I DO
Free 2011 Spring/Summer Issue
In Southern Illinois
britni woodworth photography britni.woodworth@gmail.com
“Like” Britni Woodworth Photography on Facebook!
Advertise with Us to Reach
Thousands
of Local Brides, Grooms and their Families!
I Do: In Southern Illinois is the essential resource for contemporary brides and grooms in Southern Illinois. It is created by real Southern Illinois residents focusing on local people and businesses in the wedding industry. We are proud to feature real Southern Illinois weddings, vendors, and venues. Filled with creativity and real life solutions, this book will spark the imagination of local couples ready to tie the knot. Plan to be a part of this unique opportunity to reach thousands of area brides, grooms and their families!
Contact: s i.weddingmagazine@gmail.com
Real Weddings
6 - 17
Johnny & Amy
6
Jeff & Tami
8
Marcus & Ashley
10
Brandon & Jessica
12
Michael & Mallory
14
Bryan & Chelsea
16
Fashion
18 - 21
Cakes
22
I DO
Hello!
I am incredibly excited to welcome you to the first issue of I DO: In Southern Illinois! Creating this magazine has been a wonderful experience. I have had the opportunity to collaborate with some of the awill see on the following pages, we have the talent right here in our own communities to create a magical event full of memories. Personally, I cherish traditions and ceremony combined with passionate design, color, and individual expression. It is my mission to bring you beautiful, inspiring weddings around Southern Illinois as well as the romance behind them. So settle into your favorite chair and dive into the love stories that have developed in your own backyard.
In Southern Illinois
Founder | Executive Editor Creative Director | Graphic Designer Britni Woodworth
Sincerely,
Britni Woodworth
Copy Editor | Reporter William Bateman
Britni Woodworth Founder & Executive Editor
Public Relations Director Shannon Woodworth
I DO: IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions.
Cover Couple: Johnny & Amy Photographer: Mallory Minor (see page 6)
4
Spring/Summer 2011
Let me know what you think! Drop me a line to let me know your thoughts and opinions about your favorite feature. You can also recommend local wedding professionals and venues or let me know what you would like to see next. Email: britni.woodworth@gmail.com Please title the subject: Letter to the Editor I look forward to hearing from you!
Add us on Facebook! Be sure to “Like” I Do: In Southern Illinois on Facebook to stay up-to-date with your local wedding community!
I DO: In Southern Illinois
All headshots courtesy of Mallory Minor Photography (pages 4 & 5)
Contents
Editor’s Letter
Contributors
See their breathtaking masterpieces on pages 18 - 21.
Mallory Minor •
photographer/event designer
Mallory Minor has a creative vision and the skills to bring her vision to life. She has more than three years of professional photography experience. Her educational background includes art, design and photography. The wedding industry appreciates her trendy avante garde style that focuses on glamorous fashion. Contact for more information: malloryminorphotography@gmail.com
Maggie Karcher •
master stylist
Maggie Karcher is a woman of many talents. She is a licensed cosmetologist, licensed instructor, certified Farouk systems educator, and owner of Salon Amara in McLeansboro, IL. She offers over five years of experience in her field. Maggie’s style can be defined as classy with a bit of an edge. She provides professional consulting on overall hair style and color in regards to client’s natural face shape and complexion. Contact: maggie.salonamara@gmail.com
Erin Gottschall •
make-up artist
Erin Gottschall is a licensed cosmetologist with training at Paul Mitchell in St. Louis. She has over five years of experience as an independent make-up artist and hair stylist. She provides classic elegance but with a touch of drama. Email for more information: e.gotts10@gmail.com
Katie Karcher •
cake creator
Katie Karcher is a professional wedding cake creator with four years of experience. She customizes cakes to fit her client’s personal style. Katie emphasizes on matching the cake to the aura of the wedding day. Contact: karcher.cakes@gmail.com Special thanks to our behind the scenes help (Loran Karcher and Sarah Vallowe) and models (Chelsey Ray, Tori Wright and Brittany Simmons). I DO: In Southern Illinois
Spring/Summer 2011
5
Real Wedding
Johnny & Amy Mt. Vernon, IL • August 28 PHOTOGRAPHED BY MALLORY MINOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Johnny Hammond and Amy Cates met at work. Amy knew from the first day Johnny came in that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. They have always been there for each other and find ways to keep every day filled with laughter. The couple was married on August 28th, 2010, on the grounds at the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts. The reception was held at the Schweinfurth House. Amy says, “We feel blessed to have been able to enjoy our special day with all our family and friends.” They are still in the area now and happily married. Amy and Johnny have three children: Mason, Reagan, and Kennedy. They are a very close knit family and love spending all their time together.
