Sean + Stephanie = Married!! Illinois Chicago Area Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
“What a beautiful “picnic in the woods style” May wedding!! Ryan and I loved Sean + Stephanie’s wedding day. Remember when we photographed S+S at this same wooded Sugar Grove, IL Forest Preserve back in January? It was much greener this time around (and definitely warmer at close to 90 degrees plus humidity.) The wedding at the forest preserve was filled with bright colors of orange, warm touches of nature’s green and brown, and was buzzing with family and friends gathering for Sean + Steph’s wedding ceremony.
The picturesque outdoor ceremony spot Sean + Stephanie picked was on a rolling tree-covered hill, beneath the warm shining sun — intimate nature was all around and it was an absolutely perfect, naturally beautiful May day. S+S’s ceremony at Bliss Woods reminded Ryan and I of our own Nevada mountain wedding ceremony in a way… our favorite types of weddings to shoot are destinations or local Chicago area outdoor ceremonies.
Sean + Stephanie’s very personalized ceremony and “picnic-style” reception was a reflection of Sean+Steph’s relationship, engagement at the park and past visits to Bliss Woods. With the help of Mary Beth Kraft of Social Butterfly and her wedding planning & decorating expertise, the day encased numerous touches of picnic elements such as baskets, candles, cupcakes, wine bottles, wildflowers, picnic benches, picnic tables + table cloths, outdoor wooden touches brought inside, shades of oranges, and greenery. The guests enjoyed live music, everyone danced all night, it was truly a memorable and awesome time. During the ceremony the Aletheia String Quartet created a ceremonial ambiance and played “All you need is Love” as the exit song —a special request by Stephanie. Prior to dinner the Brent Shroy Recital (a live band who are friend’s of Sean+Steph) joined by Stephanie’s sister Amanda, the maid-of-honor, performed during happy hour. DJ Monty from St. Louis Missouri kept the dance floor going all night long. I fell in love with their first dance song “Can’t Help Falling in Love, Fools Rush In” a cover by Ingrid Michaelson. ( I downloaded this song myself. It’s beautiful & a perfect first dance song! ) The reception venue was a familiar place to Sean’s family and grandparents. It was a country barn style police lodge which was decorated with twinkling lights spanning the roof beams. Attached to lodge was a white tent which included picnic tables and a cocktail bar, so guests could enjoy more of the outdoors throughout the evening until the end of the reception. We loved the set up and so did the guests.
Thanks S+S for setting aside a little extra time in your busy wedding day for some on-location bridal coverage! It was fun photographing indoors at the restaurant & bar and getting creative with the Bride + Groom : ) Sean + Stephanie — we hope you love these fun pics and enjoy the photographed memories of your wedding day. Thanks for hiring us, we enjoyed celebrating with your family & friends and maybe we’ll see you again one day one soon at one of their weddings… if we’re lucky!!”
Revisit Sean + Stephanie’s Winter engagement photo session which also took place at Bliss Woods in Sugar Grove.
Sean + Stephanie’s outdoor wedding ceremony and reception were both in Sugar Grove Illinois. Their Spring wedding ceremony took place at Bliss Woods and following was the reception at the nearby Kane County F.O.P. wooden lodge and rustic barn. Wedding day planning and coordination by Mary Beth Kraft from Social Butterfly www.shethemeseverything.com, 630-631-9567. The live event music was by the Aletheia String Quartet, the Brent Shroy Recital, Stephanie’s sister Amanda and Scott Monahan of DJ Monty 618-567-6237.
Pingback: 20 photos créatives avec vos demoiselles d’honneur ! – Décoration Mariage Tendance
Miller + Miller has been featured (#18) on HuffPost Weddings! “50 Photos To Take With Your Bridesmaids” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bridal-guide/50-photos-to-take-with-bridesmaids_b_9366074.html
These pictures arm amazing! Do you remember where the bar/ restaurant photos were taken. I don’t think they were taken at the fop lodge as well but I may be mistaken and didn’t see another venue mentioned in the blog. Again there photos are just outstanding i’m not engaged yet but definitely saving your contact info for the future.
