I highly anticipated Katelyn + Frank’s wedding for months. (I feel like I’ve said that about every wedding in 2018 though!) Katelyn is a big fan of my work and had been following me on Instagram for a long time. We emailed back and forth briefly before she booked, without me even knowing the venue. Then when I got the contract back, I was stoked to find out she had also booked Bluestem Hall!

This new-ish venue in rural Urbana opened late in 2017, and the photos I had seen of the space were gorgeous. I was able to visit it myself last spring when they hosted an open house for local wedding vendors. The restored machine-shed-turned-wedding-venue is situated on a piece of land that is a prairie restoration. The tall prairie grasses combined with the small hill it’s on give it a beautiful view of the horizon and midwestern sunsets. <3

I had a lot of favorite parts to Katelyn + Frank’s day, but Katelyn walking down the aisle with her dad to the processional from “The Sound of Music”… classic!!! And if you’ve been following along for a while, you know I’m the biggest fan of that film!! We also had a fun tour of downtown Champaign searching for good fall color on brick roads! Katelyn + Frank were so easygoing and laidback which helped the day go by so seamlessly. To top it off, they were blessed with the most perfect fall weather — warm and sunny.

They also had a "cheese" cake for their wedding cake. Not a "cheesecake," but a cake made of wheels of cheese. It was definitely unique, but also a beautiful statement piece to add to the rustic, farm-to-table, prairie-inspired reception.

Congratulations again to Katelyn + Frank!! Thank you so much for allowing me to collaborate on your wedding and tell your story. Enjoy your preview!

To inquire about your own wedding or session, please contact Holly through the “Book Me” button on the top right.

Vendor Team:

Ceremony: Holy Cross, Champaign
Reception: Bluestem Hall, Urbana
Catering: Classic Events Catering
Hair & makeup: Kate Endsley, Ashleigh Coartney &
Leah Mattingly from Rod Sickler Salon & Spa
Flowers: Lindsay Tranchida; The Garland Guy
DJ: Crash Events, Ryan Reid
Band: Caleb Cook Band
”Cake”: Cheese & Crackers
Reception furniture: Spruce Wedding Rentals
Bride’s dress: Melanie by Flora
Suits: Men’s Wearhouse
Invitations: Designed by Bridge; Letterpress by Bella Figura
Photographer: Holly Birch Photography