Posted on

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 Facebook. Studio located at 301 E Court St. Suite B, Jacksonville, IL 62650, open by appointment only.

Posted on

Wedding photography at Jacksonville Bridal Expo

Great to have been a part of the Jacksonville Main Street Bridal & Prom Expo this past weekend at Hamilton’s 110 North East. So nice to be able to meet brides and have time to talk in a relaxed atmosphere about our central Illinois professional wedding photography.

The highlight of the show was Girls in White Satin Bridal & Formal Wear’s bridal and prom fashion show. To see all the dresses and gowns, check out photos on our Facebook gallery.

Girls in White Satin at the Jacksonville Bridal Expo. See link above for more photos.
Girls in White Satin at the Jacksonville Bridal Expo. See link above for more photos.

Other notes from the event . . .

  • American Rentals is now part of Signature Rentals. They feature our photography on their website, and on the side of their Springfield-based truck.
  • Mobile Mania highlighted their photo booth, contact 217.242.9676. They also offer Dj and lighting services. Based in Quincy, Illinois.
  • Flowers and decorations for the bridal show by Ashley’s Petals & Angels florist.
Summer wedding in Carrollton Illinois of Hannah & Joe with lightning from a passing storm. Image on Signature Rentals.
Summer wedding in Carrollton Illinois of Hannah & Joe with lightning from a passing storm. Our image on Signature Rentals.

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.

Black formal dresses — Girls in White Satin at the Jacksonville Bridal Expo. See link above for more photos.
Black formal dresses — Girls in White Satin at the Jacksonville Bridal Expo. See link above for more photos.
Posted on

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.

Posted on

Inquiries for Bloomington & Springfield Illinois wedding photography

It’s that time of year! We have been fielding many inquiries for Bloomington wedding photography, Springfield wedding photography and all over Central Illinois wedding photography (Quincy, St. Louis and Chicago, too!) Please contact Tiffany through our Warmowski Photography web site or call/text her at 217.473.5517 to talk about your date.

Sarah & Billy's first look before portraits at Broadview Mansion in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.
Sarah & Billy’s first look before portraits at Broadview Mansion in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.

Wanted to share photos from a wedding we photographed in Bloomington-Normal Illinois in the fall. Sarah & Billy met at Illinois State University. Between getting ready and taking portraits at Broadview Mansion and the ceremony and reception at Bloomington Holiday Inn (at the Bloomington airport) we stopped at ISU’s Stevenson Hall to get some campus photos into their book.

They had wanted their ceremony to be at Broadview Mansion, but the remains of Hurricane Isaac drifted into the area. It brought much-needed rain to the region, and suggested a baby name if they eventually have a son, but it wasn’t very conducive to an outdoor wedding!

One other note, the wedding event DJ was Faith Rinker of Glass Slipper Entertainment. She did a fantastic job, had great LED uplighting which made the ballroom at the Holiday Inn look fantastic, and she told Sarah & Billy’s “love story” at the end of dinner. Lots of family members said they appreciated her retelling the story of how the couple met, dated and decided to tie the knot.

Dance floor with music and lighting by Glass Slipper Entertainment.
Dance floor with music and lighting by Glass Slipper Entertainment.
Sarah & Billy fun portraits at Broadview Mansion in Bloomington.
Sarah & Billy fun portraits at Broadview Mansion in Bloomington.
Sarah & Billy working Illinois State University's Stevenson Hall into their wedding photos.
Sarah & Billy working Illinois State University’s Stevenson Hall into their wedding photos.
Wedding party toast in the bridal suite, before the reception at Bloomington Holiday Inn.
Wedding party toast in the bridal suite, before the reception at Bloomington Holiday Inn.

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.

Posted on

Katie & Jack – Wedding highlights

Katie Duffin & Jack Contri were married July 2, 2011, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Springfield and their reception was at Erin’s Pavilion at Springfield’s new Southwind Park.

Enjoy some of our favorite moments from their wedding day!

