ERIN + BRANDON

At a school so small that you see pretty much everyone you know every day, Brandon and Erin met. He had been begging her to go on a date with him and she didn’t want to go anywhere fancy, so they settled for Steak and Shake. It happened to be around Christmas time, so Brandon brought Erin about 3-4 gifts for her to open. She felt bad because she had nothing for him! He’s been surprising and spoiling her ever since!

Several years later right around the same time as that first date, the two decided to celebrate Christmas a couple days early. She had told him that she wanted a promise ring for Christmas so when they opened gifts, she opened just that. She didn’t mention it of course, but she didn’t think the ring was very pretty. After they finished opening gifts from each other, they went out to dinner. The entire time they were at dinner she wanted to send a picture of her promise ring to her parents and friends, but Brandon asked her not to. She could not understand why he wanted to keep it a secret, but she blew it off and waited to share it.

After dinner, Brandon wanted to walk into the center of the square in downtown Carlinville IL while it was decorated for Christmas, and check out the gazebo. Once they were in the gazebo, he asked her to take a selfie and while she was digging out her phone and getting it ready, Brandon got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. He quickly wanted the
promise ring back to trade for the real ring he’d purchased! That ring he didn’t mind her sending photos of to all of her friends and family.

Before they got married she wanted to have a degree and have as much life in order as possible, so almost 3.5 years after getting engaged the two said “I do” on June 8th, 2019. They promised forever in a small chapel on the Blackburn college campus where Erin had just graduated a couple weeks earlier and they danced the night away in their hometown where they first met all those years ago. It was the perfect way to celebrate the beginning of their forever.

Enjoy a sneak peek at Erin and Brandon’s wedding day.

brides heels and jewelry on black Steinway piano.
bridal bouquet sits in window sill
brides dress handing on custom wood hanger, brides dress hanging with bridesmaids dresses.
mother buttons wedding dress and helps bride get dressed. Bride puts in earrings.

Erin and her mom are so close, and their relationship is so thoughtful and sweet.

Mother of the bride hugs bride from behind as they smile and look at camera
best man helps groom put on tie as he gets ready for wedding day.

Erin you are such a beauty!

bride with long veil and bouquet smiling at camera

Brandon is just about the kindest, most respectful man you could ever meet. We could not be more impressed with these two!

Groom in khaki tux with pink flower standing under willow tree and smiling at camera
First look between bride and groom at Blackburn College campus in Illinois
Bride smiling at groom with hand touching his face

We had a blast with Erin and Brandon’s wedding party!! Since they had a perfectly sized group (4 one each side is THE magic number for all you future brides and grooms! It looks the best in photos, and is a manageable number of people that creates such a close, intimate dynamic) it was easy to take our time and create a ton of shots with them – all while laughing at their antics. (OK mostly the groomsmen’s antics lol)

bride and groom with wedding party under tall oak trees with green leaves and green grass at Macoupin County Historical society grounds
Wedding party arranged creatively posed at old print shop at Macoupin County historical society
Bride with bridesmaids smiling at camera at the olde print shop at Macoupin County Historical Society

If you were a boy band, and you had an album called the print shop, this is what your album cover would look like.

Groomsmen arranged in masculine pose not smiling at old print shop on Macoupin County Historical society
Bride and groom with wedding party posed with old vintage firetruck at Macoupin County Historical Society

I LOVE that half the girls did a floral print dress! This was the perfect late spring/early summer look!

Bride with 4 bridesmaids laughing with one another. Coral bridesmaid dresses, floral pattern bridesmaids dresses
Bride smiles at camera from a far distance

These two together are such magic. It’s like watching a movie. The way they look at one another and he makes her laugh so sweetly. They truly are the real deal. <3

Happy Bride and Groom with foreheads touching, underneath a willow tree at Anderson mansion in Carlinville IL
Bride and groom looking at each other under willow tree at Macoupin County Historical Society
Bride sitting on swing and smiling at camera at Blackburn College in Carlinville IL
Groom leans over to kiss bride as he pushes her on swing hanging from a tree on Blackburn College Campus in Carlinville IL
Bride and Groom standing in wildflower patch kissing.

