Aurora and Christians Summer Wedding at The Campground House in Carlinville, Illinois.
Getting ready shots
Before the I Do
Aurora and Christian chose to wait until the ceremony to see each other for the first time, but they still wanted to share a private moment beforehand. Instead of a first look they did a first touch. Standing back to back, hand in hand, taking a quiet moment to breathe, pray, and feel the excitement of what was to come. Behind The Campground House, there’s a beautiful area strung with string lights and chandeliers hanging from the trees, creating the perfect backdrop for their intimate exchange. It was peaceful, heartfelt, and the perfect way to begin their day together before all of their guests arrived.
The Florals
Aurora’s vision came to life through the talented hands of @bellbookandbrass, a Mount Olive based florist. The floral palette of creams, whites, and sunflower yellow created the perfect balance of warmth and elegance. Each bridesmaid carried a single-flower bouquet inspired by Aurora’s arrangement, and the pocket square boutonnieres added a modern, playful twist (and super easy for the guys to put on too!!)
The Ceremony
I think the photos truly speak for themselves. Every emotion of the day unfolded so naturally, from the pure awe and tears on Christian’s face as he saw Aurora walking down the aisle, to the laughter and smiles during their root beer float unity. There were tears of joy from their wedding party and family, moments of deep worship where the presence of Jesus shined through them, and the sweetest celebration as they shared their first kiss and were introduced for the very first time as Mr. and Mrs. Bowler. It was a day overflowing with love, laughter, and faith, and every image tells a piece of that beautiful story.
Wedding Party Photos
It’s so important to set aside time for full wedding party photos. These are the people you’ve chosen to stand by your side on one of the most meaningful days of your life, and capturing those relationships matters so much. I always love getting a mix of the bride with her girls, the groom with his guys, and of course, everyone together. My approach is to start with a few timeless, formal shots and then end with fun, candid moments that show everyone’s personalities. Those authentic, silly interactions are often the photos my couples love most.
The Bride and Groom
There’s nothing I love more than running around and capturing the sweetest photos with my bride and groom on their wedding day. Along with the couple portraits, I always make sure to get a few solo shots, they’re such a must have for showcasing each person’s personality and style. The Campground House offered the most stunning backdrops, from the peaceful lake just outside the venue to the docks where Aurora and Christian shared some photos with the venue glowing in the background.
The Reception
Photographing Aurora and Christian’s summer wedding at The Campground House in Carlinville, IL was such an honor. Their day was full of joy, laughter, and the kind of moments that remind me why I love being a Illinois wedding photographer.
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer who captures natural, heartfelt, and timeless moments, I’d love to connect.