Katie was given a special hanger which she used to hang her wedding gown on the special day. The hanger was a gift from friends who found it on one of my favorite gift websites – Etsy!

Jack and his brother Val chill out at their parents’ house before getting ready.

Katie’s mom, sister and other bridesmaids help her get ready to go to the park to meet her groom.

Jack & Katie decided to see each other before the ceremony. There was a wedding later in the day at this gazebo in Springfield’s Washington Park, but a call to the park district before the big day ensured it would be available when we needed it.

After a few minutes seeing each other for the first time on their big day, they were ready to head to Katie’s parents’ house for family and bridal party portraits.

Katie’s parents’ backyard includes a bridge over a creek that runs behind their house. Katie’s sister, Shannon spent hours earlier that week power washing the bridge so it would be ready for photos.

 

Katie and her father Dennis wait for the ceremony to begin. Katie’s mom Theresa surprised Katie by having the florist incorporate Theresa’s own wedding veil into Katie’s bridal bouquet.

Katie & Jack, along with their bridal party, entertained the guests with their entertaining, dancing entrance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shannon’s maid-of-honor speech included a prop. The prop illustrated stories of Katie’s graduate school days.

Val’s best man toast was heartfelt and reflected the brothers’ close relationship.

The wagon came in handy when it came to the garter toss.


We always keep an eye on when the sun is setting. If it’s an appropriate time for the bride and groom to leave their party for a few minutes, we try to use the beautiful light to our advantage.

Posted by Tiffany/Warmowski Photography. We notice the things that make your wedding special whether the big day is in Chicago, St. Louis, Springfield and world wide. 

 

 

 

 

Posted on

Anne & Loren – Wedding highlights

Anne & Loren were married Saturday 23 April 2011 at Prairie Productions in Chicago. It has been raining a lot here in the Midwest, so I was preparing myself all week for that possibility. No rain appeared! The day was absolutely beautiful in every way.

Here are some of our favorite details from their day.

Anne & Loren decided to see each other before the ceremony. They did so at a park right near their home.

Anne’s dog, Murphy was an important part of the day (click here for a post on Murphy)

Anne had help making all of the napkins (and decorating the favor boxes).

Loren’s mom, Sharon, and Anne take a peek at people arriving for the wedding.

Loren’s father, Rudy is an organist and musician. He brought a small pipe organ to Prairie Productions and played for the couple’s ceremony.

Anne didn’t choose dresses for her bridesmaids. She simply asked them to wear blue or green. They choose dresses that fit their styles and body types as well as budgets.

They had amazing desserts from Sweet Mandy B’s including macaroons and cupcakes.

The cake Anne & Loren cut was from a bakery & coffee shop they visited the morning of their wedding.

The couple decided on using iTunes for their music. They plugged into Prairie Production’s sound system and danced all night.

There is a great view of the skyline right outside Prairie Productions and we took advantage of it near the end of the night.

Congratulations to Anne & Loren and a beautiful wedding day! Wishing you a long and happy marriage!

Posted by Tiffany/Warmowskiphoto.com

Warmowski Photography photographes couples in Chicago, St. Louis, Springfield, all over Illinois as well as destination weddings.

Posted on

Heather & Doug’s wedding 9 October 2010

Heather Thomas and Doug Zulauf were married Saturday, October 9, 2010, at Rammelkamp Chapel on the Illinois College campus in Jacksonville. Both are alumni of IC. Professor Rev. Richard Maye officiated the ceremony.

Here are some of our favorite images from their day.

