Brittany and Matt’s wedding day started how so many of my spring weddings days have started this year – with a daunting forecast of rain and gloom. It poured on my drive from Chicago to the hotel in East Peoria where the girls were getting ready that morning, and I did what had become the norm that season – I mentally rehashed the rain back-up plan, and I grabbed my umbrellas from the trunk upon arrival. By then the rain had settled to a sprinkle, but I have learned never to underestimate how quickly things can change. I entered a room full of chill bridesmaids and an equally chill bride, and besides the girls making sure to grab their own bag full of umbrellas, there was no mention of rain or weather.
As the day went on, the skies cleared, and the forecast found a way to surprise all of us – the weather app I check frequently on wedding days now showed mere clouds with no rain, and from that moment on, I didn’t think about the weather for the rest of the day. Instead, all I noticed was Brittany and Matt – beaming at one another, singing along together to every song on their party bus wholeheartedly, and soaking up every single second of their day. This is the second wedding I’ve had the honor of spending with them, as they were both in the wedding party of Brittany’s sister Katie’s wedding – and I can assure you after observing and getting to know them over these past few years, this is exactly the kind of people they and their loved ones are. They’re happy and loving and kind-hearted and so freaking fun, and they’ll make you feel like you’re part of it all, too.
The sun ended up coming out that afternoon while we were taking pictures, and as I watched them drink beers and joke with their many best friends and marvel at the sunshine, I felt extra thankful to be with them there in those moments, and to have clients who not only become friends, but also make everyone around them feel like family.
Reception Venue: Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino
Centerpieces: Create A Scene/I Do Events
Cake: Le Bakery
DJ: Extreme DJs and Lighting
Ceremony: St. Vincent de Paul Church
Dress: David’s Bridal
Tux: Jos. A. Bank
