MELISSA + ERIC

It was a Friday night and Melissa’s family was cooking steak nuggets at the Carlinville Moose Lodge. Eric came in with a few friends and Melissa was introduced to this country boy with an accent. Melissa had on no make up, wet hair, a flannel shirt and leggings. (Fully rocking who she truly is)
Melissa was mesmerized by Eric’s blue eyes and he was just so goofy – Melissa was instantly into it. Eric felt like the conversation was so easy with Melissa.

They had a few drinks together.
He asked if she liked Game of Thrones.
The rest is history.

Melissa fell in love with Eric’s sweet, giving heart. He’s always trying to do things to make Melissa happy, and sometimes he does the dishes and that makes her the happiest.  Eric really loved how Melissa lets him play video games and hang out in his Lovesac late into the night, but most importantly that she is always selfless and makes sure he’s taken care of before herself.  Also, her love of their dogs.

Every couple of weeks, they take the dogs out to Smith Lake to let the dogs run and swim. Eric had bought a ring for 4 months prior, and decided this was the weekend to propose.  It was late on Sunday when Eric asked Melissa if she wanted to take the dogs out.   She was a little annoyed how he’d waited until the last moment to come up with this idea,  so she was a little grumpy on the way there. They let the dogs out, and Eric threw the ball into the water and the dogs ran after it.  Eric then said Melissa’s name and she turned around to Eric down on one knee. He could barely get the words out before Melissa started to cry and of course said yes. (She then felt remorse for being grumpy, but Eric loves her even though she was grumpy, unshowered, and in her pajamas.)

The two have been powering through wedding planning throughout COVID. Quarantine was definitely right up their alley – staying home, enjoying some tv, drinking and jamming to music, dancing around in the living room with their dogs. But when it came to planning, it was certainly stressful. “I feel like I changed my mind about 100000 times of what the best thing to do was, do I cancel it all and elope? Only invite immediate family? Go on with what I already had planned? It changed day to day.”

But when it comes to direction how to make it through, Melissa shares some great advice…”It’ll all be okay. When it comes down to it, you’ll know exactly what feels like the right thing to do. Either way, it’ll be about you and your person and that’s all that matters at the end of the day. 2 people or 2,000 it’ll be the best day of your life.  Just like Melissa and Eric’s can coolies said, you’ll be”Quarantine Partners for Life!”

Enjoy this look at Melissa and Eric’s perfectly adorable wedding day!

Truly obsessed with Melissa’s bouquet by Main Street Florist and her dress and viel.  So romantic and elegant.Melissa and Eric had a beautiful first look at the Macoupin County Courthouse – the location they were supposed to be married.  “Our favorite moment was seeing each other for the first time that day.  I’m so glad we had a first look and had that special time together.”These two <3 …Because of covid, the two moved their ceremony to the Anderson Mansion in Carlinville.  Even though it wasn’t what they initially planned for, it was absolutely stunning.  “Having our ceremony change to the Anderson Mansion was a blessing because it all turned out so beautiful and right up our alley.”these groomsmen lolMelissa… you couldn’t have been more beautiful.  Oh Eric, you are pretty too!
This custom made tie Melissa gave her dad was so thoughtful and special.  Just like their relationship…The moment Eric looked most forward to was when Melissa’s dad was going to pass her off to him and it by far exceeded his expectations. Melissa, was most excited about that moment of looking down the aisle and seeing Eric at the end of it smiling, but once she saw he was waiting for her with tears in his eyes she teared up herself.This moment was one of the most heartfelt I’ve ever witnessed at a wedding – even after all these years of photographing weddings.  I was crying behind my camera and there wasn’t a dry eye in attendance. Melissa has a family tradition with the Boatman’s at family reunions when a Boatman girl brings a new boyfriend around.  Basically he gets questioned, mocked, hazed, all the usual trouble families give.  When it’s late at night and they’ve all had a drink or two, the family will joke that we’re taking a vote on the boyfriend and then if they are accepted they are announced as “IN!” So, during the ceremony when the officiant asked Melissa’s father who gave Melissa away, her dad perfectly responded  ‘We voted and Eric is in!!’. Melissa was not expecting that and after crying watching Melissa’s dad give her away, it added the perfect amount of laughter to that moment.Dancing down the aisle as a married woman is so Melissa <3It was so nice to get a few minutes after everyone left for the reception with just the bride and groom.  You could feel their collective exhale and see them relax.  We feel so honored to be able to capture those first moments together as husband and wife. Melissa thoughtfully created so many beautiful touches at the reception that represented them.  She collected the glassware for flowers, the favors were seeds for wildflowers, and there was so many touches of greenery and plants – something she became just a little “extra” about during quarantine. I can’t even with this photo. Apparently this party went on until 2 am.  It was already a party when we left by 9pm, so we can only imagine the things that happened when the cameras were gone. 😉

