When I first met with Kevin and Jessie, they told me they were going to have a horse and carriage at their wedding. You'd better believe I was excited! Jessie's mom lives on a horse ranch, and since K&J were getting married on her property, it only made sense that horses would be involved. Sadly, I don't know that much about horses, but they're my favorite animal and it's on my bucket list to learn how to ride! Anywho, get ready for some gorgeousness!

Fun fact: I photographed Jessie's mom's wedding back in October 2015!! Also, Jessie's stepdad officiated K&J's ceremony!

Meanwhile, my second shooter Carrie was crushing it with the gents.

Jessie's dress was the most flowiest dress there ever was (whatever, Grammar, that's how I feel). I was in love with how it moved. I was also in love with how perfect it was on Jessie.

I'm still dying over this ceremony location. Midwest ftw on this one!

I love this moment between Jessie and her brother.

I love that the horse is looking back in this image. He wants in on the fun!

The wedding party surprised K&J during toasts by serenading them with (God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time on You by *NSYNC. (P.S. That video was everything my freshman year of high school. It's worth a rewatch. The hair, haha!!)

Kevin's dad gave a very sweet toast comparing watching your child leave for kindergarten and having to let them go and watching your child get married and having to let them go. Things were a little foggy on my side of the camera. There was something in my eye, I swear!! DANG IT!!

Some faves from the dance floor!

The sunset was rather epic, and honestly at first I almost didn't take Kevin and Jessie out because we'd kind of put 'em to work earlier on the picture front and I didn't want to overdo it and wear out my welcome. But after I thought about it for, oh I don't know, 30 seconds, I knew I'd kick myself if I didn't take them out for a few minutes. HOT DANG, am I glad we did it!!

I mean...COME ON!! IS THIS REAL LIFE?!?!?

Thank you, Kevin and Jessie, for trusting me with your day! Blessings!

Hair & Makeup: Krystle VanVossen (Bride's cousin)

Florist: Terry Teske Design

Wedding Dress: From Bella Bianca

Bridesmaid's Dress: David's Bridal

Suits: Men's Warehouse

Getting Ready, Ceremony, & Reception : Bride's mom's horse ranch

Caterer : Scrementi's

Bar : Classic Cocktails by Scott

What's your favorite wedding day memory?

Kevin: My favorite memory is of Jessie walking down the aisle, when I first saw her getting out of the carriage.

Jessie: We went and got something from the food truck and went under the tent to find most people at the bonfire or occupied on the dance floor - we were able to actually sit and have a conversation just between us - I was able to take a breath and soak up the awesome reality that I was talking to my husband !

Is there anything you would have done differently?

Kevin and Jessie: No.

Best piece of advice for brides and grooms?

Kevin: Don't sweat the small stuff.

Jessie: Plan well, accept help, and don't stress over every decision (really no one will remember if you went with the butter cream or cream cheese frosting). We didn't have a wedding planner or wedding coordinator but my cousin took on the responsibilities of most everything the day of - set up/vendor contact etc. and I was so happy we took her up on her offer to help us out because the day of the wedding I felt really relaxed and didn't have to stress out about dealing with anything that day - as soon as the wedding day came I just took on the mindset that I did all I could do - if something goes wrong it will still be a great day (that was the advice I received most often to accept something might go wrong but it will all work out).

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

Hawaii

Final Reflections:

Jessie: I was most stressed out about the ceremony and everyone staring at me but much to my surprise I absolutely loved the ceremony, it was bliss and I didn't think once about the other people around us!

Thanks again to Carrie for rockin' this wedding with me, and for taking time to grab some shots of me in action!!!

This one may have actually been a photo bomb. Whateve's, I'm in the picture with a horse, lol!

Crete, IL Farm Wedding Photography | Kevin & Jessie