The Unbreakable Vow...

For Kate and Taylor's family and friends it was a super fast engagment. For Taylor and Kate, when you know you have found the one, what is the sense of waiting around? After a carefully planned and crafted Harry Potter puppet proposal, Kate and Taylor set a July 2016 wedding date. One thing after another made the couple change their minds to a November outdoor wedding. They would exchange vows at the Gardens on SIUE's campus, have a backyard reception, and convert their house into a banquet hall. No problem! Kate is quite handy and she had this completely undercontrol.

Everything was perfect...except maybe weather. Old Man Winter tried with fury to shut this wedding down, rain, snow flurries, wind... He threw everything at them. Did I mention the wind?? Cold--you can suck it up and deal with. Rain is good luck, right? Snow--awe now that's just pretty. Wind?? Wind is a mess. The wind was determined to make us rearrange our entire day. 

Part of the tent collapsed and as the polls inside shook, it looked more and more like they would have to move the wedding to a different location. After some quick calls, quick stop by the tent company, and a weather forecast that predicted the wind dying down, everyone was set back on course for backyard wedding fun!

Thankfully the sun came out and the wind died down which allowed the rest of the day to be nothing short of magical. 

While the ceremony location was moved to inside the tent, Kate and Taylor were still able to have their first look in the garden's at Edwardsville.  We muscled through the cold and took all of the outdoor portraits and headed back to their house for the wedding. 

Back at the house, guests arrived and were seated. The mom's were able to finish getting dressed for the big moment, and beautiful setting sunlight filled the tent. Kate and Taylor's friend officiated the ceremony.

Laughter and love filled the air. The couple wrote their own vows and before Kate could even speak, her eyes welled and she finally broke. Of course, there may have been an explicative, but when your in your own backyard, one can pretty much say whatever the heck they want! Everyone cried and laughed. 

Taylor and Kate's intimate ceremony, surrounded by people they love in their own backyard filled my heart with joy, and I was honored to be a part of their day. 

Enjoy your sneak peek!!

XOXO

When I met Kate and Taylor(John Wayne--seriously, you should see the smirk), they were planning a July 2016 wedding. Well Taylor is in the reserves, and looks like there is a good chance he will be deployed next year. We took a look at the calendars and turned out everyone was able to do this November! Now we may be seeing their wedding sneak peek in a few brief weeks, but everyone HAS to have an engagement session! Especially when Taylor and Kate wanted theirs to be up in Grafton!! HOLY FALL! So pretty! ---I have crazy ADD so the fact that we made it to Perre Marquet in one piece is pretty impressive. I only almost hit like one pedestrian.--- I tremendously enjoyed spending time with Kate and Taylor and can't wait to see them again in two and a half weeks! (OMG! Seriously, is it really only two and a half weeks already!?!?) 

XOXO

Jill

Ashlee and Doug were married in rural Carlyle, IL. Her parent's have a scenic property, and Ashlee and Doug decided to have an outdoor wedding. After a bunch of praying from mom, they had the most beautiful fall day for their wedding. The girls readied themselves at her parent's house and the guys met next door at Ashlee's aunt and uncle's house. The chairs were set out, the decorations were finalized and the guests came and were seated. The moment had finally come for Ashlee and Doug to become Husband and Wife. Tears flowed and vows were exchanged. Everything was perfect and these two absolutely deserved perfect! 

Everything is going along quite well. I am doing surprisingly well at not tearing up, and then mom comes in....The handkerchief is made from her mom's dress and the angel is from her aunt's and this is her grandmother's ring. Dad's turn! Oh my... no words. You can tell that Ashlee is and will always be Daddy's little girl. He is so proud of her. Yep. I totally cried with everyone else in the room. I asked Ashlee and Doug what their favorite moment of the day was and they both said seeing each other for the first time. That one moment is so full of anticipation and love it is unbelievable how long you can remember it. This is her back yard growing up! Jealous?This guy! haha! Quite the riot!My favorite moment. THE SPEECHES! Oh my goodness! Rapping, singing maids of honor......and THE BESTMAN! Stand-up comic should be in his future because he brought down the house!Everyone handing in their keys.And let's not forget the older, wiser bestman, Dave. He got a couple of laughs and made mom cry. (Not gonna lie, I had a knot in my throat too. I am a total sissy at weddings)Daddy/Daughter dance time! They danced for a short while and then watched a slide show of memories. Dad never stood a chance. Someone pass the tissues quick!All mother/son dances make me cry. This one makes me cry every time I look at the next picture. Garter toss time! When Doug first pulled out his phone, I thought he was texting someone. Nope, flashlight! hehe Smart alack!Now check out this grab! (he REALLY wanted that garter!)And a close up of the grab. OH! And don't forget the celebration dance! The Girls are up next and they are throwing down! Miss Alex was sad she wasn't able to catching it in all of the scratching and hair pulling so they share. That's good sportsman ship right there!I am glad you finally had everyone turn in their keys Doug, because she is one beautiful girl that is madly in love with you. Treat her right. I saw the inside of her uncle's house. Pretty sure He and Dad will be showing up if you don't. ;P 

Congratulations again, Ashlee and Doug!! Thanks for asking us to be a part of your day! 

Sometimes the greatest relationships are the ones you never expected to be in. The ones that sweep you off your feet and challenge every view you’ve ever had.

I am guessing when Greg took Ali out on their first date to McDonald's, (Hey don't judge, its a small town and it was our first McDonalds. That's kind of a big deal) they didn't expect to end up at this day overwhelmed with the love of so many family and friends. Greg and Ali, you two are truly beautiful people who are deeply loved by so many. The love you two share for each other comes right out of the depth of love all of the poeple who surrouned you that day comes from. You both work hard to be the best you can be for each other and everyone. My hope for the two of you is that you will always remember how today feels and when you need help through a rocky patch, the memory of this flood of love will lift you through it. Ali, remember the look in his eyes and the way hit bit his lip when you came down the asile. Greg remember the way her face lit up when she saw you, and how proudly she walked to you--vowing to be yours forever. I love you both and wish you all the best forever! 

Enjoy your sneak peek!

Chad and Laura are lovely caring people. Their love for each other and their family was evident in everything about their wedding day. From the time and care in all of the decorations to the inclusion of their parents during the unity ceremony sybolizing a true uniting of families, love and family was definitely the message of the day. Laura and Chad we wish you all of the happiness in the world! Congratulations and enjoy! 

Courtney and I cry at weddings. Some times a lot. This is the moment that got Court: Each of the corsages and boutonniere had a charm with an image of that attendants mother and father's wedding portraint. Laura's Grandmother was brought to tears and so was Courtney. Just think of the last time she looked at a picture of her mom and dad. How incredibly thoughtful and special! Yep! Tissues needed!

This book! Here is my cry moment. Laura wrote a love note to Chad every day from the time they were engaged until their wedding day. Definite knot in the throat when he opened this one up! 

Who knows the shoe game? You know, the game where the DJ asks a series of question and the couple raises the shoe of the person who best respresents the answer?

Here is MY favorite moment of the evening. The question: Who is the one you love the most? Chad's answer....

You had one job Chad. 

The day was beautiful due to the incredible love that Laura and Chad have for each other and their families. Thank you again for sharing your day with us so we can tell your story. 

XOXOXO

Jill