Magical Forest Wedding | Northwoods Midwest Wedding

This wedding was a breath of fresh air.

Emily and Jon first contacted me in late 2019 just after getting engaged on a Chicago rooftop. I could instantly tell they were the sweetest, most kindhearted couple I had ever had the pleasure of knowing. Jon had planned a very sneaky surprise proposal to happen in October of 2019, and the two had planned their entire wedding to happen less than a year later! During a pandemic!! Talk about being on top of it.

PS – peek over here at their fun and candid engagement session. These two were full of nonstop laughter the entire time!

Throughout the pandemic, Emily and I kept in close touch as the two figured out how they would hold their wedding. Would they elope with just family? Would they cut down their guest list? Would they postpone? We talked about all of it! In the end, they reduced their guest list down to about 75 people to comply with CDC guidelines, and they kept their original date. Their venue, the Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve, rearranged the ceremony and reception areas to allow for a little more space between guests. They had a wonderfully physically distant reception that included rounds of Kahoot, a few fun dances, and some of the most fun and eclectic dishes I’ve ever seen at a wedding!

I’m so grateful I was able to still be there for these two and to witness their love story unfold. It can only go up from here, and I’m so excited to see where life takes them!

Even though I’m a Las Vegas wedding photographer, I’ll gladly hop on a plane for any couple who has a story like theirs! Plus, you throw in those dreamy Midwestern sunsets like they got during their portraits? I’m sold.

Photography: Amber Garrett Photography
Venue: Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve
Florals: Twig & Vines
Hair and Makeup: Ahava Salon
Videography: Isaac Quinones
Jewelry: Brilliant Earth + Avenue Jewelers
Dress: Veiled in Elegance
Suit: The Black Tux
Cake: Manderfield's Bakery
Catering: Heirloom Kitchen Company
Rentals: 88Events