pear tree estates champaign illinois wedding venue

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.

I'm Emily!

wanna know more?

connect on social

wedding blogs

engagement blogs

senior blogs

personal blogs

click to sign up!

be the first to receive educational content, early access on special announcements and more straight to your inbox!

Anna + Ben | Married

Weddings

December 31, 2018

A Cozy Winter Wedding at Urbana FUMC + Pear Tree Estates, Champaign, Illinois

From the moment I met with Anna and her mom, I knew this day was going to be special. We talked for hours about all aspects of Ben + Anna’s wedding day vision, from timeline to decor to the menu, it all sounded like perfection. Knowing they were planning a wedding just days before Christmas, their winter reception at Pear Tree was full of cozy holiday decor, which was glorious.

The day began with a hustle and bustle about the Concord room as Anna, Ben, and all of their close friends and family getting ready for the day ahead. There was a chill in the air, but excitement set in and nobody seemed to notice the cold! After their first look and portrait time, we headed inside Pear Tree for some family formals. I love winter weddings at Pear Tree Estates especially since there is so much natural light flooding inside which allows those portraits to be taken inside in the warmth!

The ceremony was at the Urbana First United Methodist Church and it was my first time actually visiting the church itself. The exterior is jaw-dropping and inside was perfect for a Christmas wedding! There was the challenge of not having a middle aisle, but there’s something so special about having friends and family included in the wide shots of the ceremony. I loved how the couple chose to have friends and family throw “snow” as they left the church!

As we headed back to Pear Tree for the reception, we planned to do a few additional portraits around the grounds before the big party. Decorated with cozy candlelight, warm vintage lanterns, and beautiful florals, every inch of PTE was perfect. They even had a cozy spot by the fireplaces to relax, a winter soup and panini bar for dinner, and a large Christmas tree to put the gifts underneath! It was such a fun reception, and I’m so happy to have met Ben + Anna and capture their wedding day. I hope you love the images as much as I do!

invitation details florals badgley mischka flats

badgley mischka wedding flat shoes details

I was obsessed with all of Anna’s florals for their wedding day. Once again, Kristine knocked it out of the park and of course I had to include them in their ring shots!