Ryan and Mallory's July wedding will be hard to forget for three reasons: First, They were married on my wedding anniversary (July 24th!!). Second, their wedding was THE HOTTEST wedding I've ever photographed. (That sounds really weird...I'm talkin' 'bout the temperature, people!) It was really only 91*F out (only, lol), but with the humidity it was a blazing 110*!! Talk about all the sweat! Let's not top that, k Mother Nature??? The third reason I'll remember their day is because it was so, SO beautiful. Mallory was BEYOND GORGEOUS, Ryan was classically dashing (if that's not a thing it should be), and Blumen Gardens was in full swing showing off its summerness.

Prepare thine eyes for beauty.

Meanwhile...

That wind was like a desert oasis.

Keep in mind it was 110* and this team was squeezing in for a group hug! Sorry friends! You look great and no one can even tell you were slowly melting to death!! :D

This just makes me laugh.

Wedding time! (I always think of this when I type that. Ahh, the good old days!)

I love this image Carrie captured of R&M sharing a quick moment after the ceremony!

There was a live band during the ceremony, and Ryan jumped in to play drums!

Then it was time to get the party started.

Ryan and Mallory, thank you so much for everything! It was so great to work with you! Blessings!!

If you missed their engagement pictures, you can see them HERE!

Wedding Coordinator: Laura Sanders Ahern at Accent on Events

Hair: Kristin at Salon Rhapsody (Frankfort, IL)

Makeup: Heather at Salon Rhapsody

Florist: Stems Floral Design (Rockord, IL)

Wedding Dress: From Marie Gabriel Couture (Carmel, IN)

Bridesmaid's Dress: Chosen by bridesmaids!

Suits: Men's Warehouse

Getting Ready Site: Hampton Inn, DeKalb, IL

Ceremony & Reception: Blumen Gardens

Cocktail Hour Band: The Groove Hotel

What's your favorite wedding day memory?

Ryan: The entirety of the ceremony was amazing, but especially memorable was the pacing and the transitions of the ceremony in combination with the musical selections. From walking out with my groomsmen to one piece of music to seeing Mallory walk down the aisle to another, and finally walking out as a married couple to the final piece, there was a very special contour to the ceremony that will stay with me forever.

Mallory: My favorite wedding day memory was seeing Ryan at the end of the aisle. I don't think I've ever had a bigger smile on my face. We were so focused on each other during the ceremony we didn't even think about all the people watching us

Is there anything you would have done differently?

Ryan: Everything turned out really well and I have no complaints, but I would have spent more time communicating with the DJ to make sure they captured our style better and I would have vetted the caterer more carefully.

Mallory: It was a great wedding. If I did it again, I'd have a pig roast instead of a fancy, traditional meal.

Best piece of advice for brides and grooms?

Ryan: Take time to enjoy each other without planning involved, especially in the days before the wedding. We took the day before to go bowling and had a great time experiencing each other at our most relaxed. It helped keep us close as we approached the big day.

Mallory: Keep the wedding focused on the fact that the two of you are committing your lives to each other and decide what ceremony/reception details are meaningful to you (We knew we wanted plants everywhere). As you make decisions refer back and go with the options that keep you aligned with these two focal points.

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

We went to Kauai and Oahu in Hawaii. It was awesome. Plenty of adventure and relaxation.

Huge thanks to Carrie for second shooting with me and for grabbing some bts images!