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April & Jarod | Annie Merner Chapel | Jacksonville, IL | Summer Wedding Photographer

Weddings

August 5, 2022

April and Jarod’s wedding day at the Annie Merner Chapel in Jacksonville, Illinois was simply put…Gorgeous! These two had planned and styled their day to be exactly what they envisioned. The one thing they couldn’t plan for was the heat! Their mid-July wedding may have been the hottest day of the year in Central Illinois! And although we did have to ensure everyone was safe with water breaks and plenty of time in the air conditioning, April and Jarod (and their bridal party) did an amazing job throughout the whole day when it came to photo time! My day began with the beautiful bride while she was getting her makeup done. The way logistics worked out, hair and makeup were being done at two different locations. However, when it was April’s turn for makeup, she was the only one at the salon. I’m not going to lie, it was kind of nice to just have this beautiful bride to myself and created a nice quiet start to the day. April was so excited and was so ready to become Mrs. Stock! Once makeup was done it was off to a friend’s house for hair. I think we all complimented April on her beautiful hair about 100 times as her timeless look was being completed! Then I headed to the chapel for detail shots before the bride and her ladies all arrived. Once April arrived at the chapel, it was time to bring all of her bridal dreams to life! Her sweet mama helped her into her dress and April looked absolutely stunning in her high neckline beaded gown. The back of her dress was open and the train was a showstopper! The rose colored dresses the bridesmaids wore were the perfect pop of color, especially when they had their lovely bouquets! When Jarod and his groomsmen arrived they were looking amazing in their gray suits and monotoned floral print ties, which was just the extra little touch. They all wore pins on their lapels to honor Jarod’s late brother, Andrew, which was a very special tribute.

April and Jarod chose to do a first look so when the moment came, April was cool as a cucumber. Jarod, on the other hand, was so nervous he was shaking! When they finally saw one another the huge smiles never left their faces! They also read letters to each other and during this sweet moment, Jarod had a hard time getting through his taking time to wipe tears from his eyes, while April read hers with confidence. Throughout the rest of the day, Jarod kept telling April he was the only sentimental one in their relationship cause he cried during their letter readings! I don’t think he will let her live that down for awhile. We then got moving on bridal party photos with April and Jarod’s energetic and fun crew. Everyone looked incredible surrounding this awesome couple and I had a blast capturing all their great memories! Finally the moment had come and it was time to get these two love birds married! The chapel was filled with family and friends, who came to witness April and Jarod become husband and wife. To begin the ceremony, Jarod walked his mom and April’s mom down the aisle before to took a photo of his brother, Andrew, and set it up on the altar on an easel so he could still stand with his brother as he got married. It really was a touching moment. When the doors to the back of the chapel opened and April and her dad started making their way up the aisle, Jarod’s smile said it all…He couldn’t wait to marry this girl! The ceremony was full of love, traditional like the exchanging of rings, and when the time came these two sealed it all with a kiss! With the bouquet raised in the air the joy of finally being married hit April and Jarod as they made their way out of the chapel!

Before the reception began, we had to get some photos of the new Mr. & Mrs. Stock! That “New Married Smile” was all over their faces. And although it was scorching outside these two didn’t let it get to them! Watching this beautiful couple look at one another and laugh together is really what it all is about. Then it was time for the party! The reception hall right next door to the chapel was beautiful with touches of gold, florals, and a marquee sign reading, “Mr. & Mrs. Stock”. The couple danced, ate cake, listened their closest family and friends gives toasts, and really took in everything. When the sun was just about to set, I stole the newlyweds for a few minutes for sunset photos. They dipped, twirled, and laughed together as they celebrated this new chapter in their lives. We even recreated one of their favorite photos from their engagement photos with a dip in front of the chapel! It was an honor to be a part of April and Jarod’s big day and I’m wishing them all the blessing in their marriage!