So… I’ve been excited to post this wedding since the minute I uploaded all my pictures from the day.  I think I took more photos at this wedding then in the history of all weddings for me.  I was there about 13 hours and there was just so much going on my brain was on overdrive ready to capture something amazingly cool around every corner- everything from last name hangers (see below) to customized hotel room keys.  Yes – it was quite the celebration and I was so THRILLED to be able to be apart of it.  I obviously couldn’t post all the photos from the event (though I realllllly wanted to), and I will admit this will be a larger post than normal… but… I hope this does their beautiful party just a little bit of justice.

We started out at the Mariott Hotel in downtown Peoria… right off the river.  And I mean this hotel was gorgeous in every way.  All the bridesmaids were there getting hair done and nails done…. and there was so much anticipation.

The sweet little flower girl in the picture below was so expressive and dramatic in every way…. she couldn’t contain her excitement when she saw how beautiful her hair looked.  And, earlier that morning when she was cuddling with Mindy, she asked so sweetly why Mindy had polka dots all over her face.  Ummm adorable.  Mindy laughed pretty hard as she explained to her that they were called freckles 🙂

Nick & Mindy spent some time writing letters to each other… which were delivered by the Maid of Honor later that morning.

Nick arrives!  And the guys begin to get ready for the big day.

 

One of the bridesmaids had a little trouble with their dress… the fabric caught on the zipper and it took about 4 other bridesmaids and 30 minutes to get it free!  But success was sweet.

Gorgeous….

 

I love the image above….one big breath before the “first look”

This bridal party made me feel right at home.

 

One thing I loved about working with Mindy and Nick was that they really valued their wedding pictures and gave me tons of time for creativity!  We started out downtown Peoria up some old alleys and with some sweet buildings…

 

Then we headed up to Grandview drive for some family pictures…. but I was able to capture a few of Nick and Mindy against the gorgeous green landscape!

 

 

 

 

After the ceremony we headed out to a field for, yes, MORE PICTURES.  Did I mention how much I love this couple?  Mindy brought all kinds of fun props too…

 

The reception was b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l and all the printed design was created by the wonderful Fabulous Affairs.

 

 

Love.

I try to make it a point to photograph a little extra those who I know are important to the bride & groom.  So when the parents got out on the dance floor…. my camera was all over that!

And finally… I grabbed the bride and groom for one last photo on the balcony overlooking the Peoria bridge.  One of my favorites.

Nick & Mindy….. how I loved being apart of your wedding day.  THANK you for everything… I hope your photos bring back memories and emotion for years to come!

L~ F~:
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I met Emily’s mom at a wedding I did earlier this year… the two are getting married in January and while originally planned to have a family member take the wedding pictures – he desired to be able to just be there to enjoy the day.  So after talking with her through email we figured out a date to photograph her daughter and fiance and I’m excited that I’ll be able to do her wedding come January as well.  It was a gorgeous day… beautiful, full sun and the perfect temperature.  These two have been together since high school.  He was the senior jock – a football player – and she was the freshman – cheerleader.  Adorable.

I will say I LOVE when girls wear high colored heels…. makes for such fun photos.  And Emily definitely rocked the heels!

 

 

Emily decided to coordinate one of her engagement outfits with her wedding theme. Peacock colors!  Love it.

 

This next one is a personal fave…. they were so sweet together.

 

Emily, you’re going to make for a gorgeous bride… I can’t wait for your winter wedding!

 

 

L~ F~:
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Bailey’s mom is friends with a former mother-of-the-bride and contacted me after viewing the pictures from her daughters wedding.  I was thrilled to be able to photograph her daughter, Bailey for her senior photos!  It took Bailey a little warming up to the camera – which is only natural – but she WORKED it and I love the way this session turned out!  She has this half smile that is strikingly beautiful and looks amazing on film (or, well digital).  The one below is a fave so I thought I’d begin the post with it.

 

 

I had to coax Bailey out of her shell a little bit with the above series – but uh, so fun, and she broke free… thank you for breaking free Bailey!  I love the above!

 

We had to walk out in this fieldish area for the above three images…. there were probably – ok definitely – many critters and a lot of bugs she had to walk through.  But worth it…. oh YES!  I think we also both got our equal share of mosquito bites after it.  But THANK YOU for your willingness, Bailey… you were such a trooper 🙂

 

 

Bailey – thanks for being so beautiful.  I hope you love your images!

 

L~ F~:
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Meet Ben and Christine.  Ben called me up about a week before he was planning to propose to Christine letting me in on the secret of when and where asking me to document the big moment.  I was pumped… although a little nervous when he told me he wanted to surprise her late late late in the evening…. after dark.  Eeeek!  Not gonna lie – I was a little nervous since I was depending only on my camera since blaring the flash right at them during their sweet moment wasn’t gonna fly.  But it was beautiful… and we were able to work with the light there for some fun pictures afterwards.  I’m thinking the fountain picture below might need to be blown up as a large sample gallery wrap in my office 🙂  I love it that much.

But since I offer two locations and outfit changes with my engagement sessions, we split this session up so Christine could be a little more prepared for photographs.  We headed downtown Bloomington for these.

Christine informed me I might need to direct Ben a little extra – I’d say he worked the camera pretty well eh?  Below = fave.

 

 

 

 

I love the three above… it just feels so… them.

 

 

This ring was one they had looked at when they first began ring shopping… Christine had loved it so Ben snuck back to the store a few days later to purchase it.  Pretty stinkin’ gorgeous isn’t it!?

Ben & Christine.  THANK YOU for letting me be apart of your engagement story.  I can’t wait for your May wedding!

 

 

L~ F~:
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This bride-to-be is every photographers dream bride.  Mindy is gorgeous, laid back, and as we recently discussed the wedding schedule – she is giving me ooodles of time for pictures.  I LOVE YOU for that.  A photographers dream.  Her and her fiancee, Nick are from California and I actually had the privilege of having her sister, Cassie, intern and second shoot with me last summer. (I was extremely pregnant and not able to move around quite as easily)  (You can view her beautiful photography work here!)

Nick & Mindy are getting married this coming August and I’m super pumped.  I can not wait for it.  So Mindy and Nick… thank you for being so awesome.  Here are some from your session!

L~ F~:
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