Emily + Ben | Fall purple + gold wedding at Pear Tree Estate

Gosh, I just love every time I have the privilege of photographing a wedding at Pear Tree Estate, and Emily + Ben's wedding was no exception.  I hit it off with this couple from the get-go with our initial consultation at Starbucks. Emily brought lots of great questions, we had some good conversation, and started making plans.  Then a few months back we met up on the UI campus (Ben's alma mater!) for their engagement session.  I think it's so important to do engagement sessions because it helps me learn about the couple, decide how to pose them, develops trust, and I get to see if they have any issues with blinking, holding smiles, etc.  It also gives me another chance to get to know them a bit better before the wedding day.  Then when Saturday rolled around, we were all comfortable with each other and just got to work!

Emily + Ben planned a beautiful day with deep fall colors throughout all the details.  I loved all the wine bottles and corks on the placecard table, which I worked in to their ring photos.  The purple and scarlett flowers were the perfect stark contrast to the bare trees outside which we used for most of the portraits.  I told them that even though it was colder than average temps outside, we were blessed with some gorgeous light.  And since they planned a 4pm ceremony after the time change, we did a First Look and did nearly all the portraits before the ceremony.  The light was absolutely dreaming streaming through the trees up near Pear Tree's Concorde Room.  Surrounded by family and friends, Emily + Ben stood in front of a warm, glowing fireplace to say their vows.  Ben started tearing up (as he told me he would!), and then I started tearing up!  I also got to work with an outstanding team that day, so be sure to check them all out below!  This was my final wedding for 2017, and I'm thrilled with the results!  Now it's time to rest and recharge through the holidays (while still working on editing and wedding albums -- LOL!) to gear up for 2018.  Bring it on! :)

Leave a comment below for Emily + Ben and after 50 comments, they'll receive a complimentary 11x14" print of their choice!!

Contact Holly to book your own wedding or engagement session!

Vendors

Venue: Pear Tree Estate

Cake: Cakes by Lori

Floris: A. Hunt Design

DJ: Bugbee's DJ

Caterer: LA Gourmet

Officiant: Don Christensen

Bride's Dress: Michelle's Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses: Michelle's Bridal

Tuxes: Michelle's Bridal 

Instrumentalist: Molly Madden | Harpist 

Invitations + Programs: Paper Boutique 

Jeweler: Westphal's

Videographer: Maloch Media

Hair: Something You Salon

Makeup: Brittany Koroyanis Makeup Artistry

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Katie + Jake | Barrelhouse 34 wedding in downtown Champaign

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Cycling sports motion shoot | Custom in-home art piece