Kate and Everett's Wedding at The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms | Rockton Illinois
There is something about a June wedding at The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms that makes it hard to beat. Everything is green, the trees are full, and the property is at its best for an outdoor wedding. Kate and Everett's wedding had all of that, along with a beautiful first look, an outdoor ceremony beneath the oak trees, portraits in the apple orchard, and a dance floor that stayed busy well into the night.
The day started with Kate and Everett's first look, which was a great way to slow things down for a few minutes before the rest of the day got going. There is something I really like about first looks because it gives a couple a chance to see each other and actually spend a few minutes together before the ceremony. It also gives us a little more flexibility with portraits throughout the day.
After their first look, we headed outside for their ceremony beneath the sweeping oak trees at The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms. The trees provide such a beautiful setting for an outdoor ceremony, especially in June when everything is green and full.
After the ceremony, Kate and Everett wandered through the apple orchard for portraits. One of my favorite things about photographing weddings at Orchard Ridge Farms is that there are so many different areas to work with without ever having to leave the property. The oak trees, orchard, pond, open spaces, and Pavilion all give us something different, which makes it possible to create a gallery that doesn't feel like every photograph was taken in the same place.
Their portraits in the orchard were a perfect example of that. Rather than spending the entire afternoon standing in one spot and posing for photographs, we could move around the property and let the setting change naturally around them. I'll give some direction when it is needed, but I also like giving couples room to interact with each other and let those little moments happen on their own.
After portraits, everyone headed back for dinner from Henrici's before the reception really got going. Once the music started, the dance floor came alive and stayed that way throughout the night. With both Luxe Productions and Official DJ LJ keeping the music going, Kate and Everett's friends and family definitely knew how to celebrate.
As the sun started to set, Kate and Everett slipped away for a few minutes for some photographs by the pond. This is one of my favorite parts of a wedding day. Everything is happening so quickly, and taking a few minutes away from the reception gives a couple a chance to slow down and enjoy being together for a little while.
The evening light around the pond was beautiful, and it gave us a completely different look than the photographs we had taken earlier in the day. Those changes in light and location are one of the reasons I love photographing weddings at The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms. You can start the day under the oak trees, move into the orchard for portraits, spend the evening celebrating with your family and friends, and then step outside for a few quiet photographs as the sun goes down.
Kate and Everett's wedding was a beautiful June day from beginning to end. From their first look and outdoor ceremony to their portraits in the orchard and the packed dance floor later that night, there was plenty to photograph and plenty of moments that made the day uniquely theirs.
It was an absolute pleasure to be there to photograph it all.
Venue: The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms
Florals & Linens Event Floral
DJ: Luxe Productions & Official DJ LJ
Hair & Make up: Alpenglow Artistry
Videographer: Oakhouse Wedding Films
About The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms
The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms is a wedding venue located in Rockton, Illinois, just outside Rockford and near the Illinois Wisconsin border. The property offers a variety of settings for wedding ceremonies, portraits, and receptions, including the oak trees, apple orchard, pond, open countryside, and the Pavilion itself.
One of the things I enjoy most about photographing weddings at Orchard Ridge Farms is the variety available without having to leave the property. It gives couples the opportunity to have photographs in several different settings throughout the wedding day while keeping the timeline relaxed and avoiding unnecessary travel.
Wedding Photography at Orchard Ridge Farms
Every wedding at The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms is a little different, and that's one of the reasons I enjoy photographing there so much. The property works well for couples who want beautiful portraits but also want their wedding photographs to include the people, places, and moments that made their day unique.
For Kate and Everett, that meant starting with their first look, photographing their ceremony beneath the oak trees, spending time in the apple orchard for portraits, and later taking advantage of the evening light around the pond.
My approach to wedding photography combines direction when you need it with plenty of room for the real moments to happen. I'll help you feel comfortable in front of the camera and make sure you get the portraits you want, but I don't want you spending your entire wedding day posing for photographs.
Some of the photographs I love most are the ones that happen between the planned moments. A laugh during portraits, a quick glance between the two of you, friends dancing, or a few quiet minutes together after the sun starts to go down.
Planning Your Wedding Photography at Orchard Ridge Farms
Because there are so many different areas around the property, your wedding timeline can be planned to take advantage of different locations and different types of light throughout the day.
A first look can allow couples to complete some portraits before the ceremony and spend more of their afternoon with their guests. The orchard and oak trees provide natural settings for portraits earlier in the day, while the pond can be especially beautiful later in the evening when the light starts to soften.
I always recommend leaving a little flexibility in the timeline whenever possible. Wedding days rarely go exactly according to plan, and some of the best photographs can happen when there is enough time to slow down and take advantage of the light or a moment that wasn't planned.
More Weddings at The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms
I've had the opportunity to photograph many different weddings at The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms, and each couple has brought something different to the venue.
You can see more real weddings I've photographed at Orchard Ridge Farms below:
https://badamsphotography.com/blog/hannahandzach-wedding-at-the-pavilion-at-orchard-ridge-farms
https://badamsphotography.com/blog/jen-dan-pavilion-at-orchard-ridge-farms-wedding
https://badamsphotography.com/blog/alyssa-adam-pavilion-at-orchard-ridge-farms-wedding
https://badamsphotography.com/blog/brittany-andrew-the-pavilion-at-orchard-ridge-farms-wedding
https://badamsphotography.com/blog/devon-tyler-pavilion-at-orchard-ridge-farms-wedding
Looking for a Wedding Photographer 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 about your plans. I photograph weddings throughout the world, including locally in Rockton, Rockford, Loves Park, Roscoe, Belvidere, Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin, and the surrounding areas.
My goal is to give you photographs that are beautiful enough to display in your home while also capturing the real moments, people, and emotions that made your wedding day yours