I first met Emily in 2016 when she designed the wedding invitations for one of my brides (Neal and Nicole), and later we collaborated on a styled shoot together. I've loved her stationary work for years - she creates beautiful wedding invitations and wedding gifts for brides. So I was super excited when she contacted me to photograph her wedding to Andy at Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center! I LOVE Emily, and I absolutely loved every single part of her wedding day. She is one of the kindest brides, and every single guest at her wedding was SUPER NICE and so sweet to us photographers. (It's rare when every single guest we run into is this nice!)
Andy and Emily first met on Tinder, the dating app. By the third date, Emily knew that Andy was the guy. She felt comfortable around him. He made her laugh, and it felt like they could talk for hours and hours. The couple bonded over pizza, beer, and tales of growing up. Throughout the years they've spent together, they've gone on multiple memorable vacations, including many at our country's national parks. In fact, they have made it a goal to visit all the National Parks. Andy actually proposed to Emily on the steps of the church where they got married with her engagement ring and the National Parks passport book. How sweet is that!
They were married at St. Mary's Catholic Church near Jerseyville, Illinois with a reception at the Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center. This was a wedding I'll never forget. We captured portraits at the one-room schoolhouse next to the church where her dad went to school as a kid - seriously, so cool! (Gave me Anne of Green Gables vibes! Maybe he was someone's Gilbert.) Emily's parents were married at St. Mary's 50 years before, and her grandparents were married there too. Such sweet memories in one place. Emily had her grandmother's pendant and rosary wrapped around her bouquet too. Later, the entire wedding party headed over to her parents farm for portraits, and Emily, Andy, and I walked through the woods on the farm for bride and groom photos. It was such a pretty setting for romantic portraits! They're definitely one of my favorites this fall!
During the reception at Pere Marquette Lodge in Grafton, Illinois, one of my favorite moments was the father and daughter dance. As the youngest, Emily is the last child to get married, and at the end of their dance, Emily and all her sisters and their children danced with her father. He was not an emotional man, but he sure cried during this emotional and sweet moment!
Enjoy these beautiful photos of their wedding day!
Vendors:
Ceremony Venue: St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Reception Venue: Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center
Photographer: Zoe Life Photography
DJ: Brian Hutchinson
Event Designer: Emily Heitzig, Catherine Heitzig and Linda Heitzig
Hair Stylist: Laurie Ervin and Jordan Darr
Make-Up Artist: Hannah Hutchinson and Alexis Fraser
Florist: Petaled Pail
Caterer: Pere Marquette Lodge
Cake and Desserts: Dessert Table designed by Linda Heitzig
Desserts provided by loving family and friends
Wedding Stationary/Invitations: Emily Heitzig (Emily Frances Designs)
Dress Designer: Madison James
Dress Shop: Clarice’s Bridal
Bridesmaids Dress Designer: Show Me Your Mumu
Groom and Groomsmen Attire Designer: Caravelli Suits
Groomsmen Shop: Suits4Men
Shoes Designer: I.N.C.
Wedding Favors: Succulents from JIMZ and Koozies made by Emily Heitzig (Emily Frances Designs)
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