Heather & Doug say their vows during their wedding ceremony on a beautiful October day.
Heather & Doug had a perfect blue sky on their wedding day. Here the guest wait outside to blow bubbles.
After the ceremony, the couple walked on campus to a couple of their favorite spots.
Heather and Doug pose for a portrait in front of Sturtevant Hall on Illinois College's campus. The hall is the most well-known building on campus.
The tree swing in front of Sturtevant Hall is a favorite spot for photos.
Doug works in law enforcement. He and Heather took a group photo with his colleagues at the reception.
Doug's college literary society, Pi Pi Rho, performs their wedding reception ritual for Heather & Doug.
We also took a group photo of Doug's Pi Pi Rho friends and their significant others during the reception.
Heather wore her grandmother's pearls on her wedding day.
Heather sings to her new husband while they are both bathed in the warm lights of the DJ booth.
Posted on

Liz & Kris – highlights

Liz Overstreet & Kris Montgomery were married 18 September 2010 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Illinois. Their reception was at The Inn at 835, also in Springfield.

Here’s some favorite images and moments from their day!

Liz's "something blue" was her shoes. She wore her grandmother's pearls. And her garter was made of lace, just like her dress.
Liz & Kris opted to see each other and do portraits before the ceremony so that they had time to do outdoor portraits between the ceremony and reception. They first saw each other all dressed up in the garden of the church.
Liz & Kris enjoy a moment in the church's garden before going inside for portraits before the ceremony.
Liz chose an incredible cathedral-length veil.
Her veil was embroidered with her new monogram.
Westminster Presbyterian has more strict rules for photographers than most churches we work with. Because we can't be anywhere near the altar during the ceremony, we asked if we could set up a remote camera in the bell choir area to the side of the alter. Steve and I respect that the ceremony is a worship service. We always speak with the officiant prior to the ceremony to find out what their restrictions are - and we abide by them. The day is not about us or the photos!
The bridal party went downtown Springfield between the wedding and reception for outdoor shots. We couldn't resist this "Marilyn Monroe" moment. Thanks, Liz!
The groom works in engineering - and his grooms cake was an homage to that!
Half of the gift table at the reception was in honor of the couples' parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. There were some fantastic & moving photos.
The buffet table was decorated with different sized vases with floating candles. It gave the whole room a very romantic feeling.
As the night wound down, it seemed Liz and Kris were the only ones in the room. We took this photo with the help of lights from Matt Stevens' DJ booth.

The Inn at 835, Stevens DJ Service and Specialty Cakes are fellow members of Springfield Local Favorites, a group of the top wedding vendors in the Springfield region. Liz said this of Matt Stevens during the night: “He’s more than just a DJ — he made the night go so smoothly.”

posted by Tiffany – Warmowski Photography loves to photograph unique ideas in Jacksonville, Springfield and all over to share with brides planning their weddings!

Posted on

Kristy Gebhardt says “the photography is the best choice we made”


wedding party dances, wedding photography in Virginia, Illinois by Warmowski Photography
The wedding party joins Kristy VanMeter and Ty Gebhardt during their first dance.

Soon after we photographed Kristy VanMeter & Ty Gebhardt’s wedding she sent us this note:

I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate everything you did. From the pictures that I know will be amazing, the pinning of my dress and just being there for anything else I may have needed. The day and night seemed to go off without a hitch. I was absolutely amazed with how my day was the best day of my life and I married my best friend. That night will be one of the most memorable nights of our life forever. For someone to please Ty says a lot, and you guys absolutely did that. . .

I had more fun that night than I have my whole life. I fell in love with Ty all over again and I think he did the same. Our relationship has the strongest bond ever right now and we both realized with our special day that we had the best thing that has ever happened to us. Ty loved you guys as did I (but I think that was obvious). We love how helpful you are and you have a sense of humor that puts the two of you over the top!!! We can’t wait to start our family and you can bet we will be calling you. We hope that the two of you had a good time and we will recommend you to everyone we know. I hope you stay in touch, as we enjoy talking with the two of you.

