Girls in White Satin 2013 Teen Celebrity Search winners


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Congratulations to the winners on the Girls in White Satin Bridal & Formal Wear’s 2013 Teen Celebrity Search. The winners are (from left, photo below) Rachel Hall of Jacksonville High School, JoAnna Sanders of Westfair Christian Academy, Cassie Borcky of Greenfield High School, and Lindsey Hobson of Griggsville-Perry High School.

Girls in White Satin Bridal & Formal Wear's 2013 Teen Celebrity Search winners.
Girls in White Satin Bridal & Formal Wear’s 2013 Teen Celebrity Search winners.

GIWS is having a Catch the Red Carpet Craze sale on Monday, February 18, featuring 15-60% off prom dresses, newest designs featured on the red carpet runway style show at 2pm. Details on Facebook event page. Follow Girls in White Satin on their Facebook page. We are featured on their web site as recommended wedding photographers. See wedding dresses, bridal, mother of bride, flower girl, bridesmaid and other wedding fashions as well as prom dress featured in last month’s Jacksonville Wedding Expo style show.

Posted by Steve. Springfield Illinois area wedding photography by Warmowski Photography, husband-wife photojournalist team want to tell the story of your wedding day in pictures. Follow us on FacebookStudio located at 301 E Court St. Suite B, Jacksonville, IL 62650, open by appointment only. On the main floor of Hamilton Catering’s 110 North East, around the corner from Girls in White Satin Bridal & Formal Wear .

Buena Vista Farms planning for great wedding season, rebuilding and expanding despite fire

Teri & Nestor Gutierrez, owners of Buena Vista FarmsBuena Vista Resort in rural Jacksonville (Chapin) Illinois, have been growing their business for years. On Wednesday night they had a fire in the banquet hall (their secondary wedding venue). They are working with their insurance company to rebuild, and have been making contingency plans for events that were booked for the barn.

In a letter to brides-to-be, Teri said “Buena Vista Farms is the brainchild of creative thinkers and hard workers. I am full of hope, faith, perseverance and determination to provide for each of you just like I would for my own children. There is great joy in accomplishment and I believe that we can accomplish together, with prayer, a day that is even better than you have imagined.” See full letter.

Their tent wedding venue was not effected by the fire, and weddings and receptions may be relocated there. They are also working on other plans. Follow Buena Vista Farms on their Facebook Page for updates. See story on WLDS radio (fire) (rebuilding) and the Jacksonville Journal-Courier. We have provided wedding photography for Beuna Vista couples and for the Gutierrez family, and here are some of our favorite photos which also tell the story of Buena Vista . . .

Kassie & Matt with an iconic folk ark flag at Buena Vista Farms.
Kassie & Matt with an iconic folk ark flag at Buena Vista Farms.
Stephanie & James were married in the banquet hall at Buena Vista. She saw flames while driving past on US 67, and reported the fire.
Stephanie & James were married in the banquet hall at Buena Vista. She saw flames while driving past on US 67, and reported the fire.
Kassie & Matt had their wedding ceremony inside the banquet hall at Buena Vista Farms.
Kassie & Matt had their wedding ceremony inside the banquet hall at Buena Vista Farms.
Kassie & Matt flipped the room, and also inside the banquet hall at Buena Vista Farms.
Kassie & Matt flipped the room, and also inside the banquet hall at Buena Vista Farms.
Matt with his groomsmen at Buena Vista Farms.
Matt with his groomsmen at Buena Vista Farms.
Kassie & Matt surrounded by family for the last dance of the night at Buena Vista Farms.
Kassie & Matt surrounded by family for the last dance of the night at Buena Vista Farms.

Kassie & MattAbsolutely loved all the pictures from our wedding. We have gotten so many compliments on our wedding books and photos. You captured our wedding so well that I can look back at the pictures and remember everything SO very well. Thank you so much for your amazing work!!

