Wanting to keep their friends and family safe and to follow their state’s gathering restrictions, Josh and Tammy Copeland had to wait 364 days to celebrate their marriage with their friends and family. And, boy did they celebrate!
I’m so excited to share photos from Mr. and Mrs. Copeland’s wedding reception at Girl in the Park in Orland Park, Illinois!
Josh & Tammy were forced to change their wedding plans at least a dozen times.
Josh and Tammy originally planned to get married and enjoy a large reception with family and friends on Saturday, February 6, 2021.
However, with COVID numbers once again peaking and Illinois reinstating gathering restrictions, Josh and Tammy’s originally planned celebration just couldn’t happen.
But, this darling couple didn’t want to wait any longer to get married. As a result, they shared their vows in Tammy’s parents’ living room on February 6, 2021 with just their parents and a few others surrounding them, a handful of close family and friends watching through windows, and hundreds of loved ones watching via Zoom across the country.
Josh and Tammy’s ceremony was incredibly sweet and intimate, and if you’d like to see how the Mels transformed their living room into the most lovely wedding venue, be sure to check out Josh and Tammy’s ceremony blog post!
While it’s been a year since Josh and Tammy said “I do,” COVID isn’t over, and restrictions are constantly changing. As a result, Josh and Tammy decided that they ultimately just wanted to celebrate with their friends and family and that a big, traditional reception wasn’t necessary.
As a result, Josh and Tammy rented space at Girl in The Park—a really great restaurant and bar in Orland Park, Illinois—and invited their loved ones to come celebrate with them at the bar! And, honestly, their celebration was perfect for Josh and Tammy in every way.
While family decorated the reception space, Josh and Tammy met Megan (my second shooter) and me at Centennial Park for some updated bride and groom photos. (We did get to take some on their ceremony day, but who doesn’t want more photos with the love of their life?!) And, just like on their ceremony day, it was freezing cold, but Josh and Tammy—especially Tammy considering her arms were bare—were such troopers. With a little shivering and taking time to warm up in the car between poses, Josh and Tammy did an incredible job, and I cannot wait for them to see round two of their snowy wedding photos!
After bride and groom portraits, Josh and Tammy headed to Girl in the Park. Their reception started with appetizers and a family-style dinner with their families—which includes a LOT of nieces and nephews! Then, Josh and Tammy shared parents dances and their first dance with just their families present.
After that, the dance floor opened!
Then, at 8:00, the kids headed home, and more adult friends and family met Josh and Tammy at the bar for an evening of fun and celebrating!
While their celebration might not have been what they’d originally planned, Josh and Tammy’s wedding (which was divided over two days nearly a year apart) turned out to be perfectly true to who they are: Christ focused, family centered, full of love, and oh-so fun!
Congratulations (Again!), Mr. & Mrs. Copeland!
Josh and Tammy, first of all, congratulations! Congratulations on one year of marriage and for getting married during a pandemic and making the absolute best of the situation. How the two of you have handled the last year is a beautiful example of what marriage is supposed to look like: clinging to and enjoying one another regardless of life’s circumstances.
I can’t begin to explain how honored I am that two of you trusted me to be your wedding photographer TWICE! I hope you love these previews from your wedding reception at Girl in the Park in Orland Park, Illinois.
Josh proposed at Centennial Park. As a result, Josh and Tammy decided that they’d love to take their second round of wedding photos at Centennial Park in Orland Park, Illinois, which was absolutely perfect. It’s hard to tell, but there is a lake under all that snow! 
Josh and Tammy, I honestly don’t know how the two of you managed to look so stunning and elegant in the 15-degree weather. Y’all are such troopers, and I hope you see these photos and feel that being cold was worth it! Also, I want to commend you on the fact that your wedding clothes still fit perfectly a whole year later! That’s truly impressive! 
Josh and his mama belted out their song. Pretty sure this is where Josh gets his fun-loving nature and sense of humor! 
One thing Josh and Tammy didn’t want to miss out on was dancing with their parents. Thankfully, these dances were just delayed. 
With 10 nieces and nephews, the dance floor was packed with a whole lot of family fun! 
Want to see more of Josh and Tammy? Check out their engagement photos at Wea Creek Orchard and their intimate wedding ceremony!
Creative Team
Venue: Girl in the Park
Wedding Dress Boutique: Bella Sposa Bridal Boutique
Wedding Dress Designer: Stella York
Seamstress: Emily Workman
Tuxedo: Men’s Wearhouse
Florist: Etsy
Photographer: Victoria Rayburn Photography
