Eeeeek, Breanna and Clay’s late summer Refinery wedding day was one for the books!
I adore this couple. After meeting these two and photographing their engagement session last summer, I knew their wedding day would be nothing short of amazing! Even though they opted for a small backyard wedding ceremony in May on their original wedding date and a September wedding celebration due to coronavirus, these two have held strong to each other and the foundation of it all – getting married. Breanna and Clay are kind, compassionate souls, and I am lucky to have them in my life as clients and friends!
From the Bride
Clay and I met the summer before my freshman year and his senior year of high school. We actually kept running into each other at Savoy 16, and he messaged me on Facebook jokingly asking if I was “stalking him”. He’s been making me laugh ever since. He moved away to attend Eureka College after he graduated high school and only attended there for a year. So when he moved back to Homer, IL, we hit things off again and have been dating since July of 2012!
We hate doing things in public that draw any attention to us, so I always told him I wanted a private proposal… Just us and it was just that! I definitely knew the proposal was coming, I just didn’t know what night he would choose to do it. I came home after work and he was acting so WEIRD. That evening, I kept making comments about how he was acting funny… I actually slapped his front two pockets to see if anything were in there. He was just nervous laughing and asking me why I was being the one that was weird. Little did I know it was in his back pocket!!! He proposed that night. He told me I didn’t even say yes right away because I was kind of freaking out and hugging him! Of course, I said yes!
The Wedding Day
On the morning of their Refinery wedding celebration, Kyle and I arrived at the Refinery where the wedding party was getting ready in the on-site suites. Everyone was in excited spirits for the day ahead! Plus I think Breanna and Clay felt a little more relaxed because the hardest part was already out of the way – they were already husband and wife!
As the morning turned into early afternoon, it was time to get these two dressed and off to their first look. Due to the weather, we opted for a last-minute pivot and shifted our photo location to downtown Champaign… And after the rain didn’t let up, we ducked into a super fun parking garage for photos. And wouldn’t you bet that parking garages have some AMAZING light! I loved documenting their sweet first look as Clay finally got to see Breanna in her gorgeous wedding gown. So, so sweet.
Throughout the day, we enjoyed spending time with Breanna, Clay, and their group of friends. Breanna’s wedding party consisted of her BFF since 7th grade and her high school girlfriends. Clay’s wedding party consisted of all his best friends that he grew up with back in Homer… I love it! This group was close-knit and a super fun crew! It’s no secret that this was a rainy wedding day, but I’ll be forever thankful that Breanna and Clay (and their most favorite people) took our lead and trusted us no matter what throughout the entire day. That’s the very best feeling in the wedding world!
As the afternoon rolled into the evening, it was time to celebrate with their loved ones! And I just loved Breanna and Clay’s wedding style that incorporated navy, mauve, and greenery – it was so romantic and fit perfectly with their venue, the Refinery! The pretty floral details and greenery paired with touches of gold and mauve were oh so pretty. Breanna is a girl after my own heart with that wedding style and touches of mauve – heart eyes!
At the end of the day, Breanna and Clay spent the day celebrating their marriage with their closest family and friends. They had fun and everyone around them had fun, too – the best mix for any wedding celebration! I think the only thing missing from their Refinery wedding day celebration were their dogs, Chloe and Duncan!
Breanna + Clay – Thank you for sharing your wedding celebration with us! We love you guys and are thankful you trusted us on your rainy wedding day. XO
Creative credit goes to…
Breanna’s Attire: Stella York at Elite Bridal – Champaign, IL | Clay’s Attire: The Tie Bar & Michelle’s Bridal and Tuxedo | Wedding Party Attire: Birdy Grey, The Tie Bar, & Michelle’s Bridal and Tuxedo | Hair & Makeup: Bouffant Salon – Urbana, IL | Jeweler: Helzberg Diamonds | Wedding Venue: The Refinery – Champaign, IL | Guest Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Urbana, IL | Florist: County Market Florist – Champaign, IL | DJ: Elite Entertainment – Champaign, IL | Photographer: Kara Evans Photographer – Kankakee, IL | Catering: Nelson’s Catering – Champaign, IL | Cake: Cakes by Lori – Mahomet, IL | Invitations + Paper Goods: Minted
