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Featuring: The Kids!

There were 3 little ones who participated in  Monica & Luther’s wedding in Lombard, Illinois. They were Luther’s nieces and nephew.

The nice thing about having kids participating in your wedding is that you never know what’s going to happen. And one of the downsides to having kids in your wedding is that you never know what’s going to happen. Choosing whether or not to have children participate is a decision the bride and groom should make – keeping in mind how easily they are able to roll with things. Because, very rarely do ring bearers and flower girls walk directly and quietly down the aisle. Which is fine! It wouldn’t be memorable if they did!

It look Bode a minute to follow his cousins down the aisle. But he did it!

Bode got going, but then Allison realized her big sister, Avery, had dropped some flower petals. Allison pointed to them and said, “uh oh.” And it took her a minute to decide whether or not she was going to pick them up or keep going. Eventually, she kept going.

Bode got caught up in the aisle runner, but Grandpa Dan was right there to help out.

Monica and Luther with their ring bearer and flower girls.

Posted by Tiffany/Warmowski Photography. We photograph weddings with kids and without kids in Jacksonville, Illinois, Chicago, St. Louis and all over.

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Breaking with tradition: Seeing each other before the ceremony

When I meet with couples before their wedding day to learn the details and hear about what is most important to them, one of the questions I ask is if they plan to see each other before the ceremony.

The answer is about 50/50. Fifty percent of our couples want to stick with tradition. The first time the groom sees his bride on the wedding day is when she is walks down the aisle.

The other 50 percent decide on a special moment before the ceremony where they see each other, ooohhh and aaahhh over each other, and then have their family and bridal party join them for portraits.

Either way works for us. The day, after all, is about the couple and their friends and family, and NOT about the photos OR the photographers.

But,  (you knew there would be a but, right!?) we honestly prefer when couples see each other and get the portraits done before the ceremony. The upsides are: fresh make up and clothing, less rushing, not keeping guests waiting, being able to get to the reception when you want to, not when photos are over, and you don’t have to worry about people who were supposed to be in portraits having left for the reception.

Monica and Luther decided to see each other before their ceremony. One reason was that they wanted to stop at their CrossFit gym with the bridal party for photos between the ceremony and reception.

Here are a few photos of their “first look.”

We typically do the “first look” at the alter where the portraits will be taken. There is good light there. The bride and groom usually opt for the groom to stand at the alter with his back turned and the bride walking up the aisle, and he turns around when she gets to him. Although, we have done it other places. Liz and Kris saw each other for the first time in a garden outside the church and Steve and I first saw each other on Rutledge Lawn at MacMurray College across from Annie Merner Chapel in Jacksonville. Rutledge Lawn was where we first met and where he gave me my engagement ring.

Posted by Tiffany/Warmowski Photography. She and her husband, Steve, photograph weddings, like Monica & Luther’s, in Lombard and Homer Glen, as well as in Chicago, St. Louis and all over. And, although Tiffany & Steve saw each other before their ceremony, they both still cried when Tiffany walked down the aisle with her daddy.

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Monica & Luther’s wedding highlights

Fabulous wedding weekend for Monica Marchese and Luther Cunningham!
The wedding was at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lombard, the church Monica attended while growing up. The reception was at Dinolfo’s Banquets in Homer Glen.

The festivities started Friday night with a themed rehearsal dinner put on by Deb & Dan Cunningham. There will be an blog post dedicated to just the rehearsal and dinner – so keep a look out for that!

In the meantime, here are some of our favorite images of the day.

Monica and Luther decided to see each other and take all of the group and family portraits before the ceremony. But before we start the portraits, the couple gets a "first look." Usually this is done with the groom standing at the alter with this back to the aisle, and the bride walking down the aisle to meet him. He turns around and VIOLA! - he sees his bride. Kisses usually ensue and often parents and bridal party members are peeking though doors and windows to watch.

Monica and Luther decided to see each other and take all of the group and family portraits before the ceremony. About half of our couples go that route. Before we start the portraits, the couple gets a “first look.” Usually this is done with the groom standing at the altar with this back to the aisle, and the bride walking down the aisle to meet him. He turns around and VIOLA! – he sees his bride. Kisses usually ensue and often parents and bridal party members are peeking though doors and windows to watch.

Monica waits while Luther stands at the front of the church during the processional.

Monica waits while Luther stands at the front of the church during the processional.

The bride and groom sit at the alter while the bride's brother, Andrew, serves as cantor. There is a choir loft to the side of the alter which made for a unique perspective that we don't usually have. As with every wedding we photograph, we talked to the church coordinator or officiant before the ceremony and were invited to use the loft for photos.

