Brandon & Melissa - Rockford Wedding Photographer

Brandon & Melissa were married early October in Jamaica!

They still wanted to have a reception at home. We started our Friday afternoon at Sinnissippi Park. The weather was beautiful for October. After the park, we drove around in circles on our way to Swilligan's Pub for a quick picture and a drink! Then we headed to the Lombardi Club.  They had a beautiful slideshow of pictures filled with high school dance pictures and some from their Jamaican wedding. ABC Catering served a delicious dinner. 

Congrats to you both! Enjoy your sneak peek!

I thought this was a nice way to dress up your entrance table, and bring some family history along!

Brandon & Melissa knew how to have some fun with the cake, finishing off with a frosting kiss!

Daniel & Megan - Beloit Wedding Photographer

Daniel & Megan were married October 9th at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Beloit, WI.

They lucked out with a beautiful, very warm, record setting day. I believe it was 85', crazyness!

When I started the morning with Megan, she was very calm and ready to get the day moving, the closer to the ceremony with each little detail coming into place it was settling all in. The flowers arrived, then a sneak card from Daniel brought her (and almost me) to tears. 

The ceremony went off without a glitch, including one little flower girl, their daughter, happy as could ever be in her decorated wagon. 

After the ceremony, we headed to Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, WI for some colorful, fall, wedding party pictures. It was so pretty out, and the wedding party made for some fun pictures. I can't say how nice it is to have a wedding party that is ready to have fun.

After some fun pictures (and roasting in the heat), we all climbed into the limo and headed for the reception.

The reception was held at La Casa Grande in Beloit, WI. The food was excellent, and the party kept going with the help of the DJ. Everyone was dancing. The groomsmen had a kick-line going, then finished off the night by singing "Believe" by Cher. A good celebration party had by all!

Congrats Daniel & Megan! Enjoy your sneak peek! 

Steve & Tara - Rockford Wedding Photographer

The wedding this last weekend was held at Riverside Assembly of God in Rockford, Illinois.

It was a beautiful fall wedding complete with tears, smiles, laughter, and afterwards a groomsmen that insisted on wearing his sunglasses on top of his head. 

Tara was a beautiful bride, Steve and her both smiled from ear-to-ear during the whole ceremony. After the ceremony, we traveled over to Anna Page Park for a few outdoor group pictures.

Fall colors along with the perfect light made for some absolutely gorgeous pictures!

We ended our afternoon with the one request Tara had, a picture of them both walking down the train tracks.

Enjoy your sneak peek Mr. & Mrs. Hilton!

 

Kevin & Erica - A Texan Wedding - Waco, Texas Photographer

At the beginning of this month, I traveled to Texas to be home with extended family and photograph my cousin, Erica's wedding. The weather was sunny and HOT - 108 degrees in the shade I'm sure.

Kevin & Erica had planned a full Texas themed wedding. Cowboy boots and all. Erica wore some pretty pink heels for the ceremony, then quickly traded for her boots for the reception. Erica was absolutely a stunning bride, and a complete natural to photograph. In between the ceremony and reception we were able to capture some portraits in the downtown area of McGregor. Some very cool buildings, colors, textures. How how I wish I could had them available all the time at home. 

The reception was beautiful in the Old Amsler Building in Crawford, Texas. Erica, family, and friends went all out decorating, and everything looked wonderful. To top it off with some Texas BBQ Brisket (which us northerners or yankees don't get here at home) which was delicious. After the speeches, the night was filled with dancing. Young and old!

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special day! Best wishes to you both! Love you guys!

It wouldn't be a Texas wedding without a ring picture on some Cowboy Boots!

Two words - LOVE THESE!

Some heartfelt words in the speeches, complete with tears.

Some all out Country dancing! 

A picture to prove, the bridal party all ditched their heels along with Erica and went for the boots! The night was full of dancing. The young kids spun themselves around and the girls enjoyed the line dancing.

