Camp Aramoni

Allison and Connor’s wedding was held at Camp Aramoni in Tonica, Illinois. Camp Aramoni provides a luxury camping experience and is perfect for any outdoor nature lover. The campground is located on 96 acres of forest and is the ultimate getaway, especially from our beloved city of Chicago. While staying here you are fully immersed in the camping lifestyle with just a few additional perks. On-site activities along the Vermillion River, safari-style tents, inclusive meals and more. There are SO many more perks that I could continue to rave about, but for more info just click here! If you’re thinking to yourself “wow I want to have my wedding here”, I would highly recommend it! To inquire with Camp Aramoni about hosting your dream wedding, click here!

Getting Ready

I met up with Allison in the bridal suite as she was getting her finishing touches. I worked on some flatlay details, which included their invites, jewelry, rings, florals, crown, shoes, and some glassware! You can check out this blog to learn more about what you provide for flatlays, read it here. Her family heirloom crown was secured and then her best friends helped get her into her dress. All the while my second was over at their safari tent with Connor and his guys while they got ready. They made their way up to the venue space and then we got Connor in position for the first look!

First Look

Since it was still drizzling out, we opted to set up the first look right outside the back door to the venue. once Connor was turned around with his eyes shut tight, I brought Allison out and fluffed out her dress. We let Allison give Connor the go ahead to turn around and oh my goodness it was so cute!! After the first look my second and I stepped inside to give the two lovebirds a few minutes alone.

Later that afternoon we set up an additional first look with Allison and her parents. It was such a special moment since Aallsion is their only child. The look of shock and amazement on Allison’s mom’s face is not something you’ll want to miss. Just be sure to grab your tissues..

Wedding Portraits

Since it rained all morning, we had to get a little creative as to where we went for photos so we didn’t get Allison’s dress super dirty before the ceremony. Normally I would head down to the Vermillion river, but instead we stayed in front of the venue near a patch of woods and the old Kiln! We still got the beautiful scenery but were safe from any mud, I’ll call that a win! Allison and Connor cracked jokes and made silly faces at each other the whole time and it was so sweet getting to capture those intimate little moments that make them so perfect for each other!

Sweet words from the bride herself:

“ I am a person who hates being in photos, and I'm not sure how she did it, but Hana (and other Hanna) made every moment of our wedding photography experience AMAZING. Seriously, everything was so fun and thoughtful, which only led to the absolute perfect photos for us. So much so that we decided to come to Hana for all of our future life event photos and just for fun photos. 100% recommended and the best photography experience that made our wedding planning so much more fun. We love you ladies”

Ceremony & Reception

Okay so these two were as untradional as untraditional gets while still having a relatively formal wedding day! A few of my favorite things they did to personalize their ceremony:

The Bride & Groom walked solo down the aisle.
Allison walked down the aisle to the Skyrim loading music… uhm how freaking cool.
Connor’s parents walked down together. His father carrying a bottle of scotch and his mother with a flower. Allison’s parents also walked down together. Her father carried a glass and her mother also had a flower.
Once everyone was down the aisle, there father’s were invited up to the altar where they shared a shot of scotch with each other. And then the mother’s came up; Allison’s mother put a flower in Connor’s boutonniere while Connor’s mother put a flower in Allison’s bouquet.
Their unity ceremony consisted of two things they provided/grew and sealed them together in one jar. Connor grew lavender from seeds and Allison brought some soil from her parents house.
And they had a close friend officiate the ceremony for them. Watching their officiant get teary eyed during the ceremony was so beautiful to watch.

Then it was party time!! The couple wanted to hang with their guests during cocktail hour, so we snapped away as they greeted all their guests! They also surprised everyone with a complimentary mead tasting! if you haven’t had mead, you’re missing out! It’s basically a honey wine and it is SO tasty! They had their grand entrance and went right into cake cutting. And of course they didn’t cut their cake with a knife. They pulled out a HUGE sword!!!! UHM WHAT!?!?! Who doesn’t want to cut their cake with a sword!! The dance floor opened up and the fires were lit on the patio. Everyone enjoyed their evening celebrating the bride and groom.