Hannah and Zac’s Romantic Spring Wedding at The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms | Rockton IL
Late March weddings in Northern Illinois can really go one of two ways. It might snow, it might be 70 degrees, or it might be somewhere in between. Thankfully, Hannah and Zac's wedding landed on one of those calm spring days where everything just seemed to come together. Even before the trees had fully leafed out, the soft light, pastel colors, and excitement of the day made it feel like spring had officially arrived.
Their story actually started during the pandemic when, technically, they probably should've been isolating. When it came time to propose, Zac planned an entire day together in Beloit, Wisconsin. They wandered through the Beloit Farmers' Market, went to see Moana 2, and finished the afternoon with a walk through Riverside Park, where Zac surprised Hannah by getting down on one knee.
Their wedding day started at the always beautiful Copperstone Inn, where Hannah spent the morning getting ready with her bridesmaids. Before the ceremony, she shared a sweet first look with her dad before meeting Zac for a first touch. I always love when couples choose a first touch. They get to calm each other's nerves, hold hands, exchange a few words, and share a quiet moment together without giving away the emotion of seeing each other at the ceremony.
Inside The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms, Hannah and Zac exchanged vows surrounded by five bridesmaids and five groomsmen. The soft lavender and dusty blue color palette was one of my favorites. The bridesmaids' dresses, lush white and lavender florals, and warm wood interior of the venue all complemented each other beautifully, creating an elegant and romantic vibe.
After the ceremony, we slipped out for some quick portraits by the pond in the soft, golden light of spring before returning inside to enjoy an always delicious dinner from Henrici’s and danced the night away. Hannah did have one last surprise for Zac by changing out of her wedding gown into a short cocktail dress for the remainder of the reception, perfectly complemented by her Nike Dunks.
About The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms
The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms is one of those venues where the setting can be part of the wedding without taking attention away from the people getting married. The property has the large oak trees around the ceremony area, open fields, the pond, the orchard, and the Pavilion itself, giving us several different places to photograph throughout the day.
For a couple, that variety also makes it easier to keep the photography moving. We don't have to spend a large part of the day traveling between locations just to get a different backdrop. We can take a few minutes here, move somewhere else when the light changes, and keep the rest of the day moving along.
That's one of the things I enjoy most about photographing weddings here.
Wedding Photography at The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms
Brittany and Andrew's wedding was a great example of how the property can be used throughout the day. Their ceremony beneath the twin oak trees gave us a beautiful setting for the most important part of the day, while the pond and surrounding property gave us places to step away for portraits and a few quieter moments together. I don't want couples spending their entire wedding day taking pictures.
I'll help with posing and give you direction when you need it, especially when we're creating the more timeless portraits you'll want to hang on your walls. But I also want there to be room for the photographs that happen naturally. A laugh between portraits. The way you look at each other when you think nobody is paying attention. Your friends and family reacting during the reception. A few minutes together when the rest of the day seems to slow down.
Those photographs are a big part of what makes your wedding gallery yours.
Making Time for Portraits Without Missing Your Wedding
One of the questions I hear from couples is how much time they actually need for photographs. The answer depends on the wedding, but I don't think you need to spend hours standing in front of a camera to get a great gallery. A first look can help create more time earlier in the day, and moving around the property gives us the opportunity to create a variety of portraits without spending the entire afternoon in one location. I'll help guide you through the photographs that need direction, then we'll keep moving and let things happen naturally. The goal is to give you photographs that look beautiful while still allowing you to spend the majority of your wedding day actually being with the people you invited.
More Weddings at The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms
I've had the opportunity to photograph a number of weddings at The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms, and one of my favorite things about them is that no two days look exactly the same. The season changes. The light changes. Every couple brings different people, different details, and a different way of celebrating.
You can see more real weddings I've photographed at the Pavilion below.
Kate & Everett's Wedding at The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms
https://badamsphotography.com/blog/kate-everett-pavilion-at-orchard-ridge-farms-wedding
Devon & Tyler's Fall Wedding at The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms
https://badamsphotography.com/blog/devon-tyler-pavilion-at-orchard-ridge-farms-wedding
Alyssa & Adam's October Wedding at The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms
https://badamsphotography.com/blog/alyssa-adam-pavilion-at-orchard-ridge-farms-wedding
Planning a Wedding at The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms?
If you're planning your wedding at The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms in Rockton, Illinois, I'd love to hear what you're planning.
My approach is pretty simple. I want to create the timeless, classic portraits you'll always want to have, while also making sure your gallery includes the people, laughter, movement, and little moments that made the day yours.
You shouldn't have to choose between beautiful portraits and photographs that feel real.
You should get both.