Steven + Alexis | A Keller Center Wedding

A few weekends ago I had the absolute pleasure of shooting the wedding of Steven and Alexis!It's my last wedding this year...and what I THOUGHT was going to be my last wedding ever (more on that later!); so, I have to admit, it was a tad bittersweet! I absolutely love shooting weddings...everything from the emotion of the day to not knowing until I get there what the church or the reception hall might be like! But, even though there was a bit of sadness in the back of my mind, I was also glad that this 'last' wedding was with Steve and Alexis!They met while in high school, and Steven actually left his private school to attend public school with Alexis...and they've been together ever since. He's in law school, and she's a hair stylist, and although when I first them I thought to myself, "These two are SO young!", I quickly learned that these two had wise, mature souls. They knew what mattered to them most in life...their families and each other, and their wedding showcased just that. Although the theme and details were beautiful, it was their relationship with each other and their families that really stood out.Steven and Alexis, thank you SO much! Thank you for being the wonderful couple that you are and for making my 'last' wedding one of all the things that I've loved about shooting weddings the last seven years!Here are just a few of my favorites from their wedding day!Thank you for checking in!Kelly 

We started the day at Alexis's him church...and I just loved this custom made runner that went down the center aisle of the sanctuary!!

A quick snap of Alexis's ladies before she got dressed!

Alexis and her mother have a very special relationship, and I really loved watching them get her ready.  SO MUCH LAUGHTER AND JOKING!

We stepped outside and took a few images of Alexis just after she had gotten dressed.  Isn't this little side yard at her church with the flagstone walkway adorable!

I then spent some time with the ever-handsome Steven!

He has a good 'lawyer' face.  :)

Finally man and wife!

Steven, Alexis, and the wedding party then headed over to a family friend's home to shoot some great wedding party portraits!

And while we were there, of course a few portraits of the bride and groom themselves!

This is my favorite of Steven out of all that we took of him that day!

We then headed to the Keller Center for their reception!  As always, the absolutely wonderful Katie Koester did a fabulous job coordinating their reception!  I will miss working with Katie SOOO much!

Once the dancing fully got underway, I remembered this little flash trick I used to do years ago to make the DJ's lights 'swirl' around the people dancing.

I think EVERYONE was having a great time along with me!!

Alexis and Steve, thank you, thank you, thank you!  So  many blessings are wished to the both of you in life!  Stay in touch, as I cannot wait to see your family in the years to come!!  ~Kelly

Kyle + Samantha | A Christmas Tree Farm Wedding

They wanted their wedding to be small, intimate, and full of family memories; so, when Kyle and Samantha decided to get married, there was no other place that would fit than Samantha's grandparents' Christmas tree farm south of Effingham, IL. As her mother said during the reception, today they all live hours away, but when they have to define home, that farm is where the entire extended family comes together and think of as 'home'.So on a beautiful fall day in the pasture beside her grandparents' house, Samantha walked down the aisle to Kyle and they began their life together....full of families and memories just like that farm.Kyle and Samantha, thank you soooo much for allowing me to be a part of your day! It was just perfect! The warmth and graciousness of your families could be felt by all of us involved, and there is no need to wish you blessings in your future, because with families like yours, there is no doubt that you will be blessed!Below are just a few of my favorites from their wedding day!Happy Friday!!Kelly

Samantha and her friends got ready in Effingham; so, I met up with them first to do detail pictures and capture the bride getting ready.

The ladies!

Samantha has a huge, audacious smile and laugh that just pulls you in.  I love this image of her!!!

But, you know me, I like the 'quiet', contemplative images as well!!!

We did a first look with Samantha and her dad....one of the most touching, sentimental moments ever.  There were many tissues needed.

And then I headed over and spent some time with the handsome Kyle!!

Kyle does a FABULOUS serious pose!!!  So distinguished!!!

We headed to the farm after a few family pictures and got ready for the ceremony!

The flower girls came down the aisle in a little car...there are some signs of road rage in this one's future!  LOL!!!

Kyle and Samantha seeing each other for the first time.....

...did not disappoint!  Maybe best 'first' look ever???

Samantha's grandfather married the couple, which just added to the sentiment of the day!!

High Five!  We are married!!!

But let's take a moment from celebrating to admire one of the most beautiful wedding bouquets EVER!!!

The reception was held in a tent just a few feet from the wedding ceremony site in the same pasture, and it had been decorated to the nine's!!!

A bit of cake fun!!

Samantha's dad gave a speech that was both touching and hysterical!  He had the crowd back crying and laughing at the same time.

There were games set up all around the tent area for the guests to enjoy!

And later in the evening an old-fashioned ice cream truck made an appearance as a treat for the guests!

At the end of the evening, the guests came together once more to celebrate the couple and send them on their way with a sparkler send-off too!

Kyle and Samantha, once again, thank you SOOO much!  Such a pleasure getting to know you, your relationship, your family....all of it!  I cannot wait to see where your life together takes you!  ~Kelly