dn.jy | Blog

Funks Grove is every photographer’s dream wedding venue, and perhaps I will succeed in visually proving that to you in this post.  Really, what I care more about proving in this post is what a dream couple Sam and Sam are…

Out of all the weddings I’ve experienced, Sam and Sam are definitely towards the top of the list when it comes to fighting for Joy well on their wedding day — their love for each other and steadfast hope for the unity that God is building helped them to not be fazed by the distractions, stresses, and drama of the day!

Silos are amazing for texture and composition, but these were perfect to showcase the couple’s love and personalities!

I wanted to capture how their loyalty to one another is vivacious…

The following are some highlights of the wonderful day:

Every element of the wedding showcased Sam and Sam’s hearts

some great moments, captured :)

Funks Grove is unbelievable!

Samantha’s beauty is unparalleled, for sure!

Sam and Sam had a great group of ladies and gentlemen to celebrate with them all weekend :)

Some chuckles, for sure :)

A chapel of trees?! Most perfect!

Their first look was completely sweet:

The wedding party cheered them on in these precious moments :D

These smiles couldn’t be better to express the joy that filled the place

Some highlights from the ceremony:

Sam and Sam actually kissed before the pastor declared them husband and wife…they just couldn’t wait!!! I don’t blame them, the anticipation was unbearable.

Mr. and Mrs. Spence!!! WOOHOOOO! I love this collage so much…their Joy is so intense!

Reception:

They ate, drank, and were merry!!!

Sam and Sam, thank you so much for letting me a part of your day.  I am truly grateful that Stacy got us connected, because just getting a glimpse of how you love Jesus and each other has built up my faith, and it has been so good to see how your steadfast loyalty to each other inspires those around you!  Your joy through obstacles has been so contagious, and I know you will only continue to grow closer to each other with each passing day, so I am excited for you guys to discover more and more deeply just how much He will unleash His favor and peace upon your new home as you look to Him together :)

Canon 7D, 35mm f/1.4L, 24mm TSE II f/3.5L, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, Speedlite 580EXII // Processed with VSCO Film

Remember Baby Luke?  He’s a teenager now!  I might be partially kidding…only partially.  He is growing so, so quickly…sitting up all by himself and all! 

One of my favorite things about being a part of the community here is that I can revolve my life around amazing people of all personalities, backgrounds — regardless of whether they are students or not, at all walks of life.  I love watching babies grow because they learn in such a novel way and all react completely differently as their personalities develop.  Luke for sure has a certain pizzazz!

Just hanging out around the house on a beautiful Fall morning…

See the resemblance?!  What a great and growing inheritance of joy Luke has :)

So chill and safe in the arms of so much love.

Letting him discover some pumpkins (one of nature’s more outstanding vegetables, in my humble opinion!)  

Family picture is complete!

I just am so excited to see this family’s love unfold and explode like a million fireworks.  Kyle and Holly, please know that you walk in the crazy great blessings of the Most High — it is so clear that He holds you: He holds you near to Himself and each other, He holds you in protection, He holds you in time and eternity, He holds you in the very notes and undulations of His voice, He holds you as He unleashes the massive storehouses of grace and Promise!  

Canon 7D, 35mm f/1.4L

The “LOOCH-Q’s” are married!!! Everybody let out a collective, “WOOOOO!!!”

Laura had the best group of ladies surrounding her with excitement and Joy all day :)

The Reception Hall was artfully and beautifully decorated, check out all the gorgeously bright colors!

Mike’s men had a chant/huddle thing they would do to cheer them on :) In general, there was a lot of laughing and love going on, it could not have been better!

The beautiful ladies hanging out before the ceremony…

The breathtaking bride!

Wedding partiers!

Down the aisle…

Some moments…

MARRRRRG’D! The lake, basked in sunset love, was perfect for these moments!

Check out this awesome cake that Beth made!  So genius!

I’ve always known Mike and Laura to love to dance…they definitely did not disappoint on their big day!

We had the WhimsyBooth set up and it was a huge partayyyy in the closet ;)

Dear Mike + Laura, Thank you so much for letting me take part and capture these great and precious moments…there was so much Joy and so much celebration going on all day and I know it’s because of how both of you allow God to use you in this community in a powerful and beautiful way.  There is so much strength in the two of you coming together, and all of us are so excited for your years ahead!!!

Canon 7D, 35mm f/1.4L, 70-200 f/2.8L IS, Speedlite 580EXII // Processed with VSCO Film

Who doesn’t love grandparents?!  Both Omar and Mayumi’s parents came on a visit so we jumped on the opportunity and went out to one of Southern Illinois’ most popular wineries to make some portraits.  The summer was ripe so the vines were full of sweet grapes and the orchard’s branches were heavy with bunches of apples and peaches…it was a satisfying experience overall — one of my best days soaking in the richness of Southern Illinois!

Leah was a little cranky until she discovered the grapes…

…the bubbles helped cheer her up too!!!

Leah is so loved :)

Grandparents, lookin’ great!

Get some air!

Omar had this idea of coming together at this fence :)

The bright colors really express all of their personalities! Just by knowing Omar and Mayumi, I’ve experienced a lot of beauty I had never known before, but spending time with their parents gave depth to how great of people they all are individually, and how they weave into each other to create the kaleidoscope of awesomeness as a family :) What a memorable afternoon!

Canon 7D, 35mm f/1.4L // Processed with VSCO Film

Another thing I love about shooting weddings is the challenge of new and different styles of locations.  Obbie and Kelly Beth got married in a gorgeous and classic chapel, and I can only hope that my pictures did the venue justice.  Obbie and Kelly Beth, many congratulations and may these memories keep you bursting with joy that multiplies with each passing day :)

Such great elements for the setting!

I love this shot of Kelly, her mom, and her sister praying together among the rest of these prayer warriors before the ceremony…

It was a rainy weekend but we had enough overcast time outside to make these breathtaking portraits by the blue mansion!

Some shots from their first look, so sweet.  This portrait on the right belongs in a magazine, no?

You can tell their love is strong just by seeing how they look at each other

Perfect couple, wouldn’t you agree?

The whole wedding party had great personalities and were definitely looking their best!

Some more great moments :)

The pipe organ just adds to the overall grandeur of the sentiment!

Can’t help not smiling with these two :D

What a couple, what a cake!

Some intimate moments from the dances and festivities…

And a great, energetic crowd on the dance floor to end the night and send off the couple!

Canon 7D, 35mm f/1.4L, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, Speedlite 580EXII // Processed with VSCO Film

Giant City is one of those places that make everything look hidden, secret, and magical. Beaten paths and fallen trees reveal towering rocky bluffs, perfect to showcase Tom and Gaby’s engagement :)

The way they look into each other just reveals so much trust!

Gaby suggested some pictures by the playground and these are indeed so sweet…

The rocks are saturated with so many layers of color and texture…mindblowing!

Canon 7D, 35mm f/1.4L; Processed with VSCO Film