Alison & Devon | Aerie's Winery Grafton, IL Romantic Outdoor Summer Wedding Photographer

Alison and Devon are two very special people. These two lived mere miles from each other, their families connect all the way back to their grandfathers, they went to the same high school followed by the same college, but it wasn’t until moving back home from school that fate finally crossed their paths. I cannot think of two more perfect people to meet and fall in love. Alison is so kind, smart and charismatic and Devon is her hilarious and personable other half. Their wedding day was one that I had looked forward to for a long time, and ended up being one of my favorites of the whole year!

We had a gorgeous backdrop all day starting at the villas the bride and groom got ready in. They were perfect for their entire bridal party and families and not to mention, great light! I loved all the moments in the morning with Alison including her reading her sweet letter from Devon and the necklace he has replicated from her grandmother’s. It was so special to photograph Alison’s mom and sister zipping her into her beautiful lace dress before sharing a first look with her dad. Alison was very tearful throughout the morning between nervous and happiness, but she handled it with so much grace!

We then travelled to Pere Marquette State Park where Devon finally got to see his bride for the first time. He could barely contain his emotions as Alison walked up to him and she was equally emotional. I loved photographing their first look as they proved even more how perfect they are together! After their nerves melted away, we invited their bridal party to join us for some fun photos with their friends! Alison’s bridesmaids had gorgeous mint green dresses while the guys rocked navy suits making the perfect summer color palette.

Finally, it was time for Alison and Devon to officially say “I do”. Alison’s sister-in-law officiated the sweetest little ceremony. She read marriage advice she gathered from their parents and grandparents and advised them as their exchanged rings. Devon dipped his new wife to begin their marriage and they raced down the alter as the new Mr. and Mrs. Loftus!

Not only was their reception decorated to the nines, Alison and Devon threw one hell of a party! I knew these two loved to celebrate but they took it one step further by getting straight to the dancefloor after dinner! One of my favorite parts of the evening where the massive head cutouts of Alison and Devon that arrived on the dancefloor thanks to families. This made for hilarious selfies and endless laughs! We had absolutely beautiful weather all day and I could not be happier for Alison and Devon to start their new lives together. Congratulations to my friends, the newlyweds!