Summer Succulent Wedding | The Homestead Talulla Illinois | Nicole & Alex

A little fun fact … I have not photographed a August wedding for a few years now. However, 2019 is a different story, and Nicole & Alex’s big day was the best way to celebrate the last month of summer weddings!!
Not only was this day the first of August weddings in a while it was also the first wedding back after having a month off to spend with my little man. So the Friday before was like Christmas eve and I could not wait to get the day started, which is why Cheyanne and I were at The Homestead WAY earlier than usual. I am so glad that were though because I was able to take extra time to scope things out finding the perfect spots for portraits.

I was also able to spend some time with the wonderful team from Simply Detailed Wedding and Event Planning who so graciously stepped into the role of coordinating at the last minute when unfortunately the first planner went MIA on the bride & groom. These ladies did such an awesome job setting up the beautiful decor and made sure the day was that more enjoyable for not only the couple, but for all of us vendors – for that I am so thankful!!

As things are coming together and the day gets started my favorite quote of the day came from the bride herself “As long as I walk out of with carrot cake and a husband, I will be happy!” With the help of Three Twigs Bakery who created such an amazing desert table, we made sure the bride got her wish!!

It was a hot August day, but that didn’t keep these two from snuggling up and loving on each other during portrait time. Plus the wedding party hung in there and made this time of the day so much fun. You could really tell they all loved the bride and groom so much and just wanted to celebrate their love story in whatever way we asked of them.
The Homestead was the perfect setting for a romantic outdoor ceremony where the bride and groom exchanged self-written vows that made us all cry AND laugh, but mostly laugh – which is the most beautiful in my opinion. They shared their love story of how they met in college, all the times they have traveled, getting through being long distant for while, and how after living in 5 different apartments, and six years together we were finally here on the day they became husband and wife. Oh, and they have been to 47 different coffee shops together, that’s love!!

A night of good eating and dancing was a head of us and while their guests continued to party, we snuck out for some yummy sunset photos. Man, oh man am I SO glad that we did. I literally could not contain myself during this portrait time of the evening. I was actually drooling over every image on the back of my camera. I realized though it wasn’t just the lighting, it was the love that was captured between the new Mr. and Mrs. Scalise.

Nicole & Alex, a BIG congrats to you both. I know your life will be filled with so many happy years made of love & joy!! Thank you for letting me be a part of this chapter of your love story. CHEERS!!