Joliet Union Station Wedding – Samantha + Masaki

WEDDING

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Samantha and Masaki’s romantic wedding at Joliet’s Union Station has quickly become one of my favorites that I’ve been a part of, and for good reason. This wedding venue is one of the most unique I’ve photographed and added so much charm and character to Sam and Masaki’s already gorgeous wedding day. I had SO much fun working with these two and cannot wait to show you the highlights from their day!

Wedding day table scape with books and flowers at Joliet's Union Station.

Details and Getting Ready

The beauty is in the details, which means beauty was in excess for Samantha and Masaki’s wedding. These two put so much care and effort into their wedding day details both in the vendors they selected and their vision for what their day would look like. Joliet’s Union Station was gorgeously decorated for both their wedding ceremony and reception. Both Sam and Masaki took their mornings slowly, getting ready with their wedding parties before meeting up outside of Union Station for a first look. First look’s have become one of my favorite moments of a wedding day as there’s so much emotion and excitement that comes with them. After some couples, family, and wedding party photos it was time to get their ceremony underway.

Candles and greens lining the stairway for a wedding at Joliet's Union Station.

A bouquet and white flowers sitting on a marble staircase with the brides white shoes.

A wedding centerpiece with a white vase, pink flowers and books.

A bride stands getting ready for her wedding with one of her bridesmaids buttoning the back of her dress before their ceremony at Joliet's Union Station.

A bride putting in her teardrop earrings and smiling before her wedding ceremony.

A bride smiling at the camera before with a white wedding dress with a low v neckline.

A bride kissing her mother on the cheek prior to her wedding ceremony at Joliet's Union Station.

A bride standing behind the groom before their first look standing underneath the overhand at Joliet's Union Station.

A bride and groom stand holding one another during their first look standing underneath the overhand at Joliet's Union Station.

A bride and groom hold hands walking towards the camera smiling at one another at A bride and groom stand holding one another during their first look standing underneath the overhand at Joliet's Union Station.

A bride and groom stand smiling at one another in the entrance space at Joliet's Union Station.

A bride and groom and their wedding party posing for portraits on the staircase at Joliet's Union Station.

A wedding party stands outside of at Joliet's Union Station posing for portraits.

A wedding party walks outside of at Joliet's Union Station walking towards the camera for portraits.

A bride stands with her bridal party prior to her wedding ceremony at Joliet Union Station.

A bride poses with her bridal party prior to her wedding ceremony at Joliet Union Station.

A groom stands with his bridal party prior to his wedding ceremony at Joliet Union Station.

The ceremony space in Joliet Union Station with white chairs and light colored flowers.

Wedding Ceremony at Joliet’s Union Station

The lower level of Joliet’s Union Station is where Samantha and Masaki chose to have their ceremony. The stairs leading from the Grand Ballroom down to their ceremony space made for an incredible and memorable entrance for their ceremony. That combined with the timeless and elegant beauty of Union Station created such an epic setting for Sam and Masaki’s wedding day festivities! Their ceremony was filled with so many smiles and a few happy tears shed from their loved ones who were all so excited to be there celebrating the love between these two. As they made their exit the two shared a kiss while walking down the aisle before making their way upstairs to mingle with their guests before cocktail hour.

The parents of the groom walk down the decorated staircase of Joliet Union Station framed by greenery and flowers.

The bride and her father walk down the decorated staircase of Joliet Union Station framed by greenery and flowers.

The bride and her father walk down the decorated staircase of Joliet Union Station framed by greenery and lit candles.

The bride and her father walk down the aisle to her wedding ceremony framed by greenery, chairs and lit candles.

A bride and groom during their ceremony at Joliet Union Station surrounded by their guests.

A bride smiles at her officiant during their wedding ceremony at their Joliet Wedding Venue.

A bride and groom exchange rings during their wedding in Joliet Illinois

A bride and groom kiss during their ceremony at Joliet Union Station.

A bride and groom kiss after their wedding ceremony at Joliet Union Station.

A bride and groom take wedding portraits together on the balcony at Joliet Union Station walking together towards the camera.

A bride and groom kiss during sunset outside their wedding venue, Joliet Union Station.

A bride and groom dance while kissing on the balcony at Joliet Union Station.

A groom twirls his bride on the balcony outside of Joliet Union Station on their wedding day.

A bride and groom get ready to walk down the stairs at Joliet Union Station to take more portraits outside.

A bride and groom hold hands and walk across the street in the parking lot at Joliet Union Station.

A bride and groom stand in the gardens outside of Joliet Union Station during their wedding portraits.

A bride and groom stand in the gardens outside of Joliet Union Station during their wedding portraits holding hands.

A bride and groom stand in the gardens outside of Joliet Union Station during their wedding portraits dancing together.

A bride and groom stand in the gardens outside of Joliet Union Station during their wedding portraits holding hands and looking at one another.

A bride twirls her dress smiling at her groom outside of her Illinois wedding venue.

A wedding party stands looking over the balcony smiling and waving at the camera outside of Joliet Union Station.

A flower girl finds her green name card at a wedding reception in Joliet.

Reception in The Grand Ballroom

While cocktail hour was underway Samantha, Masaki and snuck outside for some couples portraits in the sunset. Joliet’s Union Station in itself is gorgeous, and the grounds outside the building share that same level of beauty. After capturing the photos we were looking for outside it was time to head back inside Joliet’s Union Station for their wedding reception. A first dance, heartfelt speeches, delicious food, and plenty of celebrating with friends and family only begin to scratch the surface of the memories Samantha and Masaki made during their wedding day reception!

A wedding guest uses After the Tone to leave the newlyweds a heartfelt message on their wedding day.

A photo of a reception at Joliet Union Station.

The bride and groom walking up the stairs to their wedding reception.

A bride and groom stand kissing with their wedding cake in the foreground.

A young guest tips the bar at a wedding reception at Joliet Union Station.

A groomsmen screams as he enters the reception at Joliet Union Station.

The bride and groom walk into the reception at Joliet Union Station celebrating with their guests.

The bride and groom go to cut their cake at the reception at Joliet Union Station celebrating with their guests.

The bride and groom have their first dance at their wedding reception at Joliet Union Station celebrating with their guests.

A bride and groom talk amongst one another during their reception at Joliet Union Station.

The father of the bride shares a toast with the guests of his daughters wedding.

A bride and groom hold hands underneath the table during their dinner.

A bride and groom watch as one of their guests toasts to them during their wedding reception.

Guests share a toast for the bride and groom at their Joliet Union Station Wedding.

I’m SO incredibly happy I was able to be a part of Samantha and Masaki’s wedding day at Joliet’s Union Station. When I asked Sam what she wanted to remember about this season and moment in their lives she responded “I want to remember everyone when they’re at this age so when we look back on it in 20 years we’ll laugh about what everyone did!” I’m so glad I was able to capture these moments for Samantha and Masaki and I can’t wait for them to reminisce on them for years and years to come! If you’re looking to create a wedding day experience like Samantha and Masaki’s, head to my contact page so we can start planning your day together!