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WEDDING

Winter Olde Wicks Factory Wedding in Highland, Illinois | Allye & Grant

Allye & Grant's winter wedding at the Olde Wicks Factory in Highland, Illinois with Chicagoland wedding photographer Kara Evans Photographer.

March 9, 2023

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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Our second wedding of the 2023 season — a romantic winter wedding with Allye and Grant at The Olde Wicks Factory — is here!

I’m smiling ear to ear as I think back to this wedding day and share more about this amazing couple and their story.

Allye and I have Illinois College to thank for our connection over wedding photography and videography. We both graduated from Illinois College, and she’s been following my work since we photographed Kayla and Eric’s wedding in 2017. As soon as Grant proposed, Allye reached out. We hit it off from the start, and we’ve been planning details for their winter wedding day ever since.

Gosh, this couple, their story, and their wedding day will always hold a special place in my heart!

From the Couple

Although we both went to Illinois College, we did not really know each other while we were in school. We knew of each other, but we did not run in the same friend groups. Back in late September 2016, Grant messaged Allye on Facebook and that is when we started messaging back and forth.

About two weeks after we started talking back and forth, we went on our first date. We got the front table at Cobblestone in Lebanon, Illinois during their Victorian Christmas night, and we sat there and talked for hours. After that date, we continued talking and going on dates.

The proposal… Where to begin? We had been planning a trip to Denver, Colorado in February 2022 with our friends. We booked the plane tickets and booked an Airbnb but didn’t really have any other plans… At least that is what Allye thought.

The first couple of days in Denver it was sunny and 65, not really what you are expecting in February. A couple of days later, it turned a bit colder, and we were planning on heading to Breckenridge for the day. That morning when we woke up, there was quite a bit of snow on the ground. Although there was quite a bit of snow and the forecast had snow planned all day, we still decided to load up in the car and head to Breckenridge.

In the car, Grant had his phone with Waze pulled up and it showed 45 minutes to the destination. I asked him “Where are we going? Why is it only 45 minutes away when Breckenridge is an hour and a half?” He told me to mind my own business. He was stressed because the roads were not in good shape.

We got to the exit of wherever the GPS was taking us. I thought we were just pulling off to let his heart rate go down and go to a gas station. We took the opposite turn than the gas station and saw a sign that said, “road closed due to snow.” Grant pulled into a fire station parking lot to turn around but got out of the car to take his coat off due to sweating because of the road conditions. Again, I didn’t think anything of it due to the stress of driving. After the fact found out this was one of the proposal spots he had picked out through Google Maps. 

We then continued on to Breckenridge but little did I know we stopped again at Sapphire Point. We all got out and started walking down this trail. At the lookout point, two other hikers were behind us. I asked them to take a picture of the four of us (us and our friends). After the hikers went on, Grant said “let’s get a picture”. This is when he got down on one knee and proposed while our friends were taking pictures and a video. It was a perfect place and a perfect moment. It was also on 2-22-2022, who can forget that day?!

When we were back in the car, we both noticed that our song (Heartache on the Dance Floor) was playing. We then continued to Breckenridge and started calling our family to let them know our exciting news. Although we have been on many trips, this one might be my favorite so far.

Favorite Part Of The Planning Process

The decorating side of all of it and getting to see everything come together. – Allye

Getting to show up on our wedding day and get to see it all come together. – Grant

Advice For Engaged Couples

Have fun with all the planning and try not to get stressed throughout all the decisions and the little things. It can be easily overwhelming at times, but thinking about your wedding day and getting to marry your best friend makes it all worth it!

The Wedding Day

With Allye’s love for snow and winter, and after Grant’s snowy proposal last year, it should come as no surprise that these two dreamed of a winter wonderland wedding day! On February 18, 2023 — just shy of one year since the proposal — Allye and Grant shared the most romantic winter wedding day at The Olde Wicks Factory in Highland, Illinois.

Allye and Grant chose The Olde Wicks Factory for their wedding day because of its unique character and spaces, its ability to host everything in one place, and because it could accommodate their large guest list. They told me that they’d been following the renovations and progress of the venue since it opened, and it was their dream to have their wedding take place there. Dreams really do come true!

Everything about Allye and Grant’s wedding day was true to them. From the winter theme and twinkly lights to being surrounded by their loved ones, family, and friends to their dog Waukee walking down the aisle and the countless Christmas trees incorporated into the day… This day was so Allye and Grant, and it was an honor to document it!

A few of our favorite details from the day include: documenting the sweetest first look with Allye and Grant. Loving on their dog Waukee during photos before the ceremony. Seeing a room of nearly 500 people celebrating Allye and Grant. Getting to explore a new venue and photograph this amazing couple!

I could go on and on about this couple and their winter wedding day, but I’ll let the photos speak for themselves!

Allye & Grant — Thank you for sharing your wedding day with us! It’s an incredible honor to have documented your engagement and wedding day. We are so excited to see you two grow in marriage and your life together.

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Allye’s Attire: Mia Grace Bridal – Chesterfield, MO | Grant’s Attire: St Louis Suit Co – St Louis, MO | Wedding Party Attire: Azazie + St Louis Suit Co – St Louis, MO | Alterations: Gray Studio Alterations by Regina – Swansea, IL | Hair: Melissa Lampe, Dawn Thomas, & Claire Moran | Makeup: Nicole Melvin | Jeweler: Blue Nile + Amazon | Getting Ready Location: The Olde Wicks Factory – Highland, IL | Wedding Officiant: Cris Hanna / Life’s Celebrations – St.Louis, MO | Venue: The Olde Wicks Factory – Highland, IL | Guest Accommodations: Baymont Hotel – Highland, IL | Wedding Coordinator: Events & Essentials – Breese, IL | Florist: Flowers by Tess – Carlyle, IL | DJ: Livewire | Transportation: Southern Bus & Mobility – Breese, IL | Photographer + Videographer: Kara Evans Photographer – Kankakee, IL | Catering: IGA – Carlyle, IL | Cake: Maribeth Detmer | Stationery + Favors: DHN Graphics – Aviston, IL | Decor: Occasions with Black Box Events – Breese, IL + Events & Essentials – Breese, IL | Dog Care: Furever There

P.S. – Wanna read more love stories and get wedding inspiration? I love sharing more wedding days here!

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Chicagoland wedding & family photographer based in Kankakee, Illinois

@karaevansphotog