Kylie and Donovan both grew up in Kewanee, IL and met in high school, so it seemed perfectly fitting that their wedding took place at Elmore Stock Farm Outfitters, this gorgeous barn venue in the middle of the country not far from Kewanee. Having grown up in a nearby town myself, finally getting a chance to shoot at this venue felt really special to me; when you grow up in a rural area like we did, you hear the phrase “God’s country” thrown around often by those who know and love this land, and with a view like this, you’re reminded of how true that statement can be.
As I neared the end of my rainiest wedding season yet, I was no longer surprised by “rain in the forecast” when I saw that it was expected on Kylie and Donovan’s wedding day. That said, the storm + tornado watch that did ensue on the evening of their wedding was yet another bit of new territory for me — but in perfectly imperfect wedding day fashion, the rain and the thunder did us some favors in just the right moments.
It went from a sprinkle to a light rain intermittently throughout the morning and early afternoon on their wedding day, and I watched as Donovan and Kylie and their loved ones watched the sky and said a few prayers. The rain eventually halted just in time for the outdoor ceremony, and wedding guests grabbed their umbrellas and made their way toward the hay bales. It began to rain yet again as Kylie and Donovan held hands beneath the altar, but it didn’t feel as though anyone noticed or cared from that moment on. Donovan and Kylie and their families would end up drenched once we continued on with photos after the ceremony, but everyone smiled and laughed through it anyway. And this was how the rest of the evening felt from there on out – because despite the rain and the wind and the massive storm looming overhead, nothing could’ve stopped them all from having the fun, meaningful day they’d always envisioned.
Venue: Elmore Stock Farm Outfitters
Dress: Adagio Bridal Boutique
DJ: All Occasions DJ’s
Photo Booth: Northside Photo Booth
Catering + Cake: PL Damron’s
Tuxes: Seno Formal Wear
