Friday, July 11, 2014

Chris & Alex | A Wedding

Effingham-IL-Wedding-PhotographerTwo friends pushed them together...at the back-to-school dance...in junior high!  That is how long the lovely Chris and Alex have been together!  I knew Alex when she was just a baby, as her dad was my junior high science teacher, and I actually babysat her once or twice!  Chris was the baby brother of one of my sister's friends, and his family also owned the Christmas tree farm that we got my own family's Christmas tree at each year.  And just a few short Saturday's ago, I was blessed to get to see them wed!Chris and Alex, it has been nothing but a pleasure!  You are beautiful individually and as a couple, and it has been nothing but joy to start my wedding season out with your rustic, Christmas farm wedding here in central Illinois!Below are just a few of my favorites!  Thank you for checking in!KellyAnd PS - Be Sure to leave Chris and Alex some Facebook congratulatory love in the comments!  KMIllinois-Christmas-tree-farm-wedding-106

We started the day shooting all of the details that Alex had planned for her guests.

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Chris's beautiful ring that he gave to Alex, and the diamond earrings Alex's mother gave her to wear on her wedding day.  So beautiful!

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Alex's bouquet paid homage to their grandparents that could not be there with them on their special day by using their jewelry and vintage scarf in her wedding bouquet.

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Alex and her ladies before they started getting ready.  One of the nicest groups of bridesmaids EVER!!!  Everyone was so kind, sweet, and giving!!...just like Alex herself.

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One of my favorite times of the wedding day is when it's time to get the bride into the wedding dress.  It is so joyful and emotional all at once!

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Alex's sister Sidney making sure everything was just right before Alex's portraits.

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And then we all started crying.

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Alex, you are stunning...with either a more formal pose....

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...or when you are laughing!

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I soon made my way outside to take a few portraits of the ever-so-handsome Chris, who was waiting for their first look!Illinois-Christmas-tree-farm-wedding-126

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This one is my FAVORITE!!

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Their First Look.  Do you see the spy up in the little church window?  :)

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Chris's sister Sarah may have enjoyed ringing the bells after the ceremony just a little too much!  She's probably going to hate me for posting this image...but I just couldn't resist.  It's too fun!

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Alex's dad having a bit of fun himself announcing the new man and wife leaving the church.

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After the ceremony, we took a few portraits in front of the church and then drove to Chris's family's Christmas Tree Farm for wedding party pictures and portraits of the new married couple!

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Prior to their wedding, Chris had restored and delivered one of the family's vintage farm trucks, complete with a personalized decal announcing the year of the their wedding.

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We then headed to the Pekin Country Club for their wedding reception.

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Chris and Alex gave away the best gift ever to their wedding guests - saplings for them to plant in their yards!  It was lovely!

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There was dancing and food and drinks for everyone, and I'll end this extra long blog post with this image that I love of Chris gazing at his new wife during their first dance.

Chris and Alex, many blessings to you both, and thank you so much for allowing me to be there with you on your wedding day!  KM

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