. There was such a strong presence of community and celebration and thanksgiving."

Maddie's dad had the honor of both walking her down the aisle and officiating the ceremony, which added a personal and emotional touch.

Blumen Gardens is an amazing venue for receptions; their industrial factory space decked out with lights is simply magical and was perfect for Maddie and Christian's ethereal aesthetic.

"We loved getting lifted up by our friends when everyone was dancing at the reception. And the scooter send-off - we loved that, too! Too hard to pick just one moment."

If they had to do it all over again?

"I wish I would've been more intentional about saying thank you/goodbye to parents, bridesmaids, and other guests towards the end of the reception. It's a bit of a dirty trick - all of your favorite people in one place and then having to leave so suddenly. I remember feeling ultra nostalgic as we were leaving!"

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SPECIAL THANKS to Maddie for letting me share this day with you, and to Raegan Lintner for her phenomenal photos.

Photography: Raegan Lintner Photography
Venue: Blumen Gardens, Sycamore IL
Flowers: Melissa Findlay, Hyvee
Wedding Dress: BHLDN

Last month I was lucky enough to take a road trip to Kansas City, MO and see my best friend, Jeff, marry the absolute BEST woman, Melinda. I met both Jeff and Mel separately in an online Bible study, and it didn't take too many times having Jeff gush to me about how he felt about Mel that I called it: they were going to get married. I feel so honored to have witnessed their relationship from the beginning and to have seen them grow as individuals and as a couple!

As much as I'm a wedding planner at heart, it was so nice to be able to go to a wedding without having to work the wedding, and I loved witnessing Jeff and Melinda's wedding as a friend and a guest.

I usually use my community page to feature weddings and wedding vendors in my local community, but I felt so at home it felt like it was taking place right down the street from me. The wedding wedding was in Missouri, I came from Chicago, the photographer came from Ohio, and it was just one happy mid-western family.

Michelle Joy Photo did an AMAZING job capturing Jeff and Mel's day,
and she was SO generous in letting my friend Bekah and I follow her around and take our own photos (in exchange for wedding dress fluffing and bouquet holding, of course!)

Here are some of my favorites of Michelle's shoot. Enjoy!

Photography: Michelle Joy Photo
Venue: Red Bridge Baptist Church, Lee's Summit MO
Cake: HyVee
Wedding Dress: David's Bridal

You can see a full gallery of Jeff and Melinda's wedding on Michelle's blog!
To see the photos I took, you visit my gallery.

I have known Scot since middle school, and I met Ashley later on in high school. I was there when Scot and Ashley met during a mission trip meeting at church, I was there when Ashley was hardcore crushing on Scot before they started dating, and I've seen all of the ups and downs of their four-year dating relationship. Naturally, when they got engaged and Ashley asked me to help them plan their wedding, I was thrilled to be a part of their next chapter!

It's been three months since their big day, and I'm finally able to share it with you!

Special thanks to Kori of Kori Mauch Photography for the use of her beautiful images.

Scot and Ashley's "first look" session was the most precious thing.  It doesn't take too much for Scot to cry so we all were prepped for that, but he lost it.  I was watching from the window of the church and it was so sweet to witness.

For the ceremony, Scot walked both his mother and Ashley's down the aisle, which was a really sweet gesture.

Ring Pops were used at their rehearsal in place of their actual rings, but they managed to made an appearance at the real ceremony, too!

Instead of lighting a traditional unity candle, Scot and Ashley decided to plant a seed to water and nurture as a couple.

The parents of the bride and groom were invited to share their words of wisdom with them and to lead the congregation in prayer.

As their first act as husband and wife, they chose to take communion together to solidify the foundation of Christ as the center of their marriage.

My favorite moment of the ceremony had nothing to do with the bride and groom - Scot and Ashley's parents paired up and skipped down the aisle to make their grand exit!

Their reception was held in the gymnasium of the church (and yes, that's a little sliver of me hiding behind the divider.)

Scot's mom passed down an heirloom apron that had been worn by generations of women in her family during their cake cuttings, representing the wife's first act of service to her husband during marriage!

Of course, that "act of service" turned out to include a lot of frosting up the bride's nose.

Scot's best man, Zach, and Ashley's sister, Bri, gave their speeches before the bride and groom's sendoff!

The couple and the bridal party departed and were off to their close friends' stunning property for some more photos together.

The pictures with Scot and Ashley's siblings are some of my personal favorites!

Naturally, as a young couple with a young bridal party, the photo session couldn't be taken too seriously!

Congratulations to Scot and Ashley!!!  I was so happy to be a part of their special day and I'm honored to call them my friends.  I can't wait to see where married life takes them!

Photography: Kori Mauch Photography
Videography: Anomaly Video
Venue: First Baptist Church, Sycamore IL
Flowers: afloral.com
Cake: Latsis Bakery, Genoa IL
Wedding Dress: David's Bridal

For more of my work for Scot and Ashley's day, visit my gallery.

