“Jeff + Chrissie were another awesome couple to work with. ( How do we get so lucky with our couples. ) For these two, we enjoyed meeting up with them on a warm, early June Thursday afternoon, shooting engagement photos, exploring new locations, getting to know each other, and learning about their upcoming destination wedding plans. Because we’re located in the Naperville area, and they are in Peoria we didn’t actually meet until the day of the shoot, except on Facebook.

 

For J+C’s shoot, we first stopped at a VERY unique location – with lots of urban grungy style. When I proposed this abandoned factory shooting location idea, which is just west of our Naperville area home studio to Chrissie, she said her and Jeff loved it. After the decaying building, we then mixed in a few Chicagoland nature locations and a quick stop in town for a fun “fine dining here!” pic. LOL!! One of our nature stops was in front of a picturesque, canyon at Starved Rock State Park. Although the canyon was a little crowded with kids playing in the canyon’s water, we were able to sneak in a few quick shots from a cliff above the waterfall. Next, we grabbed some pics along the river, in the tall grasses, and wow the evening sunset Jeff + Chrissie had on their day was seriously epic. The blazing night sky colors were unreal and unlike anything the four of us had ever seen. Ryan previewed the shots to us in the viewfinder and said nobody is going to believe the sky was really this colorful.

 

Jeff + Chrissie’s love story started a state away… they are originally from central Missouri and they met while Chrissie was in college. At the time Jeff was starting his own business and Chrissie and her twin sister auditioned for a commercial he was creating for the company. After J+C met, the rest is history. Currently they are both currently living in Peoria Illinois. Jeff + Chrissie mentioned they searched for the perfect wedding and engagement photographer that was basically anywhere in between St. Louis and Chicago. And gratefully they found Miller + MIller! We know there are thousands of wedding photographers to search through on the web and we are so glad they found our photo blog + fell in love with our unique photography style. The week of their shoot, J+C planned for an event filled, long weekend mini-vacation planning first a creative engagement session with us! Following our engagement session, they booked a couple of nights downtown Chicago and to close the weekend, skydiving! Chrissie was definitely showing a little hesitation when talking about jumping out of the plane, even with it being three days away from our shoot… I don’t blame her. We’ve talked since the photo session and learned she jumped – And had a great time. Jeff already had jumped previously, but was looking forward to another jump together this time with Chrissie.

 

We had a great time getting to know the two of you Jeff + Chrissie. Ryan and I enjoyed talking about your upcoming Cancun Mexico destination wedding plans, growing up in Missouri, boating, and talking a little about the perks of running a small business. Hope you enjoyed our tour of Starved Rock. As mentioned, we’d suggest heading back sometime on your own…. there are so many beautiful parts of the park to explore! Enjoy the rest of your Mexico destination wedding planning. You’ll have to let us know after you receive your disk of all the photos, how many of the pictures you decide enlarge and put on your new home as wall art. It will be difficult to choose just a few. Talk to you soon!!”

 

 

 

Jeff + Chrissie are planning their January 2011 wedding at the Royal Solaris Marina Resort & Spa all-inclusive in Cancun, Mexico. How exciting! We love destination weddings.

“Ryan and I hold this wedding very close to our hearts!! ( You might even notice us standing up for this one! That’s because we not only took turns photographing their wedding, but we also played a big part in this one. Ryan was Scott’s bestman and I was a bridesmaid. )

 

YAY … Ryan’s sister Cherilyn married her high school sweetheart Scott and we’re so HAPPY for them! : )

 

But we can’t take all of the credit for this one. During the ceremony, the groom’s sister Corinne filled in with one of our cameras. A HUGE thanks goes out to Corinne from the both of us and Scott + Cherilyn in capturing some additional moments throughout the day and rising to the challenge. ( After all we proposed the idea to her just a few hours before the wedding rehearsal on Friday night. She admitted she’s always wanted to get more into photography, so it was perfect for her. )

 

Scott + Cherilyn’s early in May, Spring wedding fell on a bitter cold and windy day – which was a bit of a bummer. But thank goodness the clouds didn’t drop any rain on us all day. And after the ceremony, the bridal party was relieved to have a few minutes to warm up in the nearby private canyonside cabin at Starved Rock Lodge. S+C’s picturesque outdoor ceremony location was situated amidst a canopy of trees where close family members gathered all bundled up in blankets & jackets. Everyone kept the day warm with lots of smiles and happiness. Scott being an avid outdoorsman and hunter, Starved Rock was the perfect ceremony location for their wedding. ( Scott even works part time for Miller’s Old Fashioned Butcher Shop located in Plainfield Illinois… stop by their shop for a taste of the best meat you’ll find in Northern Illinois. )

 

S+C’s outdoor May wedding ceremony was at Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. Their Spring wedding took place just outside of the rustic, canyonside log cabin on a romantic flagstone terrace surrounded by nature. After the ceremony, the bride, groom and bridal party bundled up from the cold ( me and the girls even put on pants under our dresses ) and we headed into a canyon for a couple in the canyon photos. The hiking helped warmed us up. And later in the evening with toasting, laughing, celebrating and dancing at Scott + Cherilyn’s reception in Ottawa at Pit Stick Pavillion, everyone easily became warmed up again. In knowing all of the Miller’s very well, we know we will be talking about Scott + Cherilyn’s wedding at one of the next Miller family or Stewart farm get togethers soon and probably for many years to come!!

 

Scott + Cherilyn we hope you enjoyed your wedding day and the photo memories captured on your wedding day. Love ya both and we are excited about your future together as husband + wife. Wishing many wonderful years to come for you guys… Hugs + Kisses.”

 

 

 

 

We love the Starved Rock area!! We are out in the Illinois River Valley area often because it’s so picturesque. Be sure to visit our other wedding photos blog post from in August 2009 featuring images Starved Rock wedding photography from Mohsin + Heidi’s outdoor wedding ceremony, canyon photos and reception in the lodge. We are often in the Starved Rock for engagement sessions too. Be sure to visit our Starved Rock Engagement Photo Session Archive before you leave our blog.