Weddings

Bloomington Illinois Wedding at Anju Above | Kat and Jesse

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14 April 2018

I’m Steph.
Enneagram 2 & 4, INFP all the way... I live for a good love story, have 3 kids and one poodle, and swear I liked blush pink before it became a thing.
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Find someone who looks at you the way Jesse looks at Kat.
It’s hard to find a sweeter couple than Kathryn (formerly Rees) and Jesse Angri (pronounced Ahhn-gree). From the moment we met I could tell they were some of the kindest, most gentle people on the planet. They met online and it didn’t take long for a spark to ignite with all their common interests and their love of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and the list goes on.
Their wedding day started at Fox n Hounds day spa where the girls were primped and pampered. (Side note: Fox & Hounds has a great getting ready room with good natural light and soft grey walls which makes for beautiful getting ready images – I highly encourage brides to consider the look of the getting-ready location when choosing your salon/hotel/etc!) After getting all glammed up, the girls toasted Kat with a shot of Fireball and a group prayer. We stopped outside the salon in downtown Bloomington for some fun photos before the girls headed off to the ceremony.
Jesse and his brother aka Best Man, Daniel, prepped for the Bloomington Wedding at Kat & Jesse’s home. Coordinating Star Wars ties, and millennium falcon cufflinks brought a little fun into the gentlemen’s attire. Oh and we can’t forget to mention the bottle cap on Jesse’s boutonniere by the Frilly Lilly Florist– a nod to the movie Up. And sunflowers to represent the flowers Jesse loves to surprise Kat with.
They wanted their wedding to feel relaxed and intimate so they chose Jacob’s Well church in Bloomington for their ceremony location. The shape of the room and chairs vs pews allowed them to create a semi-circle so that their closest friends and family were almost completely surrounding them in love as they promised forever to each other.
As the doors opened, Kat and her father walked down the aisle to the song “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room – including Jesse who emotionally watched the love of his life walk towards him and the future they are so excited to build together. They participated in a traditional foot-washing and communion ceremony. After exchanging rings they lit the unity candle which they actually made themselves.
The rain paused briefly just at the right time after the first kiss. Guests used their wedding programs which doubled as paper airplanes to shower them as they made their grand exit as husband and wife. The rainy Saturday picked back up after family portraits so we pulled out the clear umbrellas reminiscent of their engagement session. A trolley from Bloomington-Normal Limousines was such a fun idea for transportation and made for some great photos too.
After taking portraits in the same location as some of their engagement photos, the trolley transported the bridal party to the Epiphany Farms ballroom, which was the perfect location for their relaxed yet elegant Bloomington wedding reception. Dinner served by Anju Above and a 3-tiered naked cake from Sugar Mama had everyone in wedding food heaven. Palma Entertainment kept the dance floor happening and everyone had a fabulous time celebrating the newlyweds.
Kat and Jesse hand-made all of their centerpieces, each table with its own theme based on movies, tv shows, and books that they both love, such as Sherlock Holmes, The Lord of the Rings, the Game of Thrones, Star Trek, and many more.
After their romantic first dance and emotional father-daughter/mother-son dances, I snuck the happy couple outside for some evening portraits under the glow of the Epiphany Farms outdoor lights. It was the perfect Bloomington-Normal Wedding day and it was an honor to be invited to document it for them. Having gotten to know Kat and Jesse and their families over the last year, they have treated me like part of the family and I could not be happier for them.

The day after their wedding they headed off to Ireland for a romantic and breathtaking honeymoon that they will never forget. Congratulations Kathryn & Jesse – I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!!! <3

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