Melinda and Sean | Wedding Reception @ Austin Mansion, Effingham IL

Just about every 12 weddings or so (or when we get too many back to back for our brain to keep up) we pre-schedule a day off from weddings. We typically take other shoots that day or we will schedule it off just to get caught up on some work at home. When we schedule these, they are usually a full year in advance before the next wedding season and such was the case of last Saturday but then we got an email from the amazing Melinda and everything changed.

She and her husband Sean were planning a destination wedding in Bora Bora (yeah, completely awesome right?) and were also planning a wedding reception/celebration at the beautiful Austin Mansion in Effingham and I absolutely couldn’t say no, even though it was our scheduled day off. I am so glad we did because the party was EPIC. Doug and I really didn’t know what to do with ourselves for half a day off. We woke up late, ran some errands, went to the grocery store, had a sit down lunch, played with Charlie Key and still showed up to the Austin Mansion an hour early because we honestly just didn’t know what to do with ourselves. Mindy was a complete joy to work with, she had infectious energy and an amazing personality we both instantly loved her. What I loved about her is you can look in the photos and see how relaxed she was and how much FUN she was having. Totally awesome couple! Now let me talk to you about Sean for a second. I hope Melinda knows she’s actually married to a super hero (no lie). I heard some stories in passing about Sean saving lives in his work and found out he was a fireman. The day AFTER their wedding reception I hear about a fire at the Firefly Grill in Effingham and that an “off duty firefighter was there having brunch and assisted with putting out the flames” and then I see Sean’s name. Seriously. Not only does this guy risk his life to save others and help save the Firefly he’s also a real life chef. See? I told you: SUPER HERO. The man cooks, saves lives, and puts out fires: get this man a cape.

Back to the party. Sean and Melinda, already married and fabulous, allowed us free reign of the Austin Mansion to do any photo we pleased and it was AMAZING. There is absolutely nothing better than a couple that completely trusts you when you suggest photos and jump on board, without question. We also liked having ample time to come up with different shots, normally on wedding days we are on a tight time schedule to complete photos inside the mansion but this day was probably the most relaxed event I’ve ever shot and it was AWESOME. Remove from the equation a bridal party and I was pretty much in heaven having the mansion and a bride and groom to myself. The reception was amazing and featured the live musical talents of Scott “Skittle” Johnson and his band of amazingness. These guys are some of the best musicians I’ve ever seen and I have absolutely never seen anyone play the fiddle like Scott, the party was completely awesome. The dance floor remained full and Melinda and Sean had an incredible night. At the end, I just couldn’t help myself, I was dancing and picture taking along with the rest of the girls! If you haven’t heard Scott play you are missing out. We want to wish Melinda and Sean (her superhero husband) many years of happiness!

Congrats you guys!

-Kate and Doug