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Sean + Renae

Renae and I had spent the week prior to the wedding talking about how much we hoped for great weather because with April weddings, one never knows! Sean + Renae’s wedding day weather was absolutely perfect in every way… the sun was out and there was a cool breeze in the air, not a rain cloud in sight!

If you’re anything like me, you try to find the humor in awful situations… you try to see the light at the end of the tunnel. WELL, funny story, Chelsea and I were all ready for the wedding, chatting about the bride + groom and our “gameday gameplan” for the day while stopped at a stoplight. All of the sudden, I got rear-ended. On a wedding day?! A car accident?! Are you kidding me? Chelsea called Renae and told her that we had just been hit. We figured out the rest and made it safely to the hotel where the ladies were getting ready. Bless Renae’s heart, she was SO sweet and caring… the first thing she said was “Oh my gosh are you two okay?!” Literally, this woman was one of the most composed brides that I have ever seen! Her trust in me to come through on her wedding day was all I needed to shake off the accident and document their love story. Renae, thank you so much for being so compassionate! You’re such a doll!

I am SUCH a sucker for happy tears. When Sean watched Renae walk towards him up the aisle his eyes were full of happy tears and his expression was so absolutely priceless that I started tearing up behind the lens! (I’m telling you, it happens every single wedding that I photograph, without fail.)  There’s just something special about being able to photograph and preserve love stories… the feeling of creating something bigger than myself, something more meaningful than myself, that will be passed down for generations to come… Sean’s reaction to seeing his bride for the first time was one of those moments.

Renae, being the trend setting, non-traditional fun loving bride that she is was up for anything new and adventurous. So, of course, we HAD to visit the spot where Sean + Renae had their first kiss, Carlyle Brewing Co., in the heart of downtown Rockford… and after that, we hung out at Village Green for some earthy vibes before ending the night at the reception at Franchesco’s! Can I just say for one second… OH MY GOSH, I am so taken with the florals London Avenue made… are these bouquets not stunning?! Seriously. The depth and rich jewel tones were breathtaking against the soft grey bridesmaid dresses. I couldn’t help myself, I HAD to play around with in-camera techniques for some fun double exposures with Renae’s bouquet. Oh, and check out the PHENOMENALLY gorgeous ring photo that Chelsea took with the bouquet… I am smitten!

Sean + Renae, congratulations again on your exquisite wedding… thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for allowing me to be a part of your most precious day. It means the world to me. I wish you both the most amazing of marriages + the happiest of ever afters.

Love, Sara

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A big thanks to all the vendors who helped make this wedding possible! Incredible job!

DRESS : David’s Bridal |  http://www.davidsbridal.com/

BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Vera Wang, David’s Bridal | http://www.davidsbridal.com/

INVITATIONS: Rock River Printers | http://rockriverprinters.yolasite.com/

FLORIST: London Avenue, Rockford, IL | http://www.londonave.com/

GROOMSMEN ATTIRE: Seno FormalWear | https://www.senoformalwear.com/

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