Celebrations Event Center – Marion, Illinois

I can remember like it was yesterday. Lisa and I were emailing each other back and forth about what to do if it were to rain on her and Bill’s wedding day. It wasn’t suppose to just rain. It was suppose to POUR. Where would pictures take place since everything was planned to be outdoors. As a wedding photographer, I always have a plan B and sometimes even a plan C just in case the weather man is wrong. I’m not super familiar with the Marion area and so I started asking around to some of my photographer friends about potential locations for indoor portraits. My dear friend and amazing photographer, Savanna Kathaleen, suggested that I use the airport in Marion for portraits. She had just used that for portraits for another wedding she had before that so she knew it was a perfect backup location.

The morning of their wedding… rain, and LOT of it. Unfortunately the weather man was correct and so plan B went into action. I met up with Lisa and Bill in Carbondale where they were getting ready in a house they rented out for the weekend. When I arrived, I told Lisa about my plan and she said she would trust me and she wasn’t worried about a thing. She wasn’t going to let anything ruin her day. Bill is super easy going as well and he felt the same thing. The whole bridal party gathered up at the Veterans Airport in Marion, Illinois and when I walked in I knew it’d be perfect. It was white, bright and airy and the perfect neutral background for wedding portraits. It didn’t take long to get through all the portraits and then everyone was excited to head to the church to get ready for the ceremony. This was the moment that Lisa and Bill were waiting for. To officially become husband and wife!

After a beautiful ceremony at the Baptist Church in Herrin, we all made our way to the Celebrations Event Center. It was the first time I have been there and any time I’m at a new venue I get all kinds of ideas. The venue itself is wonderful! It has a beautiful staircase right when you enter and there’s even a walkway across from the beautiful chandelier that’s perfect for pictures. Lisa and Bill added lights to the gazebo and since the rain finally stopped we were actually able to do some outdoor portraits! The reception was decorated beautifully with lots of florals, white tablecloths and chair covers and I loved the gold details. It was the wedding of Lisa’s dreams and she and Bill celebrated with everyone who meant the most to them. One of my favorite parts of the evening was doing their sparkler sendoff. Lisa and Bill ran through those sparklers with smiles from ear to ear. There was so much joy in those few minutes as the sparks flew and it was so much fun to capture. I always love a good ending to a wonderful wedding day.

I hope you all have a wonderful week. Enjoy looking through my favorites from Bill and Lisa’s wedding day.