I first heard of Anastasia years ago before ever actually meeting her – we knew of each other in one of those small-world ways, where you find out all of these little unrelated connections you share with someone. She went to Western Illinois University, where she met her now-best-friend Kara, who had been a childhood friend of mine because our mothers were friends. As it turns out, Anastasia and I both realized we also had even more mutual friends, from a completely different circle of friends. I no longer can pinpoint exactly when I first met her in person, and I think that’s because I immediately felt like I had known her all my life – that’s just the kind of person she is. Anastasia has this joy about her. It’s massive and flowing, and you can’t help but smile when you’re around her – when she’s telling you how much she loves you, and how happy she is to have you here. I know this because I saw her having these conversations with so many loved ones, and I saw her close her eyes quietly a few times and send love up and out into the universe, and it’s the kind of spirit and personality that makes you want to be even just a little more like her. You want to love as hard, and laugh as hard, and dance as hard as her, because you can tell she means it.

I didn’t know Jordan as well in the beginning – I met him as a wedding party member (and Anastasia’s boyfriend) during a wedding I shot a few years back. One of the simple gifts of this job is getting to really know people – and just as much, getting the chance to really see people in their element – that I otherwise would be far less likely to have an excuse to spend so much time with. Jordan is one of those people who I felt like I really had the chance to see – I saw how much he cared about their wedding day being everything the two of them had envisioned, and how much he cares about his family as well as Anastasia’s, and the way he meshes his thoughtfulness with his goofiness so seamlessly that it’s quiet and subtle but incredibly apparent when you’re really looking. And these two people paired together? They’re gold, man. They’re bouncing off of one another, and they’re goofy and lively and contagiously fun, and it feels so wildly clear that the life ahead of them will continue to be as beautiful as they each deserve, simply because they’re at their best when together.

Ceremony: All Saints Greek Orthodox Church
Reception Venue: The Ravina on the Lakes
Bride’s Dress: Adore Bridal
Cake: Trefzger’s
Table Decor + Reception Flowers: Create A Scene Inc.
Church + Wedding Party Flowers: Bees and Blooms
Invitations, Program, and other designs: Olive Designs by Anastasia Almasi
Uplighting, Strand Lighting, Table Cloths: Signature Event Rental
Hair: Sarah Preciado, Serendipity Hair Emporium