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Katie & Matt are the picture perfect, storybook couple. They've known each other since first grade and have spent their lives growing up together. All of their experiences over the years have led to them developing a deep friendship and authenticity with each other that takes many years to develop for a lot of couples. Even though they're “all grown up now”, they have a love that is playful and silly, while also being thoughtful and deep. There were so many little things that made their day special, I had a really hard time deciding which ones to share here!!

Pictured above: Katie's mom & sister, but I probably made that a little obvious, right?

Sometimes I'm a fly on the wall, and sometimes I'm a fly in your armpit! I think this is my favorite zipping-up-the-dress picture EVER!!

A ummmm… trick lighter. I love her shocked-surprised-disgusted-amused look! How did she get all of those emotions in one face?!?!

Awwwww… poor dog couldn't attend the wedding… I know, I'm sad too.

Their ceremony was held at the beautiful Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton, IL.

They had a bubble exit from the church and I must say, their guests were GREAT bubble blowers- there were bubbles everywhere! Do you know how hard it is take a picture of a moving, transparent, reflective object?!?!?! Try it sometime and then send me your picture!

You know, for a couple of high school teachers who are supposed to be role models, they sure do break the law a lot!! First jay-walking and then going the wrong way in a one-way?! Crazy rebels! Just kidding.. I'll take the blame, I'm such a bad influence.

WARNING: Cheesy wedding party poses ahead!

This was definitely a first for me! Matt, the dedicated History teacher, wanted to replicate the classic ape-to-man evolution chart!! Matt- I hope this ends up in your classroom somewhere!! Your friends must realllllly love you if they're willing to act like apes for you!!

Their wedding details had a bright and pretty palette of pinks, corals, and yellows…

Instead of a guest book, they made a quilted wall hanging for their guests to sign. I may be just a bit partial to the idea since we did the same thing for our wedding!

Their reception was at Bartlett Hills Golf Club in Bartlett, IL. For the budding photographers who read this blog… this looks like an easy, straight-forward picture, right? Here's what makes it a technical challenge: it's backlit by natural light, which is stronger than indoor lighting, and the window acts like a big mirror. How did I balance the indoor and outdoor light while not getting any flashback from the window? First I metered for the outdoor lighting, and then I metered for the indoor lighting to figure the difference, then used the flash bounced up and to my left into the angled ceiling to create a soft directional light that wouldn't reflect off of the window. Actually, the reason I chose this picture was because it reminded me of DaVinci's Last Supper.

Speaking of supper.. I had the VERY lovely privilege of sitting with a group of Matt's Civil War Reenactment friends!! OMG, I felt like I was attending a stand-up-comedy dinner!! I laughed SO HARD that I ended up with cheek cramps!!

Katie, an English teacher, received the perfect literary gift from her sister during the maid-of-honor toast: an educational book to help Katie learn about some of the joys of waking up with the man of her dreams every day… HA!!!

*sigh* Can't you just feel the love? They danced to the classic, Glen Miller's Moonlight Serenade.

OK, enough of the mushy gushy love stuff… these people love to party!!!



When that bouquet came flying, you can bet I didn't want to be in THEIR way!!!

My favorite image from the entire day… niiiiiiiiice….

Katie & Matt - thank you so, so, so, so much for making me your wedding photographer!! There were so many smiles and tears- it was all just so beautiful and moving. I only hope I was able to capture all of those wonderful feelings for you!! Please have lots of super cute babies so I can visit again soon!