You and Me - Kenosha Wedding Photographer

Congratulations to Rachel & Chris Riggs.

They were married this last Saturday in Kenosha at Chris' parents home in their beautiful backyard. One would have never known with the beautiful decorations and tent set up for the reception area.

They decided to have a first viewing at Hawthorn Hollow in Kenosha. It was a beautiful park, and we made use of the older buildings there. It was nice to get the majority of the pictures done prior to the ceremony.

The ceremony was perfect and filled with emotions. Not only the bride and groom, but I think every guest (including the photography team) as a result of some heart-filled personal vows to each other, and Gavin. 

After the ceremony we had some fun in the golden wheat field behind the house, and with the farm tractor that Chris rebuilt and painted himself. The reception kicked into high gear with a family that can definitely dance the night away helped by Brigante Entertainment.

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your special day! Enjoy your sneak peek!

You´re better then the best - Marengo Wedding Photographer

"You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe, shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild, Ohh you make me smile"

~Uncle Kracker

Congratulations to Paul & Melissa! 

It was a beautiful, warm day for a wedding. Their ceremony was held at The First Presbyterian Church in Marengo, IL. The wedding party arrived early, which allowed us to get most of the pictures done prior to the ceremony; minus the bride and groom being together. I highly recommend this, it made for pictures afterwards so much easier!

After the ceremony, we went to a local park to take some outdoor fun photos. I had "scoped" out the area a few days prior and wanted to use the firehouse's red garage doors. Melissa & Paul thought it'd be cool too. As we are taking pictures a firefighter arrives looking extremely excited to see a bride & groom and asked if we would like to use the fire engine - I was so very excited!

Afterwards, we headed to their reception at Joe's Place in Marengo. It was beautiful, and the food was excellent! The speeches were unforgettable. Melissa's father gave a speech beginning with "You look so beautiful" barely being able to say it due to emotions. The love of a Dad and his daughter definitely had this photographer teary eyed. 

The cake from Cakes by Dea was delicious, and Double Trouble DJ kept people out on the dancefloor.

The guests took some great pictures with our backdrop set-up, both formal and fun pictures.

We had fun, and hoping to work with this group again!

Best wishes Paul & Melissa! Enjoy your sneak peek! 

The sun will come out - Janesville/Rockford Wedding Photographer

Kali & Justin had a wonderful wedding day this last weekend with NO rain as it was originally predicted. 

In the morning the clouds were rather dark and some "good luck" sprinkles; Kali showed a little nervousness about the weather as they had planned on an outside wedding. Luckily it all passed over, and left blue skies and hot and sticky weather.

 

Kali & Justin were married at the beautiful Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin. Justin's mother mentioned how she knew he would tear up when he saw Kali enter the garden, and that he did. 

He had every reason to do so, Kali looked stunning. 

Their ceremony followed with a reception at the Clock Tower Resort in Rockford, Illinois with some great food, family & friends, and dancing. One little boy in particular was a hit to watch. He was letting loose with the Egyptian dance, robot moves, and even a little break dancing. His Dad was on the side laughing, and I had to ask if he learned his moves from him.

We had a great day, and wish Kali & Justin them a lifetime of happiness. Enjoy the sneak peek! 

Here's why having TWO cameras running is a GREAT idea. Pictures like this are caught. The ring bearer didn't want any part of walking into the ceremony, so he decided to watch!

 Kali & Justin Kosinski

Winter Engagement - Kenosha/Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

Rachel and Chris are one of my June weddings for this summer. When we talked about doing their engagement session, Rachel really wanted to catch the snow - including some snow ball fights and snow angels. I was a little worried considering at home in Illinois all the grass is showing!

We met at Petrifying Springs Park in Kenosha, WI. I was definately surprised to see all the snow. It was a beautiful sunny and warmer day to have some snow fun.

We had a nice time together, and I am looking forward to covering their June wedding!

I had a VERY hard time picking out the ones featured in the blog, so I did a few extras!