Whimsical Wedding at The Artisans Building in Springfield, Illinois | Carrie & Manny

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Carrie and Manny’s wedding day was one of uncompromising vision, and I was BEYOND excited to be a part of it! Not just because I got to photograph Manny’s proposal to Carrie back in 2022, or for the fact that I’ve known Carrie for around 15 years now! No, what I was most excited about was being able to witness and document the one of a kind day that I knew these two amazing people would create together. Join me as I relive and reminisce on their dreamy wedding day in Springfield, Illinois and The Artisans Building!

Rachael from Rachael Marie Photography takes a photo with her couple after their wedding ceremony at the Artisans Building in Springfield Illinois.

A bride stands in her wedding dress on the marble steps of the Illinois State Capitol Building holding a fall bridal bouquet of mostly greenery next to her husband in a dark green suit.

A bride and groom kiss after their wedding ceremony at the Artisans Building that was elegantly designed by Create a Scene in Springfield Illinois.

Starting Their Wedding Day Outside the State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois

I mentioned how I knew Carrie and Manny’s wedding day would be one of a kind, and that’s because that’s just the kind of people they are! This was evident from the VERY start of the day, as they booked me for 7 hours of coverage where I’d meet up with them after they got ready for their first look. This moment was one of MANY emotional high points of the day, and it was so fun to see the pure shock on Manny’s face as he saw how gorgeous Carrie was in her wedding dress.

A groom stands outside of the Illinois Capitol building in a dark green suit and black tie smiling at the camera and waiting for his wife to arrive on their wedding day.

A groom sees his bride for the first time on their wedding day outside the Illinois State Capitol Building.

A groom kisses his bride on her temple after seeing her for the first time on their fall wedding day in Illinois.

A bride and groom smile for a portrait outside the Illinois State Capitol Building. The bride is holding a bouquet of greens and wearing a simple elegant white satin dress with a long train.

A bride and groom smile for a photo with their faces close together on the front steps of the Illinois State Capitol Building.

A bride and groom stoically look at the camera for a portrait. The groom is sitting on the edge of a planter at the Illinois State Capitol building and his bride stands next to him with her hand on his shoulder.

Following this, Carrie and Manny did something that I haven’t seen on a wedding day before (shocker right?) They chose to share their vows, but instead of doing so privately or later during their ceremony, they did it with their wedding parties around them. Not organized around them, but just sort of clumped near the two. It was a beautiful and casual moment that just felt right for them. They got to share these promises with their trusted friends, all without the pressure of having 100+ people listening in. It was honestly perfect and a wonderful reminder of why I love what I do so much!

A bride and groom stand in front of a fountain at the Illinois State Capitol building surrounded by their closest friends as they exchange their vows. Their wedding party wears black dresses and dark green suits.

A bride and groom stand in front of the Illinois State Capitol sharing their vows surrounded by their wedding party.

A bride stands in front of her groom reading vows from her phone out in front of the Illinois State Capitol Building. She is wearing an elegant satin gown and her hair is down in loose curls.

A groom stands on the steps of the Illinois State Capitol

Following this we had some time for a few portraits with their wedding parties at the Illinois State Capitol Building, one of my favorite spots for portraits in Springfield and really Illinois as a whole. From there it was all aboard the party bus as we made our way to The Artisans Building for their ceremony!

A Whimsical Wedding Ceremony Inside The Artisans Building of Springfield

The Artisans Building is one of my favorite wedding venues in Springfield, Illinois, and it was THE perfect fit for Carrie and Manny. The building’s abundance of natural light is wonderful, but where it really shined for Carrie and Manny’s day was in how the space really lets you make it your own! Thanks to their wonderful coordinator from Simply Detailed Events, Carrie and Manny were able to get in touch with the talented team at Create a Scene who helped them bring their vision to life. The stunning drapery that separated the ceremony and reception space gave the venue a totally whimsical feel while keeping the overall classy vibe of the celebration intact.

The ceremony itself was equally as magical as the setting, and another perfect illustration of Carrie and Manny’s distinct vision.

First was Carrie’s epic entrance to the King of Pride Rock from the Lion King soundtrack.

During the ceremony Carrie and Manny’s wedding party members also put items into a time capsule for the two to open 10 years later. Carrie and Manny both also chose to change their last names to Mikaelson, a reference to their favorite TV show Vampire Diaries that they initially bonded over.

It was a wholly authentic celebration of these two, exactly what they’d envisioned for their day.

Following this we had some time for family portraits, which her mom sweetly asked me to join in as I’d known the family for so many years. At that point I gave the two a moment to just enjoy some time alone while their guests were at cocktail hour. Soon the reception would be underway, and that’s when the real party started!

Dancing the Night Away Inside The Artisans Building

For the finale of Carrie and Manny’s wedding day in Springfield the two would celebrate to the fullest with their loved ones inside The Artisans Building. The dreamy setting of the reception space was equally as breathtaking as the ceremony space, though this time we’d get to spend much more time enjoying it! Moments like their two first dances, first to Two by Sleeping At Last then later on to Waltz For Sweatpants by Cody Fry, gave the reception an air of romance that was palpable.

As the night continued, the celebrations only continued to ramp up. Fueled by a late night ice cream bar and tacos from Nelson’s Catering, Carrie, Manny, and their friends and family all had THE best time out on the dancefloor!

It’s impossible to imagine a more fitting day celebrating the love between Carrie and Manny, and that’s because I don’t think there is anything more fitting than the one they created. I’m so glad that I was able to document and be a part of their wedding day at The Artisans Building in Springfield, Illinois. For more wedding day inspiration head over to the blog, and if you’re looking to book me as your photographer be sure to inquire through my contact page!