Brandon + Lacey | Southern Illinois Backyard Wedding

I’ve been thinking all day about how I would write this blog post. It’s hard to put into words just how wonderful this wedding was because it wasn’t just a regular wedding booking for me. It was a wedding for one of my best friends! The whole weekend was so much fun and I honestly can’t believe it’s over already. So much planning goes into planning a wedding and then it’s over in the blink of an eye. I knew Lacey’s vision for her wedding day and to see it play out for her was so special. She and Brandon live near Chicago but Lacey wanted to get married in her parents backyard. Lacey grew up in this area and then her family moved up north when were were little. Her parents have since moved back here and built a beautiful home on a lake and that’s where Lacey and Brandon wanted to have their wedding. Brandon LOVES fishing and Lacey is still a simple country girl so the location made perfect sense.

The backyard was transformed into an intimate space for 120 people. There were lights strung through the trees down by the lake and fire pit , fresh florals on the altar, homemade table decorations and tons of candles. Lacey and Brandon had a sequin tablecloth because if you know Lacey, there had to be as much bling as she could get! There were so many details for this wedding but that didn’t surprise me one bit. Lacey has worked a side job at Michaels (the craft store) for years and I was expecting lots of DIY projects for her big day. Her whole family is super crafty and truly pulled off such a beautiful backyard wedding.

Now, you may notice someone familiar in the pictures… ME! That’s right. I was a bridesmaids AND the photographer for Lacey and Brandon’s wedding. It was a first for me but Lacey wanted me to do both and so I found a way to make it happen. I only had a couple people I knew who’d be available to by my second shooter for the day (to help get the shots that I obviously couldn’t get because I would be in them). My dear friend, Myssie, took on the task and I know she was super nervous about it but she totally rocked it out of the park. I couldn’t have done it without her and I thank her so much.

I’m so incredibly honored to have been a part of Lacey’s and Brandon’s wedding. I definitely had a hard time picking out my favorites but I think I nailed it down pretty good that wouldn’t make this blog post super lengthly LOL. Enjoy!