Many couples get stuck when trying to think of great gifts for their attendants and family members. You want them to be creative and meaningful, but not cheesy. And let’s face it, everyone has a budget they need to stick to.
After the decision was made to gift these items to one of our couples, I chose a roll-up bag for toiletries with the bride’s initial – perfect for getting ready on the wedding day as well the honeymoon. This high-quality bag is big enough to hold everything you need. You can find the direct link here.
For the groom, I chose an engraved bat with his name and wedding date in red, the color of the couple’s favorite baseball team – the St. Louis Cardinals. Check out the photos for a close-up of the quality engraving. You can shop for and customize the bat here.
Thanks to both of these sites for letting me showcase their gifts! They were easy to choose and customize. I will be ordering from them again!
Congratulations to the 2014 Morgan County Fair Queen Brianna Klein — she won first runner up to the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen. See coverage from the 2014 fair.
Morgan County Fair 2014 Queen wins first runner up at state.
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.
Are you running to stay fit for your wedding, or training for a 5k or another run?
You should take part in the Bridesmaid/Groomsmen Run and 5K Race Saturday June 14th at Duncan Park in Jacksonville. You can do a one-mile run wearing wedding/prom/formal attire, or a full 5K race. Proceeds to benefit Relay For Life, Tri County Illinois.
Amanda & Luke met on the Centennial trail (by Warmowski Photography).
The event reminds us Amanda & Luke’s wedding. They met while running on the recreational path at Centennial Park in Springfield, Illinois and we went out and photographed them on the trail before their reception at the Firefighters-Postal Club on Lake Springfield. Just one way our wedding photography can tell the story of your wedding day.
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.
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 carved her and Brett’s wedding rings on lucky crane origami.
Shiori’s family provides entertainment for wedding reception guests.
A western tradition with cake smashed into Brett’s beard.
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 Facebook. Studio 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.
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
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 online. Story 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 Facebook. Studio 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.
Ashley Wall models a dress in the Springfield Local Favorites Bridal Bash 2012 at Northfield Inn & Suites. (See below for more on Ashley)
As you plan your wedding, bridal shows are a great way to get ideas for planning. Our hometown bridal show the Jacksonville Main Street Bridal & Prom Expo will be Sunday January 20, 2013 at Hamilton’s 110 North East.
We have not made specific plans for which bridal shows we will take part in beyond Jacksonville’s. As a small boutique studio it’s always a question — we already meet our goal of photographing 25-30 weddings a year just through word of mouth from our happy brides. Adding a bridal expo (which could cost $1,000+ for a booth) is an expense we don’t want to pass on to our brides. Call/text Tiffany 217.473.5581 or contact us from our web site to schedule a consultation for your wedding photography. She has lots of suggestions for other vendors including venues, banquet facilities, wedding cakes, dress shops, bridal bouquets and flowers, wedding DJs, limousines & transportation, and more to help you in your wedding planning!
The wedding dress model above Ashley Wall is actually our bride from September, here’s what she wrote about us on our Facebook page . . .
I HIGHLY recommend Warmowski Photography!!! They were so wonderful to work with! I heard numerous times throughout our wedding night how awesome they thought our photographers were!!! Not to mention Tiffany not only took wonderful photos but kept me so calm and did some last minute sewing… Even called the dress store and had Steve pick up a button without me knowing!!! I cannot say enough about these two!! They were simply amazing!!!
Here’s a list of the 2013 Bridal Shows in Central Illinois (as complete as I’ve been able to find). Thanks to Girls In White Satin for doing the initial leg work! If you have additional information for me, message me or post on our Facebook page. Everything is listed by date, day of the week, city, description of the show and times (anything in italics is a guess based on the previous year). I’ll put in links when available, and will update this post as I get more information (post changes to our Facebook page or contact us from our web site). Included in this list are bridal show Springfield Illinois 2013, bridal show Quincy Illinois 2013 and more . . .
