From the moment I first heard Grace & Connor's "How we met" story, I just knew we would be a perfect fit to work together. Simply put, I adore them. I adore their whole family. These two have so much support and love from every single family member. Connor met Grace on their first day of college. He came home that first week and told his mom he met the girl he was going to marry. WOW. 
Girls, find you a man that KNOWS he's gonna marry you... and boys, find you a girl that looks at you like you have hung the moon and the stars and the planets and the sun and everything else in the entire world because that is exactly how Grace looks at Connor. These two are a made for each other. 
The whole family was so involved and you can see just how much love surrounds this beautiful young couple. Grace's grandparent's (the owners of The London Tea Room) brought some DIVINE scones and cakes and pastries for us to brunch on. I even broke my "no carb" diet for those goodies. 
There is always something at a wedding that gets me right in the feels. Sometimes it's a first look, or the sweet words during a toast. This time though. This time had me full blown almost ugly crying. Thank goodness I had my camera to hide my face. Grace is super close with her mom and decided to surprise her and do a "first dance" with her. OH MY MAMA HEART could not handle it. Her relationship with Jodi is so similar to the relationship I share with my own baby girl and it just got me. WHEW. I don't think there was a dry eye in the building. 
The two finished their Sunday wedding with a ribbon and bubble send off. It was the sweetest wedding. I can't wait to see where their lives take them! 
CONGRATULATIONS MR. & MRS. McGUIRE! ​
Brookdale Farms, as always, was beautiful and so wonderful to work with. I absolutely love every chance I get to work with them. The staff is so amazing and it's one of my favorite venue's to team up with. 
Vendors: 
Venue: Brookdale Farms
Dress: Clarice's Bridal
Suits: Savvi Formalwear
Florist: Laura Winn - Field & Flower
DJ: Dre Thomas DJ Services

​​Elegant Illusions Photography is an award winning St. Louis MO Wedding & Portrait Photographer, specializing in St. Louis Wedding, Engagement, & Portrait Photography, serving St. Louis, Franklin County, and surrounding areas.  
Destination Wedding Packages available.

Kaitlyn and Andrew's wedding day was one I will surely never forget. They had the most fun I think I've ever seen at a wedding and it was full of some of the most memorable moments. I mean, never before have I had a groom get a golf cart stuck in the mud and then have the bride and bridesmaids wench him out with a side by side. There is always a first time for everything.
Kaitlyn and Andrew were also surrounded by an immense amount of love. I firmly believe that laughter and love are the building blocks to a long and happy marriage, so I know these two are blessed. 
I always get excited when I get a chance to work with A Pocket Full of Sunshine Wedding Venue in Mount Vernon Illinois. Their owner, Talia, and all of the staff are so amazing to work with. Seriously some of the best around.  As a St Louis Wedding Photographer, it makes my job so much better when I am able to work with amazing vendors. 
With that being said, Thank you to all the amazing vendors who made the Crawford's day go off without a hitch. 
Venue: A Pocket Full of Sunshine, LLC
Dress: Ella Park Bridal 
HMU: Natalie Joseph's Salon
Florist: Flower Girls
Cake: Cakes by Ally
DJ: Music in Motion
Videography: Southern Illinois Wedding Videography

​Elegant Illusions Photography is an award winning St. Louis MO Wedding & Portrait Photographer, specializing in St. Louis Wedding, Engagement, & Portrait Photography, serving St. Louis, Franklin County, and surrounding areas.  
Destination Wedding Packages available.

What an honor it was to work with Jessica and Brett on their wedding day! It was an absolute joy getting to know the two of them over the last year. They are truly a remarkable couple. Their wedding was so beautiful but chill, which is perfectly them. Their family and friends surrounded them with so much love and support, it was a beautiful sight to witness. 
Silver Oaks Chateau was the perfect spot for their spring wedding. All the blooms created a beautiful backdrop. Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Johnson, for allowing me to capture your love story! May you have a long and blessed marriage! 
Vendors:
Venue: Silver Oaks Chateau
MUA: Noelle Glam MUA
Dress: Robins Bridal Boutique (no longer open)
Suits: Men’s Wearhouse 
Florist: Carol Ehlke
DJ: DJ Franco of Show Me Sounds
Videography: Daniel Thompson Film 

​Elegant Illusions Photography is an award winning St. Louis MO Wedding & Portrait Photographer, specializing in St. Louis Wedding, Engagement, & Portrait Photography, serving St. Louis, Franklin County, and surrounding areas.  
Destination Wedding Packages available.

