Fields, Flowers & Fireworks! Maureen & Chris’s Wedding Photos!

Nakai Photography in Peoria, IL!

Welcome home Maureen + Chris! They just got back from their honeymoon, and in celebration, I’m putting up their country chic wedding photos! They held their beautiful wedding in central Illinois: Peoria! While they live and met in Chicago…they celebrated in Maureen’s hometown!

Wedding Ceremony Venue:
Cathedral of St Mary
607 NE Madison Avenue Peoria, IL

Reception Site:
Tent on a Private Residence in Peoria, IL

The bride and groom are a sweet couple and I really appreciated spending time with them at all their pre-wedding events! They held an engagement party at the Union League Club in Chicago earlier this year where they introduced me to their family members and close friends!

Kudos to Sara from So Chic Events did a phenomenal job of putting EVERYTHING together for that day! There were sooooo many logistics and she handled it all perfectly! Country Chic! And I also want to thank Tom Yan for assisting and second shooting this wedding! Tom will be helping Nakai Photography throughout this summer!

Before we continue on this wedding blog post- I want to share one of my favorite wedding photos from the day: Taken in the field right next to their wedding reception tent!

We started their wedding day at Maureen’s mom’s house…a wonderfully decorated home with so many photogenic spaces inside! It helped make for a great wedding dress photo! Wedding gown: Rivini from Ultimate Bride in Chicago!

And here’s just the first of many unique detail photos. The bride and bridesmaids wore boots at the reception to get their party on! Old Gringo Boots from Alcalas Western Wear in Chicago. You gotta love Maureen’s ‘something blue’ =)

And yes…Maureen did have wedding shoes! =) Salon shoes purchased at Left Bank Jewelry in Chicago! And if you ever go there…be sure to say ‘hi’ to Susan- she’s so knowledgeable and helpful!

I found some decorations to assist with the earrings and wedding ring photo!

Her sisters helping with the garter!

Mom put the finishing touches with the veil!

The beautiful bride in a beautiful dress!

A portrait of the bride! Makeup and Hair done by Bloved Stylists! Great job Kortnie & Brittany!

A photo of the groom with a couple groomsmen and ushers before leaving the hotel-

A photo of the bouquet that has a burlap wrapping. Burlap was used throughout the wedding in other details! Florals were done by Enchanted Florist & Boutique based out of Peoria.

Father and daughter walking down the aisle at the Cathedral of St Mary in Peoria, IL

Chris was grinning ear to ear!

Cathedral of St Mary’s interior architecture

After the wedding ceremony we returned ‘home’ to take some photos!

What a sweet moment!

A photo of the bridesmaids-

A photo of the groomsmen-

This dock was built for the guests to enjoy…but before anyone else made it out there, we took a couple bridal party photos on it!

Showing off their boots!

Yea…the guys don’t have boots- but they still look good =)

Stunning!

It’s great seeing them smile at the end of the photo session!

They hopped on a golf cart and whisked away to their cocktail hour!

Their reception tent was huge! Carpeted floor AND air conditioning! =) Country Chic right here!

Love the wedding cake on a tree trunk slice! What a creative idea!

Each table had a different arrangement of flowers in mason jars!

Notice the burlap table cloths around their table setting!

They had a carriage – wagon – buggy – stagecoach outside of the tent! Sorry – I’m not sure what to call it! =)

Cocktail hour lounging on hay bales

Such a creative idea!

First dance!

I’m pretty sure most of the guests didn’t see the monogrammed wedding cake knife!

Sweet table complete with popcorn, gummies, and chocolate!

The reception and cocktail tent-

And to top it off…fireworks! What an amazing day!

Thank you Maureen and Chris for having me as your wedding photographer! You guys are such a great couple and I’m glad to have been able to spend the weekend with you both! There were a bazillion things to take photos of and it all came together so wonderfully! Congrats again!

your wedding photographer,

Kenny Nakai