Rachael Marie Photography

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Springfield, IL
Rachael Marie Photography

Illinois Wedding & Elopements
\\ turning memories into art //
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You recognize that life is vivid, complex, beautiful, and that it should be documented in all its glory. You understand that photos are the vessels in which we store our most treasured, vulnerable parts of our lives. Emotions, memories, tears, sorrow, joy, laughter, and sweat. You’re here because you understand photos are more than just images.

06/19/2026

Courthouse weddings really ARE all that. 💫

Fun fact— your elopement / wedding day CAN include a photo shoot.

(And tbh it probably should?? Hear me out)

It’s a special day, you’re all dressed up, you picked specific folks to be there (who have also dressed up) — so why not take those photos?

I mean, you’re freaking married!! 🤩

Couples come to me with an idea of what they want photographed. Which is great! It’s important for them to show me their ideas & inspo. Why? Photography IS collaboration— you are the subject (as well as the space we are in, they are the secondary character) and I am the director. We bring out ideas together to truly make magic.

Photos become a photo shoot the minute there is interference with the subjects. Which is NORMAL. ‼️95% of the time my couples need guidance in front of the camera. So posing & directing for portraits is an important part of the experience. And thus, part of the day becomes a photo shoot & not documentary style shooting. (Again, “documentary” means there is NO guidance at all)

And, another fun fact — you CAN still get those candids & documentary style shots.

When I document a wedding, whether large or small, I still make sure to focus on the little moments (vignettes, I call them) that add to the overall feel of their gallery. This can be a hug, someone’s outfit, or an object. (see slide 8 for a snack during family photos)

So when you want to—
1. plan the simplest day ever
2. get guidance for dreamy wedding portraits
3. remember how it felt
— my website has all the info you need. 🤍

Photo Rachael | Illinois Wedding & Elopement Photographer
Gown .est2021
Suit Schuecking's Men’s Wear
Hair Delsie Ippatsu Salon - Champaign, IL
Rings Flora Gems

06/14/2026

Together 25 years. Officially married June 6, 2026.

Bill & Tony always wanted to get married in their church, Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church, in Champaign, IL. For about 8 years, the sitting bishop would not allow it. When that bishop left, the clergy made sure to interview someone who would support Bill & Tony.

During the homily, Deacon Mary Anne explained she had offered several times to marry them in any other churches around the US. They declined every time as they wanted to celebrate with THEIR church family.

So they waited.

And on that day— the church was at full capacity, with 200 loved ones.

How beautiful was it, for the stone walls to echo back their voices in prayer and song.

We all headed over to Hotel Royer afterwards for one hell of a party. 🎉

This is your reminder to not settle. That they are communities out there for you. That God is love and God supports your love.

From Obergefell v. Hodges, decided June 26, 2015.

“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right. The judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reversed. It is so ordered.”

So so so happy that Bill & Tony got the weekend they waited for. It was everything and more. Maybe a little too hot but we made it work haha. Congratulations Bill & Tony. 🤍

PS slide 5 is a painting done by Tony !!! 🎨

Kelly Clements
Jos. Kuhn & Co.
BALANI Custom Clothiers
Hotel Royer Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Christopher & Co. Handcrafted Personalized Jewelers
ALLEN EDMONDS | Making shoes for your life’s work since 1922
Fuad's Creative Hair & Wig Design
TDDP Entertainment
Florals Cinnamon of Danville

06/12/2026

How sentimental is it, to get ready in the home you’ve made together and hang out in your beautiful garden backyard for your first look and vows.

One night after dinner, Jimmy and Anna were walking from their garage to their house, when Jimmy grabbed Anna’s hand, got down on one knee and proposed.

It was very fitting to spend their wedding day afternoon in that same backyard.

It’s important for me to ask my couples what they want day of their wedding. One of the things I ask is if they want me present when they read their vows. Private vows are becoming more and more popular for my couples, and I’m all for supporting them in their decision to have that quiet moment. Jimmy and Anna wanted to be alone, so l went inside their house, and took photos while they read. I don’t know what was said, but I know that Anna got really emotional, and it made me cry.