The Coronavirus pandemic certainly caused alot of chaos for these two as they planned their day.  “Corona really threw a wrench into our plans, from changing the ceremony venue to reducing our guest list by almost 250+ people. Having to slim down the list was so hard, everyone we had invited were people we loved and have been an influence in our lives and relationships. We knew they all loved us though and would understand the decision wasn’t personal to have to uninvite.”
We hope that with these photos everyone who couldn’t attend can feel the joy, the heartfelt love, and the delight of seeing these two vow to love one another forever.  It is always an honor to capture a couple’s most special and important day, but being the one to capture the heart and soul of a day so they can invite family and friends who weren’t able to attend to step into their memories is a priveledge.
Melissa and Eric, we couldn’t adore you more.  Getting to know you both more this past year is something we treasure, and we can’t wait for more fun times in the future and watching your love grow through the years.  You two are so incredibly special.

A bit more about the day:

MUSIC:
Ceremony Songs preformed by the amazing Colt Ball:
Forever and Ever, Amen (Original Artist Randy Travis)
Trees (Original Artist: Marty Casey)
Bride Entrance: Melissa (Original Artist: The Allman Brothers)
Wedding Exit Song: You Make My Dreams Come True (Original Artist: Hall and Oats)

First Dance: All Your’n by Tyler Childers
Father Daughter Dance: To Make You Feel My Love by Adele
Mother Son Dance: Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw

WEDDING PROFESSIONALS WHO MADE THEIR WEDDING VISION A REALITY
“Of course, TenSixteen, honestly, I don’t know what the day would have been like without Karin and Roger there every step of the way. From our engagement pictures to the wedding day, they were so experienced and always had helpful ideas. They’re so creative and talented, I wouldn’t want our day captured by anyone else!

One other special shout out for our Arbor, Benches, Tables by Country Event Rentals. Our day wouldn’t have been half as beautiful without all of their items.

Wedding Dress: Frew’s Bridal in Alton, IL
Tux: The Black Tux theblacktux.com
Flowers: Main Street Florist
Ceremony Music: Colt Ball
Reception Music: Flatliner
Cupcakes and Cake: Alyssa Waldeck
Kim Rhodes Consulting
Barn Trash Rentals
Ceremony Location: Macoupin County Historical Society/ Anderson Mansion
Reception Location: Bates Builiding at the Macoupin County Fairgrounds
Catering: Fire N Smoke
Officiant- Beth Ann Leach

HONEYMOON LOCATION:
Melissa’s sister Jen was turning 40 the weekend following the wedding, so they flew out to San Francisco to surprise her at her dad’s house to celebrate.  “Eric and I took an extended stay where we had a hilltop apartment in Berkely that overlooked the beautiful San Francisco bay. Although we didn’t get to do a lot of the things we wanted to do like visit Alcatraz or go inside old war boats, etc. it lead us to Muir Woods to visit the redwood trees. We ended up taking a trail that was about 4-5 miles (a little further than we expected) but it was such an incredible experience and so beautiful. We also ate a lot of good food, Eric tried raw fish for the first time and we saw the seals at the Pier. All in all, had a pretty great California experience!”

The couple call Carlinville IL home. <3

Anyone who knows Melissa and Eric knows you can never get enough of them, so enjoy this beautiful slideshow of their day!