Southern Illinois Magical Woodland Wedding: Austin + Katelynn

Alanna Milby
4 min readNov 3, 2020

On Saturday, August 8, Austin and Katelynn said their vows in a magical woodland wedding at Dragonfly in Herrin, Illinois. When I arrived at the venue, the setup took my breath away! I felt like I was transported to a different world.

Austin and Katelynn love being outdoors and wanted a ceremony that blended his rustic style and her elegance. This developed into a fairytale wedding in the woods, incorporating a color scheme of blush pink, hints of navy blue, and gold accents. Primitive wooden details from lanterns to flower box centerpieces were complimented with lavish floral displays. Dragonfly was the perfect venue to take these elements and elevate it to the wedding of their dreams.

Katelynn’s biggest advice for engaged couples is to have a plan for the wedding day in mind. We did most photos before the ceremony. As a photographer, I love this approach because my couples can enjoy the reception. It is important to have time to celebrate with loved ones and live in the moment. This day can fly by. I want you to soak up every second and trust me to capture it.

After asking for feedback, Katelynn let me know that the day went by smoothly and she would not have changed a thing.

“Alanna, you did a fantastic job through the entire process. Very professional. I was not stressed at all that day because you made sure we stuck to the schedule we discussed. You took charge from the beginning. I knew from the moment you walked into the bedroom that everything was going to go smoothly. You walked in as a true leader and started giving orders by making sure the background was spotless of clothes, shoes, bags, etc. before we started taking pictures. I love how you told us how to pose, when to smile, or be serious. It was a relief knowing I could relax and let you run the show. I got a lot of compliments about you from family and friends. I am sitting here trying to think of something you could improve on except I can’t. You did that good of a job! Thank you because my special day is now part of my memories and your pictures will help me remember every moment. Thank you!” — Katelynn A.

I am so blessed to have worked with Austin and Katelynn. Their love for each other was evident from the moment I first met them. I knew their wedding would leave a lasting impression on me. Not just because every detail was picture perfect, but because of their commitment to each other. It was a beautiful story to document.

If you are planning a wedding, contact me for a consultation. Let’s make sure your special day is smooth and enjoyable. The wedding itself is only for one day, but you will have a lifetime to relive it through your photographs.

XO, Alanna

VENDORS:
Wedding Photographer:
Alanna Milby Photography // Wedding Planner/Designer: The Bride Katelynn // Ceremony Music: Boozer Entertainment // Celebrant: Brent Gordon // Caterer: Kitchen on Lafayette in Anna, IL // Florist: Enchanted Garden in Anna, IL // Professional Event Coordinator: Ana Perez of Dragonfly Wedding Venue in Herrin, IL // Venue Rental: Dragonfly Wedding Venue in Herrin, IL // Wedding Dress and Bridesmaids Dresses: Anne’s Bridal in Paducah, KY // Groom’s Attire and Groomsmen attire: Anne’s Bridal in Paducah, KY // Cake: Anna Baking Company in Anna, IL // Jewelry: Your Jeweler in Carterville, IL // Hair: Doo or Dye Salon in Alto Pass, IL // Videographer: Nathan Betts (family member) // Stationary: Zazzle.com // DJ: Mystify Music Services

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