6
Spring/Summer 2011
I DO: In Southern Illinois
I DO: In Southern Illinois
Spring/Summer 2011
7
Real Wedding
Jeff & Tami
New Haven, IL • July 19
PHOTOGRAPHED BY MALLORY MINOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Jeff Martin and Tami Poshard’s story began when they were children growing up in the same small town of New Haven. She was best friends with Jeff’s sister, Debbie. Tami says, “I guess I always had a crush on him. I remember one time when I was fifteen, my father let me go riding around with him. But he was five years older and I was not allowed to date him.” Tami eventually moved away from Southern Illinois, and they went their separate ways. They each married and had their own families. In 2007, Tami relocated to Southern Illinois. One evening in 2009, Tami attended a wake with her mother for an old neighbor. Her mother gave her a nudge and a head nod to let her know that Jeff Martin was there. Jeff walked up to greet her parents and asked Tami’s mother if she was one of their granddaughters. Tami loved it when her mother replied, “Why, Jeff! That is Tami!” After a few months of speaking on the phone, he finally asked her out. Jeff took Tami to dinner, and they spent the evening speaking of old times and laughing at how their lives had turned out. On December 13th, 2009, Jeff asked Tami to marry him. The following months were wonderful as they planned for their big day. They wanted to have a small wedding at their home with their closest friends and family. The couple decided to have a pirate themed wedding. Tami says, “It was the most unique, fun thing that we have done. It will be remembered by all that attended but most of all to us! It was a beautiful beginning of our lives now.”
8
Spring/Summer 2011
I DO: In Southern Illinois
I DO: In Southern Illinois
Spring/Summer 2011
9
Real Wedding PHOTOGRAPHED BY MALLORY MINOR PHOTOGRAPHY
On January 31, 2010, Ashley Rice was set up on a blind date with Marcus Krieg. From that day on, their lives were changed. Ashley knew right away that she was falling deeply in love and fast. They continued dating and became best friends. About a month and a half into their relationship, Marcus got news that he was being deployed to Afghanistan for six months. Luckily someone decided to take the deployment for him. About a month later, Ashley got a phone call from Marcus saying he needed to come over right away to discuss something very important. As soon as he got to her house, Marcus explained that he had orders to move to Italy for the next two years. Ashley was devastated. One night at a friend’s house, Marcus looked over at her and said, “Well, there is one way we could make it through this and stay with each other.” Ashley had some long talks with her parents and Marcus’ parents about the idea of marriage. With their young age, they wanted the opinions of the ones they trusted the most. They had a small wedding on May 8th and a larger wedding celebration on July 31st, 2010, at Belecourt in Belleville, IL. Ashley said, “Being surrounded by all of our friends, family and our very talented photographer, Mallory Minor, we couldn’t have asked for a better day.” The couple now lives in Italy by Venice with their two dogs, Sophie and Sasha. Unfortunately, after being there only two months they received word that Marcus had been picked to go to Afghanistan again. This time they had no luck with someone taking it. Marcus is currently serving our country and will be back in June.
10
Spring/Summer 2011
I DO: In Southern Illinois
Marcus & Ashley Belleville, IL • July 31
I DO: In Southern Illinois
Spring/Summer 2011
11
Real Wedding
PHOTOGRAPHED BY MALLORY MINOR PHOTOGRAPHY BRITNI WOODWORTH PHOTOGRAPHY
Brandon & Jessica Mt. Vernon, IL • September 4
Brandon Anderson and Jessica Luschen met through mutual friends in March of 2007. Although neither were looking for a serious relationship, they were attached from day one. On January of 2008, Jessica found out she was pregnant with their little girl, Brianna. Jessica said that even though they were not married at the time, the pregnancy was such a blessing. Brandon was told he would never have children due to an accident when he was younger. He had planned to surprise Jessica by putting the ring on their Christmas tree on Christmas Day, but when Jessica could not find her tree to decorate, he panicked and proposed to her that night, November 23, 2008. Brandon got down on one knee and spilled his heart to her. Jessica started crying and said yes. Filled with excitement, she immediately started planning the wedding. They decided to wait until Brianna was two years old so she could be a part of their special day. Jessica and Brandon could not have asked for a more perfect day for their wedding They invited their closest family and friends for an intimate outdoor ceremony. The reception was open to everyone involved in their lives and was full of dancing and celebrating. Jessica says,” I was so happy to share this special day with all the important people in my life. Everything was so perfect and I was so happy. I really enjoyed getting married at the winery. It was so beautiful there.”