Wow! Thanks Kristy! After a couple e-mails and her seeing her photos, she emphasized the point, writing “the photography is the best choice we made.”
Keeping champagne from spilling, nail salon, wedding photography in Jacksonville Illinois by Warmowski Photography
Kristy's bridesmaids try to keep the champagne from making a mess as they get their hair done.
Kristy & Ty’s wedding day was a long one for us — exactly the kind of coverage we like to offer to our brides. Kristy chose our Package A, which includes a full day of photography, high-resolution images and a wonderful 40-plus page coffee table book. The day started out with Tiffany covering the action at the On The Clip Side salon in Jacksonville. We followed them to First Christian Church in South Jacksonville for more getting ready images as well as portraits before the ceremony.
bride takes a deep breath before entering reception, wedding in Virginia Illinois by Warmowski Photography
Kristy takes a deep breath before walking in to the reception at Fairway Hills Golf Course in Virginia.
A lot of work went into decorating the reception. The centerpieces were great and the chair covers and different colored bows added so much to the room (rented from the Beardstown Class of 2011). And as the sun went down and the room got darker, the many votive candles made for a very romantic feel.
Bride gets nose full of frosting, cake cutting, wedding reception in Virginia Illinois by Warmowski Photography
Ty gets the better of Kristy as they have fun after sharing a piece of cake.
Despite a calf injury Kristy sustained earlier in the week, she was able to dance and enjoy the reception. One thing that helped was her choice of footwear. Even before her injury, Kristy had decided on gym shoes. Because of the fullness of her dress, nobody could even tell – and she was comfortable all day!
Kristy's Nike Shocks kept her comfortable all day.
Dancing at wedding reception, Virginia Illinois, by Warmowski Photography
Kristy & Ty don’t seem to notice anyone else as they dance on the crowded dance floor.
Dancers cast shadows from DJ lights, Virginia Illinois wedding by Warmowski Photography
Dancers cast shadows on the ceiling, with lighting effects by D.J. Joe Kindred.
We love to stay until the end of the night because we feel we are better able to tell the full story of the day. We have two super fast lenses (f1.4 & f1.2) and top-class cameras with high sensitivity (iso 6400 plus) so we can practically shoot in the dark! We followed Kristy & Ty out to their get-away vehicle to complete the story.
Night time view of passengers in truck, after wedding in Virginia Illinois by Warmowksi photography
Kristy jumps into her dad's truck at the end of the night while her groom rode in the back seat.
Kristy & Ty also had us do their engagement photos. During all our portrait sittings we start in the studio to get more traditional images. But we also like to create images that reflect the couple’s personality and their relationship – and that can’t always be done well in the studio. With Kristy & Ty we headed to Virginia High School to make photos at the ball diamond, where Ty is the head softball coach and Kristy is assistant coach. (Kristy also coaches volleyball). We also took some photos at Rexroat Prairie, a beautiful nature reserve on the south end of town.
Engagement photos in Virginia, Illinois by Warmowski Photography
Engagement photos: Kristy gets first choice on the softball diamond in Virginia.
Sitting in antique cabin porch, Rexroat Prairie in Virginia, Illinois, engagement image by Warmowski Photography
Kristy & Ty at Rexroat Prairie in Virginia, Illinois.

Wedding details: Ceremony at First Christian Church in South Jacksonville; hair and nails at On The Clip Side in Jacksonville; Brad Wessel caterer; Joe Kindred DJ; Ty’s ring from Infinity Tungsten; Kristy’s ring from Helzberg Diamonds, Springfield; wedding dress from David’s Bridal; reception at Fairway Hills Golf Course in Virginia; flowers from Nancy Bork, Jacksonville.

Posted by Steve. Warmowski Photography, wedding images in Jacksonville, Illinois 62650 and Virginia, Illinois 62691. Follow us on Facebook.
Posted on

Mike Greer Audio Effects

We ran into an old friend at our last wedding in Springfield — Mike Greer of Audio Effects.

He was the DJ at Anne & Isaac’s wedding reception at the Artisans Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds (photos still in the works). I say an old friend because he was the DJ at our wedding in Springfield in 2001. And, actually, the DJ at my first wedding (same DJ, same best man). He’s based in Rochester, and does many weddings and other events in Springfield. Link above or 217.498.9559, www.audiofxdj.com.

Posted by Steve, Warmowski Photography, photojournalists covering weddings in Springfield and beyond. Member of Springfield Local Favorites.