To celebrate the incredible year that was 2023 I wanted to put together a blog highlighting all 13 of my weddings this year! I’m so thankful to all of the couples that chose me to capture their day and I’m grateful for all of the incredible wedding vendors I was able to work with this year. So without further ado, here’s a roundup of all of my weddings in 2023 as a wedding photographer in Central Illinois!

1. Marie and Justin

Marie and Justin’s Central Illinois wedding at their venue, the Castle Theater, kicked off my season as a wedding photographer. You know there is a special place in my heart for historic venues, so The Castle Theater definitely stole my heart, specifically the windows on the third floor of the building.  Between the live wedding band, the retro décor and of course the amazing couple, this wedding seriously started off my year with a bang!

Vendors

• Venue: The Castle Theatre
• Coordinator: Bird Nest Events
• Live Band: The Original Skazz Band
• DJ: No Hassle Entertainment
• Makeup: Mualeiana
• Dress: Wild Rose Bridal
• Décor: Palace Events
• Catering: A to Z Catering

2: Samantha and Joe

My next wedding of 2023 was Samantha and Joe’s at The Farmhouse Plainfield! One of my biggest suggestions as a central Illinois wedding photographer is that if you’re paying for a gorgeous venue location then use ALL of the space you have available for your photos! Portraits, getting ready, all of it. This might require keeping your guests out of certain areas throughout the day or cleaning up clutter in the background. But it’s worth it, and highlights so many aspects of your day and venue! Samantha and Joe did exactly this for their wedding day which was AMAZING since there are so many spots throughout The Farmhouse Plainfield to incorporate. From details, to getting ready, to sunset portraits, and everything in between. Needless to say, I’m a fan.

Vendors

• Venue: The Farmhouse Plainfield
• HMU: A Beauty Call Bridal
• Rings: Helzberg Diamonds
• DJ: JPW Productions
• Wedding Dress: Eva’s Bridal
• Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie
• Tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse
• Cake: Weber’s Bakery

3. Maggie and Alejandro

My third wedding of 2023 was Maggie and Alejandro’s wedding at the Morris Country Club! I had so much fun as their Central Illinois wedding photographer. They’re ridiculously cute together and were making me laugh non stop which made for an incredible day. Combine that with the stunning sunset we got to enjoy on the lawn of the Morris Country Club, and Maggie and Alejandro singing Taylor Swift to one another and you got a recipe for a lovely and memorable wedding day.

Vendors

• Venue: Morris Country Club
• HMU: Danielle Camargo
• Wedding Dress: Wolsfelt’s Bridal
• Tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse

4. Katie and Tyler

Katie and Tyler’s wedding day at Warehouse 109 was my next wedding of the year and boy was it perfect! You may recognize these two from my blog covering their engagement session. Katie is my cousin and both her and Tyler are so low key, they just wanted to have a good time for their wedding and we made it happen. Warehouse 109 was a gorgeous space for the day, the weather we had was perfect, and I must say that my dance moves were on point.

Vendors

• Venue: Warehouse 109
• DJ: Boulder Terrace Sound
• Catering: Créme of the Crop Catering
• Dessert: Sweet Temptations Bake Shop

5. Mady and Ryan

My next wedding of the year was Mady and Ryan’s wedding which I talked about in detail in a blog this year! The two spent their whole wedding day at their wedding venue, The Venue Cu, which is something I’ve already talked about, but it’s worth repeating that I am such a fan. As a wedding photographer in Central Illinois I can’t stress how great this is for your photos but also for your sanity. Their wedding day was so perfect, a proper example of a polished black and white wedding.

Vendors

• Venue: The Venue Cu
• Planner: Shawfield Events
• HMU: Dali Bliss
• Dress: Signature Bridal
• Tux: The Brass Horn
• Florist: Flowers by Kristine
• Video: Walter Lyle Photo
• Cake: Pan & Cake Catering
• Rings: Flora Gems
• Décor: IDo Events

6. Nichole and Ken

Up next is Nichole and Ken’s wedding at Starline Factory. Starline Factory is an incredibly beautiful venue with a wide array of spaces perfect for wedding portraits, which is exactly what Nichole and Ken wanted. They made their portraits a priority which allowed us to have SO much time to get creative and really play with the possibilities of their portraits. All in all, this Central Illinois wedding photographer rates Starline Factory as a 10/10 wedding venue!

Vendors

• Venue: Starline Factory
• HMU: Antonette White Artistry
• Dress: Volle’s Bridal
• Florals: Locker’s Flowers

7. Jen and Brad

My 7th wedding of 2023 was Jen and Brad’s which took place at The Red Barn in Mackinaw, Illinois. This venue again fits the theme of having everything you need for your wedding day at your wedding venue which I love as a Central Illinois wedding photographer. Both Jen and Brad are pretty relaxed, so their wedding day overall was pretty low key. That doesn’t mean that it was any less beautiful though. Between Jen’s stunning wedding dress, their gorgeous ceremony space at The Red Barn, and the rustic setting of their indoor reception, there was SO much to love about this wedding day.