12
Spring/Summer 2011
I DO: In Southern Illinois
I DO: In Southern Illinois
Spring/Summer 2011
13
Real Wedding
Michael & Mallory West Frankfort, IL • November 13 PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRITNI WOODWORTH PHOTOGRAPHY
Mike Mazanek and Mallory Cash met through mutual friends during the summer of 2009. After that weekend, Mike added Mallory on Facebook, but they did not begin talking until that fall. Mallory got tickets to a Rams football game and invited him to go along. They both agree it was the best date they had ever experienced. The couple was inseparable until Mike left for the Air Force BMT (Basic Military Training) in May of 2010. They both knew they wanted to get married when he completed the training. Mallory wrote Mike a letter every day during the summer he was gone. She received about one or two from him a week along with one phone call on Sunday afternoons that lasted fifteen minutes. It was through those letters that they decided to have their wedding in the fall. They were able to see each other during his graduation from BMT at the end of July. Then Mike flew Mallory back to Texas during Labor Day weekend. She suspected he had big plans for the proposal, but Mike could not wait and asked her within twenty minutes of their reunion. Although she could not see him for another two months, Mallory and her mother, Cindy, started planning the wedding of the couple’s dreams. On November 13, they tied the knot during an intimate ceremony with close family and friends. They now live together in Cheyenne, Wyoming and are expecting their first baby in August. Mallory says, “We did not waste any time, but that is very like Mike and me! Everything about us has been fast, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
14
Spring/Summer 2011
I DO: In Southern Illinois
I DO: In Southern Illinois
Spring/Summer 2011
15
Real Wedding
Bryan & Chelsea Harrisburg, IL • December 31 PHOTOGRAPHED BY MALLORY MINOR PHOTOGRAPHY
16
Spring/Summer 2011
I DO: In Southern Illinois
Chelsea Smith’s sister introduced her to Bryan Waier while bowling with a group of friends. They started talking and were soon going out every weekend. Neither one were expecting a relationship at the time it happened. Chelsea says, “It was definitely one of those greatest things when you least expect them!” Bryan started dating her when she was four months pregnant with her daughter, Addi. The theme song for their wedding was Over the Rainbow, and it fit perfectly since it was a rainy, windy day. Somehow it never rained on them whenever they had to go outside. The wedding itself had a glamorous Hollywood ambience. Addi was their flower girl and had a blast dancing the night away. “Overall my life with Bryan and Addi couldn’t be any better. He is a wonderful man. From our relationship to our wedding it was, and still is, just perfect. We couldn’t have asked for a better day,” says Chelsea.
HAIR BY MAGGIE KARCHER
I DO: In Southern Illinois
Spring/Summer 2011
17
Event Designer & Photographer: Mallory Minor Hair: Maggie Karcher • Make-up: Erin Gottschall
Style& Personality Dresses provided by A Special Occasion West Frankfort, IL
18
Spring/Summer 2011
I DO: In Southern Illinois
Sexy
Elegant
Flirty
Fashion
Have Your
Cake
(and eat it too!) One hot trend in the wedding industry is to personalize your cake with the details that best represent you. So have some fun and coordinate with your bouquet, hair piece, or your grandmother’s vintage necklace.
Themes created by Mallory Minor. Cakes created by Katie Karcher. Photographs provided by Mallory Minor Photography.
22
Spring/Summer 2011
I DO: In Southern Illinois
Horseless Carriage Inn
Photographs by Britni Woodworth Photography.
Dahlgren, IL Exit 100 off of I-64, then 1.5 miles south on HWY 242.
618-648-2201 618-204-0624
Located in a country setting, this charming bed and breakfast is the perfect venue for your intimate outdoor ceremony. Experience the delicious homemade meals created just for your special day. Reservations can be made for one of the unique rooms. Perfect for small intimate gatherings, receptions, and bridal showers. Call for more information at 618-648-2201 or 618-204-0624.