There are some people that are so full of life that it can be infectious. Katie and Chris are those kinds of people! Both of them have such fun personalities and they are the type of people that, as a photographer, I could literally not direct them in anyway, and they would provide some great moments to photograph. Now before I start sounding like the type of photographer that just says, “act natural,” trust me, that’s not the case. I still directed/posed them, but I’m just saying, they didn’t need any direction by me. The love they have for each other, their fun personalities, their energy, it was enough by itself to photograph. On top of that, for a middle-of-summer outdoor wedding, we could not have asked for a better day.
The prep time and ceremony took place at the Austin Mansion in Effingham. What an amazing location. I love old architecture and the detail that they feature and this house definitely features some pretty cool details. Everything from the large rooms with tall ceilings and TONS of natural light pouring in to the tiny details in the trim work, the house is a work of art. And the property is pretty unique! For being in the middle of town, you definitely don’t feel like it. What a great location it was for prep time and the ceremony. After the ceremony, Katie and Chris, along with the wedding party wanted to spend some time at the Effing Brew Co. Since it was right along the way to do some downtown pictures, this worked out pretty smoothly by allowing the wedding party to chill inside for a while and for us to spend some time outside with the two of them. This is where their personalities really shined. We started in middle of the street, I told them to dance around. Sometimes I tell couples to do this and they look at me with a confused look. Hey! I get it, I’m no dancer either. But these two busted a move before I could even finish telling them what to do. They were all about it.
The night ended at the Thelma Keller Convention Center. I know at this point I shouldn’t be surprised by the service at the Keller, but they never disappoint. The staff is so great to work with. Receptions go so smoothly there and as a photographer, and for time management, this is definitely a good thing. The evening was fantastic and these two took their moves from the middle of the street downtown Effingham right to the dance floor of the Keller and partied the night away. I’m so thrilled they allowed us to be a part of their big day! Congratulations you two!
