Hannah + Colin | Willow Creek Farm wedding
Moments are what make up a wedding day. Lots and lots of little moments, and man, did I enjoy witnessing so many special ones on Saturday during Colin + Hannah’s big day. It wasn’t my first time to Willow Creek Farm, but it WAS my first time photographing a wedding there! I enjoyed my time there so much despite the 90+ degree heat, and the 10,000+ steps and 137 activity minutes I logged on my Fitbit. :)
Hannah hugged me when I first walked in and after a few dress photos, we jumped right into her getting dressed. Then after a few getting ready photos of Colin, we were ready to do the First Look. Talk about emotional!! It was one of the sweetest first looks ever and both and bride and groom had a hard time keeping it together. We all took a pause, a few deep breaths and then made some magic under the weeping willow trees by the pond. (Side note: Weeping Willow trees are one of my all-time favorite backgrounds for photos!)
The timeline Hannah + Colin created gave us plenty of time to get everything done before the ceremony. I have never seen a more proud father walking his daughter down the aisle. I mean, Hannah’s dad just BEAMED as he led her toward Colin. The ceremony was very sunny and hot, but the officiant wrapped things up in an efficient 22 minutes (he said so during the ceremony!), and I was able to send the couple off to mingle with their guests while I got photos of the reception area untouched by guests.
A small rain shower came through during dinner, so that kind of changed my plans for some sunset photos, but we got some neat clouds up to the north so we used that instead. I also took them out on the back patio with the cute little cafe lights for some fun dusk photos.
Hannah + Colin’s guests were SO fun, and I will never listen to 500 Miles by the Proclaimers the same way again. At the end of the post, you’ll see some photos where the guests have the couple hoisted up on their shoulders, and that was during that song, the last one of the night. And then we sent them off to their honeymoon with a sparker sendoff! It was truly a great day and evening, and I am so thankful to have been a part of it. Congrats, Colin + Hannah, and I hope you’re having an amazing honeymoon!! <3
Ceremony, Reception & Catering | Willow Creek Farm, Urbana, IL | Instagram
Cake | Cakes by Lori, Mahomet, IL
Florist | Flora, Mahomet, IL | Facebook
DJ or Band | Dan Church, Champaign, IL
Instrumentalists | Alexa Groen
Officiant | Mark Verbruggen
Bride’s Dress Retailer | Elite Bridal, Champaign, IL | Instagram
Bride’s Dress Designer | Martina Liana | Instagram
Bridesmaid Dresses | Azazie | Instagram
Suits/Tuxes | Men’s Wearhouse, Champaign, IL | Instagram
Hair & Makeup | Style and Grace Salon, Champaign, IL | Instagram
Videographer | Olivia Helmus | Instagram
Drone footage | EMC Photography
Photographer: Holly Birch Photography, Illinois-based photographer available for destination weddings