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WEDDING

Colorful Summer Backyard Wedding in Bourbonnais, Illinois | Janet + Michael

Janet and Michael's colorful summer backyard wedding in Bourbonnais, IL with Chicagoland wedding photographer Kara Evans Photographer.

September 14, 2021

Hey, I’m Kara!
Hey, I’m Kara! A wedding and family photographer based in Kankakee, Illinois! Whether I’m photographing your wedding day or everyday milestones and memories as a family, this job is my joy.

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I’m so excited to share Janet and Michael’s super fun backyard wedding in Bourbonnais on the blog! Gosh, this couple is just so fun and easy-going, and we’re thankful we could serve them on their wedding day!

From the Bride

Throughout the first 3 months where we were just talking on the phone and texting (because of quarantine), every time I’d get done talking to Michael my sister would go ‘Uh-oh Janet’…After the first time we met and I called her to tell her about it she said ‘Uh-oh Janet, I think you’ve found Him’.

Marriage and a husband were never part of my ‘dreams’. When I met Michael I had the same ‘uh-oh’ moment my sister had been saying from the beginning – I could actually picture that life I always dreamed of, but now there was an amazing man that was in it with me, too. For Michael, he knew much faster than I did that I was the one. We were sitting on the couch one night watching a movie and he looked at me and told me that he loved me and that had been praying for me all his life. He says he knew right then I was the one. We are absolutely that couple, “When you know, you know”.

Over Christmas last year, we drove out to spend a week with my parents, sister, and sister’s boyfriend in Rhode Island. We had planned to take family pictures all together with the boys since we don’t have any. We got dressed up pretty and drove down to the beach. My sister’s friend, an amateur photographer, met us there. We took group and couple shots on the beach pavilion. Mike and I went last. Once we’re done, everyone says, “Let’s go down to the beach for some shots with the water.” I’m thinking “Okay guys, when is this happening because y’all are about as subtle as a bazooka at a 5-year-old boy’s birthday party.”

So, Michael takes my hand and we start to walk down to the beach first. We’re walking along the sand. Then he stops and says “You know how much I love you right?'”I say of course as he holds my left hand and gets down on one knee and says “Marry me, you will?” Even though I knew it was coming, I still immediately started laughing/crying when he got down on one knee. I made sure to say YES clear and loud. We hugged and kissed and when I looked up my family was walking towards us with monogrammed champagne tumblers and a giant bottle of champagne to toast us. It was absolutely perfect and exactly how I would have dreamed.

We are both easygoing and we make fun of whatever we’re doing or wherever we are. We love doing everything together. While our immediate families are small, we are very close with our families. We both have large extended families that grew up together here in Bourbonnais. Our larger families are still a big part of our life, and we are close with all of them, too.

Wedding Advice for Couples

Our favorite quote can sum it all up perfectly: “Deciding everything is falling into place perfectly, as long as you don’t get too picky about what you mean by place or perfectly.” Everything is not always going to go exactly as planned, but keep in mind what is most important – getting to marry the love of your life.

The Wedding Day

We cannot speak highly enough of Janet and Michael! We were welcomed in with open arms on their wedding day, and it was so fun!

From getting ready at the church and their Catholic mass ceremony to the jewel tone vibes and their super fun wedding party to the most gorgeous sunset and outdoor celebration on their family farm in Bourbonnais… This day was the perfect fit for Janet and Michael’s personalities. These two don’t know a stranger and are so loved by their family and friends.

Every bit of this day was filled with fun, smiles, and easy-going moments. Janet and Michael even got married in the same church as both of their parents, and I love that, too! I remember after their wedding ceremony when Janet said something along the lines of this to me – “the ceremony was fun and I didn’t even know you could have that much fun during a Catholic mass ceremony”. Yep, that pretty much describes the vibe of the day!

After making things official, Janet and Michael celebrated alongside family and friends at the family farm where Janet grew up. There were string lights throughout the property, endless food and drinks, gorgeous weather, and all the dancing. I think it was pretty perfect!

This Bourbonnais wedding day was a blast with Janet, Michael, and their best friends and family! Their jewel tone wedding dreams came to life and man, do these two know how to throw a party! We’ve never worked with a more laid-back and fun-loving couple (these two are quite the social butterflies!), and we loved every minute of their day! Cheers to the newlyweds!

Janet & Michael – Congratulations again! We love your fun-loving personalities and won’t soon forget your wedding day!!

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Janet’s Attire: BHLDNWedding Party Attire: Azazie | Hair & Makeup: Brio Beauty Bar – Manteno, IL | Jeweler: David Yurman | Ceremony: Maternity BVM Catholic Church – Bourbonnais, IL | Wedding Officiant: Father Jason Nesbit | Reception Venue: Janet’s Family Farm | Guest Accommodations: Fairfield Inn by Marriot, Hampton Inn, & Holiday Inn Express – Bradley, IL | Florist: Bonnie Bee Flowers – Tinley Park, IL | DJ: Erin Howie | Reception Rentals: Joliet Tent Rental – Joliet, IL | Photographer: Kara Evans Photographer – Kankakee, IL | Catering: Olivet Nazarene University & Bryan University | Cake: Nana’s Cakery – Bradley, IL | Invitations + Paper Goods: Minted

P.S. – Wanna read more love stories and get wedding inspiration? I love sharing more wedding days here!

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  1. […] the Letton family! I photographed Janet and Michael’s engagement and wedding back in 2021. Since then, it’s been an honor to welcome them to the studio for photos with […]

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Chicagoland wedding & family photographer based in Kankakee, Illinois

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