Ashlee & Justin's wedding at Buena Vista Farms. The outdoor wedding venue is unaffected by the fire.
Ashlee & Justin’s wedding at Buena Vista Farms. The outdoor wedding venue is unaffected by the fire. The building gives a place for the wedding party to get ready before the ceremony.
Ashlee & Justin's wedding at Buena Vista Farms.
Ashlee & Justin’s wedding at Buena Vista Farms.
The large tent is a great place for weddings, and attracts couples from throughout the region to Buena Vista Farms.
The large tent is a great place for weddings, and attracts couples from throughout the region to Buena Vista Farms.
A small hall besides the wedding tent gives a place for folks to come inside and use the restroom during receptions (no porta potties needed!)
A small hall besides the wedding tent gives a place for folks to come inside and use the restroom during receptions (no porta potties needed!)
Wedding tent lit up at dusk for Ashlee & Justin's wedding.
Wedding tent lit up at dusk for Ashlee & Justin’s wedding.
Exterior of wedding tent venue, Ashlee & Justin's wedding 2012.
Exterior of wedding tent venue, Ashlee & Justin’s wedding 2012.
One of the ponds at Buena Vista Farms at sunset.
One of the ponds at Buena Vista Farms at sunset.
Buena Vista Resort, part of Buena Vista Farms, offers full-service cabins on site.
Buena Vista Resort, part of Buena Vista Farms, offers full-service cabins on site.
With the cabins, brides and grooms can even stay at the resort on their wedding night, or hold bachelor/bachelorette parties, or rehearsal parties.
With the cabins, brides and grooms can even stay at the resort on their wedding night, or hold bachelor/bachelorette parties, or rehearsal parties, or get ready in spa facilities.

Posted by Steve. Springfield Illinois area wedding photography by Warmowski Photography, husband-wife photojournalist team want to tell the story of your wedding day in pictures. Follow us on FacebookStudio located at 301 E Court St. Suite B, Jacksonville, IL 62650, open by appointment only. Be sure to check out our neighbors Girls in White Satin for formal wear for the occasion.

Japanese connections to Jacksonville, Japanese wedding traditions photography

This week and next Tiffany & I are hosting our sixth Japanese exchange student through the Illinois College program with Ritsumeikan University in Japan. It’s always great to learn a different culture and traditions, and to share the great life of Central Illinois with a foreign visitor.

Last year we got a glimpse of some Japanese wedding traditions when we provided professional wedding photography for Shiori & Brett at the Jacksonville Country Club. Shiori started the day with a traditional wedding kimono and then switched to a white Western wedding dress. Their rings were made of wood and were carved by Shiori. And, part of a traditional Japanese wedding the families provide entertainment for their guests — so Shiori’s family sang and danced and put on quite a show!

Shiori in her wedding kimono.
Shiori in her wedding kimono.
Shiori carved her and Brett's wedding rings on lucky crane origami.
Shiori carved her and Brett’s wedding rings on lucky crane origami.
Shiori's family provides entertainment for wedding reception guests.
Shiori’s family provides entertainment for wedding reception guests.
A western tradition with cake smashed into Brett's beard.
A western tradition with cake smashed into Brett’s beard.
Shiori & Brett on the golf course at Jacksonville Country Club.
Shiori & Brett on the golf course at Jacksonville Country Club.

Posted by Steve. Springfield Illinois area wedding photography by Warmowski Photography, husband-wife photojournalist team want to tell the story of your wedding day in pictures. Follow us on FacebookStudio located at 301 E Court St. Suite B, Jacksonville, IL 62650, open by appointment only. Be sure to check out our neighbors Girls in White Satin for formal wear for the occasion.

Bobby Hoffman Night at the JHS Bowl

Tiffany covered Bobby Hoffman Night at the JHS Bowl over the weekend, and also photographed some of the action on and off the court of the Jacksonville High School basketball game.

Kristan and daughters at Bobby Hoffman Night at the JHS Bowl
Kristan and daughters at Bobby Hoffman Night at the JHS Bowl

See photo galleries on our Facebook pageBobby Hoffman Night, action on/off court.

Read more about the efforts to preserve the JHS Bowl, its history, and to put in a new floor. Also links to donate (make check payable and send to: Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation, 516 Jordan Street, Jacksonville, IL 62650) or to donate onlineStory also in The Source this week. Or, to help, purchase Leah’s Lemonade and Kolby’s Cookies while at a basketball game this season.

Posted by Steve. Springfield Illinois area wedding photography by Warmowski Photography, husband-wife photojournalist team want to tell the story of your wedding day in pictures. Follow us on FacebookStudio located at 301 E Court St. Suite B, Jacksonville, IL 62650, open by appointment only. Be sure to check out our neighbors Girls in White Satin for formal wear for the occasion.