Fun Wedding Ideas of 2019
You may recognize this post from early 2019 when I shared some fun ideas we saw from the weddings we shot. One of the coolest parts of this job is seeing how unique everyone makes their day. Because our 2018 season went into December and then 2019 started in January, I lumped our January weddings into the last post. So make sure to click on that one to read about those fun ideas as well!
It was another incredible year of working with so many awesome couples. I truly am so lucky that this is my job! So thank you to everyone who trusted us to capture their day. This business is so important to me and your support means the world to me!
Also let me just say how hard it is to narrow down a few fun things to share from all of the weddings we shot! I could go on and on with how creative and cool all of our couples are (because they totally are!) but then this blog post might turn into a book. So if you are interested in finding out more about a specific wedding, click the link under each section to see more photos or video form their day!
Paitings
Jordan and Ben had the prettiest wedding at Oakbrook Bath and Tennis! It feels like you are in your own little world as you drive the long path back into the woods to the venue. When we got to the space, we started doing detail shots since the ceremony had been moved inside due to the cold. One of the things I noticed right away were these adorable little paintings by each seat. They were such cute decor and favors!
Pizza
Honestly, I could have picked about a million things from Cierra and Ty’s wedding day but one of my favorite parts was the pizza. Wooden Paddle in Lemont catered and they are basically THE GREATEST. Both times we worked with them this year they made sure we were fed and were just so wonderful to work with. On top of that, their pizza is phenmonal. I could do a whole post about them and how much I love seeing their name pop up on our vendor list. I reallllly hope we have a few weddings with them in 2020. So book them <3
Nontraditional Bridal Parties
We haven’t seen this too much yet but I am hoping it becomes more of a thing! Emily and Evan had both guys and gals on both sides. If you love someone and want them to be a part of their day, it shouldn’t matter their gender! We also had parents be a part of the bridal party! Keri had her mom and Cody had his dad as part of their squad. I thought this was a great way to incorporate everyone that was important to them.
What Does the Fox Say?
AJ and his groomsmen came out on the dance floor near the end of their reception to What Does The Fox Say wearing a fox and several horse masks. It was SO much fun. Tina and AJ had fun ideas of what they wanted all day long. Weddings don’t have to be stuffy, let them be a goofy and creative as you are.
The Capitol
Teresa and Nick had mentioned they wanted to do photos at the capitol. So I figured we were going to dose outside with it in the background. NOPE. We got to go inside!! It was such a cool space for photos. I think we could have honestly ran around in there for hours but my heart also belongs to the outdoors at golden hour where we finished their portraits. I love that we did these photos hear because no matter where they move they will remember how they started their life together in Springfield.
Get Outside
This year we shot at CD&ME twice. (Drew + Ben and Carly + Rick) LOVE that venue. If you are in need of super amazing place with a great staff, look no further. One of the things I love about this space, and I think our couples do too are the big garage doors that open. This was so nice even in the chillier temps for guests to go in and out. Especially if not everyone is into dancing. They had fire pits, yard games, and a bar outside.
Surprise Wedding
You may remember seeing Elizabeth and Mike’s day a couple months ago. They got married on their 10 year anniversary at City Hall AND surprised their moms. They had no idea. These are some of the photos I got of their reactions and it was the best. I would happily follow this group around to hang out and take photos everyday. Not only were they just a blast but they also were genuinely wonderful people who loved one another and were just excited about this wedding.
Donut Stop
Donuts and fun photos are two things I am very passionate. But I will get back to the donuts in a minute. If you aren’t a fan of photos and don’t want a 3 hour photo shoot on your wedding day we don’t have to do one! If a photographer or a y other vendor makes you feel like you HAVE to do something you reallllly don’t want to do, they are not the vendor for you. We have had couples who wanted to hop all over the city and take photos for 3 hours and that was fine because that was what they wanted. We’ve had weddings were portraits were quick because they’d rather join the photo and get more photos of that. I loved that Emily and Evan stopped off at Home Cut Donuts after the ceremony. It was a fun thing to do with your friends, you got to eat donuts (so win), and we got lots of awesome photos/video. I cannot recommend a fun activity to break up photos enough on your wedding day. Your day is not about building someone else’s portfolio.
All Star
Kaitlyn and Mark switched into these AWESOME converse for their reception. They were custom made with their colors and wedding date. Who doesn’t love a comfy pair of shoes to dance in but then they also get to have another keepsake from their day? I am all for it.
Shot Gunning Beers
Usually its the guys who are shot gunning beers before a wedding so I just loved when Carly asked if that was something I could capture. HECK YES. Carly and Rick were all about staying true to themselves during their engagement session and on their wedding day so it just made me smile when she asked.
Sweet Attire
Phil said that his outfit was inspired by Lex’s at our wedding which makes me SO happy. I love a good nontraditional suite color. Black will always be classic and it looks great with pretty much every color scheme. But there is something so cool about mixing it up with a fun color! Not only did Phil opt for this Burgundy, he also had a map sewn inside the jacket with 2 X’s stitched in. One is on the US and the other is on the Philippines where he beautiful wife Jacciah came from. Such a fun detail. Their wedding was full of things special to them.
Smoke Bombs
Smoke bombs, sparklers, and glow sticks are not new to weddings but definitely always an awesome time. I just adored all the fun things Mollie wanted to do for their engagement session and wedding. She had seen a smoke bomb photo on my feed and wanted to try it out. Here’s the thing, if I am your photographer or videographer I will never turn down a moment to use a smoke bomb, sparkler, of a glow stick. ALL ABOUT IT. I think its such a fun and simple way to add something unique to your photos. Thanks for being so awesome Mollie and Adam!
