kara evans

WEDDING

Poe’s on the Hill Wedding in Sherman, Illinois | Emily + Colt

October 25, 2016

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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Throughout this journey, so many incredible people have come into my life and opened my eyes. They’ve opened my eyes to joy, intense emotion, and most importantly, love. This is my why. In this season of being a creative, I am constantly reminded of my “why” as these blessings and people pour into my life. It’s about them… Their love, their life, their joy, their happiness. 

Emily and Colt are two of these incredible people. I have been eagerly anticipating the day that I could gush over these two and share them with you… And today is finally the day that I am sharing their wedding! I remember when I “officially” met Emily for the first time during my second year of classes at Illinois College. We were both majoring in Communication and Rhetorical Studies, and Emily was a kind, bubbly soul full of personality. I loved getting to know Emily during those days!

As the days and classes passed, Emily and I experienced group projects, assignments, girl talk, and many conversations in between. At this time in college, I knew Emily would continue to be a person in my life after college, I just didn’t know how the story would continue to unfold. I’ll be forever grateful that our shared major brought our friendship’s start!

With our “girl talk” when we really should have been studying, Emily and I came to know each other well. We talked about everything under the sun, but most importantly, Emily told me about her love story with Colt, and I quickly knew this couple was deeply passionate about loving one another. These two met through Colt’s younger brother Caleb after Emily and Caleb met one another on a trip in Washington D.C. Soon after Emily and Colt met, they were smitten and their story started. Side note… After knowing Emily’s side of the story, it was fun to hear this story recounted by Caleb during his best man toast at the wedding, too!

So, fast forward to Emily’s graduation day in May 2015 from Illinois College… After the ceremony while gathered with family and friends to celebrate, her then boyfriend, Colt, got down on one knee – completely surprising Emily – and proposed! What an exciting day of celebration for so many reasons!

And just two days later, an message arrived in my inbox from Emily. She told me that wedding planning had begun and soon after, I became Emily and Colt’s engagement and wedding photographer. Over the past year and a half of working with Emily and Colt in a different way, as bride and groom, I have come to know them even better. It’s a hard thing to describe and adequately put into words, but when you’re around the two of them, you know their love is big. You can feel it, you can see it through in their eyes – they radiate happiness and joy. I have tears in my eyes as I try to put this into words and describe this kind of love to you as I have witnessed between them.

Emily and Colt’s wedding day started out as a cloudy, rainy day… As many will say is a showering of good luck for a new marriage. We had rain plans in place, confident still to document this beautiful day of love, and as soon as we started traveling to the church before the first look, the clouds parted, the rain stopped, and the sun began to shine down. It was a magnificently beautiful turning point for the day – the joy of sunshine truly added to this beautiful day.

So, it will come as no surprise to you that their wedding day had me crying happy tears behind my camera as I saw Emily as a bride surrounded by so many loved ones in celebration and in laughter as I documented so many people showering Emily and Colt in love. These people – in celebration and support of Emily and Colt – felt all of these emotions, and more, too. They felt this big love that Emily and Colt have, and these documented moments in time truly show their love.

Emily & Colt – My heart is so happy for you two and your marriage. These days, months, and years ahead will be the best of your life, and I loved documenting your first day as husband and wife! Lots of love to you two!

 

Bride’s Attire: Allure Bridal at Formals of Litchfield – Litchfield, IL | Bridesmaid Attire: Morilee by Madeline Gardner at Girls in White Satin – Jacksonville, IL | Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Seno Formal Wear | Hair: The Gallery – Springfield, IL | Makeup: Brooklyn JohnsonCeremony: iWorship Center – Springfield, IL | Reception: Poe’s on the Hill – Springfield, IL | Florist: Trendsetters Design, Inc. – Chatham, IL | DJ: DJ Your Way Entertainment – Bloomington, IL | Transportation: 1UP’n Limos – Springfield, IL | Photobooth: Foto Frenzy – Springfield, IL | Catering: Poe’s Catering – Springfield, IL | Cake: Incredibly Delicious – Springfield, IL | Invitations: HomeScapes – Springfield, IL

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Chicagoland wedding & family photographer based in Kankakee, Illinois

@karaevansphotog