I can’t express to you how many happy tears were shed on Hannah and Austin’s wedding day. Hannah cried, Austin cried, the officiant, Hannah’s brother, cried. Hannah’s dad cried. Austin’s mom cried. Even I cried. I am certain even their photographer, Jill cried. And then I cried again repeatedly throughout this edit.

So, WARNING! IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO CRY, DO NOT WATCH THIS WEDDING VIDEO.

On a veryyyyy windy but otherwise perfect fall day, Hannah and Austin got married in the backyard of her childhood home on the property that her grandparents had purchased 70 years ago. Their ceremony was next to the pond where Hannah and her brother learned to ice skate and fish and the huge pine trees on their property were her childhood Christmas trees. Hannah’s father even joked about his children someday getting married on their property, and thanks partly to the pandemic, that became a reality.

Often, wedding day letters are read separately before the ceremony, but Austin and Hannah read their letters to each other and it was such a powerful, tender moment that I know they will remember forever.

Their ceremony was small and intimate, with only their closest family present. Hannah’s brother BEAUTIFULLY officiated and shared such thoughtful, inspiring and emotional words about love and marriage. The tears didn’t stop after the ceremony. In lieu of bridal party toasts, Austin’s mother, Angie, and Hannah’s father, Geno, shared their speeches and they were truly the most emotional toasts I’ve ever witnessed. Angie, I will be calling you up for tips when my son gets married because you are now the standard I hold myself to for Mother of the Groom speeches.

Hannah and Austin, it is very clear, not only that you two love deeply, but that you are LOVED deeply by everyone around you. It was truly an honor to be apart of such a moving display of love and commitment and I wish you all the best in your future together.

Thank you to their INCREDIBLE vendor team!

Photography – Jill Gum Photography
DJ – Kevin Smith
Catering – The Grainery (Pleasant Plains, Illinois)
Cake – Blissful Creations
Hair – Tareyn Kluge
Dress – Pronovias // Maiden Voyage Bridal (St. Louis, MO)
Tux – Michael Kors // Jimm Herron