Summer Wedding at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club | Gilly + Eli

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Gilly and Eli’s wedding day was a whirlwind of emotion in the BEST way possible. From deep belly laughs that left us struggling to catch our breath, to moments of joy so strong they turned our eyes into literal waterfalls, Gilly, Eli, their guests, and I each enjoyed their wedding at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club to the fullest! I absolutely adore these two, and ever since their engagement session I’ve been eagerly awaiting their wedding day. I knew it would be one of absolute magic and I’m beyond excited to report that the day completely exceeded all of my expectations!

Getting Ready

The day began with Gilly getting ready for her and Eli’s wedding in one of the getting ready spaces at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club. After slipping into her gorgeous wedding dress, Gilly made her way down the main staircase of the golf club where her family and bridesmaids were waiting. This was SUCH a special moment for everyone, and it was the first of many times where those happy tears I mentioned earlier came out! Once ready we had some time for wedding party portraits outdoors on the beautiful grounds of Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club. First was Gilly and her bridesmaids, followed by Eli and his groomsmen. Though it looked like we might get caught in the rain, we lucked out as what would soon turn into a torrential downpour didn’t start until the moment we finished Eli’s wedding party photos!

First Touch: reading vows back to back

As the rain calmed down, Gilly, Eli and I decided to risk heading outdoors for their first touch and private vow reading. Eli’s really not a fan of having tons of attention on him, which is why he and Gilly decided a private vow reading was best for them. They still wanted that magic of seeing one another for the first time during their ceremony though, so they opted to read their vows to one another facing opposite directions.

Illinois Wedding photographer captures a portrait over the bride's shoulder focusing on the bride's hands holding two pieces of paper with handwritten vows.

Back to back, hand in hand, and tears streaming down their faces, the two read their vows to one another and created one of my favorite moments from the day! Careful not to accidentally see one another, Gilly and Eli separated and made their way to the designated safe spaces as their wedding ceremony at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club was about to begin!

Bride and Groom stand back to back and read their vows together emotionally as they stand in-front of a large green tree at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club

Overcast for Their Outdoor Wedding Ceremony at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club

Because of the torrential downpour earlier Gilly and Eli’s ceremony space had to be moved. The original location was under a large tree that would have dropped rain on their guests at every slight gust of wind. Thankfully the staff at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club worked quickly and efficiently to set up these chairs at the backup wedding ceremony space, which was just as beautiful! The ceremony began as Eli was walked down the aisle by his mothers.

A special detail I loved from the day was how he and his mothers each wore a piece of jewelry made from the florals from his grandmother’s funeral. Small details like this add SO much to a wedding day, and it allowed Eli to have his grandma along with him through every moment of his and Gilly’s wedding day.

Groomsmen walks two women down the aisle in front of Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club building as guests stay seated and and turn their heads to see the procession.

Officiant and Groom take mini shots together while standing on a patio before the wedding ceremony.

Once Eli made his entrance he took a shot with his cousin who was the officiant for the day. This helped calm the nerves, as Eli decided to have his back turned as Gilly walked down the aisle, only turning the moment she was right behind him! This made the reveal SO emotional for Gilly, Eli, and all of the guests in attendance.

Guests stand up from white chairs with their arms crossed in front of them while waiting for bridal procession at outside summer wedding ceremony.

Bride's father shake's emotional Groom's hand as bride stands behind him during outdoor summer wedding procession at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Illinois wedding photographer captures a wide shot of guests seated on front patio of Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club for ceremony.

Bridesmaid stands around other bridesmaids in black dresses and uses a kerchief to wipe away her tears as they stand in the front during wedding ceremony at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Bride and Groom stand together on an outdoor patio with bridesmaids and Groomsmen on either side and the officiant stands behind them under a wired flower arch.

Illinois wedding photographer captures wedding ceremony through a window inside the building behind the patio.

Bride and Groom look to officiant as guests are seated behind them during wedding ceremony at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Bride puts ring on Groom's finger as he looks at the officiant and seated guests smile while watching.

Bride and Groom kiss as their wedding party stands on either side of them at the end of the patio aisle during wedding ceremony at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Course.

Bride and Groom hold up their arms in celebration as after their ceremony.

Groom holds up his fist and cheers as bride smiles at the camera and they walk down the aisle together after wedding ceremony.

Bride and Groom stand in the center of the aisle and kiss as guests clap and cheer around them.

Guests stand up and clap smiling and cheering at the end of the outdoor summer wedding ceremony at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Course.

Groom wipes away tears and groomsmen speaks to the wedding party in the reception room at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Groom walks wide legged behind bride as he opens the door for her and tries to avoid stepping on her train.

After their ceremony we made some time for family portraits, wedding party portraits, and newlywed portraits on the grounds of Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club.

I’m SO glad the weather cooperated with us as we had the perfect amount of overcast for the day! Before long though it was time for the moment Gilly and Eli had been looking forward to ALL day, celebrating with their friends and family!

Bride and Groom smile as Groom's moms stand on either side of them posing for the camera with Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Course behind them.

Bride and Groom smile as they stand pose next to Bride's grandparents at the end of the aisle with Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Course behind them.

Groom stands center and smiles at the camera as his moms kiss him on both cheeks.

Bride smiles widely as her mom and dad kiss her on both cheeks.

Also please take a second to appreciate this photo to the top right as I literally cannot look at it without laughing my head off!

Bride and Groom kiss as the Groom's moms and the Bride's mom and dad kiss on either side of them at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Bride takes a sip of a cocktail as her bridesmaids sit around her on the ceremony chairs at Bride and Groom stand on the front of a bridge as their wedding party stands behind them at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Bride and Groom stand on the front of a bridge as their wedding party stands behind them at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Bride and Groom stand center as bridesmaids and groomsmen stand on either side and look off to the side.

