At the end of August, I reunited with Sara and Gable for their wedding at The Grand Estate at the Preserve in St. Charles, Illinois.
Sara and Gable are from Madison, Wisconsin. I first met them last year when I drove to Madison for their engagement session. It was great to see them again and document the next chapter of their story.
You can see their Madison engagement session here
A Destination Wedding in St. Charles
Sara and Gable brought many of their closest friends and family members to St. Charles for their wedding. Guests traveled from Madison and other areas to celebrate with them.
Because so many important people were there, the day felt incredibly personal. There were plenty of hugs, laughs, and emotional moments throughout the celebration.
The Grand Estate at the Preserve provided a beautiful setting for the wedding. The outdoor spaces also gave us plenty of opportunities for natural wedding photography throughout the day.
An Unforgettable Wedding Ceremony
The ceremony was underway when the rain arrived. However, nobody was phased by the weather.
Everyone stayed present and continued to watch Sara and Gable exchange their vows. It became one of those unexpected moments that made their wedding day even more memorable.
Sara’s brother, Jack, walked her down the path. He then gave her away to Gable. It was an emotional moment for Sara, Gable, and their families.
As a documentary wedding photographer, these are the moments I love to capture. They happen naturally and often cannot be recreated.
Beautiful Light After the Rain
Fortunately, the rain didn’t last long. Once it passed, we were treated to amazing light.
The softer light created beautiful conditions for portraits. We spent some time photographing Sara and Gable around the property.
The post-rain atmosphere also gave the photographs a different feel. The light was soft, the surroundings were fresh, and Sara and Gable could relax and enjoy some time together.
At the same time, we kept the portraits relaxed. I wanted them to have beautiful photographs without pulling them away from their guests for too long.
Nighttime Wedding Photos on the Basketball Court
Later in the evening, we decided to have some fun with the portraits.
We headed to the basketball court for a few nighttime wedding photographs. It was a completely different look from the portraits we created earlier in the day.
The basketball court gave us a chance to create something unique for Sara and Gable. It was also a fun way to end the night.
Documentary Wedding Photography in St. Charles
My approach to wedding photography is centered around real moments and visual storytelling.
Of course, portraits are an important part of every wedding. However, I also want to document the people, emotions, and small moments that happen between them.
That includes the excitement before the ceremony, emotional family moments, unexpected weather, and the celebration that follows.
For Sara and Gable, the rain, beautiful evening light, family, friends, and late-night basketball court portraits all became part of their wedding story.
Sara and Gable’s Wedding Day
Sara and Gable were amazing to work with from start to finish. It was especially meaningful to photograph their engagement session in Madison and then reunite with them for their wedding in St. Charles.
Their wedding at The Grand Estate at the Preserve was filled with family, friends, emotion, and plenty of fun.
Most importantly, they were completely present throughout the day. Even when the rain arrived, they didn’t let it take away from the experience.
That is what makes wedding photography so rewarding. Every wedding has its own story, and Sara and Gable’s was a great one to document.
Wedding Venue: Grand Estate at the Preserve
Bartending and Caterer: Cocina Fusion
Hair Stylist: Chelsea Cashin
Makeup Artist: MakeupxMcGlory
DJ: Green Line Entertainment
Floral/Decor: Something Borrowed Blooms
Planner: The Simply Elegant Group
