It’s not very often that a summer wedding in Illinois results in a great opportunity for an outdoor wedding, but that’s exactly what Marissa and Dustin had. Their wedding was outdoor at Lake Sara in Effingham, IL. A summer outdoor wedding alone is enough to add just a hint of fear for how the day will turn out. Will it rain? Will it be scorching hot? Fortunately, we had neither. The skies were full of clouds, which you may know, I LOVE! Cloudy skies produce light that’s easier to work with and spread more evenly. It’s nature’s softbox. The wedding day went perfectly. The colors were vibrant, the scenery was perfect, and there were nothing but smiles present. All of this makes for such a great wedding day. Marissa and Dustin were just a blast to photograph and work with. After the ceremony, we stuck around Lake Sara to do pictures in the area, and my oh my, the scenery was dreamy! So much so that I have gone back for a few more sessions. I love the way it looked and the lighting was perfect to work with. After our time outside, it was time for the reception. The reception took place at the Effingham Event Center. Marissa and Dustin opted for a band to play during their reception. First of all, I LOVE bands. I love the entertainment value they add for receptions, and almost always, a packed dance floor almost always happens when a band is present. During the first part of the reception, however, the band playing was not the band that was booked. It was the band that Dustin’s dad was a part of. This was pretty special and added a little more uniqueness to their reception. The night went smooth, as did the whole day. We couldn’t have asked for a better day or for a better couple. Congratulations Marissa and Dustin!
