“Let’s take our hearts for a walk in the woods and listen to the magic whispers of old trees…” That’s what we did to celebrate Chris and Angela’s romantic wooded wedding. With a ceremony at The Chapel in the Trees and a reception at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel, their wedding day was filled with love, magic and overwhelming happiness. I was so happy to be there as their Chapel in the Trees wedding photographer!

A Bloomington Romance

Chris and Angela originally met in high school, when her best friend dated his best friend. At the time, they were just friends. When their friends’ relationship didn’t work out, everyone went their separate ways. But after about 6 years went by, Angela started working at TGI Friday’s in Bloomington and found out Chris worked next door at Panera. She’d stop in before work to get a bagel, and he would always give it to her for free. Chris started coming into visit Angela at TGI Friday’s and eventually got a job there. They had mutual friends and seemed to always be around each other. One night at a party, they admitted their feelings for one another and shared their first kiss.

They ended up dating on and off for a year. Angela became a nurse and moved to Springfield. But Angela realized how much she missed having Chris in her life. She moved back to Bloomington and started a job at Bromenn. They started dating again, and knew it was something special. Angela shared how Chris first said “I love you” at her friend’s wedding during their first dance. “I’ll never forget the look in his eyes as they watered. It was the kind of feeling you feel deep into your soul,” she said.

A Beautiful Beach Proposal

In October, 2018, Chris and Angela were on vacation with a group of people in Cancun. Chris woke up Angela at sunrise to say he was going to walk on the beach with his mom and sister. Angela decided to come along. They were walking along the beach, picking up shells and enjoying the morning. After a moment, Angela realized that she was alone and everyone else was behind her. Chris called her name she turned to see him down on one knee.

He said “Angela, you know I love you, will you marry me?” with that same look he had when he first confessed his love almost exactly 4 years prior. He had tears coming down and couldn’t make out any more words and just kept looking at her. She said yes and he smiled but didn’t move. Eventually Angela had to prompt him and said, “Babe, you’re supposed to put the ring on my finger now.”

A Romantic Woodsy Chapel in the Trees Wedding

Angela loves fall and the outdoors so the choices she made for her wedding ceremony were simply perfect. The wedding colors and flowers came together to have a rustic, romantic autumn look. The bride and her bridesmaids got ready at the Marriott. Then we headed to the Funk’s Grove Chapel in the Trees in McLean, where Angela had a first look with her and her family. I loved seeing how happy her parents and sister were to see Angela in her gorgeous David’s Bridal gown.

I set up a first look between Chris and Angela just outside the church. I wasn’t there for the proposal, but I think that the look in Chris’s eyes might have been the same. He was so overwhelmed with love and emotion when he saw his beautiful bride. The love this couple shares is just beautiful, I loved being there to photograph these special moments!

Happily Ever After at Chapel in the Trees

The Funk’s Grove Church and Chapel in the Trees is a beautiful and romantic spot for a ceremony. There are both indoor and outdoor places for couples to be wed. Angela and Chris had their ceremony in the church, and it was a beautiful, sweet wedding ceremony.

I love stealing my brides and grooms away for just a few moments after their ceremony. After they were pronounced husband and wife, we went out into the woods to the Chapel in the Trees. It was just the two of them, alone with the magic of the trees. They had a chance to soak each other in and revel in the newness of being husband and wife. These wedding photos are some of my favorites of the day. I love when I can just stand back at a distance and capture love. Love like this makes being a wedding photographer easy!

Afterward, everyone headed over to the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel and Conference Center for a fun wedding reception. I’m so happy that I was able to capture the love and the laughter as #millergotmatlocked ! Thank you, Angela and Chris for trusting me as your wedding photographer. I am so happy to have captured your romantic Chapel in the Trees wedding!

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Featured Bloomington Wedding Vendors

Planner: Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Sam Nowatski, Bloomington, IL

Videographer: Totally Kreative Video LLC

Florist: Forget Me Not Flowers, Bloomington, IL

Cake/Dessert: Hyvee

Rentals: Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Sam Nowatski, Bloomington, IL

Caterer: Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Sam Nowatski, Bloomington, IL

Band/DJ: DJ Ryan Hogan

Hair Artist: Shea Studio, Katie Moore

Wedding Rings: Kay Jewelers

Bridal Dress Designer: David’s Bridal

Bridal Dress Boutique: David’s Bridal

Jewelry: Charming Charlie

Bridal Shoes: Kate Spade New York, Keds

Bridal Headpiece or Veil: David’s Bridal

Groom Suit Designer: Seno’s

Groom Suit Boutique/Store: Seno’s

Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal

Groomsmen Suits: Seno’s

Getting Ready Location: Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Sam Nowatski, Bloomington, IL

Ceremony Venue: The Chapel in the Trees (Website), Mclean, IL

Reception Venue: Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Sam Nowatski, Bloomington, IL

If you loved Chris and Angela’s Romantic Wooded Wedding, you might also like Ashley and Nate’s Rustic Outdoor Wedding and Anna and Donny’s Rustic and Romantic Barn Wedding!