Bissie + Josh | Sleepy Creek Vineyards wedding in Oakwood

Wedding

Oct 30

Wow — what a crazy day! I don’t remember having a wedding day before with SO MUCH RAIN. If the old wives’ tale of rain on your wedding day being good luck holds true, then I think Bissie + Josh are going to be set for life! We were in the path of the tropical depression that came up through the gulf and the rotation just kind of settled in over central Illinois and didn’t let up.

So I got into my mindset before I even got into my car for the 45-minute drive to the venue, that it was going to be a heavy off-camera flash (OCF) day — and that it was! We took only a handful of photos of the couple outside the entire day, and that was after dark so we could get a couple of fun rain photos. Otherwise, we relied on little pockets of window light and a lot of flash!

When I got to the getting ready “cabin” where Bissie and her bridesmaids were getting ready, she surprised me with a lobster mug that she said she’d bought the day after our first meeting. She took it as a sign and then hired me shortly thereafter! I love it when people recognize my brand and run with it!!

We had to be creative with our moving around of people so that Bissie + Josh wouldn’t see each other, and at one point the bridesmaids were carrying a blanket up to get the bride to and from the bathroom to the room where she was hiding out. It was entertaining for sure!

The ceremony was beautiful and heartfelt, and I loved the couple’s personalized vows they wrote and read to each other. At the beginning of the reception & dinner, Bissie stood up and thanked everyone for coming and said they’d need to catch her on the dance floor after that because she planned on dancing the night away! So much so that at one point went and changed into capris and a tshirt!

We had such a fun time with this couple and their families, and while it would’ve been nice to be outside for a least part of the day, I think we did just fine anyway! Bissie + Josh, enjoy your extended sneak peek and congrats on your new marriage!!

Ceremony & Reception | Sleepy Creek Vineyards, Fairmount, IL | Instagram

Catering | Applewood Foods, Champaign/Urbana, IL | Facebook

Cake | Cakes By Lori, Mahomet, IL

Florist | Blossom Basket, Champaign, IL | Instagram

DJ or Band | Bugbee’s DJ Plus, Champaign, IL | Instagram

Bride’s Dress Retailer | Michelle’s Bridal, Urbana, IL | Instagram

Bride’s Dress Designer | Essence of Australia | Instagram

Bridesmaid Dresses | Lulu’s | Instagram

Shoes | Kate Spade | Instagram

Suits/Tuxes | Jos. A. Bank | Instagram

Hair | Heather Kurth

Linens | Elite Entertainment, Champaign, IL