I met Brandi and Brandon at the Blumen Gardens Bridal Bash clear back in 2023. It was my first time at the Bridal Bash, and I was nervous, and didn’t really know what I was doing. I was just doing my best, trying to talk to people and hoping that they would like me enough to want me to photograph their wedding. My hope was that couples going to the bridal bash were getting married at Blumen Gardens, because I REALLY wanted to photograph a wedding at Blumen Gardens.

I had this list, you see. In. 2020, when photography was listed as a non essential and I didn’t think my business would survive, I had to come up with a different way to measure success. So I had made this list of somewhat silly goals for my business. But I thought that if I was able to hit these goals it would mean that I was talking to the “right people”. Couples that were excited to work with me because they liked me. And one of those goals was to photograph a wedding at Blumen Gardens in Sycamore. Why Blumen Gardens? Because long ago they used to build steam engines there.

I get it, I know it is weird. But how many people’s hobbies can intersect with their jobs like that? How many former steam engine factories are now wedding venues? (As well as one of the coolest boutique stores around! Really you should check it out if you’ve never been.) How many steam enthusiasts are wedding photographers? (I haven’t met another one yet, although I suppose there could be another one out there!)

Anyway, back to Brandi and Brandon. I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t specifically remember meeting them at the Bridal Bash. But Brandi and I formed a really amazing connection because Brandi immediately followed me on social media, and I followed her back. Over the last few years I feel like I really got to know her and Brandon just through small, nearly every day sightings on Instagram.

So if you’re a future bride, and you are trying to learn something from this somewhat rambling blog post, learn this. Follow your vendors! I love following my clients. It allows me a small window into your everyday life, and I can use that little window into who you are to help me create the perfect memories for you, whether that is for your wedding, or for family photos.

Wedding Details:

Venue: Blumen Gardens in Sycamore, IL.
HMUA: Tamara Makeup and Hair Artistry
Florals: Willrett Flower Company
Bridesmaids Dresses: Baltic Born
Bride’s Gown: Savy’s Chic Bridal Boutique
Groom and Groomsmen Suits: Mens Warehouse
DJ: Pete’s My DJ

Brandi and Brandon went with 8 hours of photography coverage and a second shooter for their wedding day.

What I loved about their day

This ended up being my very first wedding at Blumen Gardens, and let me tell ya, it did not disappoint. (If you saw my stories from that night after I got in my car to go home from this wedding, I was literally crying happy tears.) I know it is cliche to say, but Brandi and Brandon had a MAGICAL day. I loved getting to work with the team at Blumen Gardens. I’d also like to give a special shout out to the wonderful ladies from Willrett Flower Company for thinking of me (and any other photographer) by setting aside my own special little box of florals to use in the detail photos. Also, get a really good look at the bouquet. It is STUNNING. The draping, bleached amaranth was soooo beautiful.

This is also going to go down in history as one of the best first looks I’ve ever photographed. Brandon’s reaction to seeing Brandi was the stuff photographer dreams are made of. They were both nervous before that first look, but the second they saw each other all that love and excitement just came pouring out. Because they chose to go with a first look, rather than seeing each other for the first time at the aisle, I was able to very carefully arrange everything so that I could really capture all of that emotion, and now they can look back at that moment anytime they want. I’m good at my job, but wedding aisles are crowded, there are a lot of people, and I don’t know if I could have really captured everything that this moment was if we had tried to do it in a more “traditional” manner.

Another details that I truly just loved for their wedding was the Vans that Brandi’s new sister in law customized for her. She hand placed each pearl on the shoes, and then used some blue thread to put a “W” on each shoe. So simple, and yet so elegant. A gift filled with love.

You’ll also want to be sure to check out that full Wedding Party photo. This crew took my prompts and RAN with them, and those have to be some of my fave wedding party shots to date.