Today is a good day because Colleen and Joel’s fall Lighthouse Restaurant wedding day is making it’s way to the blog!
Over three years ago, I met these two when I photographed Colleen’s sisters’ wedding day. So it was an honor to be asked to photograph this wedding day after Colleen and Joel got engaged almost two years ago! You might remember Colleen and Joel from the summer session with their puppy Roma or their Chicago engagement session… These two are the best, and I’m thankful to know them!
From the Bride
Siblings are the best matchmakers; Joel is actually my brother-in-law’s best friend!
We met before at my nephew Jace’s birthday party, but it never became anything until about two years later. My sister, Blair, and brother-in-law, Ryan, lived two houses down from my parents where I was living at the time. They had just had their second baby (Tanner), and Joel was at their house meeting him. When I got home from work, Jace, their older son, ran down the sidewalk to greet me; he did this every day if he was outside. I walked Jace back to his house, and we all talked in the driveway and played with Jace.
After Joel left and I went home, Blair mentioned to Ryan that she thought Joel and I would be a good couple, and Ryan said ” I was thinking the same thing!”. Blair texted me later that night and asked if I was interested and Ryan gave my number to Joel. We went on our first date about a week later and less than a year later, we moved in together. Joel proposed in our kitchen the night before Thanksgiving a couple of years ago. We were getting ready to make dinner, which is something we love to do together. It was just us, and it was perfect.
We both value family time and love spending time with our families. Joel and I love bike riding, cooking, and Sunday pizza nights at Traxx in our small town. We have a 1-year-old lab puppy, Roma!
The Wedding Day
Colleen and Joel’s wedding day was a fall DREAM! I mean, they’ve been planning for almost two years since they got engaged… And I have to say that all the planning worked out perfectly. It was a beautiful fall day, and the fall colors were timed perfectly!
We started the morning off with photos while everyone was finishing getting ready for the day. Kyle joined the guys at Colleen and Joel’s house, and I joined the girls at Colleen’s sister’s home. And before we knew it, it was time to travel to the church to get these two married!
I’ve photographed several weddings (including Colleen’s sister Erin’s wedding!) at Maternity BVM in Bourbonnais, and it’s always a ceremony favorite in Kankakee County. So pretty! This church has also been Colleen’s family church for many, many years. After the Catholic mass ceremony, we stepped outside onto the church and Olivet Nazarene University grounds for photos. Colleen and Joel’s wedding party was fun to photograph and filled with their closest family members and friends. And I can’t forget to mention that their wedding style with burgundies, blush, and greenery fit perfectly into the fall scenery – I love it!
Once photos wrapped up in Kankakee County, we traveled to their reception venue, the Lighthouse Restaurant. This was personally our first Lighthouse Restaurant experience, and we’re sure we will be back! I loved spending extra time photographing Colleen and Joel on the dock and alongside the land overlooking the lake and fall foliage. God also gave them the most beautiful sunset that surprised us through the clouds… We couldn’t have asked for more! I’m telling you, it was a FALL DREAM! Plus, these two are pretty cute and photogenic, too. We always love our time spent with them!
At the end of the day, Colleen and Joel’s wedding day was filled with love and happiness – just like it should be! I loved documenting the love all around them throughout their day… If you know these two, you know. They’re kindhearted, love their people so hard, and they are the absolute perfect match for one another.
Colleen + Joel – It was an absolute honor to photograph your wedding day. Thank you for trusting us with your wedding photos! Cheers to forever together!
Creative credit goes to…
Colleen’s Attire: Essense of Australia at Genevieve’s Bridal Couture – South Barrington, IL | Joel’s Attire: Generation Tux | Wedding Party Attire: BHLDN + Generation Tux | Hair & Makeup: Bridal Brigade – Chicago, IL | Jeweler: Andaul Jewelers – Bourbonnais, IL | Ceremony: Maternity BVM Catholic Church – Bourbonnais, IL | Wedding Officiant: Father Jason | Reception Venue & Catering: Lighthouse Restaurant – Cedar Lake, IN | Guest Accommodations: Hampton Inn & Suites – Schererville, IN | Florist: Ba Da Bloom Flower Shoppe – Bourbonnais, IL | DJ: DJs For You – Naperville, IL | Transportation: All Around Limousine – Crown Point, IN | Photographer: Kara Evans Photographer – Kankakee, IL | Videographer: Petit Four Films | Cake: Nana’s Cakery & Bake Shoppe – Bradley, IL | Invitations + Paper Goods: Paper and More + Minted | Favors: County Line Orchard – Hobart, IN
[…] from their engagement session last year or maybe from another wedding! We first met these two at Colleen and Joel’s wedding in 2020 – both Bre (Joel’s sister) and Sean were a part of that wedding. These […]
[…] Fast forward a few years to now, and I’ve photographed Colleen and Joel’s engagement, wedding, newborn, and family milestones. Plus I’ve connected with Joel’s sister and […]