One of my favorite things about weddings? The day is all about the couple! Their love story, their romance, their sweet glances they only reserve for each other. It’s enough to make even the most cynical swoon. And for a romantic like me, weddings are basically the most wonderful events in the world! Susan and Colin wanted to make their wedding day 100% them, so of course I was happy to oblige on the photography front! Their Mackinaw Valley Vineyards wedding was one for the books, and it was wonderful to capture every intimate moment from the laughter and smiles to the happy tears.

The Best Blind Date

Susan and Colin met on Tinder when they were both living in Oregon. Colin picked Susan up for their first date at a restaurant called Fireworks, where they talked about all the “taboo” subjects. You know the ones – politics, religion, and other random stuff. And guess what, they had great conversation and the date went incredibly well. So well, in fact, that Susan and Colin went on their second date just two days later. After that, they barely went a day without seeing one another. When the lovebirds started dating, Susan was already planning to move to Illinois for a job. Although that could’ve torn them apart, it led to a great talk and they decided that they didn’t want to break out. Colin drove out to Illinois with Susan to keep her company, and then he just didn’t leave after that! They moved in together, and they knew it was meant to be when they’d been living together nearly a year and they weren’t sick of each other! It also helped that they had started their small family with their cats.

A Road Trip to Forever

As a couple, Susan and Colin are pretty crazy cat people. They have their four fur babies, and those fuzz balls are their favorite companions. Colin would have included them in their Mackinaw Valley Vineyards wedding if he could have. Susan and Colin are also pretty big goofballs, who just like to laugh, watch bad TV, and enjoy each other’s company. Together, they spend time playing Pokemon, loving the cats, and watching Netflix. As their relationship blossomed, these sweethearts fell more and more in love. Susan loves that Colin can always make her laugh, especially by looking at her or meowing to the cats. Colin loves Susan’s fellow love for cats, and says that she’s “not bad on the eyes, either.” Cute!

A Mackinaw Valley Vineyards Wedding

Susan and Colin said “I do” and promised their lives to one another in a stunning Mackinaw Valley Vineyards Wedding in Bloomington, Illinois. Their day was fairytale-perfect, and they were surrounded by all their family and friends as they celebrated their greatest adventure. Susan wore a stunning Essence of Australia dress paired with her grandmother’s pearl necklace. Her bridesmaids complemented the bride, wearing their own navy dresses and matching TOMs.

Susan and Colin’s favorite part of the wedding was that everything was something they’d do in their daily lives – from using pictures of their cats in the centerpieces, references to WWE in their vows, their cat and dog cake topper, and 90s music dance party during their reception. They even incorporated a wine box ceremony, where the couple puts the bottle of wine and two letters in a box to open on their one-year anniversary. The entire wedding was fun party for everyone, and personal and unique to the bride and groom. There was laughter, tears, and an abundance of love. And those are the best kinds of weddings! It was a privilege to capture all the wonderful moments that created such a magical day, and I’m so excited for Susan and Colin to have beautiful photos to look back on and remember all the fun and special moments of their big day.

Susan & Colin

Vendors

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Mackinaw Valley Vineyards

Planner: Lisa Sword

Cake: Hy-Vee

Florist: Hy-Vee

Hair Artist: Michelle at Beaux Cheveaux

Bride’s Gown: Essense of Australia, from Cloud Nine Bridal

To see similar weddings click here and here!