Because Kimmy + Nick live in Belleville, we didn’t have a chance to meet before their actual wedding day. All I knew was that Kimmy loved my work, seemed sweet through emails, and that her and Nick were getting married on a farm near St. Louis. So when their wedding day came last weekend – I packed up the car with my second shooter and drove nearly 5 hours down to Collinsville, IL and hoped for the best. Of course, I had the timeline all planned out and the details figured out in my head – but never could I have dreamed what was in store for me that day.

First of all the bride and groom… meeting Kimmy and Nick was like reuniting with old friends. They’re both down to earth, kind, and beautiful people inside and out. They met at Eastern Illinois, where Nick played football and Kimmy was an athletic trainer. From the first day that Kimmy walked into that athletic training room and Nick laid eyes on her… he wasn’t the same, and for some reason kept suffering minor injuries that required attention from the trainers… primarily Kimmy 🙂

Then come the details of the day… ohhhhh the details that made me swoon. The cowboy boots. The mason jars. The baby’s breath. The paper hearts strung throughout the barn with Christmas lights. The vintage china that Kimmy spent months gathering from different Goodwills. The rustic ladders Kimmy found in an abandoned warehouse and used to build a frame around their sweetheart table. The farm animals. Yes, I said it… the farm animals. The wedding was on a farm, complete with goats, pigs, rabbits, sheep, and chickens. Not to mention the animal masks that came out later during the reception… but I’ll let the photos speak for that one.

Aside from the decor and perfectly planned details… Kimmy + Nick and their wedding party were the best. And I mean the best  in a way that they talked to me and my second shooter like we were their friends. Like we went way back. They day was already a photographer’s dream come true, but to add amazing people into the mix made it such a wonderful experience and completely worth every single minute of the 5 hour drive through the very flat, boring state of Illinois. Kimmy + Nick, congratulations to you both. Thank you for letting me tell the story of your wedding day. I had so much fun not only photographing your wedding, but just being there to celebrate with your friends and family! Wishing you all the best…

VENDOR CREDITS // Wedding Dress Designer: Clarice’s Bridal // Tuxedo Designer: Jeremiah Mapes, Dillard’s // Wedding Coordinator: Heather Hayden, Wedding Rental on a Budget // Videographer: Glenn Smith // Florist: The Flower Basket // Cake: Patty Cakes // DJ: Glenn Smith // Ceremony & Reception Venue: Willoughby Farm // Caterer: Kenrick’s // Photo booth: Glenn Smith