January 4-5 Friday-Saturday DecaturBridal Expo Annual Bridal Exposition at the Decatur Conference Center 5-9pm Friday (fashion show 7:30pm) 12-4pm Saturday (fashion show 2:30pm) tickets $3 in advance, $5 at the door 217-428-3481
January 6 Sunday ChampaignElegant Bridal Expo at the I Hotel & Conference Center 12-3pm tickets online
January 26 Saturday Quincy Y101 at The Ambiance 12-3pm free
January 27 Sunday Springfield Mid-West Family Broadcasting at the Prairie Capital Convention Center Everything Weddings Expo & Style Show 12-4pm (style show 3pm) $5 at the door
February 25 Saturday Quincy KHQA Bridal Show at the Oakley Lindsay Civic Center, 1-4 pm (fashion shows 3pm)
July 29 Sunday Collinsville Gateway Convention Center
TBA/October JacksonvilleGirls In White Satin Extravaganza, annual end-of-season sale with $199 wedding dresses, $99 mothers dresses, $59 maids dresses, $49 flower girl dresses, and more.
Hope this helps you. It’s so frustrating to find wedding expo information online. Many of the shows are put on by radio and TV stations and they don’t do much on the web! The knot.com lists a bunch of Chicago shows under downstate/St.Louis region, and other sites are hit and miss. Just like with wedding photography on your special day, we work to make things easy and stress free.
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.
The owner of State Street Bridal & Formal bridal shop in Jacksonville, Illinois is retiring, and is having a going-out-of-business sale with prices 50-75% off wedding dresses and other remaining items. Store is open for now, so you might be able to find close-out deals on items for your wedding. 523 W State St. Jacksonville, IL 62650 (217) 245-0300 (call to double check hours).
After checking out State Street’s remaining items, be sure to go to the other side of the Jacksonville downtown square to Girls in White Satin Bridal and Formal Wear, 300 E. State St. Jacksonville, IL 62650 (217) 245-5400. We are listed on the GIWS site for wedding photography. Worth a trip from Springfield, Quincy or other places to check out for sure!
Posted by Steve. 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. Great wedding photography for Springfield, Quincy, Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana and all over Central Illinois.
Another way we are wedding photographers that are a lot of fun — Warmowski Photography is one of the sponsors of Jacksonville Main Street’s Diamonds & Ice Masquerade Ball nextFriday 1/11/2013 at Hamilton’s 110 North East here in Jacksonville, Illinois. Tickets are $35 for a night of dancing, hors d’oeurvres and complimentary (2) drinks. Make the night extra fun and get a mask (in stock at Pier One) and a costume (with prizes for best costumes & masks) and/or dress up for the night (black tie optional).
Entertainment by Josh Jones, chorus member of the Chicago Lyric Opera, with dance accompaniment by Jessica Manker. Members of the Springfield Ballet Company will perform to “Burlesque” and “Somebody that I Used to Know.” Troy Armstrong will DJ the night – Facebook event page.
Posted by Steve. 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. Be sure to check out our neighbors Girls in White Satin Bridal & Formal Wear for formal wear for the occasion.
Congratulations to Margaret & Ken who were married Saturday at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago on Saturday. We spent the day with them and made some nice downtown Chicago wedding photography images.
We will have more photos on-line later, but wanted to share a quick image of them across from the Ritz-Carlton (Four Seasons Hotel) in the Seneca Playlot Park. It’s a little pocket park that has a beautiful paving brick walkway lined with trees that makes for a nice photo spot. Also took some photos along nearby Michigan Avenue, and of Water Tower Place.
We’ve been to this park before, during an engagement session for Jamie & Dave (later married at the Hotel Orrington in Evanston, Illinois, in a beautiful Jewish wedding ceremony and lavish reception in the grand ballroom.)
Posted by Steve. Warmowski Photography, husband-wife photojournalist team want to tell the story of your wedding day. Follow us on Facebook. Offering wedding photography in the Chicago area, downstate Illinois (Springfield, Quincy, Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington-Normal, Jacksonville), as well as St. Louis and beyond.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2012 Morgan County Fair Pageant! Lauren Ashleigh Martin was named Queen and December Ann Mitchell was named Princess. (Watch video slideshow of favorite photos from the night). Lauren Ashleigh Martin is the daughter of Brian and Marianne Martin of Jacksonville. December Ann Mitchell is the daughter of Chuck and Tiffany Mitchell of Jacksonville
2012 Morgan County Fair pageant winners Queen Lauren Ashleigh Martin and Princess December Ann Mitchell. by Warmowski Photography
Morgan County Fair 2012 Pageant winners, Queen contest
Lauren Ashleigh Martin was crowned Queen, won Best Speech
Sydne Jane Peck was named First Runner-up, named Miss Congeniality and also won Best Interview.
