I'm a coffee loving, travel-obsessed, twenty-something based out of Central Illinois. I'm lucky enough to make a living doing what I love - photographing people! I specialize in weddings (destination + local), senior portraits, + boudoir.
Admittedly, I was a bit nervous about Saturday’s wedding. At Marlyse and Lucien’s engagement session we talked about some of the elements of their wedding day that would make it unique, mainly that they would be intertwining a traditional African wedding with a traditional American wedding. It was also a bit intimidating to hear that 90% of the guests would only speak French (jealous!) so I would need to have the other 10% of people to talk to, and about 5% could translate for me if needed. It was also scheduled to be an outside reception, and there was a chance for rain, or at the very least it’d be hot and humid. If you know me well enough, you know that this was all a challenge I was excited to take on, just nervous because I wanted to do it right! Now that the day has come and gone, I realize there was nothing to be worried about! I would relive this day over and over again, it was so fun! Marlyse and Lucien made me (and the other vendors) feel right at home and part of the family right away, and I LOVED hearing everyone around me speaking French!
The morning was spent prepping Marlyse for the ceremony at St. Matthew’s, where she had a traditional white gown and the longest veil I’ve EVER seen! The guys were dressed sharp in blue, which paired well with the purple and teal bridesmaids dresses! Everything was so full of color. The pair mixed traditional African elements in their ceremony by including their two pastors along with a choir who sang African wedding songs. It was amazing and so fun to hear the crowd yell, dance, and chant along! After portraits were done, Marlyse and Lucien then changed into their African dress for the reception, which were so colorful and vibrant! Once the dance floor opened up I didn’t want to leave! It’s not everyday I get to witness such a full lively dance floor dancing to French music!
Ceremony | ST. MATTHEW’S CATHOLIC PARISH
Reception | PRAIRIE GLASS HO– USE
Hair + Makeup | DIAMOND BY LADY T, DAGENHAM, UK
Dress Store, Bridesmaid’s Dresses, + Men’s Tuxes | MILLIE’S FASHION WEDDING DRESS, LONDON, UK
Jewelry | DEBENHAM’S, LONDON, UK
Shoes | DUNE LONDON, UK
Videographer | TORI BEACH VIDEOGRAPHY
DJ | FABRICE DONGO
Cake | CAKE ARTISTS STUDIO
Bride’s Kente + Accessories | EDWAASO
Photographer | MAGER IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHY
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