Get wedding ideas in Illinois Times’ Your Capital City Wedding

Your Capital City Wedding planner, the bridal guide for Illinois Times, just hit newsstands. It contains ideas for planning your wedding, including wedding dresses, complete guide to Springfield, Illinois wedding venues, tips for planning your wedding, this year’s top wedding trends — and some of our wedding photography.

The tab included our photo of Laura & Josh, who were married in May at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site (as we mentioned in our previous blog post).

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Family dances outside Springfield Hilton – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography).

The bridal planner also included one of our photos of Rushita & Benjamin’s Indian wedding (above). The wedding couple based their event out of the Springfield Hilton downtown hotel (700 E Adams St, Springfield, IL 62701), and had sangeet, mendi, mandap muhurat, as well as other South Indian wedding traditions and a grand reception at the hotel. They also had a Western wedding at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church (1725 S. Walnut, Springfield, IL 62704), and a second reception at the Hilton. Here’s some more photos from the day.

dressing Indian clothes
Getting ready – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
bracelets, jewelry details for Indian wedding
Jewelry detail – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Detail Indian wedding dress sari
Bridal sari detail – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Indian ceremony
Indian ceremony at Hilton – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Coconut detail - Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Coconut detail – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)

 

Groom on white horse, Indian wedding
Groom on horse – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Bride's family lifts Rushita, making it harder for Benjamin to put on necklace - Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Bride’s family lifts Rushita, making it harder for Benjamin to put on necklace – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Groom "points out stars" - Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Groom “points out stars” – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Looking out windows of upper floor banquet room at Springfield Hilton in downtown Springfield - Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Looking out windows of upper floor banquet room at Springfield Hilton in downtown Springfield – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Veil detail - Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Veil detail – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Bride in limo - Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Bride in limo – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Approaching  Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church - Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Approaching Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Interior, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church - Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Interior, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Veil flows in wind, portraits at Washington Park - Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Veil flows in wind, portraits at Washington Park – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Portraits at state capitol building - Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Portraits at state capitol building – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Chatting with friends at cocktail hour - Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Chatting with friends at cocktail hour – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Wedding cake detail - Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Wedding cake detail – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Tables set for grand reception, Hilton - Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Tables set for grand reception, Hilton – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
First dance - Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
First dance – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Traditional Stick dancing - Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Traditional Stick dancing – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Shoes detail - Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Shoes detail – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Bride & groom dancing at reception - Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)
Bride & groom dancing at reception – Rushita & Benjamin (by Warmowski Photography)

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. Experienced photographers of Indian weddings. Follow us on FacebookStudio located at 301 E Court St. Suite B, Jacksonville, IL 62650, open by appointment only.

Buena Vista Farms adds wedding weekend packages

Buena Vista Resort has a new “Complete Wedding Weekend” package which can include extra nights in their resort cabins or spa services at the wedding venue in rural Jacksonville, Illinois near Springfield. It’s a way for brides to enjoy a wedding weekend, with more time with friends and family, on top of their wedding day.

“We had several brides last year that really enjoyed a wedding weekend as opposed to a wedding day,” said owner Teri Gutierrez. “As the mother of the bride a few years ago, I can say that it went by too fast! I wanted a do over in slow motion, because it was such a wonderful day and such a wonderful party with many traveling from Iowa and Indiana. We just did not get enough time to enjoy our friends that we do not get to see often enough.”

Buena Vista features an air-conditioned “Euro” tent; a cabin to get ready with full inside restrooms for guests; game area for kids; and more. Their resort area with cabins on their pond also hosts spa services such as manicures, massages (hot stone, sugar scrub, deep tissue for example) and haircuts, formal hair style or up-do. Check their website or call Teri 217.370.1219 for details.

Buena Vista attracts weddings from Springfield, Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington-Normal, Decatur, St. Louis, Chicago and all over the Midwest.