Queen Lauren Martin gave a speech on Forrest Gump’s “life is like a box of chocolates” saying she might not be 5 feet tall, but she’s full of surprises.
After the crowning, Queen Lauren Martin was mobbed by her dancers at Sara’s School of Dance.
Stage decorations and flowers were done by Ashley’s Petals & Angels. Lori Wankle also serves on the pageant committee.
And a note of congratulations and thanks for a great job to 2011 Queen Calla Kaufmann & 2011 Princess Madison Davis. They had a busy year and served Morgan County well.
Queen Lauren Ashleigh in swimsuit and evening gown.
Princess December Ann Mitchell in dress.
Princess contestants in swimsuits.
Queen contestants in swimsuits.
Princess contestants in dresses.
Queen contestants in evening gowns.
Posted by Steve. Warmowski Photography donated their services to the pageant committee, and awarded prizes to the winners. Tiffany & Steve Warmowski, top wedding and event photographers in Morgan County.Also offering senior portraits, family portraits & more. Studio (hours by appointment) at 301 E. Court St. Suite B, Jacksonville, IL 62650 – next door to Girls in White Satin, first floor of Hamilton’s 110 North East. We are members of Springfield Local Favorites, a group of the top wedding vendors in Central Illinois. Planning or anticipating a wedding? Get free tickets to the 5th annual Bridal Bash Sunday September 23rd in Springfield 2012.
Check back at coverage 2010 and the 2011 contests. Warmowski Photography is happy to also be a sponsor of the contest, and first place winners will get special photo cards.
2012 Morgan County Pageant winners gallery
Queen
Lauren Ashleigh Martin was crowned Queen, won Best Speech
Sydne Jane Peck was named First Runner-up, named Miss Congeniality
Kenzie Nicole Jones won Second Runner-up
Tara Anne Stremlau won the People’s Choice award
Princess
December Ann Mitchell was named Princess
Katelyn Mae Adams won First Runner-up.
Bella Collynn Evans won Second Runner-up
Mackenzie Marie Gerard won Best Stage Presence
Elle Noel VanNoy won Best Interview
Callie Ann Howerton won the People’s Choice award
Full list of competitors in the 2012 pageant . . .
Princess
Olivia Pricilla Cook, daughter of Jared and Patty Cook of Jacksonville.
Brooklyn Elizabeth Anders, daughter of Matt and Heidi Anders of Jacksonville.
Elle Noel VanNoy, daughter of Tim and Maghen Smith of Jacksonville.
Chaeli Addisyn Thomas, daughter of Chelsea Phillips and Nathan Thomas of Jacksonville.
Alaina Leigh Ford, daughter of Jason and Aleece Ford of Franklin.
Gerica Braelyn Gillis, daughter of Brad and Geri Gillis of Jacksonville.
Katelyn Mae Adams, daughter of Aaron and Amber Adams of Jacksonville.
Callie Ann Howerton, daughter of Mark and Jodi Anderson and Jake Howerton of Waverly.
Kayla Carolynn Brackett, daughter of Brandon and Jennifer Brackett of S. Jacksonville.
Mackenzie Gerard, daughter of Chad and Melissa Gerard of Jacksonville.
Macie Renee Rolf, daughter of Brian and Traci Rolf of Concord.
Bella Collynn Evans, daughter of Sean and Amy Evans of Jacksonville.
Amiah Jade Christison, daughter of Eric and Misty Christison of Alexander.
Elizabeth Louise Stremming, daughter of Thad and Melissa Stremming of Jacksonville.
December Ann Mitchell, daughter of Chuck and Tiffany Mitchell of Jacksonville.
Queen
Kenzie Nicole Jones, daughter of Richard and Meri Jones of Jacksonville.
Haliegh Lauren Fredericks, daughter of Tammy Kemp and Jeffrey Fredericks of Jacksonville.
Sydne Jane Peck, daughter of Richard Peck and Kim Peck of Jacksonville.
Darcy Allison Arendt, daughter of Doug and Dee Arendt of Chapin.
Katie Lee Knox, daughter of Scott and Paula Knox of Murrayville.
Tara Anne Stremlau, daughter of Mike and Janine Hankins and Andy Stremlau of Jacksonville.
Lauren Ashleigh Martin, daughter of Brian and Marianne Martin of Jacksonville.
