Earlier this year we were given the opportunity to get to know Chris during our home buying process. He helped us find our current home and made the process so easy and fun. Shortly after he told us he was proposing to his girlfriend, Ali. Shortly after their engagement they reached out to us asking if we could shoot their wedding at the very end of the year. We normally don't take weddings at this time of year as it's full of holidays and time spent with families. When you work a job that requires you to give up the majority of weekends out of the year you have to remember to make time for yourself and those you love. After getting to know Chris and hearing so many wonderful things about Ali we decided to make an exception to our rule and capture their special day.
Ali's parents were so kind to take us out on their boat to help us get to all the different locations along Lake Sara much quicker then we could in a car. Even Ali's nephew Henry accompanied us as co-captain. We love when couples have locations that are special to them in mind. We can always find good photo locations. But when a couple chooses a location because it has sentiment to them, it allows the photos to tell unique story about their relationship. We had so much fun on the shoot with them and were able to capture so many photos. We were blessed with good weather, good lighting, and great location choices.
As the wedding day approached Ali and I (Kelley) spent countless hours on the phone going over every little detail of the wedding. Even though they had a quick engagement they had managed to create their dream wedding in such a short amount of time, something that is rather difficult to do when venues and photographers book two years out. We even learned that it took close to 6 tries to get a date reserved at their church for their wedding. Wedding planning is never as easy as Pinterest makes it seem.
Fast forward to the wedding day. That morning we met up with Allie and her bridesmaids at Foxy Styles in Effingham. It had been a while since we've been at this salon. I was so surprised by how much space and great lighting they had. They had finished the girls hair done ahead of schedule which doesn't seem like a big deal but if one part of the day will make you run late it will be hair and makeup. Thanks to the girls at Foxy Styles the bridal party was able to stay on schedule helping to create a much more enjoyable and less stressed day for the bride.
Mornings generally tend to start earlier for brides than they do grooms. No different than any other day. Girls have hours worth of work to get ready and guys take ten minutes. Most grooms spend their mornings sleeping in or golfing with the guys, either way it's pretty a relaxed day. Which is why I have to give credit where credit is due. Our groom Chris spent his morning having a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered to his bride-to-be to start her morning off at the salon even better. #relationshipgoals
After the salon the bride, bridesmaids, and bridal assistants headed to the church to get Ali in her wedding dress. During our conversations prior to the wedding Ali had sent me a few photos of her dress. I knew it was going to be beautiful and that she had picked out the perfect wedding dress. But seeing everything come together for her bridal look on her wedding day it was simply magical and she looked STUNNING! The dress fit her perfectly. I don't think any designer could have created a better dress than the one she chose.
Soon after it was time for the ceremony where Chris and Ali would see each other for the first time that day. After a much-anticipated wait the french doors opened at the end of the aisle and Chris saw his bride for the very first time. Smiling from ear to ear we knew he thought she was as stunning as we did when she first put on her dress that day. After a beautiful ceremony given by Father Michael we started on family photos. Family photos is one part of the day that generally will stress any bride and groom out. There are many people to corral and usually a fair amount of little kids that are not interested in taking photos. Over the years we have tried to make this process as quick and easy for all involved while still capturing beautiful photos of their loved ones. After taking family photos and formals of the bridal party we love a chance to have 5 to 10 minutes in the church with no one else there. This gives us a great opportunity to take some beautiful photos of the bride and groom while capturing the incredible architecture of the church.
The first half of a wedding day is all about creating your bridal look, exchanging vows, sharing a first kiss, and creating the next chapter in your love story. The second half is about letting loose and celebrating with your bridal party, your family, and your closest friends (all 600 of them). From the church, the bridal party hopped on a party bus and headed out to Tuscan Hills Winery. Being late December, literally the last weekend of the year, and having already had snow for the year we had no idea what weather we would get. Tuscan Hills Winery has a beautiful indoor setting as well as outdoor setting which is why it makes for the perfect place to bring a wedding party. Again, I have to give credit where credit is due, Tuscan Hills Winery not only always goes out of their way to be accommodating to all brides and grooms we have ever brought to them but also went out of their way to provide a quiet, well-lit, and private space for us to do Ali's interview. Even though we lucked out on weather it was still a chilly day. We worked quickly to get photo and video of the bride and groom and their bridal party and then headed over to the Orchard Inn for some fun candid shots. Every year on the lawn of the original Effingham Courthouse there are large lights displayed for Christmas. This year that included a sled, an ornament, and a present. Ali asked if we could make this a pit stop on the way to the reception. We had to say yes because we knew how beautiful the lights would turn out.We had to wait for it to get dark enough to take photos where the lights were glowing. After taking several photos in a matter of minutes we were back on the road and headed to the reception.
The reception took place at the Carriage House in Altamont Illinois. Over the years this location has become one of our favorite locations to shoot at. Weddings always seem to go flawless thanks to the Carriage House being a wonderful host, coordinator, and venue. Ali and Chris chose to make their grand entrance into the room down the beautiful curved grand staircase. After a delicious dinner catered by Debbs & an incredible ice cream bar we started toasts. We heard beautiful stories from the Ali's sister, Erin, her Maid of Honor and Chris's brother, Daniel, his Best Man. Chris and Ali chose to hire a band to kick things off that evening. Bands always make for a more upbeat celebration and tend to keep people dancing all night long! After a beautiful first dance, Chris and Ali shared dances with their parents and grandparents before kicking off a great party!
The day was truly a whirlwind of romance and love. We cannot wait to share the rest of the photos and video we captured. Thank you to all the vendors, bridal party, and families for being so wonderful to work with and making a special day for Chris and Ali!
Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Etter!!!