Here’s some of our wedding photography from outdoor weddings at the resort.

woody cabin interior
Deluxe cabins at Buena Vista Resort (by Warmowski Photography).
Flowers at outdoor wedding area at Buena Vista (by Warmowski Photography).
Flowers at outdoor wedding area at Buena Vista (by Warmowski Photography).
outdoor tent wedding
Euro tent at Buena Vista (by Warmowski Photography).
bride & groom by farm pond
Jillian & Daniel, portraits by pond at Buena Vista (by Warmowski Photography).
walking down aisle, outdoor wedding
Walking down aisle for outdoor wedding (by Warmowski Photography).
Big kids enjoy game area at Buena Vista (by Warmowski Photography).
Big kids enjoy game area at Buena Vista (by Warmowski Photography).
Child game area at Buena Vista (by Warmowski Photography).
Child game area at Buena Vista (by Warmowski Photography).
tent at dusk
Euro tent at dusk at Buena Vista (by Warmowski Photography).
Ashlee & Justin outside tent at Buena Vista (by Warmowski Photography).
Ashlee & Justin outside tent at Buena Vista (by Warmowski Photography).
Ashlee & Justin's first dance in Euro ten at Buena Vista (by Warmowski Photography).
Ashlee & Justin’s first dance in Euro tent at Buena Vista (by Warmowski Photography).
outdoor wedding
Outdoor wedding for Jillian & Daniel at Buena Vista (by Warmowski Photography).

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.

Illinois Times Capital City Wedding tab coming out next month

The Illinois Times contacted us recently for wedding photos for the Capital City Wedding Planner Magazine for 2014. The wedding tab will be published around Valentine’s Day, and the tab is available year round. Here’s some of the images we sent in . . .

Laura & Josh were married in May at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois. Theirs was the first wedding (at least in modern times) at the national park. The couple are history buffs, and wanted to do something special for their guests. There are some restrictions – like they could’t set up and have the ceremony until after the park closed – but Signature Event Rental took care of all that! Their reception was at Panther Creek Country Club; music by DJ Mike Testa; dress from Formals of Litchfield; cake by Specialty Cakes.

Laura & Josh
Laura & Josh

Heather & Brandt had a June wedding at Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church. Having us photograph this was a special treat, for Heather is a photographer and worked at a photo studio in Kansas. Their reception at Northfield Inn & Suites.

Heather & Brandt
Heather & Brandt

Rushita & Benjamin’s Indian wedding at the Springfield Hilton (with Sangeet, Mendi, Mandap Mahurat and other southern Indian traditions), two receptions, and ceremony at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Springfield in August.

Rushita & Benjamin
Rushita & Benjamin

Teresa & Mike’s wedding at Yatesville School near Prentice (Ashland) in October. The old one-room schoolhouse is used for family events, and is available for rentals.  To find out more contact Scott Atwood at 217.886.2316.

Teresa & Mike
Teresa & Mike

Casey & Jeff’s May wedding in Virginia and Jacksonville. Getting ready in Beardstown, ceremony at Virginia United Methodist Church, reception at Jacksonville Country Club. We photographed the wedding of Jeff’s mother — great to be the family photographer, and have another family rely on us for their special events! Wedding dress from Eighth Avenue Villager in Quincy, flowers from 4 All Seasons Flowers & Gifts in Beardstown.

Casey & Jeff
Casey & Jeff

Allie & Todd’s November wedding at MacMurray College in Jacksonville. Ceremony at Annie Merner Chapel; reception at Hamilton’s 110 North East. They used Girls in White Satin Birdal & Formal Wear for everything; flowers by Ashley’s Petals & Angels in Jacksonville, DJ and entertainment by Joe Kindred (call/text 217-720-6835).

Allie & Todd
Allie & Todd

Jillian & Daniel’s wedding at Buena Vista Farms in rural Jacksonville in July. Ceremony outside under old oak tree on shores of pond, reception in air-conditioned tent.

Jillian & Daniel
Jillian & Daniel

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.

Elegant Bridal Expo Springfield Illinois Bridal Show

As part of our efforts to reach out to brides to educate them about our wedding photography services, we took part in the Elegant Bridal Expo last weekend at the Hilton, downtown Springfield Illinois 62703.

One of the cool new people we met was Lisa from The Old Homestead, an old historic barn in Rushville that was turned into a wedding venue. Check out their website, and also  photos we took at a barn wedding last fall (below).

  • Thanks to Hamilton’s Catering for the yummy sandwiches! They have been especially busy lately, helping some of the brides who lost their dates and deposits when the Camelot Banquet Center in Springfield closed. Hamilton’s not only has the 110 North East banquet facility in Jacksonville, but they also manage bookings for facilities in Springfield (in addition to catering events all over Central Illinois).
  • Thanks to Girls in White Satin Bridal and Formal Wear for helping us get our wall and other supplies over to Springfield.

