Say hello to this oh so sweet couple, Kait + Justin!

You may remember these two from their engagement session last year… And today, I’m over the moon excited to share about their backyard bohemian elegance wedding day!

Kait and Justin go back to May 2015 where they met while working on an audit for the public accounting firm they were both employed by at the time. I love how Kait quickly saw how quiet and introverted Justin’s personality is as she tried to keep him talking and getting to know him over the next few weeks. Then, the following month, these two matched on Tinder, and one week later they met up at a Springfield favorite – Obed & Isaac’s – for drinks.

These two hit it off from that very first date and five months into dating, these two along with Kait’s tabby cat moved in together. Kait and her love for animals persuaded Justin to let her move her cat in even when the lease didn’t allow pets. Now, that’s love! I love Kait’s heart for animals – she’s a girl after my heart! Fast forward a bit, and these two added a pup and another cat to their family, Kait graduated with her masters degree changed jobs, Justin moved into a new job, too, and they started house hunting. In December 2016, Kait and Justin embarked on a new journey as homeowners (the very house where they would be married!) and adopted another pup – I love it! 

In July 2017, Justin proposed to Kait at the top of the North Point Lighthouse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on a surprise trip planned by Justin. Justin later told Kait that he had chosen to propose at the lighthouse because before they met, he felt like a ship with no direction in the middle of the ocean – until he saw the lighthouse leading him to the rest of his life, Kait. I truly adore these two and their story!

Over the last year, I have loved every moment spent with Kait and Justin from their first consult to emails to sessions to coffee dates and more. These two people are filled with kindness and joy and so much love for each other, their fur babies, and all of the people in their life.

Kait and Justin shared the most adorable wedding day in their backyard earlier in October. While they planned for the wedding festivities to take place in the open air of their backyard, mother nature had other plans and forced them to move their boho wedding day into a heated tent in their backyard. When life gives you rain and freezing cold temperatures on October 12th, you make the best of it by setting up a tent… And still stocking the bar, serving breakfast for dinner, sharing sweet donuts/cake/pies, and throwing a fantastic party in the backyard! Even a little rain and very cold weather couldn’t dampen the spirits on this day.

What I loved most about Kait and Justin’s wedding day was the relaxed vibe and style of the day. Kait has impeccable taste, so I knew no detail would be overlooked on their wedding day. I loved the bohemian elements paired with elegant details, greenery, wooden textures, and gold accents. And those flowers… They were GORGEOUS! Oh, and I’m sure you can guess that I loved photographing this couple with their fur babies on their wedding day, too. There really wasn’t any other way to have this day!

Another sweet detail of Kait and Justin’s wedding day was their surprise wedding ceremony – yep, it was a surprise! All of their guests + family thought that they were coming to their backyard that evening to celebrate Kait and Justin’s marriage at the courthouse earlier in the day, but little did they know, Kait and Justin had a surprise up their sleeves and had their ceremony take place that evening with all of their loved ones by their sides. I loved witnessing and documenting this moment in their life together!

Kait and Justin – thank you for trusting me to document your most special wedding day! I am incredibly thankful that your wedding day brought you into my life as clients and now friends. Cheers to your married years!!

Bride’s Attire: Lulus | Bridesmaid Attire: Lulus | Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Indochino | Jeweler: Luttrell Jewelers – Springfield, IL | Hair: Sarah Moore – Springfield, IL | Makeup: Stephanie Lee – Springfield, IL | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Kait + Justin’s Home – Springfield, IL | Wedding Officiant: Wedding Ceremonies by Scott F. Raper – Springfield, IL | Florist: Petals & Co. – Rochester, IL | Linens: Signature Event Rental – Springfield, IL | Rentals: Rustic Love Rentals + Tri-County Event Rentals | Catering: Secret Recipes Catering – Springfield, IL | Cake: Specialty Cakes – Springfield, IL | Donuts: Krispy Kreme Donuts | Invitations + Paper Goods: Minted | Favors: Bomke’s Patch