The bride and groom sit at the altar while the bride’s brother, Andrew, serves as cantor. There is a choir loft to the side of the altar which made for a unique perspective that we don’t usually have. As with every wedding we photograph, we talked to the church coordinator or officiant before the ceremony and were invited to use the loft for photos.
Monica kneels before the Blessed Mother after presenting her flowers. Monica's brother and Man-of-Honor, Anthony, sang Ave Maria with his a capella group. Monica is holding a wedding rosary which has beads made of flowers from the recent funeral of her late grandmother.
Monica kneels before the Blessed Mother after presenting her flowers. Monica’s brother and Man-of-Honor, Anthony, sang Ave Maria with his a capella group. Monica is holding a wedding rosary which has beads made of flowers from the recent funeral of her late grandmother.

Between the wedding and reception, Monica and Luther wanted to stop by their CrossFit gym and have a photo taken of the bridal party doing a kettlebell swing. There was a quick lesson on form by the owner, Jason, before we started. Safety first!.

Between the wedding and reception, Monica and Luther wanted to stop by their CrossFit gym and have a photo taken of the bridal party doing a kettlebell swing. There was a quick lesson on form by the owner, Jason, before they started. Safety first!
I loved the murmurs of disbelief from the bridal party as Monica's bar had the weights put on it.
I loved the murmurs of disbelief from the bridal party as Monica’s bar was loaded with weights.

The processional song that Monica's bridesmaids walked in to was arranged by Monica's brother, Anthony. It's a combination of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "Canon in D." The notes on the cake is the score of that song.

The processional song that Monica’s bridesmaids walked in to was arranged by Monica’s brother, Anthony. It’s a combination of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and “Canon in D.” The notes on the cake is the score of that song.

Monica & Luther decided on a traveling photo booth at the reception. It was busy all night! Here are a few shots of guests and family in the booth.

Monica & Luther decided on a photo booth at the reception. It was busy all night! Here are a few shots of guests and family in the booth.
The Traveling Photo Booth
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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!

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The “out”

Dad and I wait upstairs at MacMurray's Annie Merner Chapel while guests are seated. 15 September 2001 Photo by Zuzana Killam
Dad and I wait while my sister Nicole (far left), and best friends Tracy Mazurkiewicz and Michelle (McIntyre) Davlantis chat. Not pictured is Steve's sister, Janet (Warmowski) Jackson, also a bridesmaid. She was the first one to walk down the aisle, which is probably why she isn't in this photo. 15 September 2001 Photo by Valérie Berta Torales

________________

I’ll never forget the option my dad gave me before walking me down the aisle on my wedding day 15 September 2001:

Dad (looking at the door to go outside): We can walk out the door if you want to, Tiffy.

Tif: What do you want to do, Daddy?

Dad: No, Tiffy. What do you want to do?

Tif: I think I’ll walk down the aisle.

It might seem weird to be given that option moments before walking down the aisle, but in honesty, I have always been grateful for that “out.”

When we were walking down the aisle, dad said to me, "Tiffy, I've been thinking about this day for a long time." Here we are just before that. My cousin, Amy Bennett, was our flower girl. I was the flower girl in her parents' wedding 18 years before. 15 September 2001 Photo by Valérie Berta Torales

________________

Before our good friend Esther married Steve’s mentor, Archie Lieberman, Esther’s aunt told her, “Five minutes before is better than five minutes after.” Esther didn’t take the “out.” But she never forgot about her aunt offering to her, either. Esther and Archie were married 60 years before his death in 2008.

We’ve had 3 couples cancel or indefinitely postpone their weddings this summer. But believe me, there are no hard feelings here! Making a lifetime commitment is not something that you should do just because you have been planning a wedding for months or because people will be disappointed if you decide not to go through with it.

I hope that all couples work as hard on preparing for their marriage as they do planning their wedding (if not harder!). And if they reach a point in that process where things don’t feel quite right, then taking a step back and taking a good hard look at things just might be the right thing to do, whether the wedding is months, weeks or days away.

**Photos Copyright Warmowski Photography 2010** Blog post by Tiffany/Warmowski Photography Tiffany & Steve Warmowski were married in Jacksonville and photograph others’ weddings in Jacksonville and around the world. WarmowskiPhotography.com

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Daddies giving away their daughters

There were some really nice moments between Kelsey and her dad, Andy, during Kelsey & Josh’s wedding day.  I love that Andy wasn’t afraid or ashamed to show his emotions.

Kelsey came into the sanctuary prior to the ceremony for some portraits. That is where her father saw her for the first time in her wedding dress. ** Photos Copyright Warmowski Photography 2010**
*Photos Copyright Warmowski Photography 2010**
Kelsey & her dad, Andy, in the basement of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church before walking down the aisle. **Photos Copyright Warmowski Photography 2010**
Andy gives his daughter a hug before giving her hand to Josh at the beginning of the ceremony uniting Kelsey & Josh. **Photos Copyright Warmowski Photography 2010**
At the end of the father/daughter dance, Andy swept his daughter off her feet. Andy gives his daughter a hug before giving her hand to Josh at the beginning of the ceremony uniting Kelsey & Josh. **Photos Copyright Warmowski Photography 2010**

Blog post by Tiffany/Warmowski Photography

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Congrats to Kelsey & Josh!

