When Anna & Jimmy were planning their special day, they rooted it around this: “It’s so important to Jimmy and I that we feel comfortable and excited about our wedding day. Neither of us love the idea of the attention of a room being on just us two. But also want to include our families in this celebration! So a dinner party in a pretty greenhouse sounded like the perfect compromise!”

What a special day!!! This isn’t the first time Anna & Jimmy have been on my blog. I always ask my couples if they want an engagement session with their wedding packages, and A&J said yes! Earlier in their wedding planning journey we planned out a sentimental engagement session, where we hung out at the public Library in Urbana, IL.

When planning out their day of timeline, we decided on Anna getting ready in their home. Later her & Jimmy would read their vows to each other privately in the backyard + garden.

Garden vows at their home in Urbana

They LOVE their home in Urbana. And it’s extra meaningful – when her & Jimmy came home from dinner at a thai place one night, he grabbed her hand has they were walking in from the garage to their backdoor.

He got down on one knee & proposed right there.

When planning their timeline, it made sense to make more magical moments the mundane spaces.

How sentimental is it, to get ready in the home you’ve made together and hang out in your beautiful garden backyard for your first look and vows!!!!

Even though I was present for their vows, I wasn’t actually! It’s important for me to ask my couples if they want me to physically be there when they read pricate vows to each other.

Sometimes, they want to be completely alone, sometimes they don’t mind me as the quiet third wheel!

I stepped inside their house when it was time to read vows. A&J wanted it to be just them.

Thankfully their house is so so cute, there were lots of windows for me to photograph them through, without interrupting or hearing what they were saying.

I mean come on, the windows !!!!! I bet they had no idea when they bought this house that they would get engaged AND read their vows in their backyard. 😭

After vows we took a few portraits! I made sure to do some on digital & film.

“So… we can’t ever move or sell this house, can we” they said to each other, towards the end of our photos.

After a few neighborhood potraits it was time to head to Silvercreek for their greenhouse wedding!

Greenhouse wedding ceremony at Silvercreek

We headed over to Silvercreek for their greenhouse wedding!! The decorations were prepared, cake made by Jimmy’s dad was ready to go.

Everyone was able to grab their drink of choice before the ceremony. Soon folks found their seats as the incredibly talented Vine Street Ensemble (string quartet) played in the background.

It was time!! Anna’s sister, Abby, officiated the ceremony. We were all in tears.

They did it!!! 🥹 what a joy.

I love a “post ceremony” moment of joy with my couples.

Greenhouse Dinner Party

Then it was time for dinner! There were appetizers before the main course. Folks hung out inside the greenhouse, as well as on the deck outside.

A&J loveeee Le Crois, so they made sure to have their favorite flavors on ice!!

The food was so so good!

Intimate wedding venues in Champaign-Urbana, IL

Since you might be looking for places to host your an intimate wedding in the Champaign-Urbana Area with great food, here are some other spots:

• Silvercreek
• Farren’s at The Inman
• Nando Milano
• Big Grove Tavern
• Punch! Bar & Lounge

After dinner was done, A&J signed their marriage license and hung around for a few photos. No toasts! Just hanging out with guests.

By 8:00pm, it was time for them to head home!!! Honestly that sounds so nice, being in your pjs on your couch with your best friend after a few hours of socializing.

We made sure to give them a proper send off! We grabbed the golden bells to ring, and some nephews had some bubble machines to add a little bit of whimsy.

Pro tip- be sure to have bubble machines ready for your exit!!

What a night!!!

It truly was the best day ever. I was so honored to photograph A&J for their engagement AND their special day. It was rooted in sentimentally, cosiness, and simplicity.

If you are looking for a wedding photographer who loves an intimate party (AND tbh I do love a dance floor) then head on over to my inquiry page!!

Vendors:

• Getting ready: A&J’s home
• Venue @silvercreekrestaurant
• Dress @depop — seller: itsgraces
• Suit @menswearhouse
• Rings @flora_gems
• Hair @bennyandkay
• Florals The Flower Bar

Let’s plan your intimate wedding day✨