From the moment I met Bryna & Kyle, I knew I would love working with them. They are two of the sweetest, most laid back, most in love, most caring humans I've had the pleasure of knowing. Every moment I spent with them, from planning their engagement session, all the way through their beautiful wedding day, was such a joy for me. As a St Louis Wedding Photographer, couples like this are a dream to work with. 
The Lough's were blessed with a beautiful February day with perfect temps, which is so rare! All of their family and friends from near & far traveled in to be here for them. The way they were surrounded by so much love and support is just another sign that these two will have a very long and happy marriage. 
Brookdale Farms Weddings & Events was the perfect venue for Bryna (who is a VETERINARIAN!) & Kyle. It's such a beautiful hidden gem nestled by rolling hills with plenty of space for guests to spread out & enjoy the festivities.. The staff is amazing to work with too! 
Without further ado, CONGRATULATIONS to Mr & Mrs (Doctor) Lough! Check out these gorgeous sneak peeks!!!

Vendors: 
Venue~ Brookdale Farms Weddings & Events
Dress~ Sincerely Yours Bridal
Hair~ Whitney Stream
Makeup~ Krista Scheller
DJ~ E&K DJ

​Elegant Illusions Photography is an award winning St. Louis MO Wedding & Portrait Photographer, specializing in St. Louis Wedding, Engagement, & Portrait Photography, serving St. Louis, Franklin County, and surrounding areas.  
Destination Wedding Packages available.

I started the new year celebrating Krystal & Heath's love for one another. It was the perfect way to begin 2021. The Townley's were fortunate to be surrounded by their closest family & friends. We even made a pit stop to see Krystal's grandma (who couldn't attend due to the COVID risks). Seeing her face light up when she saw the happy couple, was the highlight of my day. 
Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Townley! 

Vendors: 
Venue: The Historic John B. Busch Brewery Event Center
Dress & Suits: Wedding Creations  
HMU: Kalee Krupinski
​Florist: Four Seasons

​Elegant Illusions Photography is an award winning St. Louis MO Wedding & Portrait Photographer, specializing in St. Louis Wedding, Engagement, & Portrait Photography, serving St. Louis, Franklin County, and surrounding areas.  
Destination Wedding Packages available.

I wrapped up my 2020 wedding season with a magical day spent celebrating Abby & Ben's love for one another.
2020 has been INSANE as everyone in the world knows. Trying to plan a wedding during a pandemic hasn't been easy on anyone. Last minute changes or reschedules were at the top of the list of concerns for most couples. As a St. Louis Wedding Photographer, I have seen first hand, the panic these poor couples have gone through. LUCKILY Abby & Ben were able to have a gorgeous ceremony and a little bit of post ceremony fun, despite their last minute rearrangements to their big day. 
It was literally the most beautiful December day, with very comfortable temps and the perfect amount of sunlight. These two somehow found a way to combine their love of all things Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings & a sprinkle of Disney magic thrown in.  Abby's main request for their formal portraits were to make sure to capture their weird/goofy/playful side. It was great! I love being able to see the real you during your portraits! They had me cracking up. 
CONGRATULATIONS MR. & MRS. DIERKER! 

Vendors:

Dress: Wedding Creations
Hair: Designers Edge
Makeup: Megan Gaither
Florals: Sister Chicks Flowers

​​​Elegant Illusions Photography is an award winning St. Louis MO Wedding & Portrait Photographer, specializing in St. Louis Wedding, Engagement, & Portrait Photography, serving St. Louis, Franklin County, and surrounding areas.  
Destination Wedding Packages available.

If you are lucky enough to spend just a few minutes with Jessy & Mike, you will immediately see just how perfect they are for one another. I have been blessed with getting to know the two of them over the last year. Their wedding day was perfectly them. They were surrounded by so many of their friends & family, showering them with love & support. In spite of the chilly damp weather, all of us felt the warmth of their love. 
I absolutely love when I get to work with the team at Lost Hill Lake. As a St Louis Wedding Photographer, it is always a pleasure working with a team as thoughtful and attentive as the LHL team. They truly pull out all the stops at every wedding they host. I loved all the little touches they included for The Schaljo's big day. The baskets of blankets and the cozy bonfires helped keep everyone nice and comfortable. 
Congratulations Mike & Jessy! This is just the beginning to what will be a beautiful love story!

