Kaitlyn and Jeff | A Wedding Celebration @ Teutopolis, IL

It’s getting to bittersweet moments as we start to count down “our lasts” in wedding photography. This wedding was my last May wedding as well as my last wedding at Teutopolis church. It’s fitting to me that it was this AMAZING couple and their spectacular and epic day. About 8 years ago when I started doing wedding photography, I met Kaitlyn- a makeup artist that was doing weddings fairly frequently for brides that I was photographing. She of course did flawless work and as normal wedding vendors go, we bonded. Fast forward to today and I’m writing a blog about her marriage to Jeff, their beautiful little daughter, and my last wedding in a town I love. It doesn’t get more bittersweet than that.

Kaitlyn, Jeff, and their families put a ton of work into making this wedding perfect and it really showed. From setting up their backyard as a magical photo land to the Hartke’s opening up their home to the madness of hair and makeup prep for an entire bridal party. We started the early morning at the brides family home where hair and makeup artists including some of my favorites, Loren Dreas and Jessie Will were executing perfection on the bridal party. Kaitlyn had the PERFECT hairstyle chosen for her big day that Jessie created like magic in addition to the most flawless makeup I’ve ever seen completed by her friend and talented makeup artist Dylan Bowers (who I’m hoping will just come to my house some day and give me hours of lessons, spectacular job Dylan!). The morning was awesome, it was relaxed and fun and we were able to shoot all of the details throughout the house including Kaitlyn’s dress which 100% fit her style and personality and was just stunning both on the hanger and the bride. Once the prep was over, Kaitlyn and Jeff had a beautiful first look where Jeff got down on one knee and presented Kaitlyn with a new wedding band, to celebrate their marriage on this day. The rain held off as we gathered the family for formals at the house and at the church prior to the ceremony. Jeff and Kaitlyn were thankfully eager to complete all photos necessary and I think they’ll be happy with the results despite it being quite humid outside. The ceremony went beautiful and the couple’s daughter even made it down the aisle (usually kids going down the aisle is a miracle!). Jeff and Kaitlyn received the marital blessing and renewed their vows in front of their family and friends. Once the couple existed the church joyfully, it was on for more fun and photos. Kaitlyn and Jeff also broke my record for largest number of “bridal party” attendants ever with 8 official attendants and an additional 12 couples (over 30 total) and even though that sounds stressful, it was actually really fun. The family had the backyard set up with awesome furniture that made it a lot easier to shoot a group that large. Once those shots were good and done, we focused on the couple, the party and more. We wrapped up photos and headed to the reception where the decor matched and represented all the hard work of the families. The guests were treated to an amazing meal by Martins IGA, a yummy dessert table, and lots of activities for the little kids. The father of the bride gave a very touching tribute to the new couple in addition to the best man and maid of honor. The couple danced with their families and each other in a series of first dances that were accompanied by a slideshow. All in all it was a day surrounded by love and family which fit this couple to a T. We couldn’t get enough of their sweet little girl and all the fun of the day. This was the most epic end of an era I can think of in T-Town and I was so grateful Kaitlyn went out of her way to ensure we would be the ones photographing it. Jeff and Kaitlyn, it was a joy to work with you and your families. We wish you many continued years of marital bliss!

-The Keys (Kate and Doug)