Holly + Mike | Married
Countryside Banquet Center Wedding in East Peoria, IL
This wedding season has been crazy, as we all know by now, and Holly + Mike’s plans were put through the ultimate test! Originally planned for September, their music inspired blush themed wedding was put on hold. Luckily, we were all able to make a November date work out, so it was a simple switch!
The day started a bit windy but clear skies all around which was all I could’ve asked for! I headed to meet the ladies getting ready at the hotel while the guys got ready at the house. The morning went well and we headed to the ceremony at Countryside Banquet Center. Holly + Mike chose not to do a first look, which was sweet because they have been together 11 years and they didn’t have a bridal party (except Holly’s daughters) so we didn’t have bridal party portraits so there was wiggle room with the schedule! YES, 11 years people!! And these 2 are perfect for each other, I don’t know what took 11 years 😉 They compliment each other so well and their personalities just vibe! The venue was decorated to match their personalities perfectly too. Mike works for a radio station so they had decorated with records and song lyrics, which was sweet! But my favorite touch….the wedding cake topper that said “Finally Mr. & Mrs.” TRUE DAT!!!
With sunset so early these days, we were able to do ALL their bridal portraits outside because we had more time for just them (perks of no bridal party)!! I love these golden hour bridals SO much!! Nothing is better than a fall midwest sunset!
To top the day off, they had a band!! And let me tell you, they KICKED ASS!!! I’ve heard a lot of bands at weddings and such but these guys were great. Dexter O’Neal & the Funk Yard played everything from upbeat classics to Bruno Mars and they kept the party alive!!
THE PROPOSAL
“We have been together for 11 years, and I still didn’t see it coming. We had talked about it and thought maybe someday sooner than later but I didn’t think that day would ever come lol. On Christmas Eve Morning, he said he had to run to the station because he forgot to record something. I was getting mad and irritated at him because we were ready to go and waiting on him and it was Christmas Eve, work could wait, and his grandma doesn’t like to wait, whom we were picking up on the way to his moms. (We always go to his moms house and do Christmas then go to my dad’s house in the evening.) Anyway, business at usual at his moms, time to open stockings, his mom gave me a little bag and said this is yours. I said oh really whats this? She said well I don’t know, I thought she was joking but she wasn’t, she had no clue. I was told to open this first and me start the stockings off. Meanwhile, Mike asked his sister to record me opening my “stocking”, she said okay, thinking why but did anyway. There was a letter in there from our “Elf on the Shelf Snowflake” that brought us a lot of joy with our girls growing up : ) It was a beautiful letter about me, and then I opened the bag up and pulled out the ring Mike was shaking and crying getting down on one knee and he asked me to!” – Holly
I’m so glad to have been part of your long awaited day! 11 years is such a long time, so I am sure glad you have tied the knot to make it official and included me in the mix. I had a great day with both of you! 🖤