You can also see vendors at this Sunday 19 January 2014 Jacksonville Main Street’s Bridal and Prom Expo at Hamilton’s 110 North East.

Now, here’s those photos from Katie & Zach’s wedding in Iowa City, Iowa. Zach’s family hails from Jacksonville, and wanted us to photograph their wedding – so we went out west to Iowa for the weekend. They had a Quaker wedding at the Friends Meeting House in town, then a reception at the family’s farm near the Riverside Casino & Golf Resort. The day featured craft beers, antiques from Zach’s mom, catering from New Pioneer Food Co-Op, dining in an outdoor tent, dancing in a historic barn, and capped off with a bonfire.

Fun portraits with Katie & Zach, outside historic family barn.
Fun portraits with Katie & Zach, outside historic family barn.
Dance floor inside barn. Katie's dad cleaned out the barn, put in hard gravel floor.
Dance floor inside barn. Katie’s dad cleaned out the barn, put in hard gravel floor.
Quaker wedding ceremony in barn.
Quaker wedding ceremony in barn.
Katie & Zach, Quaker wedding ceremony.
Katie & Zach, Quaker wedding ceremony.
Bride & groom look at baby
Katie & Zach check out new member of family.
Katie & Zach in front of strings of lights used to illuminate barn.
Katie & Zach in front of strings of lights used to illuminate barn.
Katie dances with her father.
Katie dances with her father.
Zach dancing to the music.
Zach dancing to the music.
Barn at night.
Barn at night.
Bride & groom in front of bonfire
Katie & Zach capping off the night with a bonfire.

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.

Springfield Illinois wedding photos by Warmowski Photography

One of our highlights from last year was when Amanda, whose wedding we photographed in the summer, took the microphone at the Springfield Local Favorites Bridal Bash at Northfield Inn and Suites and told all the brides what great photos and service she received from us. She said she didn’t have to worry about photos at all, and had a great time with us on her wedding day. Thanks Amanda!

Amanda and Luke had their ceremony at South Side Christian Church, 2600 S. MacArthur Boulevard, Springfield, IL 62704. Reception at Firefighters Postal Lake Club on Lake Springfield with catering by Hamilton’s Catering.

Part of the plans for our Springfield professional wedding photography was to photograph the couple on the running trail in Centennial Park where they met. With temperatures over 100° – we took a quick photo then jumped in the air-conditioned limo and headed to their health club for fun photos with the wedding party.

Other vendor note — flowers, centerpieces and decorating by Tom Anderson of An Event Design florists and event planning.

Amanda & Luke on the running path where they met in Springfield's Centennial Park.
Amanda & Luke on the running path where they met in Springfield’s Centennial Park.
Amanda & Luke with their wedding party stop at their health club.
Amanda & Luke with their wedding party stop at their health club.
Amanda organized a flash mob dance at their wedding reception.
Amanda organized a flash mob dance at their wedding reception.
Dancing at the Firefighters Postal Lake Club.
Dancing at the Firefighters Postal Lake Club.
Fun in the photo booth.
Fun in the photo booth.

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 Facebook.

Cowboy boots and all Western popular in weddings

Katelin and her cowboy boots for a cold, cold January wedding at MacMurray College.
Katelin and her cowboy boots for a cold, cold January wedding at MacMurray College.

At the recent Jacksonville bridal show Laurie from Girls in White Satin Bridal and Formal Wear said that cowboy boots and Western touches are quite popular accents for weddings now (especially for this fall). Made us think of our professional wedding photography for Katelin & Brian’s wedding at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois.

Katelin dances during her reception at the MacMurray College McClelland Dining Hall.
Katelin dances during her reception at the MacMurray College McClelland Dining Hall.

Katelin wore a dress from Girls in White Satin. She accented decorations with lace, loved the back of her dress, and hoped for snow so she could get photos outside. Ceremony at MacMurray College’s Annie Merner Chapel, with reception immediately following at McClelland Dining Hall next door. MacMurray is a great location for a wedding (that’s were Tiffany and I were married).

Bridesmaids had muff handwarmers, perfect for a cold January day.
Bridesmaids had muff handwarmers, perfect for a cold January day.
Sparkly branches kept with an icy wedding theme.
Sparkly branches kept with an icy winter wedding theme.

