This wedding day near Starved Rock State Park was gorgeous and unique. Chris and Kelsey called me late last fall looking for someone to shoot their woodsy, outdoor wedding. Here’s the twist. Technically, this Illinois couple had already been married for five years, but they were now planning a ceremony to celebrate with their family and friends. This vow renewal/wedding celebration was something that Kelsey had been looking forward to for years, and I was so excited when she told me that she wanted some epic portraits to remember the day by. 

Working with this sweet, laid-back couple was so much fun. We met up at the location prior to the wedding so that Kelsey could walk me through the wedding timeline and tell me exactly what she was looking for as far as photos. She told me that she wasn’t as concerned with detail shots, so I didn’t take as many as I usually do. What she really wanted was pieces that she could use for wall art, so I made sure to focus on that. I love planning meetings with clients. This is where we really get to know each other before the big day and where I get a deeper understanding of who the couple is and what they are looking for so that I can give them exactly what they want from their wedding portraits. 

The ceremony was held at Ironwood on the Vermillion in LaSalle, Illinois. This location was stunning. Even on a frigid day in December, we were drawn outside to the bright sky. Because of the cold, we hustled through the family shots to get the kids back inside. That left the majority of our time to create some beautiful portraits. Chris and Kelsey’s ceremony was candle-lit at dusk, which created a romantic ambiance. 

It was a beautiful day with a beautiful family. I absolutely loved getting to know this couple and capturing their wedding the way that they wanted it captured.