Kara + Joey | Southern Illinois Wedding Photographer

I am so honored to have been asked to be a part of Kara and Joey's special day!  These two are such sweethearts and were so easy to work with!  Their wedding day was absolutely gorgeous down to the smallest detail!  I wish these two all the best as they start out their lives together as husband and wife.  Congratulations to you both!!  Here are some highlights from their wedding day... :)

Wedding & Reception Venue: Big Red Barn, McLeansboro, IL
Hair Stylist: Kay Keelin at Natalie Joseph's, McLeansboro, IL
Make-up Artist: Ardyn Huss at Natalie Joseph's, McLeansboro, IL
Florist: Adam's Florist, McLeansboro, IL
Caterer: Deep South, McLeansboro, IL
Cake: Rebecca Jennings (aka the bride's talented sister!)
Reception DJ: Perry Case

January 16, 2016: It was a beautiful winter day.  There was talk of freezing rain and ice eariler in the week, and I think we were all a little worried.  However, it turned out to be a perfect day!  My second shooter, Kris, and I arrived at the wedding venue around 1:30.  As always we started with the detail shots - capturing the wedding rings, elegant lace detailing on Kara's dress, and her awesomely amazing red shoes (I loved the shoes!)!  

After the details and a few getting ready shots of the bride, groom and wedding party we got ready to take the couple pictures.  Kara and Joey decided they wanted to see each other before the ceremony.  Most of my bride's want to wait until the wedding for their husband-to-be to see them for the first time (I understand - it's tradition and what I did too), so I was super excited about getting the opportunity to do a first look! 

We got a few pictures of the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Restock.  Aren't they cutest!?

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Next up came bridal portraits and photos with her bridesmaids.  Kara looked absolutely stunning in her wedding dress.  Ivory + lace = timeless and so classy! :)

MAID OF HONOR: Rebecca Jennings
​BRIDESMAIDS: Meagan Biggerstaff & Jodi Holland

Next up - the handsome groom and his groomsmen...

BEST MAN: Zach Rebstock
GROOMSMEN: Jeff Robinson, Dalton Miller & Tyler Kelly

The whole wedding party!

RING BEARERS: Treyson Jennings, Luke Jennings, Leon Jennings (not pictured) & Jack Biggerstaff

Family pictures came next!  Everyone braved the cold so we could get some family photos outside!  Outside pictures are just better (but that's my opinion!).

The ceremony began at 4:30.  It was short and sweet, and as the rest of the day had been went flawlessly!

The reception followed immediately after and had the same rustic charm and simple elegance as the first part of the day!

The bride's dad made a very sweet speech and later danced with his daughter to what I think was one of the sweetest father-daughter dances I have captured.  They danced together for the first part of the song before John asked that all dads there with daughter's come out and join them.  Jeff made a very sweet speech, people danced, the bouquet was caught by adorable Miss Sesley, and the bride and groom had such a fun cake cutting (see below!).  

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Rebstock!  Thank you so much for asking me to photograph your special day!  It was an honor! :)

Rebstock Wedding Video by Kate Ragan Photography