Mattie and Rolando’s winter wedding at Blessed Sacrament is hitting the blog today! I love these people!

Back in August 2018, I vividly remember my first emails with Mattie. She found my work through a couple of my past brides, Kayla and Madalyn, and I’m forever thankful. And while Mattie was inquiring and we were getting to know each other, my sister was in labor with my sweet niece. I’ll always remember sharing that excitement with Mattie and telling her that I may be out of the office for a bit once the baby arrived. She’s an auntie, too, and totally understood! ?

As I’ve gotten to know this couple over the last year and a half, I’ve come to love them so. Between emails, texts, FaceTime dates, their freezing cold engagement session, and everything in between, they are some of the kindest, most dedicated people.

From the Bride

Rolando and I met in the last year of our doctoral studies at Indiana University! We were in the same (music education) class. I saw him across the room and thought he was super handsome. At that point, I knew I needed to get to know him! I tried getting his attention through Facebook Messenger a couple of times, but he didn’t catch the hints… Finally on Facebook, while he was in Chicago with friends at a Chicago Symphony Orchestra concert, we connected and haven’t stopped talking since! I knew from the beginning he was “the one.”  Though he (thankfully) took his time to make sure I, in fact, was “the one.” I’m forever grateful for his patience for our relationship to steadily and healthily grow. 

We got engaged in Santa Fe, New Mexico on July 28th, 2018 while I was on contract singing at Santa Fe Opera! He came to visit me to hear a performance of mine. He proposed that night on the back porch of the beautiful home my friends and I were renting while there in the mountains of Santa Fe. It was perfect, though I thwarted, unknowingly, many of his original plans of where he would propose due to my work schedule. It ended up being perfect, and we wouldn’t change a thing about it!

We’re now living in Lincoln Park in Chicago – which we love! We’re both professional classical musicians and enjoy attending concerts together.

The Wedding Day

This wedding day started out like most – photographing the bride and groom getting ready for the day ahead with their most favorite people! We arrived at the bride’s parents’ house where the girls were getting ready, and we even got to say hi to one of our favorite makeup artists in the Springfield area. While I was photographing the details of the morning, you could find me tucked into Mattie’s “piano room” as she called it. I was drawn to the light in the room and the gorgeous bookshelves for all of the details… And then I found out that it’s Mattie’s favorite room in the house – like it was meant to be! Meanwhile, Kyle traveled to the groom’s Airbnb to photograph some more finishing touches.

I loved seeing Mattie’s bridesmaids faces as she revealed her bridal look to them before we left for the church – Blessed Sacrament. They were in awe of her beauty! Once we arrived at the church, we followed tradition keeping Mattie and Rolando separate before the ceremony. And this church! We always love and adore our Blessed Sacrament wedding days because the church is like none other. The light, ornate details, and beauty of this church are unmatched.

Then it was time for Mattie and Rolando to share a Catholic ceremony surrounded by their closest family and friends. I loved how Mattie and Rolando still made the ceremony their own and had a lasso during the ceremony with Rolando’s aunt and uncle. It was perfect for these two!

After the ceremony and family photos wrapped up, it was time to have a little fun with this bridal party! We traveled to the Illinois State Capitol for these photos. This crew was so, so fun! And after bridal party photos were finished, we spent one-on-one time with our bride and groom. We loved this time with Mattie and Rolando as we chased the sun! Even while this was a winter wedding day, it was actually almost 60 degrees and foggy most of the day. And you know what? Mattie’s parents’ wedding day was eerily similar many years ago. I love that!

Before we knew it, Mattie and Rolando were dancing the night away with their loved ones at the Artisans Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The room perfectly matched their classic wedding style and paired well with their burgundy, navy, and gold decor and that amazing Christmas tree display. And we even got to hug one of our 2015 couples at this wedding reception – LOVE! Best yet? Mattie’s sister’s wedding reception was at the Artisans Building, AND her sister shared her birthday with this wedding day, too. So you better bet there was a surprise “happy birthday” song and ice cream cake at the reception for her. I love all the sentiment!

At the end of the day, this winter wedding at Blessed Sacrament was one for the books! I knew I loved Mattie and Rolando from the start, but their wedding day made me adore them even more. They’re kind, easy-going, and oh so good for each other.

Mattie + Rolando – Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sharing your wedding day with us! We will always remember it fondly. ?

Creative credit goes to…

Bride’s Attire: Girls in White Satin – Jacksonville, IL | Bridesmaid Attire: Amazon | Hair: Brooke Merwin | Makeup: LB b e a u t y – Jacksonville, IL | Jeweler: Zales | Ceremony: Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church – Springfield, IL | Wedding Officiant: Father Raymond Bryce | Reception Venue: Artisans Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds – Springfield, IL | Florist: DIY by the Bride | DJ: Troy Armstrong DJ Company – Springfield, IL | Reception Rentals: Signature Event Rental – Springfield, IL | Catering: Shick Shack BBQ – Oakford, IL | Cake: Lindee Hall | Invitations + Paper Goods: Zola & Zazzle

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