After portraits, we went to Silvercreek restaurant in Champaign, Illinois for their intimate ceremony and dinner reception. In the back of the restaurant is a greenhouse that is very whimsical— almost an extension of their backyard. No dancing or speeches, just mingling with their guests.

It was wonderful. We sent them off with well wishes just after sunset.🌅

Anna’s vision for the day was— “Lots of flowers. Our loved ones chit chatting and laughing. I want the focus to be on love. The love J and I have for each other. The love that our friends and family have for us. The people that are going to be at the wedding are our closest friends and family. I’m most stressed about all of the little details coming together. And honestly just all the guests having fun! I want everyone to be comfortable and have a nice time.“ 😭😭

How is this my job. 🥹 congrats Anna & Jimmy

Venue Silvercreek
Dress Depop seller — itsgraces
Suit Men's Wearhouse
Rings Flora Gems
Hair BennyandKay
Florals The Flower Bar

Central Illinois wedding photographer, Champaign IL wedding

06/05/2026

The Legacy Building in El Paso is one of my wedding venues in Central Illinois!!

Not only does it have historic charm, but it has a lot of getting ready spaces available.

The backside of the building used to be a bunch of offices that are now converted into a large Airbnb space. This allows you to stay the night before, get ready in the morning, and crash in the evening. When getting ready or waking up the next day, be sure to walk over a few blocks to a really awesome inclusive coffee shop called . The vibes are amazing and the drinks are great!!

A getting ready space with lots of charm really adds to your getting ready photos. But I don’t mean like when you’re actually getting your hair and makeup done.

At least in my experience, for “getting ready photos”— your hair and makeup is done, and we take a few photos in the cool Sabrina Carpenter inspired pjs you picked out, or specifically just do portraits in your wedding outfit in the space you got ready in.

That’s why we scheduled it in Merrian and Ryan’s timeline— to get some photos in the beautiful Airbnb spaces, as well as other cute corners the Legacy has.

If you’re thinking about getting married at the Legacy… this is your sign to check them out!! Tell Tabitha that Rachael sent you 🤍🤍

Photographer
Gown
Suit
Florals
Venue
Rings

Central Illinois wedding photography, historic wedding venue, Peoria wedding, Champaign wedding, Springfield wedding, Chicago wedding photography, St. Louis wedding photography, wedding details

06/01/2026

If you’ve been curious how to be more inclusive now AND through your business ALL YEAR ROUND — this post is for you.

Because every couple deserves sunshine. ☀️ Aka, folks who support them fully. 🤍

Queerness isn’t always “obvious” or expressed with rainbows or “nontraditional cues.”

Just because folks look like a “bride” & “groom” does not mean they are straight.

And some LGBTQ+ folks HATE all things rainbow related but are still very much q***r.

All this to say — expression is both very important and very different all different kinds of folks.

It’s possible you as a vendor have in fact worked with q***r couples and just never known. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Wedding vendors who are inclusive — you NEED to be loud as f**k about it right now.

It’s been really disheartening to get DM’s from couples, saying they were really excited to find my page because the OG photographer they inquired with said they don’t support them.

That f**king sucks.

If you are an inclusive vendor—

MAKE
IT
OBVIOUS ‼️

IT MATTERS.

Vendors — my dm’s are open to chat & send over resources on how to learn about the LGBTQ+ community. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🤍

Couples & everyone else — Here at RMP, inclusivity matters. I will never discriminate against your gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, body type, or abilities. You are wonderful, beautiful, and loved here.

Happy happy happy HAPPY PRIDE 🤍🤍🤍🤍

05/30/2026

Emma & Logan BOTH wear engagement rings 💍 because they want to 🖤

Emma came to me wanting artsy moody engagement photos. She was open to going up to Chicago for locations. But when she told me they were in the Champaign-Urbana area, I already knew the perfect spot.

Being a central Illinois engagement & wedding photographer AND being obsessed with maps and curating vibes & vignettes — I am reallyyyy good at location scouting.

