Rossville Wedding from Wright Photographs

Dawn Strong
July 24, 2013
Categories: Casual, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance

We’ve seen it time and time again: when an entire family combines talents to create some wedding magic, it’s a downright amazing thing. Especially when you are this fabulous family, a group of pom pom makin’, paper goods craftin’ lovelies who really know a thing or two about delivering the pretty. From the sweet homemade favors to the vintage meets eclectic decor to the devastatingly gorgeous images captured by the bride’s sister and brother-in-law (the crazy cool Wright Photographs), it’s a day that will most definitely go down in SMP history. See for yourself in the full gallery.

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Casual Classic Weddings

From the Bride… Our whirlwind courtship was followed by a long engagement; but after two and a half years our day was finally here. As it turned out, my family and I needed every minute of that time to plan the wedding of our dreams. Drew and I are blessed to be members of families who are very close and firmly rooted in love. We knew from the beginning that our families would be very involved. Our first task was booking the church. This particular church was chosen for a very special reason, Mann’s Chapel, built in 1857, is a beautiful one room church in the country near Rossville, IL. My parents were married at Mann’s Chapel nearly thirty years before and my sister, Kelsey and her husband, Blaine, followed 24 years later, with me as her maid of honor.

The next decision was an easy one as well. Ironically, I had known my photographer my entire life. My photographer, my confidante, my role model, my best friend, my sister… Kelsey. Kelsey Wright and her husband, Blaine, owners of Wright Photographs, are a creative and vibrant young couple who happen to be very much in love. I knew they would capture the love that Drew and I have for each other in a very intimate and personal way and that Kelsey’s love for me would also spill into the photos. The problem was that I not only wanted Wright Photographs to capture my wedding day but I also couldn’t imagine our day without my sister by my side as my matron of honor. We would later find out that my sister would be six months pregnant at the time of our wedding. I was worried Kelsey would be overwhelmed with all of her duties but she readily accepted the challenge of playing both roles.

My mom, sisters, and I set about scouring garage sales, estate sales, flea markets, and family members’ garages for the items I planned to use to decorate the church and reception venue. The mason jars were as close as our basement. My mom raises a large garden and loves to can the fruits and vegetables she raises each year. The band for the reception was booked early as well. Kelsey and Blaine has discovered a band at a wedding they shot in Indianapolis and thought they would be the perfect choice for my reception. Endless Summer Band is amazing! With non stop energy and music that appeals to all ages they kept everyone on their feet. It’s impossible to have anything but fun with this band in the house.

My family and Drew joined in to help with decoration making. We made all sizes of tissue paper poms, pinwheels, signs, and tags. My mom put in late nights making over 1,800 yarn poms to throw as we exited the church. My grandma and her two sisters even helped with that project! Our favors were a labor of love as my mom made over 100 jars of homemade jams and jellies. So, after the last yarn pom was wound, the last pinwheel tied, and no detail left unnoticed or unplanned, surrounded by our family and friends, we walked down the aisle and celebrated our love for one another. And it was perfect!

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