Kelly and Bruyn’s Highland Loft Wedding was nothing short of amazing. These two have SO much love for one another and it radiates all over their friends, family and anyone that is near them. As we were prepping for their wedding day Kelly shared with me the story of how they ended up together and it completely melted my heart. These two are beyond sweet and I am so happy I was able to celebrate their day with them.

The Back Story

“Bruyn and I met in high school when I went to his graduation party with my boyfriend at the time and best friend. Both asked me to go with them to Bruyn’s, funny thing is, I knew them, but not Bruyn. I only knew Bruyn’s name because he was fast. Kicker is, we didn’t talk until after we both had graduated college. It was when I was in my first year of teaching when Bruyn reached out to me via Instagram with a message asking for the chances to take me on a date and to get my number. I said 4%. I wasn’t about that relationship life, but didn’t want to be completely rude. That 4% landed him a first date (eventually).

After a year and four months of dating he asked me to marry him! The day he proposed we spent the whole day adventuring around and doing random activities together. They were some of my favorite things or things that I had been asking him to do with me for a while. I thus “chose my own adventure” that day because each activity was mapped out in an adventure book he personally made for me! The last adventure I chose was a walk to the river by our house. We sat on a bench and Bruyn said a prayer. Then he got down on one knee and I naturally said, YES!”

Getting Ready at Highland Loft

Kelly and her bridesmaids got ready at Highland Loft’s getting ready space.  Highland Loft has a beautiful space perfect for the wedding party to get ready for their day there.  Kelly gifted her ladies robes and matching socks to wear on the wedding morning which I LOVED.  These bridesmaids made THE BEST hype crew, they had so much fun getting ready for Kelly and Bruyn’s day at Highland Loft.

Bruyn and his guys met up to take some groomsmen photos before arriving at the Loft.  The guys were so excited for Kelly and Bruyn’s day, we had a blast taking group photos in downtown Elgin.

First Looks

After Kelly and her Bridesmaids got dressed and ready, Kelly opted to do a first look for her wedding party!  I LOVED that Kelly incorporated this into her wedding morning, as it hyped up the bridal party and the ladies had SO much fun.  After their first look, the bridesmaids took a moment with Kelly to pray together.  Along with a first look for her bridesmaids, Kelly had a first look with her mom!

Kelly’s first look with her mom was the perfect way to show her mom a little bit of love and spend some quality time with her on her wedding morning.  Wedding days tend to FLY by, so if you have someone special in your life getting ready with you the morning of your wedding outside of your wedding party, I love incorporating a first look.  It gives you an opportunity to slow down and take a moment together before the rest of the day’s festivities.

First Touch

After Kelly and her mom finished their first look, Kelly and Bruyn wanted to take a moment together.  Though they did not want to visually see each other before their wedding ceremony, they wanted to make sure they could spend some alone time the morning of.  Instead of having a first look, the two opted for a first touch.  They stood on opposite sides of a divider and held hands while they took a moment to chat with each other and get up to speed on eachothers mornings thus far.  It was such a sweet moment and a great way to start off your wedding day.  If you’re not sure if you want to include a first look for you and bae, check out this blog post on alternative first looks you can include in your wedding day.

The Ceremony

The Highland Loft has a beautiful open ceremony space for any wedding that can accommodate up to 600 guests comfortably.  Bruyn and Kelly had all of their friends and family there to support them as they got ready to spend the rest of their lives with one another.  Everyone took their seats and the wedding party began to come down the aisle.  Bruyn knelt down the second he saw the flower girls start coming down the aisle which melted my heart as well as everyone around us.

Wedding Portraits

After the ceremony we headed out of Highland Loft down to the nearby Fox River to take some photos with the wedding party.  Their wedding party was the BEST hype squad.  Everyone had so much energy and we had so much fun taking photos.

The Reception

Kelly and Bruyns day was SO special.  As you looked around you could just feel the love that was radiating amongst friends and family members as they celebrated Kelly and Bruyn.  Their night was filled to the brim with wedding party toasts, post dinner hugs and SO much dancing.  Kelly and Bruyn are the sweetest humans and I am so happy I was able to be a part of their celebration.

Vendors

Cake: Alyssa Byndas — Baked by Lyss

DJ: Chris Hodson

Catering: Catering Made Simple

Bridal gown: Tulle Bridal Boutique 

Bridesmaids dress: Azazie.com

Jewelry/Rings: Kelly’s Wedding Rings- Zavius, Bruyn’s Wedding Ring- Mensrings.biz

Groom’s suit: Essence Formal Wear

Videography: Isaac Leka