The Stars Align
I really love when couples do something new for their guest books! Caitlin and Matt had this canvas made of what the stars would look like on their wedding night. Then they had guests sign it. I loved it! This was just stunning and a cool detail to look back on. I think when planning a wedding, making your details more unique to you is always the right idea. They had an awesome way for guests to make their mark AND have a cool new painting for their home.
Black Frosting
When Marie was telling me about their wedding day, she mentioned how none it was traditional. Which is totally okay! Throw out any traditions that don’t resonate with you. So when the cake was set up I was definitely expecting something fun. But this exceeded all expectations. She wanted something to match their moody fall wedding day and I think it did perfectly. And how often do you see a wedding cake with black frosting?? Not too often.
Embrace The Weather
Easier said then done sometimes, I know. Especially when you are wanting the weather to be beautiful for an outdoor ceremony it can be hard when it starts pouring or is waaaay colder than you anticipated. But at the end of the day, you are getting married regardless of the weather :) This past year we have shot in all sorts of weather conditions. We are always up to shoot in the rain, snow, or sun because I think including those photos or video only help tell your story better.
Jess and Alex wanted a white wedding and boy did they get it! A big snowfall came just before their wedding but it was magical. They had boots and shawls and ran around in the snow for a few photos.
Drew and Ben had to move their outdoor ceremony under the gazebo just 30 minutes before it was supposed to start! It had looked grey all day but the rain came down after photos so thankfully we could still do some outside. So their options for the ceremony once it started raining were either move it under the gazebo and do in the middle of the reception area. They voted gazebo and it was so pretty and cozy!
Jennifer and Craig had almost a similar fate as Drew and Ben but the ran held out just until after the ceremony. We managed to get some photos outside before the storm clouds came barreling down. But after awhile of rain it broke so we could get some dreamy photos in the storm. Super romantic!
Sentimental Details
Caleen and Ryan included a lot of details on their wedding day that meant a great deal to them. Almost everything Caleen wore was passed down or gifted to her. Read what she had to say on their questionnaire:
“The dress I am wearing is my Nana’s (mom’s mom) that she wore to her wedding, and that my mom and her identical twin also wore in their weddings. The dress is about 65 years old! The sash I am wearing and the boquette of brooches are my Godmothers from her wedding, and the veil is my sister Sheila’s from her wedding. My engagment ring is Ryan’s grandmothers, and one of the wedding bands I have is my Nana’s. My necklace is made from pearls that were gifted to me by my godmother and parents. I made the bouquet's my bridesmaids are using out of fabric (and have the burns on my fingers to prove it :) )”
Burritos, Tacos, and Quesadillas - OH MY
I did a little poll on Instagram a few weeks ago and Mark said that they one of the best things they did at their wedding was have their favorite restaurant cater. Lex and I were lucky enough to sample it at their wedding and then meet up with them after. Javi’s in Glen Ellyn is delicious! And its made fresh daily! Not all restaurants cater weddings, it is a lot of work. But if you absolutely love a place it is always worth asking.
DIY Decor and Details
We saw quite a bit of DIY this year which is always so much fun. And our couples/their families got creative! In the first photos of the table numbers with the dogs, Cierra and Ty did a photo shoot with their fur babies. I think they turned out amazing! The photo went with their other decor but it also showed off how important their dogs are to them. Great way to include them if they can’t actually be there!
In the second set, Mollie’s mom put together her bouquet for their intimate ceremony they had in June for just family. She also made the best that Mollie wore for both her June and September weddings. Not to mention about a million other things she worked really hard on.
Destination Wedding
Our 2019 wedding season took us to Frorida on the first day of the year. Feels like it was forever and a day ago! So happy that Nina and Tim trusted us to fly down to Florida and capture their day for them <3 Not only was this a fun destination wedding but it was also a place that means something to them. Nina has been going to Venice Beach for years to visit her Grandma and Dad. After years of Tim going too it just made since for them! They had a beautiful beach ceremony and ended the night dancing away.
Sand Ceremony
Dylan and Sydney were married on a gorgeous summer day by the lake at Honey Creek Resort in Iowa. The boats flew by, people fished, and kids swam as they said I do. During their ceremony, they poured yellow and green sand into a frame to symbolize their unity. This was such fun idea! They used one of their engagement photos in the frame and got to take this home as a keepsake from their wedding. The day goes by SO fast so having things like this to look back on can make all the difference.
Yard Games
One of the best ideas I saw this year (and last year) was doing a fun activity with your bridal party, especially during the getting ready portion of the day for the groom’s side. Cody and his groomsmen played yard games and drank beer up until it was time to officially start getting ready. For guys, it takes significantly less time to get ready so having something fun that everyone can do like a yard game or playing cards helps break up the morning. Your getting ready shots don’t have just have you putting on your jacket. We don’t even have to get that at all! We are happy to capture photos and video of you and your friends having an awesome time.
That PJ Life
Not a fan of robes but still want something matching that everyone can wear? Tina had her bridesmaids wear these adorable matching PJ’s with their initials on them. She even wore a different color to still stand out as the bride. It was such a cold day for their wedding so I think this made it extra cozy and is a great option if you aren’t into the floral robes. We have also seen ladies wear flannels too!
HAVE FUN
I think at its core this post is basically me saying do what makes you happy and makes your day feel special and fun to all of my future couples! And to my past couples, thanks for being so freaking awesome. We had so much fun hanging out with all of you in 2019.