Illinois Winery Wedding From Jeffrey and Julia Woods
When Jeffrey and Julia Woods send us a wedding, we know it’s going to be brimming with beauty and emotion! Today is no exception.
Ryan and Anna met in shop class during high school …
… the rest was destiny …
from Anna …
We met in high school, during shop class! I was the senior girl who wanted to learn something different (or take an easy class…) and Ryan was a junior taking a class with the rest of his buddies. Being the only girl in the class, I got a lot of attention … mainly from Ryan. We dated for a few months, but thought we were better as friends. We remained close friends throughout high school and college, always there for each other, whether with a problem or just for support and encouragement.
I started my own photography studio in the summer of 2004. Ryan was there to support me in my adventure {unforgettable photography by anna}. Our friendship soon blossomed into a serious relationship. On a Monday evening in September 2007, Ryan came home from guitar lessons, woke me up from a nap and asked me to take our dog out. To my great surprise, an engagement ring was attached to the leash!
Since my work schedule was booked solid for the following year, we planned for a May 2009 wedding! So many people thought we were crazy for waiting over a year and a half …
In December of the same year, we found out we were expecting!!!
On August 4, 2008, I gave birth to our daughter, Madeline. Good thing we planned for a long engagement!!! Crazy how that worked out… Ryan walked Madeline down the aisle the day of our wedding.
For us, we know that we not only have a partner for life, but a best friend. I think deep down, even when we were not an “item”, we always saw ourselves together forever!
What a terrific story!
* * *
I totally intended to talk about the different styles of photography through the years … vintage effects in particular. I even started researching the subject to be able to speak to the topic more intellectually. Then, I simply became mesmerized by Anna’s story … and the Woods’ images, in all their glorious beauty, and decided to let the photos speak for themselves. No matter the style, Jeffrey and Julia are quite literally the experts of the experts!
Thanks to Jeffrey and Julia Woods, this lovely family can now remember their wedding day forever and ever … amen!
A few more details from the day … their wedding took place at Hidden Lake Winery in Illinois … just east of St. Louis in rural Aviston. Wedding vendors included Ahner Florist, Weck Events & Weddings, Switzer Film, and Bella Vita Salon.
After looking at Anna, Ryan and Madeline’s wedding day, you should have no doubt. Jeffrey and Julia Woods are … well … just amazing artists!
You are so right, this photography is to die for - of course it helps to have gorgeous subjects!! How cute is their little girl. I love the shade of the bridesmaids dresses too....just that little bit different from a regular soft pink.
Hi
Love the earings where are they from
Thanks
x
yes i would love to know where the earrings are from - thank you
What a beautiful wedding, where are the bridesmaids' dresses from?
LOVE the picture with baby Madeline in the foreground
Wow, what a lovely story! Her daughter is adorable and no doubt will be beautiful like her mother.
what beautiful pictures!!! i love these! i especially love the ones w the bride and her father! those moments are priceless! congratulations!
The picture with their daughter in the foreground and the wedding party in the background is so adorable! What a neat story to go along with a lovely set of photographs!
Jamie you are so right. When we did the those images of Anna and her father that was a powerful moment. The dad held on strong until the first dance then he let that emotion come out. This is why we love doing what we do, capturing those emotions. We love being the silent witness in the corner with a camera in hand. If I could add one more thing. Ryan and Anna are troopers. The series of images in the wild flower field was near a pig farm (Julia spotted the field on the drive into the winery). The field was somewhat wet due to rain the day before and it was not a pretty smell. Anna and Ryan were more than happy to go to that spot. They wore tennis shoes during this part of the shot. Tell you how good of a man Ryan is he never complained ONE TIME! "anything for Anna" is what he said. As for Julia, myself and the guys from Switzer film. Let just say we did not smell real good the rest of the day, but those images was worth it!
Absolutely stunning! I smiled while looking at all of these photos :)
The emotions captured by the photography have melted my heart! Breath taking!
Well, now...little Madeline is quite the scene-stealer! What a cutie-pie - you just want to reach in and hug her! :)
I love the Father/Daughter pictures...so very touching. Those shots are "priceless"....
Many warm wishes to the lovely family for a long happy future :)
Love the earrings! Where are they from? Thanks!!
YES give us info on the earrings!!! Awesome Bridesmaid dresses, so stunning for pink!
And the photos with dad.. Very touching!
hey eveyone,
Thanks for the comments. We are absolutely thrilled with the wedding images. Jeff and Julia, as well as the other vendors, did an amazing job putting our "vision" to life!
My earings came from Dillards, they were about $80 (sorry but i'll have to look up the desinger)
The bridesmaids dress were Jim Hjelms, colors were vintage rose and spice. We bought them from a dress store near us, but i wouldn't recommend them...we were not happy in the end (not the best customer service!) but Jim Hjelms dresses can be found in alot of stores.
