Kristen McGinnis Photography
I'm Kristen McGinnis, a wedding and portrait photographer based in the Fox Valley and photographing weddings across Wisconsin. I LOVE marriage and capturing all the joy of your wedding day. I'm a firm believer that wedding days should be fun, joy-filled, and only the beginning of a beautiful marriage. I'm SO glad you're here and I can't wait to meet you!
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Kristen McGinnis Photography > Weddings  > Parker Run Vineyard – Windsor Illinois Wedding – Michael & Emily

Parker Run Vineyard – Windsor Illinois Wedding – Michael & Emily

All weddings are special, but this wedding was particularly special to me as Michael is my husband’s brother and Emily is one of my dearest friends and now SISTER! Mike and Emily met while he was going to school down in Davenport, IA while attending the same church, (also where Sam and I attended). Mike admired Emily for a while and I got to have a front row seat as that admiration grew on both of their parts and August of 2018 they started they relationship. August 2019 they got engaged, (there’s a few great stories here for another day when I finally blog their engagement photos). and we’ve been eagerly anticipating this day all year. After talking it through, and several ideas thrown around, Emily wanted me to be her matron of honor AND help photograph their wedding so that’s what I did! It felt a little crazy to take on as my husband Sam was the best man and our 1-year-old daughter Rosemary was one of the flower girls, but I couldn’t say no. I would not have been able to do it without the help of Courtney from Courtney Dohse Photography who took on a lead shooter and second shooter role!

 

Saturday morning dawned warm and beautiful with sun and a few clouds. Driving into the venue is really gorgeous, there are white fences lining the roads with quaint street lamps beside. The ceremony was to take place at the pergola with overlooks the pond, gentle hills and the little white chapel in the background. We got ready in the Brooder House, which is a cute little building right by the pond and ceremony site. A little later than planned we piled in Courtney’s SUV and drove down to the Little White Chapel where I had Sam get Mike set for their first look. Mike was tucked in the far side of the chapel and I love how these photos document how he broke out into a huge grin as soon as he heard Emily say his name. Michael and Emily shared a few minutes together privately and prayed together and we were able to capture some photos with the chapel.

 

We whisked Emily back to the Brooder House as everyone was gathering for the ceremony and she said she felt so much better after getting to see Michael. It was an intimate ceremony, as many are these days with COVID concerns. The McGinnis family accompanied the ceremony with piano and a string quartet. Benjamin the ring bearer took off down the aisle with a grin on his face. Delilah and Rosie, my daughter, were the flower girls and Delilah did were job while Rosie got very distracted by all the people and wanting to play with the grass and petals Delilah had dropped. The ceremony was short but special and that was good as we could see some dark clouds coming in during the ceremony. Thankfully it stayed clear as they pledged their love to one another and I managed to hold back a little extra moisture that formed in my eyes. Mike and Emily walked out to “I Love You Baby” by Frank Sinatra and even though the dark clouds continued to gather and the wind grew stronger, the rain held off just long enough to get all of our photos in, before all ducking inside of the Big Red Barn for the reception. You’ll also see documented here that the storm passed over and we were able to get some photos as the sun was setting, which arguably turned into one of the most gorgeous sunsets I’ve ever seen, accented by the rolling hills, little white chapel, and pond in the background.

 

Michael and Emily, we are so glad God brought you two together. Your strengths compliment one another and you guys make a good team. We are so excited and proud to have Emily as part of the McGinnis Family and I couldn’t be more excited to call her my sister!!! May God bless you, strengthen your relationship, and may you follow his lead to make a difference for eternity together. We love you guys so so much!


Ceremony + Reception Venue: Parker Run Vineyard

Bride’s Attire: David’s Bridal

Groom’s Attire: JOSBank

Groomen’s Attire: J.J. Ferrar, JCPenney

Hair: Dolores McGinnis

Invitation: Etsy

Florist: Little Village Greenhouse

 

 

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Comments:

  • Hollie Myers

    July 6, 2020 at 11:56 pm

    Very beautiful ❣️💞

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