There’s really nothing like returning to your hometown to marry the love of your life. And that’s exactly what these adorable high school sweethearts did. They found a pretty little vineyard and surrounded themselves with family and friends, and lucky for us, Olivia Leigh Photographie was there to capture all the lovely little details. Click here to see even more.
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From Olivia Leigh Photographie… Abby and Michael are high school sweethearts who live in Chicago but returned to their home of Peoria, Illinois, for their wedding celebration. Abby and Michael’s wedding had a sweet vintage touch to the details and a true friends-and-family feel to the celebration, with many people pitching in to make their day as delightful as possible — lots of emotion during toasts. They were married at a church in Peoria and held their reception at Kickapoo Creek Winery — that’s right, a winery in Illinois! Abby wore a beautiful gown with a birdcage veil and super-chic Vivienne Westwood jelly flats, and the maids wore convertible, wine-colored dresses from Etsy and carried huge baby’s breath bouquets. After the ceremony we stopped at Michael’s dad’s ice cream parlor for a sweet scoop, Grand View Drive (which Teddy Roosevelt called “the most beautiful drive in America”) and then hopped off along the side of the road to take pictures in the cornfields — what ended up being my favorite photos and a perfect set of images to showcase the beauty of Illinois outside of the expected Chicago environs.
Wedding Photography: Olivia Leigh Photographie / Ceremony: St. Bernard’s Church in Peoria, Illinois / Reception: Kickapoo Creek Winery in Edwards, Illinois / Event Planning + Floral Design: Carol Wake (A Friend of the Bride & Groom) / Wedding Invitations: Etsy / Wedding Dress: Unknown Designer via Weddings 826 / Bride’s Shoes: Vivienne Westwood / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Etsy