I am so very happy that Anna as well as Jeff & Julia Woods are getting the recognition they so deserve. Anna is one of my BEST friends and I was one of the bridesmaids. Please know that this wedding didn't come easy. Anna poured her entire heart and sole into making each and every detail just perfect. She also did all of this while either pregnant or with a newborn baby at home. She juggled her photography business as well as being a new mother...and she did it all so very well and with a smile on her face (well at least most of the time). Anna was the most beautiful bride I have ever seen (and that is saying a lot b/c I thought I looked pretty fantastic myself) and it was the most amazing wedding I have ever been to. Everywhere you looked, you could see Anna's personal touch. She was an amazing bride and now her and Ryan are an amazing couple and I'm honored to call them my friends! Congrats guys!
P.S. - I have seen these pictures a hundred times already and I still get a little emotional each time I look at them. They are just breathtaking.
Ugh - after tearing up twice while looking at the photos of Anna & her dad, I'm stunned. SO emotional! I'd love to know where the aisle monogram came from and what it was made out of. Was it hard to walk over? Beautiful wedding!
Simply gorgeous. Everything about it is amazing. I specifically love those bridesmaids dresses!
These pictures once again floored me! I just love each and every one, but of course my favs are the ones with little Maddy in them. Jeff & Julia, you guys did an amazing job and I know Anna is absolutely thrilled with your work. You were both a lot of fun to be with the day of the wedding too. I wish we could relive the day because it was so fun - didn't feel so great the next day though :) :) Congrats to Anna & Ryan again! Love you guys!
P.S. I loved the thank you cards!
our monogram was made by the florist...i think she may have just drew is it out on a piece of foamcore and somehow (i think with spray adhesive) used vintage white rose petals on the inside and moss on the edges to finish it off.
it was raised a bit from the ground, but it wasn't hard to walk over. we told our family and attendents to be a bit careful, but walk right over it.
it worked out nicely.
oh, and we also had the main aisle blocked off from guest. we had the ushers seat them from the outside of the chairs, that way the monogram didn't get messed up before we walked down, and everyone it as they walked up to the lakeside patio...
With tears in my eyes, I'm proud to say I was one of Anna's maid of honors, along with my twin sister. Anna and Ryan are happiness meant to be and these pictures show it. They are just beautiful! Anna, I've said it many times, we are so proud of you, you have worked hard and it shows. This is recognition well deserved. And Miss Maddy couldn't have hammed it up better, of course. I'm so excited for you three!
This is beautiful. Thanks!
I LOVE the images of the Bride and her Father.So beautiful and moving.Wonderfully captured. A lovely wedding story that reminds us that DESTINY is not always apparent....at first... :)Congratulations to this beautiful family!
An absolutely gorgeous wedding filled with emotion and love. The bridesmaids dresses are especially beautiful, along with the stunning bride. Congrats on a beautiful wedding and what seems to be a life filled with love.
How Exciting! The images from Jeffrey and Julia truly captured the day. Indeed, Anna did a fantastic job with every detail. Everthing was "picture perfect"!
WOW ! And I thought your Thank You's couldn't be topped !
Beautiful and breath- taking !
What an honor to have your photos chosen for this blog! The pics are beautiful, no doubt. But they cannot compare with the beauty we saw first hand. Anna and Ryan, the wedding was beyond gorgeous. Julia and Jeffrey, thank you for your exceptional work in capturing this beautiful day.
What a beautiful story... and even more beautiful family! :)
All of the pictures are beautiful but I guess the ones of my brother with his "little girl" say it all. I guess the saying of a picture is worth a thousand words is true . I have never seen a picture that captured the love that Dale has for Anna until these were taken.
I love looking at all of the weddings on this site, but none of them have made me cry, until now. The emotion captured in these shots is breathtaking
I love the hair!!! So pretty!
Absolutely gorgeous!!! Very well done. You can tell it was all done with love! Congratulations to the happy couple and little Madeline.
This is so gorgeous. Also hits close to home for me. In August of 2008 my Fiance proposed to me.... We planned a long engagement and set a date of 11/28/09. In November 2008 we found out we were expecting and I am a few days away of giving birth to a beautiful baby girl!
Congratulations & Good Luck to the happy family. We love all the photos...a job well done. We very much appreciated the "THANK YOU" with all the photos. My hobby is taking pictures, so they will be treasured by us. Yours was a beautiful wedding...a day we will always remember.
Anna and Ryan,
These photos are amazing.. it was an awesome day and these really capture the moments. You are a wonderful coulpe and we love you very much. Madeline is precious!! Love to all.