Caroline & Mike’s dusty blue and burnt orange October wedding was a dream to photograph! Not only are they two of the nices people (and so are their family and friends), but there were so many sweet moments I got to capture with my lens. I have been looking forward to this wedding ever since I met them for their engagement session last October. However, Caroline & Mike and their families have been looking forward to this wedding for years, ever since these two started to fall for each other at the end of high school.

Their wedding day started on a warm and sunny October morning in the suburbs of Chicago and ended with the most perfect midwest sunset out in the country surrounded by endless flat fields of wheat. There is something different about midwest sunsets you guys. I think it has to be something to do with the flat landscape and huge amount of open skies. Whatever it is, it made for magical portraits for Caroline & Mike.

Caroline and her bridesmaids made all their bouquets the night before the wedding which meant they had lots of extra flowers for me to use with her details. I always love getting to use some fresh flowers with detail photos because they add an extra pop of color and texture that pull the details together. After getting dressed, Caroline shared the sweetest first look with her dad and then went outside for a fun reveal with her bridesmaids. Shortly before heading to the church, Caroline had all her girls pray over her which set the tone for the rest of the day.

Once we arrived at their church, the historic St. James at Sag Bridge (which is the oldest working Catholic church in Northern Illinois), Caroline and Mike spent some time in prayer in the Marian grotto. They wanted to wait to see each other until the aisle, so they prayed back-to-back with Mike’s eyes firmly closed the entire time. It was worth the self-disciple to keep his eyes closed because when he finally saw Caroline walk down the aisle to him, he couldn’t hold back his tears.

Following their beautiful Mass, we made a pit stop in the small town of Lemont for some portraits for Caroline & Mike. This was so special to them because this was the location of their first date and where they first held hands. How beautiful to come back to the spot where it all began on the wedding day! From there, we drove about an hour into the Illinois countryside to their venue, Mathre1916. The barn was built in 1916 and the farm is still in operation by the same family over 100 years and four generations later, how amazing is that? This was the most unique barn venue I’ve shot in and the attention to detail in the renovation was stunning. And it was perfect for Caroline & Mike’s wedding.

Caroline and Mike, it was such a joy to photograph your day!!

Caroline, you were an absolutely stunning bride! Wow!!

Xoxo,

Mary Kate

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A huge thank you to all the other vendors who came together to make this day possible!

CHURCH //  St James at Sag Bridge

RECEPTION VENUE // Mathre1916

CAKE // Friend of the bride – Ygnacia

FLORIST // Bride & bridesmaids made them themselves

VIDEOGRAPHER //  J.R. Owen & Co

DJ // Phil Davis

CATERER // Famous Dave’s Catering

HAIR  // Salon 312

MUA // Bridal Brigade

WEDDING DRESS // Wolsfelt’s Bridal, Justin Alexander

BRIDESMAIDS // David’s Bridal

GROOMSMEN // The Modern Groom