Carmen & Alex
Willoughby Heritage Farm | Collinsville, IL Wedding
We LOVE a St Louis Barn Wedding Venue!!!
We are also happy to announce that this wedding has been published on Melissa Hearts Weddings! Head here to check it out!!!
The Wedding ceremony was planned outdoors underneath a mature sprawling tree with a rustic barn reception to follow detailed with twinkling lights overhead. It could not have been more perfect. Unless . . . it had not rained all afternoon threatening to ruin the outdoor ceremony. Thunder rolled in accompanied by gasps of dismay as Carmen was putting on her dress. Her mother squeezed her hand to impart a degree of comfort and strength, and everyone refused to be ruled by the spike in stress. We intently studied the weather radar, searching for gaps in the rain. The consensus was not clear, but there was a possibility that the outdoor ceremony could still be held if it was delayed by 30 minutes. A half-hour later the rain broke and a flurry of helpful family and friends toweled off the spread of white chairs, hopefully putting away their umbrellas as the sun peeked through gray clouds.
A lovely ceremony took place, with meaningful words by the Chaplain of the Firehouse in Belleville, IL where Alex volunteers. While the guests roamed the park grounds and introduced themselves to some of the critters, we went to work trying to cover all of the important photos so the reception could still begin on time.
It was a warm summer evening, perfect for a cool glass of sweet tea and complimented by one of the best wedding meals ever from Hicks Barbecue. The newlyweds danced under twinkling lights with their closest friends and family as an incandescent sunset set fire to the horizon. As the night concluded, everyone cheered and lit the way for the departing newlyweds with sparklers . . . Oh, and there was a sheep.
We are so thankful to have documented this most special day of your lives with your closest friends and family. We loved getting to know all of you and wish you a lifetime of happiness!
xoxo Dustin & Amanda
Describe seeing each other for the first time on your wedding day:
Your most memorable moment:
Advice for brides-to-be: Don’t let the little things that WILL go wrong bother you. Sometimes good things come out of them. The rain delayed our ceremony for half an hour, but it made for beautiful pictures once it stopped! The best advice I got from a prior bride was to make sure you try to look at every person’s face as you are walking down the aisle. It makes the moment stay so vividly in your mind, and that’s something you don’t want to forget.
St Louis Wedding Vendors:
Barn Ceremony and Reception Venue : Willoughby Heritage Farm
Invitations: Unique Moments
Florist: Krupp Florist
Catering: Hicks BBQ
Wedding Photographers : For The Moment Photography
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