I've given a lot of press to Sabrina Nohling Photography this past year, as she did the photo sessions for Bob and Kaeleigh's wedding. Their snowy engagement session, second engagement session, and their wedding photos can be found on my blog, and full sessions can be found on Sabrina's blog.

I'm thrilled to report that Sabrina is sending another AMAZING engagement session our way! Briana and I grew up in the same neighborhood and we've known each other since elementary school, so it's extremely exciting to see her get engaged to such a wonderful man. They couldn't have picked a better spot to do a photo shoot; Starved Rock is the most beautiful in the fall, and it's especially meaningful for them because that's where they got engaged. They even were able to find the exact spot of their engagement, and someone just happened to have carved "B+A" into a tree near that exact spot, too! (For the record, no one here condones tree carving, especially at a state park, but for photography and sentiment's sake it feels like fate that it was already there.)

Congratulations, Aaron and Bri!!!  I can't wait to see you grow and thrive <3

Be sure to check out Aaron and Bri's full preview HERE, and leave a comment on Sabrina Nohling Photography's facebook page letting her know how great she is!

Remember when I featured Kaeleigh and Bob's Snowy Engagement and their Second Engagement Session, both by Sabrina Nohling Photography? Well, Bobby and Kaeleigh just got MARRIED!! And wouldn't you know it, Sabrina did another PHENOMENAL photography session. 

To be fair, though, she had a phenomenal couple to work with. Seriously, are they even capable of taking a bad picture?!?

"Bob and Kaeleigh: Making Everyone Else Look Less Attractive, One Photo at a Time."

In all seriousness, their wedding was absolutely beautiful, and their joy radiated all day long.

Their ceremony was in the chapel at:

Christ Community Church
37W100 Bolcum Rd.
St Charles, IL 60175

with a laid back, summer picnic-style reception at:

River Bend Community Park
6N551 Geneva Ave.
St. Charles, IL 60174

Congratulations to one of my favorite couples EVER! I can't wait to see them grow and thrive as an amazing, Christ-honoring couple.

Be sure to check out Bob and Kaeleigh's full preview HERE, and leave a comment on Sabrina Nohling Photography's facebook page letting her know how great she is!

I closed out the year by sharing Part 1 of Kaeleigh and Bob's engagement session, which was miraculous in and of itself. Who knew that they could top it with ANOTHER amazing session?

Kudos to Sabrina Nohling Photography for capturing this AMAZING couple yet again!

Enjoy this preview, and be sure to check out the full session HERE.  You won't be disappointed.

When the weather takes a turn and your photographer asks if you're free for an impromptu photo shoot, embrace it! The lovely Sabrina Nohling took Bob and Kaeleigh's snowy session, and it was absolutely magical.

Seeing their love and joy is, hopefully, a great way to finish 2013!

For the full session, click HERE.

JK Photography
    Aimee and Ben Kraus
    (Sycamore, IL)

"JK Photography is owned by Ben and Aimee Kraus, and Aimee is the lead photographer.  They are located in Sycamore, Illinois and do sessions in Sycamore, on location, or they travel to you!  JK Photography specializes in wedding photography, along with family, maternity and new baby portraits. As parents; both Ben and Aimee realize how quickly life passes you by and they understand the importance of capturing those memories so you can have them forever!  JK Photography will make sure you have a personable and relaxed session with amazing pictures to last a lifetime. "

Sabrina Nohling Photography
    Sabrina Nohling
    (Elgin, IL)

"'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.' - Maya Angelou. 

"That quote sums it up for me. My goal as a photographer isn't to be the best. My goal is to use my camera as a tool to meet and love others. I want to see people as Jesus would and capture that. I want to serve them and glorify God with the talent He has given me. Because in the end, when the cameras and photos are gone, there will be the question of if I loved and I want to faithfully say yes.  I want to leave a lasting impression on people and that they will remember me as someone who made them feel something. So not only are you going to have amazing photographs, but you will be loved, appreciated, and served. And you will probably feel like a supermodel in the process, let's be honest."

Brittania Drew
    Stephen and Lauren Drew
    (Elgin IL)

"We believe that photo and video are art. When we are hired to capture your wedding day, family portraits, or newborn, you're really hiring us to see a moment and instantaneously decide the perfect exposure, lighting, perspective, and tone that will capture it wholly and timelessly."

Daniel Sather :: Photo Video
    Daniel and Erin Sather
    (Geneva IL)

"to weave a story full of detail and color,
to bridge the gap between how things might appear and how they should appear,
to catch moments that give butterflies to even the most stubborn of us,
these things we pledge to do."

"Photography and videography services, specializing in weddings, portraits, and events."

Nicodem Creative
    Andrew and Marianne Nicodem
    (Chicago IL)

"We are writers, photographers, videographers, perpetual world travelers, advocates for the unheard, hopeless romantics, best friends, lovers of all that is light, believers that Good will always win, followers of a man named Jesus Christ."