Pingback: 20 Creative Bridesmaid Photo Ideas That You’ll Totally Love |
Pingback: 10 Wedding Photos I Needed |
Hi Kelli. Check out in Aurora this new barn wedding venue called Abbey Farms! http://www.abbeyfarms.org Or yes another barn is called Marvel Davis Farm and is located in the small country town of Big Rock. I’ve heard the Davis farm barn rental is organized through the town’s local historical society. http://www.bigrockhistoricalsociety.org Best of luck!
Where is this barn in big rock?
Hi Becky. The address on their web site is listed as: 42W635 KeDeKa Rd, Sugar Grove, IL 60554 Here’s a link to the Lodge’s wedding rental information. – Sarah
Can you please give me the exact location of the barn/lodge reception that was near Sugar Grove.
Thanks,
Becky
Pingback: smarty pants | she themes *everything*
Pingback: Summer Wedding Inspiration: Yellow and Orange | letterpress wedding invitation blog
I really want to get a dress for my maid of honor like the maid of honor in the pictures!!!
Pingback: Drunken Bride - Cute Wedding Photography | Wedding Gowns
Pingback: 10 Wedding Photos I Need | Weddingbee
Pingback: Sometimes You Just Need To Laugh… « Wedding Blog • It’s a Bride’s Life • Real Brides Blogging til I do!
what technique did you use to get the lighting effect on the bottom two pictures? it’s amazing and i’d love to be able to capture something like that in my photos!
Those are some great pictures. The lighting in the picture are perfect . To look at those pictures make u feel the moment of each pictures. I’m soon to be bridal and I loved them
The pump toe shoe is by Pulse ( not sure where the bride purchased them )
I NEED to know where her shoes are from and where I can get them! Too cute!
How many people does the venue hold?
Hi Jennie. Sean + Stephanie’s reception was @ Kane County F.O.P. Lodge. Let us know when you’re ready to book us for your photography. : )
Where was the reception site? I am from the area and very interested. Beautiful pictures!
Thanks Amanda!! And what an awesome comment! If you want to discuss our available dates when the time comes closer to you booking your venue, just let me know. – Sarah
Have already decided on Miller & Miller to use for my wedding, but had come upon this section of photos when “googling” rustic wedding venues; illinois (which seems limited for the Chicago Suburbs). Not only did I stumble upon amazing photos, I found a hidden amazing ceremony & reception site right by where I partially grew up in Big Rock! While looking through all the amazing shots, I noticed I recognized two of the groomsmen! Way to go to this awesome couple your taste is great and the photography of M&M could not have displayed it better, now I think I may have found my venue & a photographer!!!!
Great photos! Looks like a GREAT time and you’ve captured it…with such old-school romance & whimsy, it’s really stunning! {Beautiful couple as well}!
Nice! Feels like you’ve captured the wedding very well – I wish I were a guest at that party :-)
These are just beautiful! We can’t wait to see the rest! M & M, we’re amazed and thrilled with all your talent! Great job!
Thanks everyone! Especially, Sean + Stephanie we loved reading Sean’s comment. We had a busy weekend in the City working and when we returned today to see your comment, we were floored. Thank you! It was great working with you. We had a great time with your family and friends. Currently editing the rest of your pics, and we’ll be in touch once those are ready.
absolutely. stunning.
amazing work! :)
Things you guys must know:
a) These are absolutely amazing, a level at which you guys hover around constantly.
b) I have had countless compliments and comments of acclaim on your guys’ work, style, and technique.
c) We couldn’t be happier that we chose you guys to capture all of these beautiful moments on a day that flew by so quickly. For us, you guys really compound a lot of feelings into each picture, whether its beauty, marvel, love or reminiscence.
Bottom line: We love them, we hope to work with you again, and thank you!
Whoever the photographer was for this wedding, YOU ARE SO TALENTED! I have never seen such creativity. I wish you had done my wedding. Wow!
These pictures are awesome! They are so vivid and the ones with the multi-colored lights are simply amazing! It was nice to meet you and thank you for the free advertising!
It’s truly a magical moment for our daughter Stephanie! Sean thank you for being such a wonderful son-in-law :)
To Ryan and Sarah, you’ve done such amazing work of photography!
Amazing pictures! Wonderful job!