Makenzie and Josh are one of the most smiley couples I’ve ever met. Throughout their entire engagement session, they were laughing with each other and just generally enjoying each other’s company, and you could tell they were very much in love! And the story of how they met is as cute as it comes—the two met in college when Makenzie was giving a bunch of incoming freshmen a tour of campus. Josh happened to be in the group and was smitten by his beautiful tour guide! For their session, we took photos out at Lake of the Woods in Mahomet, which is one of my favorite places to photograph since it is always gorgeous out there. We had fantastic weather and were able to enjoy the setting sun, which provided a swoon-worthy backdrop for photos by the lake.

Belinda and Dylan's big day started off rainy, but you know what they say about rain on your wedding day being good luck! The girls started off the day by doing their hair and makeup and drinking some mimosas at Belinda's parents' beautiful home in Monticello. After Belinda changed into her light lace dress, it was time to go over to Homer Lake, where the ceremony and reception were to be held.

As luck would have it (see, the rain was already making things lucky!), the rain let up just in time for the ceremony, so it could still be held outside in front of the lake. I am not exaggerating when I say Belinda and Dylan's wedding ceremony may be one of the most beautiful ones I've ever been so privileged so see. From Dylan's emotional reaction as Belinda came down to the aisle, to the smiles on their faces during the vows (and Pokemon references, yes!), to the cheers of the crowd when they were announced as husband and wife, you could feel true love radiating throughout the area.

After the ceremony, we took family and wedding party photos and had some time to capture some beautiful shots of Belinda and Dylan by the lake before partying it up inside the Salt Fork Center. Belinda and Dylan did a fantastic job decorating the center, providing an airy, beachy vibe throughout their decor and choosing the most amazing wedding I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot of wedding cakes!). And as luck would have it, the sun started poking through the clouds at sunset, so we popped out to take some photos in front of the vibrant colors.

Rachel and Jordan have become great friends of my husband and me over the past few years, so I was ecstatic when they became engaged (in Harry Potter World in Orlando, no less 😍️! And of course, when they asked if I would take engagement photos of the two of them, I was absolutely honored to do so! We met out at the U of I Japan House for their session, enjoying the natural beauty that it provides, and made our way throughout the Arboretum for photos. Rachel and Jordan work so well together—just being around them I could feel their love through how they can just let loose and be goofy around each other. Perhaps best of all, we did a few more photos a few weeks after their first session with their cats, Olive and Frida (though mostly Olive since Frida didn’t really cooperate!), which of course appeals to the cat lover in me. I’m so looking forward to celebrating their wedding this March!