Sometimes couples want to plan their engagement session around a meaningful location.

And other times engaged couples have a vibe in mind and want help to bring it to life, whether it’s an upscale bar, field to frolick in, trees to dance under, a vintage library or a charming independent bookstore, or places that may feel like Chicago or DC or somewhere far away.

When I saw that was opening I knew I would have to check it out. When Emma came to me wanting moody architecture, I knew just the place.

We had such a fun time together!! Her and Logan are super chill— high school sweethearts who love spending weekends in Chicago and trying new restaurants. Logan always insists on visiting the aquarium while they’re there and Emma likes to visit as many thrift stores as possible.

Logan said Emma is the April to his Andy— she’s strong & intelligent, while he is goofy and outgoing. Emma said he brings her out of her shell.

(Can confirm this is true!! They seriously seemed like the perfect match)

Emma left me this google review that made me 😭 “I would 100% recommend Rachael to anyone. As someone who doesn’t love having their photo taken, she made the session feel fun and relaxed. It really made a difference that she takes the time to get to know you a little before the session so it felt like hanging out with a friend. She looked at my inspiration photos and captured the vibe I wanted perfectly.” 😭

If you’re nervous about how you’ll feel in front of the camera— I’ve got you friend. I can talk to a brick wall. Not that you’re a brick wall— you’re actually really cool & photogenic, you just don’t know it yet!!!

05/29/2026

Fallon & Jordan had been in each other’s outer orbit for years before finally meeting and becoming inseparable.

They lived in rival towns growing up— her mom went to school with his dad! They were always friendly with the whole family but never spoke to each other. Fallon’s mom told her to go check him out, but Jordan never gave him the time of day.

Thanks to Fallon’s sister—who told Jordan to make a movie—they finally went on their first date. And now they go to ren faires together.

Turns out— their families have friendship that go back three generations!! Our great grandmothers were best friends, and Fallon’s dad and Jordan’s aunt were close friends as well. This truly is an invisible string kind of moment.

Sunset was perfect that evening— which really helped give off Pride & Prejudice vibes. We had a great time chatting and laughing and learned we have a lot of musical taste overlap (calming, sad folk music hahaha).

F&J are actually getting married in Italy!! But wanted engagement photos in the States.

Fallon mentioned she wanted this photos for more than just for save the dates—

“I want to look back on these photos in 50 years and feel the genuine joy and love between the two of us. I want kids or grandkids to look at the photos and say wow look at how much they loved each other even back then! Just two kids in their prime age loving each other.”

And y’allllllll. I think we did just that. 🥹 thank you both for hanging out & trusting me to photograph you in this stage of life. 🤍

05/26/2026

Plz plz comment your fave COLORFUL supportive sneaker recs cuz damn 💀💀 I must head to the store this week 😭

peep Maggie bouncing in the background 🤣

05/25/2026

From Dour to Orr 🤍 the perfect “backyard wedding” wedding

Backyard wedding in quotes because Olivia’s parents built the ceremony space & white barn on their property for her & Ryan’s day. It’s called The Hilltop Barn. 🤍

How beautiful this job is — to witness love between two people AND witness the love shared between 100+ people. Whether it’s literally building the venue, fixing the dress, grabbing water, giving them a moment alone, wow.

Then to witness intimate promises to each other, declaring love for everyone to hear. To be there in the silly & the hard times. To remember the dancing when it gets rough.

To laugh and cry and party and dance and celebrate. How beautiful.

Also like, to have your old middle school teacher be your bartender? Incredible. He probably didn’t know back then that y’all would start dating in high school and then get married years later, right? No way he could have known that. How special.

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Orr. Thank you so much for trusting me to document your love. 🤍

Venue: The Hilltop Barn in Virginia, IL
Gown: &
Hair & make up:
Tux:
Florals:
Chairs: American Rentals
Catering: Milanos Catering in Hillsboro
Cake:
DJ: Chris at
String Quartet: The String Poets
Video: .photography

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Springfield, IL

Website

https://www.rachaelmarieitsmephotography.com/

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