Bride and Groom stand center as bridesmaids and groomsmen squat around them for a wedding party portrait at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Bride and Groom kiss centered as bridesmaids and groomsmen cheer around them holding up their bouquets and clapping.

Bride and Groom walk hand and hand as their wedding party walk scattered around them across a golf course.

Bride and Groom walk together holding hands as bridesmaids and Groomsmen walk around them.

Bride rests her head on Groom's shoulder as he stands with his back towards her during outdoor wedding portraits at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Bride sits on a large rock as she drapes her legs on Groom's lap for romantic summer wedding portraits at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Course.

Bride and Groom put their faces together and smile as Bride holds her flower bouquet up during summer wedding portraits at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Course.

Bride and Groom look at each other as they stand side by side underneath a willow tree for romantic summer wedding portraits at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Bride and Groom look at each other as they stand side by side underneath a willow tree for romantic wedding portraits at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Epic Wedding Reception at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club

The end of Gilly and Eli’s wedding day was an intense celebration, where the emotion and excitement were both cranked up to 11!

Guests stand up and clap and cheer from their reception tables in a banquet room at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Groom hugs his mom as they dance in the center of the dance floor and guests watch behind them.

Starting off the evening on a more personal note were the first dances. First was Eli who had separate first dances with both of his mothers, then came Gilly and her father, and finally it was time for the newlyweds to take center stage.

Groom's mom holds his face lovingly as they sway on the dance floor during wedding reception.

Grooms mother hugs him in the center of the reception room as guests watch candidly.

Guests cheer as they watch the first dances during wedding reception at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Groom dances with his mom as guests seated around them watch candidly.

Bride and Groom smile at each other as they dance on a wooden dance floor with the DJ's lights shining on them.

Bridesmaids heels are placed behind her as she is seated at dinner table during wedding reception.

Illinois wedding photographer takes a wide shot of dinner tables with bridesmaids and Groomsmen seated in front four large windows.

Bride looks with surprise as Bridesmaid stands next to her and speaks into a microphone during reception speeches at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Bridesmaid stands next to seated Bride and Groom and speaks into a microphone.

Guests candidly look towards wedding toasts smiling.

Bridesmaid stands up and speaks next to bride as bride wipes tears from her eyes and Groom comforts her.

Bridesmaids laugh candidly as they are seated in front of wedding table and listen to toasts from bridesmaid.

Then came the toasts which were absolutely wonderful. Four members for Gilly and Eli’s wedding parties gave speeches, and let me tell you all that I have NEVER heard a group of guests laugh this hard during a wedding reception. At the same time though there were some incredibly sentimental speeches, including Eli’s best man who could barely make it through his speech!

Wedding guests rest their heads on their fists as they watch wedding speeches during reception at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Groomsmen pulls microphone away and wipes tears away during his emotional wedding toast.

Groomsmen stands near seated Bride and Groom and gives a toast during dinner at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Groom holds up a Bud Light sitting next to bride holding up a cocktail glass as Groomsmen makes a toast. They are seated at a sweetheart table in front of a large window at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Groom laughs while sitting with bride, both look at Groomsmen during his toast at wedding reception.

Guests wipe tears away with tissue as they sit at a reception table listening to speeches.

Guests hold up their drinks for a cheers while sitting at tables in a windowed reception room at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Bride holds out her bouquet for her mother while holding a microphone and speaking during reception at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

After the toasts Gilly put a fun twist on the tradition of a bouquet toss, opting to instead give it to her mother as a thank you for all of her help with their wedding!

Bride hugs a woman as she walks into the reception room at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club and other guests are seated at reception tables around them.

Guests dance candidly with children during wedding reception at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Bride holds out her arm and cheers a shot with other female guests during wedding reception at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Groomsmen takes off his jacket as he walks towards other groomsmen sitting on a brick ledge smoking cigars and drinking beers. In the background is the Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Course.

Groom smokes a cigar as his groomsmen watch him holding beer mugs with Coors Light on it.

Groom sits in the center of his groomsmen on a brick ledge smoking cigars at dusk.

Three Groomsmen sit outside on a brick stoop holding beer glasses and cigars looking cooly at the camera.

Bride and Groom hold their knife as they cut a piece of a white vintage style cake at a large banquet table.

The night continued with Gilly and Eli celebrating and dancing with their wedding guests in the gorgeous indoor space of Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club. As the dance raged on, Gilly and Eli made a quick exit in order to cut their wedding cake in private which was a lovely moment for these two!

Bride and Groom both hold plates with a piece of cake on it and laugh candidly as they eat their wedding cake.

White vintage style cake read's just married and has a single slice cut from it. The slice is divided on two tea plates with forks.

Bride poses with guests for a candid group photo during wedding reception at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Bride lifts her arms up and calls guests over to dance while she holds a drink during wedding reception at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Wedding guest throws her head back and sings as her date holds her during wedding reception at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Bride puts her hand around Groom's shoulder as they sing to guests during wedding reception at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Bride looks down as she holds her cocktail and Groom looks up and sings while holding a beer during reception at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Groomsmen and wedding guests stand and squat in-front of mossy wall and make candid silly faces to the camera.

DJ in a teal button up shirt and glasses at the tip of his nose looks up from his set-up for a candid pose.

Wedding guests hold cocktails and beers as they dance candidly with purple DJ lights shining on them during wedding reception at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club.

Groom stands in the center of a dance circle as guests dance and sing around him.

The evening ended in the literal best way possible though, with EVERYONE on the dancefloor screaming along to the final song of the night, Mr Brightside.