Vendors
Venue: Lost Hill Lake Weddings & Events
Accommodations/Bridal Suite: Budget Lodging
Dress: Clarice's Bridal Fashions
Florals: Sisterchicks Flowers
Video/DJ: Applause Weddings
​HMU: Ashley Boren
2nd Photographer: Kristen Pruser

​​Elegant Illusions Photography is an award winning St. Louis MO Wedding & Portrait Photographer, specializing in St. Louis Wedding, Engagement, & Portrait Photography, serving St. Louis, Franklin County, and surrounding areas.  
Destination Wedding Packages available.

2ndWhen I think back on Kellie & Kevin's wedding day, I can't help but grin from ear to ear. They share a love so strong & so full of laughter. As a wedding photographer, I get to stand back and just absorb some of the moments in the day. What I saw were two people who are truly each others best friend. There were so many moments where they looked at one another and just couldn't help but laugh at an inside joke, or something silly one of them had done. It is a blessing when you are able to have your best friend become your spouse. 
The Smegner's wedding was absolutely stunning. (I am obsessed with how gorgeous The Caramel Room in St Louis is.) Their day was full of so many laughs, tears, and giant smiles. Kellie & Kevin have so many people surrounding them with support & wisdom. I can not wait to see the rest of their love story unfold. CONGRATULATIONS Mr. & Mrs. Smegner! 

Vendors
Venue: The Caramel Room
Dress: Clarice's Bridal Fashions
Florist: Petal Pushers STL
Cake: Sarah's Cake Shop
HMU: KAMCO Beauty
2nd Photographer: Kristen Pruser
Videographer: Daniel Thompson Film & Photography

​Elegant Illusions Photography is an award winning St. Louis MO Wedding & Portrait Photographer, specializing in St. Louis Wedding, Engagement, & Portrait Photography, serving St. Louis, Franklin County, and surrounding areas.  
Destination Wedding Packages available.

Amanda & Logan traveled from Texas to be with their family & friends as they said "I Do". They are both originally from the Union MO & Washington MO areas, so coming back to their home town to share their celebration was a no brainer. It was the perfect autumn day with warm sun and the smell of crisp leaves in the air. Amanda looked like a fairytale princess and Logan had a look of awe in his eyes, every time he gazed at his bride. These two middle school sweethearts couldn't be more perfect for one another. 
The details of this wonderful day were so gorgeous. Everything from the bridesmaids dresses, to the flowers, down to the centerpieces, were straight out of a magazine. It hasn't been easy for our 2020 brides, planning their wedding day, and if you throw in the Morton's out of town factor, planning was a big task to manage. Despite all the obstacles, everything was absolutely perfect.
Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Morton! I wish you all the best and know you will have a long marriage full of laughter & love. 

Vendors: 
Venue: Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church & St. Francis Borgia Ballroom-Washington MO
Dress: Wedding Creations 
Hair: Leslie Unnerstall/Trashy Roots Salon
Makeup: Christine Newton
Florist: Four Seasons Florist
Cake: Teresa Lynn Cakes

​​​Elegant Illusions Photography is an award winning St. Louis MO Wedding & Portrait Photographer, specializing in St. Louis Wedding, Engagement, & Portrait Photography, serving St. Louis, Franklin County, and surrounding areas.  
Destination Wedding Packages available.

When I think back on Karley & Keith's day, the word that comes to mind is elegance. Everything about their day was perfectly thought out and absolutely stunning. Karley & Keith are such a beautiful couple! They could not stop smiling all day. Their grins were so contagious that my cheeks hurt by the end of the night.
As a St Louis Wedding Photographer, I love working with new (to me) venue's. The Villa Antonio Winery in Hillsboro MO is so picturesque. Nestled back off the beaten path, surrounded by quiet rolling hills, it is a beautiful venue. 
Big congratulations to the Pfaff's! They have a beautiful future ahead of them. 

Vendors
Venue: Villa Antonio Winery
Dress: Sincerely Yours Bridal
Florist: Charlee Storner
Cake: Cake House Design
DJ: Sound Solutions Live LLC

​​Elegant Illusions Photography is an award winning St. Louis MO Wedding & Portrait Photographer, specializing in St. Louis Wedding, Engagement, & Portrait Photography, serving St. Louis, Franklin County, and surrounding areas.  
Destination Wedding Packages available.