Between countless sentimental details to the most fun bride, groom, and bridal party, I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect wedding to kick off my 2019 wedding season, and I’m SO excited to share photos from Mr. & Mrs. Anderson’s wedding in Berwyn, Illinois on the blog!
The wedding fun started early on March 30, 2019.
Because Berwyn, Illinois is about 2.5 hours from Lafayette, Indiana (where I live) and because my worst nightmare is arriving to a wedding late, Sarah (my second shooter) and I left Lafayette at 5:30 am CT just in case we got stuck in traffic. (I’ve never been late to a wedding, by the way!)
Fortunately, the roads were clear! After grabbing breakfast, we arrived at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Bolingbrook a little early, and found Becky, her bridesmaids, Bruce’s groomswoman (more on that in a sec!), and Bruce and Becky’s moms (Terri and Liz) having their hair and makeup done.
The room was full of excitement, laughter, flowers, and mimosas—the perfect way to start a wedding day!
I say this all the time, but one reason I love being a wedding photographer is because wedding days are essentially the ultimate girls’ day. I mean, I get to spend all day with the bride and get to know her bridesmaids, while having my camera in hand. What’s better than that?!
Becky’s girls were particularly fun to hang out with, because they served Becky so well. Mrs. Anderson is the kind of friend every girl wants to have, and because she’s so good to her girls, her bridesmaids were beyond helpful to her throughout the day. It was an amazing thing to witness this kind of friendship!
While I took detail photos and getting ready photos of the ladies, Sarah headed to Bruce’s room to take getting ready photos of the guys. And, I can’t help throwing this detail in, because I think it’s a true testament to who Bruce is and how much he loves Becky!
Bruce texted me the morning of his and Becky’s wedding to give me a few last-minute details. He’s the only groom who’s ever done this! Now, I’m used to getting messages from brides throughout the wedding planning process, but in Bruce and Becky’s relationship, they agree that Bruce is “the organized one.”
So, Bruce had a pretty heavy hand in wedding planning and communicating with vendors. Bruce and Becky, I pray you always work as a team, just like you did planning your wedding!
Bruce & Becky worked in the perfect sentimental details.
After the bride, groom, their bridal party, and their families were ready, everyone headed to St. Leonard Catholic Church in Berwyn, Illinois, so Bruce and Becky could officially become husband and wife.
Now, St. Leonard isn’t just any church to Bruce and Becky. This particular parish has been part of Becky’s life and story even before she was born! Her family has attended this church for decades. In fact, both Becky and her mom, Liz, attended the elementary school attached to the church. And, Becky’s parents got married at St. Leonard 37 years ago! Congratulations, Ralph and Liz!
Becoming husband and wife at the church that has played such a big role in Becky’s life was certainly special, but this wasn’t the only sentimental detail Bruce and Becky worked into their big day. In fact, there were so many special things that I’m probably going to forget something, but here are a few things to note!
- Bruce’s 98-year-old grandmother lives in California and was crushed that she couldn’t make the trip to Illinois to see her grandson get married. So, Bruce set up a livestream just for his grandmother, and she watched the entire ceremony from her iPad.
- Bruce and Becky got married on the 15th anniversary of Becky’s grandfather’s heavenly birthday. To remember him, Becky included Saint Joseph’s card, her grandfather’s patron saint, in her bouquet.
- Bruce decided to change things up a little with his groomsmen choices and made his sister, Alanna, a groomswoman! While the bridesmaids wore blush dresses, Alanna wore a navy gown to match the boys but still look elegant.
- Becky’s family is Polish, and Becky’s culture is very important to her. During his toast, Joe (Bruce’s bestman) led guests in singing “Sto Lat” to the happy couple. This is a song that translated means “100 years” and is sung to express best wishes, health, and a long life.
- Bruce and Becky met at Saint Joseph’s College. (You can learn more about how they met here!) To make Saint Joe part of their big day, Bruce and Becky asked Father Tim McFarland, a former priest and professor at SJC, to preside over their ceremony.
Between all of these sentimental details, Bruce and Becky’s wedding day couldn’t have been anymore special to them or their friends and family.
The temperature dropped, but Bruce & Becky pushed through!
I think it’s safe to say that Bruce and Becky would only change one thing about their wedding day: the temperature!
While the Midwest has been warming up over the last week, temperatures dropped drastically on Bruce and Becky’s wedding day. They’d been hoping for spring temps, but during photos, the temperature got down to 32 degrees with an even colder windchill.
We had to take a few breaks during photos so poor Mrs. Anderson could warm up, but with the help of Bruce and the world’s most encouraging bridesmaids, Becky pushed through!
While you’ll have your wedding photos for all of your days, you only get to enjoy and capture your big day once. I’m so glad Becky was willing to be a little chilly (Okay, freezing!), so she and Bruce can forever remember their first day as husband and wife when they look at their wedding photos.
Bruce, Becky, & their guests celebrated their wedding in Berwyn, Illinois at Alpine Banquets.
After photos, Bruce and Becky headed to their reception at Alpine Banquets in Berwyn, Illinois. They enjoyed some pretty fantastic food (Sarah and I talked about the dumplings for a long time!), and then were toasted by Becky’s dad (Ralph), Bruce’s best man (Joe), and Becky’s maids of honor (Katie and Julie).
I think it’s safe to say that Bruce and Becky loved every second of their reception. I mean, when you’re as much fun as Bruce and Becky are, you have some equally fun friends and family members!
Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Anderson!
Bruce and Becky, I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am for you or how honored I am that you trusted me to be your wedding photographer. Your big day was incredible, and I have no doubt that your marriage will be even more amazing.
I pray that the life you share is filled with blessings (Sto lat!) and that every trial brings you closer together and closer to Christ.
Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson! Enjoy Aruba!
To honor her grandfather who passed away exactly 15 years before Bruce and Becky’s wedding day, Becky carried Saint Joseph’s card, her grandfather’s patron saint, in her bouquet.
Bruce set up a life stream, so his 98-year-old grandmother could watch the ceremony from California. How thoughtful was that?!
Want to see more of Bruce and Becky? Check out their engagement photos!
Creative Team
Getting Ready Venue: Holiday Inn & Suites Bolingbrook
Ceremony Venue: St. Leonard Catholic Church
Reception Venue: Alpine Banquets
Wedding Dress: Eleganza Bridal Gallery
Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie
Tuxedos: The Black Tux
Rings: Kay Jewelers
Invitations: Vistaprint
Cake: Racine Bakery
Caterer: Alpine Banquets
Cookies: Claire’s Cookies
DJ: Jim Corciotto
Hair Stylist: Deb Jones of Deux Salon & Co.
Florist: Violet Flower Shop
Makeup Artist: Makeup and Hair by Traci
Officiant: Father Tim McFarland
Photo Booth: ShutterBooth
Photographer: Victoria Rayburn Photography
Second Shooter: Sarah Elizabeth Photos