Vendors

• Venue: The Red Barn
• Dress: Adore Bridal
• HMU: Who Does Your Hair? and Hermana Studio
• Florals: Forget Me Not Flowers
• DJ: No Hassle Entertainment
• Cake: Treat Yo’ Self
• Video: McKay Moews

8. Catalina and Alex

Into the pines for Catalina and Alex’s Friday wedding at the Morton Arboretum with my associate photographer Marisa! Catalina and Alex are so sweet and got to take advantage of the Morton Arboretum’s newly completed outdoor ceremony spot. The space was gorgeous as was their first look location. These two prioritized time for just the two of them throughout their wedding day which I love as a wedding photographer in Central Illinois. They finished off their night with an indoor reception to send their wedding day off in style!

Vendors

• Venue: Morton Arboretum
• Coordinator: One Fine Day Events
• Dress: Bridals By Lori
• Hair: Elegante Salons
• Makeup: Griselle Ramirez
• Florals: Petal Station
• Video: White Elm Films
• Tux: Men’s Wearhouse
• Cake: DeEtta’s Bakery
• DJ: Pete’s My DJ

9. Samantha and Connor 

Wedding number 9 of the year was none other than Samantha and Connor’s day at Camp Wokanda. These two made it a priority of theirs to maximize their time with one another on their wedding day. They did this through their first look, with time set aside for the two of them after their ceremony, and moments throughout their reception where they’d spend time alone. As for their wedding venue, the two could not have chosen a better location. Camp Wokanda is simply gorgeous and truly immersed this wedding day into the wilderness which was such a cool experience.

Vendors

• Venue: Camp Wokanda
• Cake: Lil’ K Bakes
• Ice Cream: Uncle Bob’s Ice Cream
• Dinner: HyVee
• DJ: Complete Weddings + Events
• Hair: Sarah Does Hair
• Wedding Dress: Cloud Nine Bridal Boutique
• Suits: CS Menswear
• Shoes: Birkenstock

10. Christina and Nate

Cracking the double digits we have Christina and Nate’s wedding day at the Destihl Brewery! I absolutely adore these two and their wedding day. I felt as though I was smiling all day long as all of Christina and Nate’s interactions just sparked pure joy and laughter all day long. They chose to have their reception in the Barrel Room at Destihl which is always a highlight of any wedding at the brewery. Between the candid photos, the epic dress change by Christina, and of course the delicious beer of the venue, there’s a lot that this Central Illinois photographer loves about this wedding!

11. Haley and Mikey  

Wedding number 11 of 2023 was Haley and Mike’s at the incredible Auditorium Ballroom. This venue has such a cool style to it, perfectly fitting for Haley and Mikey who have a rock and roll kind of style to them. The venue has a classy brick feel to it and is located in La Salle, Illinois which allowed us to wander around town for some of their portrait photos. Having their ceremony and reception all at the same location made for a simple stress free day for these two without sacrificing any of the style thanks to their incredible venue.

Vendors

• Venue: Auditorium Ballroom
• HMU: Maven Society
• Dress: Marien Mae

12.  Eryn and Chase

Closing in on the end of the year, we have Eryn and Chase’s November wedding at Marlene’s Event Barn. Being a fall wedding meant we had gorgeous fall colors for Eryn and Chase’s day, and with Marlene’s being so open and surrounded by nature we were able to take full advantage of the beauty. The two had an outdoor ceremony in the cool fall air before making their way to the indoor reception space to celebrate and dance the night away with their friends and family. 

13. Becca and David

My final wedding of 2023 is Becca and David’s which took place at a familiar wedding venue, the Destihl Brewery! Another November wedding means more fall colors to enjoy and believe me we did just that! Becca and David chose to have their first look at home with their pupper which was SO sweet. We then took some photos in downtown Normal, Illinois before meeting up with their wedding party for portraits in a forest preserve. After that it was time to head to Destihl for their outdoor wedding ceremony and indoor reception in the Barrel Room. I couldn’t have asked for a better wedding to end off 2023 with as a Central Illinois wedding photographer!

I want to again thank each and every vendor, venue, and of course every couple that helped make this Central Illinois wedding photographer’s 2023 SO special. To say I absolutely adored this year would be a massive understatement, and I’m sure you can see why from all the highlights we’ve gone through! Keep up with my adventures as we head into 2024 and beyond through my blog and Instagram. Ready to book me to capture your wedding day? Head to my contact page to send me an inquiry!