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JENNIFER + CRAIG : MARRIED | SPRINGFIELD ILLINOIS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY Abraham Lincoln Hotel Navy and Silver Winter Wedding

Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding FB_0032

2015, and 16 weddings later, here we were on December 31. The last day of the year, photographing our last wedding of the year.  And it was for this couple, a kind hearted, beautiful, fun couple that I was anticipating all year!  The day dawned sunny, the first sunny day in weeks (literally, friends…for you non midwesterners, we have been under clouds and water…10 extra feet of water to be exact…fully flooded…for the past week, and clouds for much longer).  It was crisp out, but still and beautiful and sunny.  Michael and I were so excited to get out and photograph again, knowing it was the last chance we would get to shoot a wedding for a few months.

I entered the presidential suite at the beautiful Abraham Lincoln Hotel and was reminded instantly, upon seeing Jenn, the beautiful bride, and many familiar faces (2 of her bridesmaids are JGbrides themselves!!), of why I love this group of girls so much! Laughter, drinks, smiles, and fun filled the suite, with Jen’s 10 closest making sure she (and I!) had everything needed.  After a little mishap with grabbing the maid of honor’s beautiful accessories instead of our brides (#reallife, not afraid to admit it!), we were off and the day only got better!

Jennifer and Craig’s family and friends are so full of love for these two, and it caused them to be just so incredibly welcoming to us.  They made us feel like a real part of the celebration, and it was so much fun! Jenn and Craig are absolutely adored, spoken of very highly by their friends, and clearly cherished.  The toasts were full of funny stories full of hilarious details about their pasts, and interlaced with years friendship and love.  I was struck by how many of the bridesmaids and groomsmen on each side had been friends with the bride and groom since childhood, and how well they all knew each other. It was really quite beautiful. And Jenn and Craig…they are just comfortable, and settled, and happy together.  There were a few mentions of Craig by his guys and how he is sort of like an 85 year old man.  It made me laugh- but also made me think a part of it is that he is settled.  He just has things figured out- and there is a wisdom to that.  Jenn is the same way- she has her life planned, knows what she wants and how to get it- and Craig is a perfect part of her plan. They are so easy to watch together, know each other so well, and have so clearly made the perfect choice in each other. They compliment each other wonderfully.  They make others feel at ease.  And they are absolutely stunning!  I can’t wait to share this favorite of mine with you!!

Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0002Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0003Jenn told me early on she was going to need a little sparkle and shine for her New Years Eve Wedding! She NAILED it- wait until you see the reception!!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0008Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0011

These shoes!!!!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0005Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0009I adore the little bits of Christmas still hanging around in all of these images!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0007Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0012Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0006Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0010The florals from True Colors absolutely blew me away (and not for the first time!)…they were PERFECT for this navy and silver winter wedding!!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0013Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0016Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0018Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0014Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0015Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0017Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0020Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0019Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0021Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0001Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0022Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0032Look at all these beauties!!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0023Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0024Jenn’s dress was amazing in every detail! That back!!!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0025Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0026Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0027Jenn! You are STUNNING!!!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0028Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0029First look time!!!
Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0030Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0031Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0033This hug…Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0034Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0036Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0037You guys, winter weddings have the best timelines- look at this light in these portraits!! Obsessed!!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0064Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0038Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0066Love this laughter and joy!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0067Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0068These are some of my favorites!!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0140Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0142Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0141Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0065Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0070Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0039Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0040Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0069Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0072Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0042Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0041Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0059The full group! SO much fun!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0078Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0079And Jenn’s outdoor apparel- future winter brides, take note of all of this!!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0083Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0076Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0044Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0084Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0080Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0081Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0043Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0082Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0087Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0077Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0088Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0086Work it girls!!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0089Jenn was so fabulous about maneuvering around  that I just had to include this- loved it!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0090Love this of Mike’s!!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0092Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0091Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0093Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0094Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0095Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0047Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0097And I love the drama in these.Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0046But these are my very favorites!  That church!!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0045Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0098Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0099Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0048Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0100Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0049Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0102Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0101Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0103Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0105Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0050Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0107Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0110Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0112Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0109Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0111Married!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0114Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0118Time for those reception details…stunning!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0051Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0117Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0120Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0055Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0052Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0053Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0122Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0054Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0116Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0056Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0121Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0058Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0057Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0123Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0124Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0125Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0126Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0128Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0129Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0127Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0130Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0131Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0133Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0132Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0135Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0136Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0134Their band, The Shenanigans, KILLS it every time. They have played a few weddings I have photographed this year and they keep the dance floor going like NO other! Amazing talent!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0060Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0061SUCH a fun dance floor!!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0062This on the top right is my other 2 JGBrides and me at the wedding- LOVE getting to celebrate with these ladies again and again!!! Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0063Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0137These two lovebirds are now making memories in St Lucia, where we had our honeymoon, and we couldn’t be more excited! Enjoy the warm and sand, you guys!! So so happy for you!Silver and Navy Illinois Winter Wedding_0119

The Creative Team

Reception Venue: Abraham Lincoln Hotel

Event Coordinator: Natalie from the Abraham Lincoln Hotel

Cake: Chick Cakes

Florals: True Color Floral Artistry

Hair: Holly from Gabriel’s Salon

Reception Band: The Shenanigans

Make-up: Erica from Appearances

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  1. Meredith Ryncarz says:

    Love her gorgeous flowers! So pretty

  2. Christina L. Forbes says:

    Amazing detail shots!! Loved how you styled them!! Beautiful wedding!

  3. Jamie Gay says:

    Such a classic, beautiful winter wedding! So pretty!!

  4. Misty Adams Christensen says:

    What a GORGEOUS bride!!! Love all those details!!! 😀

  5. Sue Crimmins says:

    Craig, you were stunning, too!

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I'm Jill, a wedding and portrait photographer based out of Chicago and Central Illinois, and available world wide! I'm also a photography educator, wife to my favorite person on the planet, mama to 3 amazing kids and an energetic Aussie, and obsessed with statement jewelry and all desserts (especially fruit pies!). 

As a past high school teacher, I have a major heart for education. After going full time in my business, I have built a business I love that gives me an almost 6 figure salary and allows me to be home part time with my kids.  I dream for you to run a business that enhances your life and lights you up, and I believe I can help you learn how to do it with a little hustle and a lot of heart!

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