Jeffrey and Jenny

A Glamorous Country Wedding

We sat in a small winery, Willett’s, in our hometown, …it was winter, but inside it was glowing and warm.  We talked farming.  And when I say ‘we’, I mean all three of us…me, the groom, and the bride.  We had all three been raised on farms.  Al three of us are still involved in agriculture.  We talked grain. We talked livestock.  As only farm kids can do.But we also talked weddings.  In the bride’s words, she wanted her wedding to be ‘glamorous country.’  She wanted sophisticated cream flowers and glowing candles, but she also wanted their reception to embody their love for the farm, their families, and their friends. Jeffrey and Jenny,Thank you so much.  You succeeded in every way.  Not only was it an honor to be a part of your wedding day, but it was also a blessing to serve a couple who were as excited about their marriage as they were for the wedding itself.Blessings on you both,Kelly  Jeffrey and Jenny had an AMAZING creative team.  We have been emailing each other this past week re-living their wedding day and talking about the beauty of not only the detail images but them as a couple as well!Church:  St. John's Lutheran ChurchReception:  Par-a-Dice Hotel, East Peoria, ILLisa Ragan with Happily Ever After Weddings – Event Planning and Coordination.Scott with Sound & Light Creations – Chandeliers, Lighting, and Dapping.Beth Maxwell with McKinley Park Events – All florals, ceremony decor, and reception decor.Sara E Designs - All stationary, wooden table numbers, and custom signs.Patrick N Swayze – Music and Entertainment at the ReceptionIngrid with White Lily Productions - Videography

 Everyone knows I’m a sucker for a ring shot.  I love it.

 Jenny’s cat…I think her mom told me she showed it in 4-H when she was a child!!  In any case, the kitty wasn’t happy I woke her from her nap to take pictures in Jenny’s childhood bedroom!

  Jenny bought this family bible as a gift for Jeffrey.  He got it later in the day, but we used it for a few pictures first!

 I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED these shoes!

 Of every wedding I’ve ever been a part of, this was the most amazing veil I’ve seen.  The details around the edges were so intricate.  It was just beautiful.

 Almost time to get dressed.

  Jenny’s mom was so bubbly and kind!  “Are you hungry?  Here – Eat!!  Drink!!  Grab whatever you need!!”  As soon as we got to Jenny’s parents’ farm, her Dad told us to hop in the truck and he took us on tour of the farm so that we could figure out the best places to shoot.

  One of my favorite shots ever.

 At each wedding, there is always that special moment between a mom and a daughter.  It is my goal at every single wedding to capture that, as I know that in the years to come, it will be cherished.

   So beautiful.

 Jeffrey and his brother Benjamen escoring their mother down the aisle.  Background story on Jeffrey’s family.  When I was little, his parents and my parents were in “Young Farmers” together…a group of people through the Farm Bureau that would meet.  I don’t remember the get-togethers, but my older sister does.  But, we’ve known Jeffrey’s family for years.

 Jenny’s brothers escorted her mom down the aisle.

  Jeffrey’s nephews announced the bride.

There are 30 years between us, but I want this dress.

 Jeffrey, waiting for his bride.

  I love the look on Jeffrey’s mom’s face off to the left.

 

Jeffrey and Jenny’s wedding began at 3:00.  The pastor told the story that at the rehearsal the night before Jeffrey’s mom stated that until 2:59pm the next day, Jeffrey was still hers.  But from 3:00 on, he was all Jenny’s responsibility!!

  A good dad.

   A good laugh during the service.

  Giving the mom’s and dad’s the love and respect they deserve.

     The releasing of the doves.

After the ceremony, the entire wedding party headed back to Jenny’s parents’ farm for pictures.  Could we have asked for a more beautiful location?  But, what’s everyone looking at?

 

Ahhh, yes, it’s the limo-bus that got stuck in the field!!  But that’s the handy thing about farm boys.  No big deal – Jenny’s brother ran back to the shed and brought a truck out to pull the limo-bus out.  All good!

  Now I’ve got mostly everyone’s attention! While the bus was getting un-stuck, I took a few minutes with Jeffrey and Jenny alone.  Stunning images of a beautiful couple.  I love this image of Jeffrey and the way he’s looking at Jenny. I couldn’t ask anything more…beautiful bride, stunning location, and the perfect amount of wind blowing through the wind and the veil.  My favorite image of the day. While we were taking pictures at Jenny’s farm, the wedding guests headed to the wedding reception at the Paradice Hotel and Casino in Peoria, IL.  Upon entering the cocktail reception area, Beth Maxwell’s team had put together a beautiful vintage farm scene to welcome Jenny and Jeffrey’s guests.Yep, they brought it an antique tractor surrounded by stalks of corn.

Guests found their table number by referencing antique window panes.

 

There were more window frames suspended from the ceiling displaying pictures of loved ones who could not be there on that special day.

 

 The ballroom was magnificent thanks to her entire creative team.  It was bathed in warm light, beautiful cream and pink flowers, and once again, a nod to their country roots, gorgeous Babies Breath.

It might have been a tad improper and unprofessional, but I wanted to take a few of those chandeliers home for my own home.

  Ohhhh, the cake....and once again, every attention to detail with the pale pink petals on the skirt.

Jenny's dad gave a sweet speech of thanks...along with props!  He told tales of Jenny and wished Jeffrey all the luck in getting her out of her future scrapes!

    Giving thanks for the family and friends both with them that day and those that could not be there, but who were remembered.

Taking a break from the celebration!

Yummy gifts for the guests.

Tears of joy and laughter during the toasts.

  One of my all-time favorite images of a first dance EVER.

I love this look on Jeffrey's mom's face.  And equal mixture of pride and love.

Yes, this is an AWESOME reception.

So many thoughts of love and thanks in this image.

Wait!  What's Dad mad about?!!

Now, I have been to weddings where the groom and bride have performed "Gangnam Style"...but it was an epic crowd-please when the bride and her dad performed it for the crowd!!

    Three generations.

   Let's take a minute to talk about the band.  AWESOME!  They'd start a new song, and I'd think to myself, "Oh!  This is a good one!"...all night long that happened!

Jeffrey and Jenny....God's blessings on you both...now and forever.  ~Kelly

Please take a moment and leave a note of congratulations to Jeffrey and Jenny in the comments!