FRANCES + DREW

She heard him laugh from across the bar and she knew immediately she wanted to meet him.
He noticed her red hair and beautiful smile right away.
In the glow of the neon lights at Jem Bar, Frances and Drew’s story begins.

Frances knew right away, but Drew took a little longer to be convinced. 5 years of convincing, to be exact. Frances was persistent during that time & would find any excuse she could to run into him or send him a text. In the beginning, it would sometimes be weeks, or even months, between encounters, but by the Spring of 2018, the two were talking on a daily basis…although Frances still wasn’t sure he would ever ask her out. ” Then came 6/15/2018, the text I had been waiting so long for: “Are you busy tonight? Want to get drinks?” I could have had a meeting with the Queen of England that night & I would have canceled to finally say YES to that question! And it was totally worth the wait. Dinner at Drifters in Grafton turned into hours spent getting to know each other better that night, & we’ve been together ever since! I guess timing really is everything.”

After hoping he would ask her out for approximately 5 years and being persistent enough to keep up communication through all that time, Drew finally asked Frances out for dinner and drinks at Drifters in Grafton, IL. Drew had a white Dodge Challenger at the time that he was so proud of. He had washed the car right before picking Frances up so it was spotless. “When we came out of the restaurant, a bird had pooped right on his door handle 🤣 After dinner, we went back to town and spent the rest of the night talking and laughing over drinks. It was the perfect night for our personalities, just easygoing and fun!”

Then came 9/11/2021: Drew & Frances were spending a long weekend in Mountain Home, Arkansas so he could show Frances one of his favorite places & teach her how to trout fish (For the record, Frances caught more fish than him that weekend, but who’s counting!) “On our last day there, we were driving around looking for places to stay on our next visit & Drew pulled into an overlook to “check the river levels”. As we started across the footbridge, he said he forgot his phone so he ran back to the car while I continued on to the platform, where he joined me a couple of minutes later. We stood for several minutes looking at the beautiful view & the next thing I know I heard him say “Hey” from behind me. I was SHOCKED when I turned around & he was on one knee! So shocked that all I could say was “What are you doing?!” He said “Will you?”, I of course said “YES!” as fast as I could, & it could not have been any more perfect. I still relive the moment in my head every day because I never want to forget exactly how it happened!”

For their wedding day, Frances and Drew wanted a classic and timeless wedding, but overall just wanted to have a big party that everyone talks about for years to come!  And that is exactly what they achieved!  Enjoy a look at Frances and Drew’s wedding day!

Their ceremony was at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Grafton, IL
Fun Fact – “When we were at the back of the church waiting to walk down the aisle to start the ceremony, the bridesmaids all proceeded down the aisle, followed by the flower girl and ring bearer. Right as I was getting ready to go, a bus full of guests pulled up and had to walk in before me 🤣  We provided transportation for all of our guests for the entire day. We had 3 buses rented, and on the way to the church one of them side-swiped a car coming through Grafton (the car was parked partly in the road, it was not the bus driver’s fault!) He delivered all our guests to the church (obviously late) and then went back to the scene of the accident. Come to find out, the driver didn’t have his CDL so the police wouldn’t let him leave with the bus, so we were down one bus for the remainder of the day.” They both were both looking forward to the moment when they saw each other as Frances walked down the aisle. “Unfortunately, things got so hectic right before with a late bus of guests arriving as I was supposed to walk down the aisle that I feel like it was a little rushed, but still something we will remember forever. Just an example for other couples of how you need to focus on those moments you most want to remember no matter what else is going on.” Drew’s favorite thing about Frances: “Frances makes me feel comfortable in my own skin. I can always be my stupid self around her, and that makes every day easier and makes me love her even more.” Frances’s favorite thing about Drew: “Drew makes me feel loved and important every single day. We are truly best friends, and our relationship has always been easy. I love that!”Reception: Allen Farms, Grafton, IL (bride’s father’s farm) The farm has been in the family for 3 generations. “It is now farmed by my dad and older brother. I’ve had my heart set on having my reception there since I was a little girl, and although there were many times that people looked at me like I was crazy, it was absolutely perfect!”First Dance Song: Say It Again – Don Williams. Drew is a music buff, so he was in charge of picking our first dance song. The song is simple and gets right to the point, kind of like us 🤣 the first line says “all I needed, was one look” While it may have taken us a few years to finally get together, I think we both knew from the first time we saw each other we would end up here on day Father Daughter Dance Song: Father & Daughter – Paul Simon (Side note – this is my FAVORITE father/daughter song and in all our years of photographing we’ve only seen it used twice!)

At the end of the day, the two felt: Frances: So grateful! For being able to marry the man of my dreams, for having such supportive family & friends to celebrate with, just for everything! I am still in shock about how amazing the day was!! Drew: Tired! And exceptionally happy about how the day went so well. I got to marry my best friend, and have all the people we love under one roof to help us celebrate.

Advice for Future Brides and Grooms: It is easy to take everyone else’s opinions or concerns too seriously while planning. Make sure the choices you make are what you and your partner want, don’t make them for anyone else! 2 pieces of advice I wish I had paid more attention to, but did my best: 1. Make a mental list of the 3-5 moments you most want to remember for the day and take mental snapshots of them. You’ll never be able to remember the full day because it passes by so quickly, but those few moments are easy to remember if you really focus on them. 2. At some point during your reception, find your partner and a place to stand away from everyone to just take it all in. As much as you say you won’t get separated from your person, it’s so easy to do so this gives you at least a few moments together to talk and be grateful for both your partner and everyone celebrating with you.

Honeymoon Location: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The two look forward to: Frances: I’m ready to take on all the crazy moments with my best friend and laugh my way through life with him. Drew: Just living a normal life with all the love we have for each other and taking on every day together.

The two call Jerseyville IL home. <3