After we had time with the bride and groom and their wedding party the two said I do at the Clegg Chapel on Blackburn College campus in Carlinville IL. We LOVE weddings at Clegg Chapel – seriously the prettiest place to get married!

ceremony details, program and wreath on door with flowers at Clegg Chapel on Blackburn College campus
kids walking down aisle during wedding ceremony with wooden sign that says "all because two people fell in love"
black and white photo from behind of mother and father escort bride down the aisle
bride escorted down the aisle by her mother and father
Groom smiling at bride as she walks down the aisle with her mother and father on each side
Panoramic photo of wedding Ceremony at Clegg Chapel on Blackburn College Campus
ring exchange at Clegg Chapel on Blackburn College Campus
First kiss on alter at Clegg Chapel at Blackburn College, and walking down aisle as husband and wife
MARRIED!
Wedding party with kids standing and Bride and groom standing with ring bearers and flower girl on Macoupin County Courthouse steps.

People always want kids to act perfectly for photos, but the very best moments are the ones where they are just being kids. Love when kids personalities can shine!

2 ring bearers and flower girl with floral crown being silly sitting on Macoupin County Courthouse steps.
bride and groom smiling at camera while sitting on Macoupin County Courthouse steps
Bride and groom kissing from high, backwards angle
bride smiling on Macoupin County courthouse steps
Groom in black and white smiling at the camera leaned against an old barn.
Bride smiling at camera and bride with veil softly over face.

Erin and Brandon transformed the Bates Building – where the Macoupin County Fair is held – into a dream.

reception details at Bates Building in Carlinville IL including vintage doors, wood boxes, metal, embroidery hoops, peonies, roses, poppies

I don’t know what is up with the “dessert bar” thing this year, but ya’ll are killing it. (And killing my waistline) Mini cheesecakes? Mini peach cobblers? Brownies? Oh please don’t let this trend end!!!

dessert bar with mini coconut creme pies, peach cobbler, brownies, cookies, and cheesecakes
mother of the bride toasts bride and groom

The way he looks at her. I cannot even handle it.

Bride and Groom first dance under white lights at Bates Building in Carlinville IL

Oh sure – there’s always still room for cake! <3

wedding cake with monogram cake topper under vintage trellis
bride and groom kiss after cutting the wedding cake
father daughter dance and mother son dance at reception by tensixteen photography
creative still life image of wedding rings by tensixteen photography

More from the bride and groom…

Most memorable moment of the day: Our first look. It was so great because it was just the two of us. We were able to enjoy a calm moment by ourselves before the craziness began! Brandon wasn’t so excited about the first look, he’s way too traditional (lol), but he was glad we did it! It was much better to do it by ourselves rather than in front of 300 people!

Advice for future bride/grooms: Be in the moment, enjoy the day! There is so much stress and worry leading up to the big day, but try not to think about all of the things that could go wrong, and rather think about all the good things happening! There’s so much that you notice, but others won’t, plus, will it matter 10 years from now?

If you could do it all over, would you change anything?  Not at all! It was the perfect day. We had great weather, wonderful company, and so much fun!

SONGS:
First DanceMe & You by Kenny Chesney
Father/DaughterI Loved Her First by Heartland
Mother/SonHumble & Kind by Tim McGraw
Cake CuttingBeautiful Day by Chris Cagle

Professional Team who helped make the day special:
DJ ServiceEpic Entertainment
Florist & DecoratorBev’s Baskets and Bow
Transportation1Up’n Limos
CatererFat Albert’s BBQ
Cake & CupcakesTish Chism
Dessert BarKathy McCarty
Bar Uptown Tavern
DressMain Street Bridal
Hair & MakeupCocoBongo

Honeymoon Location: Aruba

Want more from this fabulous day? We don’t blame you! Feast your eyes on this beautiful video of more of Erin and Brandon’s day!

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