We previously photographed the wedding of Brian’s brother Ben in White Hall, Illinois. Always a great compliment when family members come back to us for wedding photography! Here’s what Genny & Ben posted about us on our Facebook page:

Steve and Tiffany did a terrific job of capturing special moments during our ceremony and reception. They were available before and stayed after the time frame that they committed to. We will forever enjoy looking through the pictures and recalling the many people that made the day so special. Thank you for sharing your talent and your professionalism!

Katelin & Brian leave at the end of the night with sparklers all around.
Katelin & Brian leave at the end of the night with sparklers all around.

Posted by Steve. 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 Bridal & Formal Wear for formal wear for the occasion.

The Classic Harpist listed as Bride’s Choice

Congratulations to Devon and Jeff of The Classic Harpist for being selected as a winner of the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards 2013 for wedding music. We photographed a civil union ceremony at the Washington Park gazebo in Springfield, Illinois with Devon, and as a fellow Jacksonville professional wedding vendor often see the couple at work (like at last weekend’s Jacksonville Bridal Expo). They offer a great service for brides!

From their newsletter (go to their web site and enter your email to get on their mailing list): The Classic Harpist have received this award every year that it has been presented. The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top 5% of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. The Classic Harpist’s selection as a Bride’s Choice Award 2013 winner was based on the positive experiences expressed by past clients on WeddingWire, the world’s largest wedding review site. While many industry awards are given by the host organization, the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlyweds and their experiences working with Devon & Jeff.

Devon Haupt of The Classic Harpist performs at a wedding at the Washington Park gazebo in Springfield.
Devon Haupt of The Classic Harpist performs at a wedding at the Washington Park gazebo in Springfield.

Posted by Steve. Warmowski Photography, husband-wife photojournalist team available to tell the story of your wedding day. Studio 301 E. Court Street Suite B, Jacksonville, Illinois 62650, hours by appointment, first floor of Hamilton’s 110 North East.

Thoughtful gifts for the guys in your wedding

Ryan’s gifts to his groomsmen were cufflinks individualized to each guy’s personal interest. It was a very thoughtful gift that likely took time to shop for. Great job, Ryan!

Ryan & his groomsmen show off their cufflinks.

Meghan & Ryan were married at  St. Ita Catholic Church, Chicago and had their reception at The Park Grill in Millennium Park.

Posted by Tiffany. Warmowski Photography shows the attention to detail you’ve put into the planning of your wedding. We photograph in Chicago, Kansas, England & beyond! Every part of your day will be captured. 

Jenna & Craig’s wedding decor at Hamilton’s

Jenna & Craig were married Friday, May 11, 2012, in the South Ballroom at Hamilon’s 110 North East in Jacksonville. The chair covers and bows transformed the room!

The room was first set up for the ceremony. Covered chairs with bows in the wedding colors surrounded the dance floor where the couple exchanged vows & rings.
The chairs were in rows for the ceremony.
The white table cloths made the napkins and centerpieces really pop.
The chairs at the head table alternated in color.
The gift table continued the purple & green theme.

Posted by Tiffany. Warmowski Photography is sure to photograph all of the details you’ve worked so hard on! We travel to Chicago, Kansas, England and beyond! Whether your wedding is in your backyard or at a destination, we will photograph every aspect of your day. 

Miranda & Larry – Irish wedding traditions

Miranda & Larry were married April 22, 2012, at Central Baptist Church in Springfield. The sanctuary was flooded with light from huge windows and the decor was simple and elegant.

The men in the bridal party and fathers wore kilts in the bride's family's tartan. The blue carpet in the sanctuary was a perfect match.
Clovers were grown especially for the wedding from seeds from Ireland.
Miranda's shoes were special order from Europe with her family's tartan.
The guys all looked so ... Irish!

Miranda & Larry included descriptions of some traditions in their wedding program, including this one: Irish tradition holds that bridesmaids wear white to confuse any fairs that want to cause mischief during the ceremony. Also, during Midieval times, it helped confuse anyone who wished to break up the ceremony and kidnap the bride for her dowry or ransom.

The bridesmaids wore sashes of the family tartan.

 

Posted by Tiffany. Warmowski Photography, husband-wife photojournalist team available to tell the story of your wedding day. Follow us on Facebook. Wedding photography for Springfield, Quincy and all of Central Illinois. Member of Springfield Local Favorites, a group of the top wedding vendors in Central Illinois (on Facebook). Studio located at 301 E Court St. Suite B, Jacksonville, IL 62650 in the Hamilton’s 110 North East building.