Oh, happy day! It’s an honor to share Lauren and Chase’s early September wedding day at Willowhaven Nature Center on the blog!
We connected with these two earlier this spring through our dear friend and their florist, Michaela – we just love that and absolutely love this couple! They are kind, sweet, and so trusting of our work. We’re thankful these two came into our life this year. And they’ve taken all the coronavirus wedding changes in stride because at the end of the day – they are MARRIED! They’ve truly been a breath of fresh air to work with (their engagement photos are one of my all-time favorite Kankakee County sessions!) and a privilege to get to know in the months leading up to their wedding day… Plus we love becoming friends with our couples, too! It’s a pretty sweet gig!
From the Bride
Chase and I knew each other growing up, especially in high school. We had mutual friends and went to the same church, but we were always dating different people. Then, we both ended up at Olivet Nazarene University together with the same friends. We started hanging out and just like that, we were dating and attached at the hip! So we dated all throughout college, and he popped the question on the beach in Naples, Florida in December 2019 with all of his family there. It was seriously the best day of my life! We’ve known we were going to get married for a couple of years now!
Our relationship has truly been one of a kind. We had always gotten along so well and our personalities just work perfectly together. Chase and I love spontaneity – fun dates, cute coffee shops, just being outside. We both love nature and the beach, making Florida a place where we visit often for beach vacations. We also just got a puppy – an Aussiedoodle named Mochi. Chase and I are both HUGE dog lovers, and we couldn’t ever live without having one around!
The Wedding Day
Goodness, this day was just so good! The wedding day started out with hair and makeup at Aberrant Hair Parlor in Bourbonnais for Lauren and her sister while Chase and his cousin got ready at their new home a few blocks away. After hair and makeup wrapped up, we traveled to Lauren’s parents’ home where Lauren stepped into her wedding dress and did some finishing touches before the first look.
Before we knew it, it was time to meet Chase for the first look in downtown Kankakee! I already adored this couple but after documenting their emotional first look, I loved them even more! One of my favorite parts of this wedding day was how Lauren and Chase chose to read their personal vows to one another during the first look. It was a beautiful, intimate moment that they’ll remember forever… Cue the happy tears and all the emotions! It was so very sweet.
After the first look and a few wedding party photos with Lauren’s sister and Chase’s cousin, we traveled to Willowhaven Nature Center where the intimate wedding ceremony and reception were taking place. We’ll always have a very special place in our hearts for Lauren and Chase’s wedding ceremony because the pastor of our church married these two. Their families have been close for years, so it was especially sweet to document this ceremony. Plus, Kyle and I always love the encouragement and wedding advice at weddings weekend after weekend!
And I have to say that for an outdoor wedding day, the weather was absolutely PERFECT for these two! Even despite coronavirus wedding changes and last-minute downsizing due to local restrictions, I think everything worked out like was supposed to, and we’re just so glad that Lauren and Chase are married!
Throughout the day, I loved having my hubby and videographer, Kyle, and our second shooter, Morgan, by my side from documenting getting ready and the first look to documenting the Willowhaven ceremony and reception! All three of us loved spending time with the couple and their loved ones while documenting details, laughing, and getting to know everyone. This was a really fun group of people to spend the day with! It was the most simple, beautiful September wedding day with the most beautiful sunset to end the day.
Lauren + Chase – Congratulations, newlyweds! We are thankful for you two and loved documenting your wedding day! Cheers to many happy married years together!
Creative credit goes to…
Lauren’s Attire: Vera Wang at David’s Bridal | Chase’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse | Wedding Party Attire: David’s Bridal + Men’s Wearhouse | Hair & Makeup: Kayla McCawley at ABERRANT Hair Parlor – Bourbonnais, IL | Venue: Willowhaven Park & Nature Center – Kankakee, IL | Wedding Officiant: Pastor Paul Johnson | Jeweler: Andaul Jewelers | Florist: Michaela Mantarian – Kankakee, IL | Photographer & Videographer: Kara Evans Photographer – Kankakee, IL | Catering & Cake: Bennett Curtis House – Grant Park, IL | Invitations + Paper Goods: The Knot & Shutterfly
