Holy Cross Catholic Church Wedding, Michael & Courtney, Champaign IL

Weddings

With 14 years in the wedding industry and more than 300 weddings photographed, I bring a depth of experience, knowledge, and calm confidence to every celebration—allowing me to anticipate the moments that matter most while creating space for you to fully enjoy your day. I approach every wedding day with the same excitement, gratitude, and sense of purpose that I felt from the very start.

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Holy Cross Catholic Church Wedding Ebby L Photography Photos

Family tradition.

When I think of one thing that stuck out for me at Michael and Courtney’s wedding, this was it. In every aspect of Michael and Courtney’s day, there were reminders of family and of tradition. For starters, Courtney’s parents were married in the same church. Her father approached me in the morning and wanted to make sure a certain photograph was taken. Rodney (the father of the bride) wanted to recreate a photo of his wife’s father from his own wedding. The photo was of him, sitting in one of the large marble chairs in the ceremony, looking at as his family as they were taking photos.

Along with the recreation of the marble chair photo, there was another significant photo that needed to be recreated. As the ladies were getting ready in the morning, I noticed two framed images sitting in the room. The photos were of Courtney’s mother and of Courtney’s grandmother on their own wedding days. Both were the traditional bridal portrait of them with their wedding trains down staircases at the front of the church. After Courtney and Michael’s wedding ceremony, I had chills as I recreated that same photograph only this time of Courtney on her own wedding day.

Not only did Courtney have family traditions, Michael also incorporated many significant family elements into their wedding day. For starters, inside his tux jacket he wore two charms. Each charm held a photograph of two of his grandparents. His grandpa Kenny who was his mother’s late father and his grandma Karen who was his father’s late mother.

Once Michael and Courtney said ‘I Do’, they made their exit through their family and friends blowing bubbles. At the end of their bubble filled walkway sat a car. Not just a car but his late grandfather Kenny’s 1956 Chevy BelAir. Although he had passed, Michael getting to drive away with his bride in his grandfather’s car was the perfect way to know he was still with him.

Michael and Courtney, thank you for letting me be a part of your day. You are such a beautiful couple and I loved seeing you celebrate with all of your family and close friends. I am so happy for the two of you and cannot wait to see you grow your lives together and add to your family traditions!

Holy Cross Catholic Church Wedding Ebby L Photography Photos