I don’t know even where to start. Jill is one of my dear ones. We have walked through so many things together. Ridiculous silly laughter and really deep mourning and pain. She is one of my favorites. She is my family. And holy cow she is beautiful. Her wedding was at her family’s home in Rockford Illinois. Both of her parents are gone, but the home that they designed, built and raised their family in remains. It was decorated with brightly colored circle garlands, glowing lanterns and all kinds of DIY projects that Jill’s mom would love. Their family and friends came through for them. They arrived to help this homemade family affair be all that Jill dreamed it to be. And it was. Any decor, flower arrangement or detail you see…. they are ALL homemade. Every last one. More on that later.
Jill’s day started with her girls gathered around her in the hotel room, praying, crying, remembering and celebrating beyond any words we could find. Les and Eric started with lots of laughter and anxiousness to see the beautiful bride. Les, you have an amazing woman, and what I love most about you is that you know that. I can see it all over your face.
I did what I don’t recommend any photographer to ever do and that is to be both the photographer and bridesmaid!! Aaaack! I just couldn’t hand her and Les over to anyone else. It was a gift for both Eric and I to not only be a part of their lives on a daily basis but to capture the day they became husband and wife. Eric shot amazingness all day long and we brought in our good photographer friend Janet from oijoyphoto to help.
It was the most beautiful wedding I’ve been to in a long long time. The homemade family affair, the dear friends that gave so much , the crazy beautiful details and last but not last… two people that love each other enough to commit their lifetime to one another and to top it off… it was my Jill.
Ok. Have to stop writing even though my heart is full or I”ll be a puddle of goo here at my computer with tissues and puffy eyes to match.
I love this pic of us.
Waiting to see his bride.
Les and Jill much to my delight wanted to see each other before hand. We had a relaxed 45 min. of photos and just letting Les and Jill be together.
Jill walking to a waiting Les.
Jill. You are ridiculously beautiful.
More tomorrow with cornfields, the family home, ceremony and the fabulous reception!
Our Muted Love Woodland shoot was featured on Ruffled! Thank you thank you to all the wonderful vendors! If you’d like to see more of this inspiration shoot, click here to go back to the post on the blog!
Elizabeth Anne Designs is one of our favorite blogs and we were thrilled to have Lauren and Matt’s beautiful day featured!! If you’d like to see more of this wedding, click here to go back in the blog and have a looksie.
In keeping with the natural melancholy aesthetic of shoot, the film by Put Down the Bourbon was shot in an dramatic raw perspective with an original music composition by Paper Door. We didn’t want a smooth over-produced video but the edges a bit unkempt and an intimate perspective into this bride’s waiting. Muted Love. from … Continue reading
I am so very excited to bring you this Woodland Inspiration Shoot. A group of talented vendors got together wanting an inspirational shoot void of pastels and pretty pinks to bring imagery to the bride with a love of nature and the beauty in the barren winter months. Katie from Jayne Weddings first hatched this … Continue reading
One shot as a fun Sneak Peek to what I will be posting on Thursday!! Katie from Jayne Weddings , Kelly from Fleur and I got together to brainstorm a wedding inspiration shoot that was void of pastels and appealed to a love of nature and the barren months of winter. This gorgeous dress was … Continue reading
This week started my yearly class at Chicago Botanic Garden teaching Macro Photography in the greenhouse. It is always a welcome change of pace for me to communicate the technicalities of the camera, meet new students and spend some time away from the computer. I wander with my class in the green humidity and it relaxes … Continue reading
chills….that says it all!
i’m totally crying at an internet site in st. lucia…. “thank you” is definitely too small, jessie dear. i am in awe. thank you so much for capturing our beautiful day! i cannot wait to see more. i got myself back to a computer today just to see if you had posted!!
love love love to you,
jkww
[...] More from Les and Jill’s wedding! Missed Part 1? Click here. [...]
Like pancakes and syrup. I’m just saying.
I LOVE her dress–gorgeous photos, Jessie! Even with your dual roles you outdid yourself!
Love them!! Please post more!!
What amazing shots- and I love reading your perspective Jessie. I was so happy to celebrate that day. Looking at the pictures my eyes fill with tears of joy!
that dress, those peonies–just in love with this wedding!
[...] to work with. Click here to our feature ! Did you miss Jill + Les Married on our blog? Click here to see Part 1 and here for Part [...]