Salvo & Betsy were married on June 4th, 2016 at Holy Cross Church in Champaign, IL.  This wedding was one I have been looking forward to since last fall.  Salvo and Betsy are a wonderful couple and I have enjoyed getting to know them so much since they initially booked me.  I was so touched when Betsy’s mother told me that Betsy chose me not just because of my photographs but also because I was someone she could “hang out with all day”.  And that is what we did!

My second shooter Nicole and I started in the morning at the Champaign Country Club with the ladies and snapped pictures as they got prepped for the day.  The bridesmaids popped champagne and made sure to apply a glitter bronze to everyone as Betsy finished up her final touches.  When Betsy got on her dress, everyone in the room was in awe at how beautiful she looked. I couldn’t get enough of the shape of her dress… her train was perfection.   Once Betsy was in her dress and the ladies were all ready, we headed outside to take some photographs.  The rain must have known we were coming because it stopped at almost the exact time we headed outside.  The aqua and coral colors popped perfectly against the brick walls, green grass and colorful flowers.  It’s always exciting when I know while taking the photos that they’ll be some of my favorites!  After we finished up with Betsy and the bridesmaids, the groomsmen joined Nicole and I for their photos at the Country Club.  Just as the ladies shined with their colors, the men looked spectacular in their black tuxes and bowties.  We had a great time working with them and it was a blast to have a fellow wedding vendor, Ryan Reid (Crash Events) in the bridal party.

The ceremony was held at Holy Cross Church, one that I have grown up attending.  The high ceilings and elaborate church decor made for a dream wedding.  They had a traditional Catholic Ceremony followed by a full mass.  After officially becoming Mr. & Mrs., Salvo & Betsy exited the church with bubbles blown from all of their friends and family.  Their exit made me think about how incredible weddings are and how special it is that everyone close to a couple to gathers together for one day just to celebrate them.

From the ceremony, the bridal party and the newly married couple ventured to the University of Illinois quad for photos.  The UIUC is very close to Betsy, as she attended the school and also currently works as a staff member in  advancement at the University. The quad at UIUC is one of my favorite places to shoot. With plenty of room for the bridal party to spread out, it always makes for wonderful photos.

Salvo and Betsy held their reception at the Champaign Country Club.  As always, the Country Club provided excellent service and was decorated to the nines.  One of the Salvo’s close friends stepped in to MC the bridal party entrances and provided everyone with lots of laughs while doing so.  It was also entertaining to hear Betsy’s father give his speech and talk about where all of their wedding guests were from. Since Salvo is Italian, a handful of his relatives were from Italy.  How amazing is it that they traveled across the world to celebrate his wedding day?! With guests from all kinds of different places in the world, Salvo and Betsy spent their first evening as a married couple laughing, smiling and partying the night away.  Their wedding day was wonderful and I am so happy to have been a part of it. Thank you Salvo & Betsy for including me in your special day, I cannot wait to see what this new life together brings you.

To see more of Salvo & Betsy, check out their engagement photos.

VENDORS —

Hair & Makeup – J. Alex Salon

Videographer – Ransom Wedding Films

Music – Bugbee’s DJ Plus

Dessert – Cakes by Lori

Floral – Flora Design Studio

Dress – Michelle’s Bridal