Kelsey Mason & Josh Hoyt tied the knot June 27, 2010, in a beautiful ceremony at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Jacksonville. The reception was at Hamilton’s 110 North East in Jacksonville.

Here’s a couple of the many notable things from their fantastic day:

Kelsey was in comfort her whole day with sparkly ballet-like slippers. Her Man-of-Honor, Ben, wore shoes to match his suit, her ladies wore silver and her personal assistant, Casey, wore black. **Photos Copyright Warmowski Photography 2010**
Kelsey & Josh greeted their parents during their ceremony. Here, Josh and Kelsey's mom, Delores, share a special moment. **Photos Copyright Warmowski Photography 2010**
Kelsey's parents, Andy & Delores, kept a bottle of sparkling wine from their wedding in 1985. They opened it and shared it with the newlyweds. Now THAT'S thinking ahead! **Photos Copyright Warmowski Photography 2010**
Kelsey & Josh raise their glasses, filled with Kelsey's parents' sparkling wine, after Kelsey's dad's toast. **Photos Copyright Warmowski Photography 2010**
Kelsey's Man of Honor, Ben Hale, loves taking photographs. Here's a photo of Ben taking a photo of Steve! **Photos Copyright Warmowski Photography 2010**

Posted by Tiffany

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Vow variation

Allison and Eric wrote and spoke their own vows which included addressing the other one’s parents. During the vows part of the ceremony, Allison spoke her vows to Eric, then they both turned and Allison thanked Eric’s parents for welcoming her into their family and for raising such a good son. Eric spoke his vows to Allison and then turned and addressed Allison’s parents as well.

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Allison addresses Eric's parents during their wedding ceremony on Sunday, May 24, 2009, in the garden of Allison's family home in Jacksonville, Illinois. WarmowskiPhotography.com

I know the parents were surprised and honored at being acknowledged by their children’s new spouse and I don’t think there was a dry parental eye in the garden.

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The mother of the groom wipes away a tear as Allison addresses Eric's parents during their wedding ceremony on Sunday, May 24, 2009, in the garden of Allison's family home in Jacksonville, Illinois. WarmowskiPhotography.com
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Honoring married couples at your wedding

There are a few ways I’ve seen to honor other married couples during the course of your day.

One way is an anniversary dance during the reception. The DJ or band leader invites all married couples to the dance floor. During the course of the song, the couples are invited to sit down depending on how long they have been married. (“Couples who have been married 3 hours can sit down. Couples who have been married 5 years or less can sit down. Couples who have been married 10 years or less can sit down …”) until the couple married the longest is the only one left dancing. This couple is then asked how they  know the bride/groom and how long they have been married. They  might also be asked for marriage advice – which typically ends up with the husband advising the groom to learn quickly how to say, “Yes, Dear.”

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Allison holds her bridal bouquet while the couple married the longest finishes their dance at the reception celebrating her marriage to Eric Sunday, May 24, 2009, at Hamilton's 110 N. East in Jacksonville, Illinois.

As the bride, presenting the older woman with your bridal or toss bouquet is a good alternative to throwing it to eligible bachelorettes, especially if there are not many unmarried women on your guest list.

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Jackie & James visit with guests Sunday, June 7, 2009, at Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. WarmowskiPhotography.com

Another idea we saw for the first time at Jackie and James’ wedding was honoring couples at each table during the reception. Each table had a photo of one of the couples at that table with a write-up about them and why they were being honored. It was a great way to break the ice if those at the table don’t all know each other as well as a wonderful way to make others feel special during YOUR special day.

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A card honoring a couple was placed on each table at the wedding reception of Jackie & James Sunday, June 7, 2009, at Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. WarmowskiPhotography.com
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Busy mother of the bride

Chinese lanterns added a personal touch to the banquet hall at Kristen & James Buchanan's wedding.
Chinese lanterns added a personal touch to the banquet hall at Kristen & James Buchanan's wedding.

Pam Gaines not only helped her daughter, Kristen, plan for her wedding — she also made the decorations for Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church and Gee Whillikers Banquet Hall. Pam also made necklaces for the bridesmaids, sashes for the dresses, decorated the wedding cake, and the list goes on.

The bride's mom made the cake.
The bride's grandmother made the cake. The bride's mom decorated it.
Flowers added a splash of color at the church.
Flowers added a splash of color at the church.
Italian lights carry the wedding colors over to the reception hall.
Italian lights carry the wedding colors over to the reception hall.
Hand-made paper candy boxes at each place setting.
Hand-made paper candy boxes at each place setting.

Event details: Family friends Jim & Linda Jones (Soundsations DJ Service 217.243.2928), wedding dress from State Street Bridal.