wedding planning tips
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Heyoooo! Rachael here. You’ve probably never planned a wedding before! No worries my friend. In this blog, I’ve pulled real wedding timelines from past weddings to showcase what your wedding day coverage could be. Why show different wedding timelines? Because each couple has different priorities, and different ideas. I want you to feel empowered to […]
It’s no secret I love my courthouse weddings, but an elopement hits differently. An elopement gives you more creative freedom while still keeping it intimate and personal feel. If you’re here, you’re probably wondering how to plan an elopement in Illinois. This blog post covers: Why elope? First, what is an elopement? A smaller wedding […]
As a wedding photographer in Central Illinois, I am so grateful to have SO many wonderful locations for my couples to enjoy, both in terms of wedding venues and portrait locations. One such city that has plenty of both to go around is Peoria, IL, which I’ve actually covered before when talking about my favorite […]
Elopements have been a part of the wedding industry for a LONG time. What started out as a secretive marriage where the couple would run off for a private wedding has now become a celebration where each couple is able to freely create the wedding day that they want, with hardly any limitations. Because of […]
It’s no secret that Illinois is home to some truly amazing wedding venues, many of which we’ve actually taken a look at before here on the blog! From my favorite mansion and estate venues, to the best large wedding venues in the state, we’ve seen many of the phenomenal spaces that Illinois has to offer. […]
One of the largest factors in determining the look, feel, and vibe of your wedding day is of course your wedding venue! Picture in your mind how different a wedding in a forest compares to one in a modern banquet hall for example. Even with the same wedding vendors, colors, and the same guest count, […]
Crafting the ideal wedding day takes a lot of effort, and more than that it’s a team effort! Your team of handpicked wedding vendors are the ones who’ll help you to bring your vision to life, and the ones who’ll elevate your wedding to the one of a kind experience you deserve. Central Illinois has […]
Imma say it. ditch. the barn. wedding. Say “I do” in a historic central Illinois wedding venue instead- large enough for ALL of your guests. I get it. Barns are an Illinois staple. I have photographed some beautiful, meaningful weddings in real barns and barn venues. But, that doesn’t have to be your default venue. […]
In 2020, Covid practically made large scale weddings impossible for the better part of a year, which led couples to realize that they don’t actually have to do a large wedding. Elopements and intimate celebrations became MUCH more popular and commonplace, and that silver lining has brought about a total change in the wedding industry […]
As some of you may know, and others may not, there are a TON of spectacular wedding venues throughout Bloomington, Illinois! From historic buildings with their original feel and style intact, to new and modern spaces with their own unique vibe to them, there’s something for everyone around Bloomington-Normal. Don’t believe me? Well sit down […]
Have you ever wondered what an elopement is? Maybe you’ve heard of them before. They’re those things where a couple sneaks off to get married in secret without anyone knowing right? WRONG! They are now some of the most fun, creative, and thoughtful wedding experiences a couple can have! So what exactly is an elopement […]
SPOILER!!! In this article I’m spilling how to pick the right Airbnb for your day. AND! I’m listing & linking 5 gorgeous Airbnbs in Central Illinois for you to book. You’ve found your person! Your best friend! You’ve gotten engaged and now it’s time to plan a celebration for this love you share with one […]
While there are plenty of incredible wedding venues in Bloomington-Normal, some of which even made my list of favorite venues of Central Illinois, there are just as many if not more stellar getting ready spaces in Bloomington, IL. But what makes a good getting ready space, and do you really need one for your wedding […]
So backyard weddings, especially in Springfield Illinois and the surrounding areas, have been on the rise in popularity and I am SO here for it! A backyard wedding is such an intimate and personal way to celebrate your marriage to the love of your life. There’s such a wide array of fun, unique, and creative […]
Backyard weddings are becoming more and more popular as time goes on, especially in and around my lovely town of Springfield Illinois! This couldn’t make me happier as I absolutely ADORE backyard weddings. The vibes are so fun, so personal, and it’s so much better budget wise for the majority of couples. So if you’re […]
As a documentary-style wedding photographer, it should come as no surprise that I have always had a love and passion for film. There’s a certain authenticity and realness to film photos that digital photos are missing. Anyone who’s looked through old family photos and wedding albums where everything was on film will understand what I […]
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