Dusty Rose, Blush and Sage Green Wedding – Perryville, Illinois

My 2021 photography season started off on such a great note. Alyssa and Gage was the first wedding up and after a few months off through the holidays I was ready to get back out there shooting. It was such a gorgeous day at the end of March. I first arrived out at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Steeleville where I began shooting bridal details. It’s one of my favorite parts of the day and it always gears me up for the rest of the day. Alyssa and her bridesmaids all started filing in and started getting ready. Before we started portraits, we had to do one thing. Alyssa, her sister Danielle and I walked over the cemetery behind the church. Alyssa wanted to take a moment at her father’s grave and lay a rose. It was a sweet moment that I’m glad I was able to be a part of. Alyssa was ready to start portraits after that and she and her bridesmaids totally nailed it. The pastel colors of their dresses, that were purchased at The Andrew Jackson, was absolutely beautiful. Jonathan Reiman with Twig Floral Designs did an amazing job with the florals and seeing the bouquets up against the dresses was so dreamy and a photographers heaven!

Up next was my time with Gage and his groomsmen. They were dressed in suits from Savii formalwear. They were all getting ready in the church’s basement and when I walked down there. I had to gather them all up for portrait time which was cutting it pretty close to ceremony time. Guys are usually pretty quick since there’s no hair to blow in their faces and dresses to straighten, etc. Everything went well with the guys and before I knew it it was time for the ceremony.

After a beautiful traditional ceremony, the bridal party and I made our way to Fort Kaskaskia for portrait time. Alyssa and Gage had not seen each other until Alyssa walked down the isle (which was so sweet), but we had taken as many photos before the ceremony so we could make sure we had as much time with them afterwards as possible. What I love about these two is how they look at each other. Every time I saw each of them look at the other (whether the other person know it or not), they had this huge smile on their face and you could tell how much in love they were. I truly love their love and it’s a stinkin fairytale. It was so much fun to capture their bride and groom portraits and watching them interact with one another.

The celebration continued at The Elk’s Lodge in Perryville, Missouri. Jonathan’s team, once again, nailed their reception decor. The cake was an ice cream cake from Coldstone Creamery (yes, you read that right) and it was awesome! I’ve shot almost 200 weddings and I think it was my first ice cream cake! I left that night with a huge smile on my face with all of the wonderful images I had taken. The dance floor was full and everyone was having the best night ever. I can’t wait for you to see all of my favorites from Alyssa’s big day. Enjoy!

Congratulations!