Kylie and Rafael were married in an amazing September wedding with a ceremony at St Dennis Church and a reception at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, IL. When it comes to weddings, this one was amazing and I’m super excited to share their story today.

I was able to capture Kylie and Rafael’s engagement session and I loved being the wedding photographer for this sweet, playful couple as well! Being a wedding photographer gives me the chance to witness love in all its forms. Each and every wedding I photograph reminds me that love truly does conquer all.

Happily Ever After… Starting with a Rialto Square Theatre Wedding!

Kylie and Rafael’s elegant Rialto Square Theatre wedding was a beautiful day that served as a reminder of the power of love and laughter. I loved being a part of their wedding day to capture all of the moments, both big and small. It was wonderful to be there to see #GallegosToTheAltar !

Young Love

Kylie and Rafael met the year before Kylie started high school! Can you believe it? It’s adorable that the love these newlyweds share has grown through so many years. Rafael was friends with Kylie’s best friend’s older sister. Kylie was immediately smitten by his charming smile. She couldn’t stop looking at him!

As they grew, Rafael realized that Kylie was the one when he looked back over the years and realized she had been there for all the important things in his life… and he couldn’t see those important things happening without her there. Kylie fell in love with Rafael’s persistence and his strength through all situations. It’s clear these two are very much in love.

A Stunning Autumn Wedding

This sweet couple is very playful, and they joke about everything, so it was no surprise that their autumn wedding day was filled with smiles and laughter. I met up with Kylie and the bridesmaids at Kylie’s home as they were getting ready and enjoying the sunny September morning. Both mothers were there with Kylie and everyone was so excited as they prepared for the day ahead. It was amazing how long Kylie’s bridesmaids had been in her life! Her maid of honor, Karina had been friends with Kylie since they were 10 years old. And Andrea had been her friend since she was five!

Meanwhile, Rafael got ready with the groomsmen at a nearby hotel. Rafael’s father passed away in 2007, but to make sure he was present on their wedding day, Kylie arranged for a surprise. She had a picture of Rafael’s father sewn into his tie with the words “always with you.” Rafael’s brother (and best man) showed him the special patch as they were getting ready for the day.

This Rialto Square Theatre wedding was impeccably styled, with a gorgeous use of ivory, burgundy and navy blue. Every detail was thoughtfully pulled together and the entire bridal party (and the moms!) all looked amazing together. Kylie was stunning in her Essence of Australia gown and she had the most spectacular veil. The ceremony at St. Dennis church was especially lovely. It was filled with time-honored traditions, like a unity candle as well as lazos and arras.

After the conclusion of the ceremony, we spent time photographing the happy newlyweds with their family at the beautiful church. From there, we went to Cantigny Park in Wheton for photographs with the bride, groom and their bridal party. The whole bridal party was fun to photograph, and it was clear to see how much they adored Kylie and Rafael!

An Elegant Rialto Square Theatre Wedding

Of course, nothing could overshadow the love and happiness shared by the bride and groom. We wandered through Cantigny Park taking pictures. Every single one was filled with the way these two effortlessly connect. Plus, the golden autumn glow of the September sun made for beautiful light! It was magical photographing these two!

Rialto Square Theatre is in downtown Joliet. It just so happened that the day of the wedding was also a huge festival in downtown Joliet! There were only a few flimsy bike racks separating the wedding venue from the festival, but inside it was like stepping onto the stage of an old movie! The Rialto Square Theatre makes for an elegant backdrop for a wedding. From the magnificent stone steps of the grand staircase, the elegant marble floors, and the exquisite chandelier, every detail was simply breathtaking. It was truly a dream wedding venue. When Kylie and Rafael took to the floor for their first dance as husband and wife, it looked like something right out of a fairytale. I was so happy to be there to photograph it!

Thank you, Kylie and Rafael. I am so happy you chose me to be your wedding photographer!

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Thanks to their Illinois Wedding Vendors:

Planner: Nancy Lindmark, Venue Coordinator

Videographer: Petit Four Films

Florist: Flowers by Reyna, Joliet, IL

Cake/Dessert: Private Designer

Stationary: VistaPrint

Rentals: Chair Covers by Sylwia, Willow Springs, IL

Caterer: Bella Cucina Catering

Band/DJ: DJ Benny

Makeup Artist: Beauty by Kylie Seego

Hair Artist: Tarissa & Brielle

Wedding Rings: Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry

Bridal Dress Designer: Essense of Australia

Bridal Dress Boutique: White Satin Bridal, Plainfield, IL

Jewelry: Etsy

Bridal Shoes: Blue by Betsey

Bridal Headpiece or Veil: Etsy

Groom Suit Boutique/Store: Men’s Wearhouse

Bridesmaids Dresses: Sorella Vita, White Satin Bridal

Groomsmen Suits: Calvin Klein, Men’s Wearhouse

Flower Girl: Etsy, Amazon

Getting Ready Location: Family Home, Hotel

Ceremony Venue: St Dennis Church, Lockport IL

Reception Venue: Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL (Website)

If you loved this Rialto Square Theater Wedding, you might also enjoy the wedding photos from Jenny and John’s Orpheum Theater Wedding! Kylie and Rafael knew that I was the wedding photographer for them after falling in love with the pictures from Carly and Mick’s Allerton Park Wedding.