Luke + Rachael | A Whimsical Family Farm Wedding in Illinois | Illinois Wedding Photographer
When two high school sweethearts get married on the family farm, is there any detail that isn't sentimental or special? I think not.
Luke + Rachael are one of the coolest couples & they didn't skimp on style when it came to their big day, especially with everything around them being filled with heirlooms. I was instantly in awe as I walked into the farm house on their property & saw the portraits of family members hanging in the stairway + all of the cozy details in each of the bedrooms that all of the bridal party prepared for the day in.
Outside, they had a natural aisle made in-between the beautiful log benches they handmade for their guests to be seated on during the ceremony.
As I arrived with Rachael + her bridesmaids, many family members were already on the property with big smiles on their faces & you could tell everyone was so ready for this day to have come. Everyone greeted Rachael + her best gals with excitement as they made their way into the family home to get into their dresses + finishing touches.
Meanwhile, Luke was downstairs perfecting his man bun for the day before a gift from his bride was delivered & you should've seen the smile on his face as he opened the personalized things she gave him to not only complete his look for the day (some super rad American flag socks...cause America!) but a candle she made too. I made my way back upstairs just in time for Rachael to open her gift from Luke as well, a necklace made with a family heirloom diamond - the perfect finishing touch for a stunning bride.
As the ceremony time began to approach, Rachael, her sister Hannah, + her mom took to one of the bedrooms for a few moments of quiet so that they could help her into her dress & then pray together. As their prayer came to an end, the happiest tears formed in their eyes (& definitely mine too!)
Because the family farm was across the river, the ferry was used to get everyone from one side to the other. They had the party bus ride on it's own separate ferry so they we could all jump out for a group picture & they sure know how to have fun!!
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Sparrow & Gold Photography is run by Jessica Rivera & focuses largely on the in-between moments + capturing beautiful, authentic memories. She is a sucker for the unique love stories + traveling to the ends of the earth to document them while living in the southwest corner of Texas in El Paso.