Some wedding days don’t unfold exactly as planned, but they become truly unforgettable for all the right reasons! 

Allison and Anthony’s summer wedding at Etre Farms in St. Joseph, Michigan was one of those days. Between passing rain showers, a ceremony in the rain, and a timeline that kept everyone on their toes, their day was filled with unexpected moments. Through it all, these two never lost sight of what mattered most: marrying each other. Their joy, flexibility, and excitement made every single moment a dream to photograph!

If you’ve followed Allison and Anthony’s journey since their engagement session, you already know these two have the most fun together. (If you missed it, be sure to check out their engagement session here!) 

That same playful energy carried into their wedding day. Allison is endlessly creative, always dreaming up her next TikTok, adventure, or business idea, and Anthony is right there beside her, cheering her on! Watching the way he looks at her and embraces every spontaneous idea she has is one of my favorite things about their relationship. It’s obvious to everyone around them just how much he adores her.

The day began with one word that perfectly described every detail: PINK. From the bridesmaids’ dresses to the thoughtfully curated décor, every corner of Etre Farms reflected Allison’s personality. If you know Allison, you know pink isn’t just a wedding color. It’s a lifestyle. Her bridesmaids matched that energy perfectly, serving as the ultimate hype girls all morning long. Whenever there was a little downtime before the ceremony, they were making TikToks together, dancing, laughing, and helping calm any pre-ceremony jitters. It made the morning feel so lighthearted and fun, and it was such a true reflection of who Allison is!

One of the sweetest parts of the day was having Cashew, their adorable puppy, included in the celebration. Cashew had the best day, roaming around Etre Farms all morning, greeting guests, and soaking up all the attention before making an appearance down the aisle during the ceremony. And it didn’t stop there! Allison and Anthony’s signature drink was an espresso martini garnished with coffee beans they lovingly called “Cashews”. This fun detail that had guests smiling all evening!

Before the ceremony, guests were welcomed with one of the most unique cocktail hours I’ve seen. Instead of waiting until after the ceremony, they enjoyed a welcome cocktail hour complete with a stunning champagne wall. Guests simply rang a bell, and a glass of champagne was hand-delivered to them. It was such a memorable experience that immediately set the tone for the celebration. This photographer loved it!

As ceremony time approached, the weather continued to tease us with on-and-off rain showers. Allison had every opportunity to move the ceremony indoors, but she never considered it. She dreamed of getting married outside, and rain wasn’t going to change her plans. So, with umbrellas nearby and the rain falling around them, Allison walked down the aisle exactly where she had always imagined. It was such a beautiful reminder that sometimes the moments we can’t control become the ones we remember most.

The fact that Allison and Anthony chose not to do a first look made that ceremony moment even more emotional. Seeing each other for the very first time as Allison walked down the aisle was worth every second of waiting. There was so much anticipation leading up to that moment. It made their ceremony feel even more meaningful.

Afterward, we tackled portraits with an impressively large wedding party while continuing to dodge scattered rain showers. The circumstances certainly challenged everyone, but you’d never know it by the smiles on everyone’s faces! Their friends brought incredible energy all afternoon, and Allison and Anthony never once let the weather dampen their excitement. We adapted, embraced every break in the rain, and created beautiful portraits together.

One of the things I’ll remember most from this wedding is how much trust Allison and Anthony placed in us throughout the day. Weather is one of the few things no one can control on a wedding day, and when couples choose to embrace it instead of fighting it, it allows us to do what we do best. Their flexibility and positive attitudes meant we could focus on creating beautiful images instead of worrying about every change in the forecast. That trust is such a gift, and I’m incredibly thankful for couples like these two!

Etre Farms continues to be one of my favorite wedding venues to photograph. It truly offers everything a couple could want… From beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces to an incredible team that takes such great care of both their couples and every guest in attendance. Every time I photograph a wedding there, I remember exactly why I love coming back. I already can’t wait for the next celebration I photograph at this beautiful venue!

Allison and Anthony, thank you for trusting me to capture your wedding day exactly as it unfolded! Rain and all, your celebration was joyful, heartfelt, and so true to you. I know this is only the beginning of a lifetime filled with spontaneous adventures, creative ideas, plenty of laughter, and so much love. Congratulations to you both!

VENDOR TEAM LOVE || Venue, Catering, Florist, DJ, Cake: @etrefarms | Photographer: @jillianphotography__ | Videographer: @joemantarian | Hair & MUA: @weddingsbyfemme | Bridesmaids: @showmeyourmumu | Tuxes: @menswearhouse | Live Music: @‌arogersofficial | Content Creator: @sproutscontent

Jillian Photography is a Chicagoland wedding & senior photographer serving Naperville, St. Charles, and beyond. Get in touch with Jill here & follow along on social for what’s happening behind the scenes!

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