Wedding at the Destihl Brewery in Normal, Illinois | Ali and Aj

GUYS. I cannot say enough about AJ and Ali’s beautiful day. In the whole planning process, they were so intentional about making sure they could be fully present with each other and their loved ones. Every detail was so perfect for them: they chose Destihl Brewery as their wedding venue (the ideal setting for their friends who love craft beer), included their dog Penny as their ring bearer (the sweetest way to honor their little pup), and even asked two of their best friends to be their “beer boys” (and boy did they ham it up)!

Getting Ready for the Day

AJ and Ali started their day surrounded by their closest friends and family and I could just tell from the get-go that these two are so intentional in their relationships. From the laid-back environment that Ali created with her bridesmaids to the handwritten notes AJ gave his groomsmen as they prepared for the day together, these two are PEOPLE people and it shows.

While AJ and Ali were planning their day, Ali said she really wanted to find a getting ready space that was unique, had lots of natural light, and would be able to host all of her bridesmaids overnight. After some Google searching, I helped them find this stunning AirBnB near Normal, Illinois! Unique? Check. Natural light? CHECK. Space to host all of her bridesmaids? Check check check. But by far the best part of the morning was when everyone got to see Ali in her glittery dress, which couldn’t have been a better fit for her. After we took a few quick portraits, Ali and the ladies hopped into a limo headed for Destihl Brewery.

AJ and his groomsmen kept things really chill on the wedding morning. Getting ready in the comfort of AJ’s friend’s apartment meant that the guys could relax, take things slow, and even include Penny in the festivities. Before heading to Destihl Brewery, AJ and the guys made a quick stop at White Oak Brewing to enjoy some craft beer. I loved watching how AJ and Ali each made their mornings unique to them and their people, and it’s goals like this that I love being able to help bring to life as a wedding photographer!

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony at the Destihl Brewery

AJ and Ali chose not to see each other before the ceremony, so as AJ and his groomsmen arrived at the brewery, we were careful to keep Ali hidden away. Thankfully, Destihl Brewery had a greenroom where Ali could hide, and this made it really easy to make sure the two wouldn’t cross paths until the ceremony. 

Unfortunately as Ali was walking up the stairs to the greenroom, her dress got snagged on the stairs and ripped! While the bridesmaids were trying to keep calm and figure out what to do, her grandma quietly found some safety pins and fixed the skirt (and you literally couldn’t even tell that it ripped–I think her grandma was magic).

After Ali’s dress was fixed and we all took a deep breath, it was time for the ceremony to start! AJ and Ali really wanted an outdoor ceremony, and Destihl’s courtyard was the perfect place for that. From the moment he walked out the door, AJ was on the verge of tears (but he didn’t crack quite yet!) Making a grand entrance was Penny the flower girl and the two “beer boys” Brian and Mitchell. Everyone loved the surprise break from the traditional flower girl and ring bearer roles.

Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for, when Ali stepped into the courtyard, and THAT was when AJ burst into tears. It was so sweet and obvious to everyone watching just how much this day meant to him. Then the ceremony was in full swing, and before long Ali and AJ were officially newlyweds! 

Wedding Reception in the Barrel Room at the Destihl Brewery

Right after the ceremony, AJ tapped the first keg to officially start the party! As the guests mingled, got their first drinks, and played lawn games, we took some group portraits and couple portraits. Destihl Brewery’s courtyard was the perfect built-in backdrop for these pictures, and it made it so convenient that we didn’t have to go anywhere else to get stunning photos.

After we wrapped up portraits, Ali and AJ entered their reception and, lemme tell ya, these two know how to throw a party! They started off with an epic champagne tower, then went right into their first dance (which was so fun and playful) and they even set aside time for both sets of parents to have a slow dance together. Then, to keep the momentum going, they played a couple of hype songs so their guests could dance and get some energy out before dinner. After that they toned things down a little with some moving speeches, and some SERIOUSLY DELICIOUS food courtesy of Destihl. After re-fueling, AJ and Ali ramped up the party again with classic pop punk tunes as the evening’s soundtrack and a slideshow of memories with their friends playing on a projector screen while everyone danced the night away.

There is just SO much that I loved about Ali and AJ’s wedding day at Destihl Brewery. These two wonderful souls knew exactly what they wanted their day to look and feel like, and I’m so blessed to have been a part of that vision. If you’re looking to have me document your wedding day and love story be sure to send me an inquiry through my contact page today!

Vendors

Coordinator: Karen Wheeler of the Destihl Brewery

Wedding Venue: Destihl Brewery

Dress: Kathryn’s Bridal

Floral: Casey’s Garden Shop and Florist

Catering: Destihl Brewery

Hair: Sarah Rose Artistry

Makeup: Lashes By Alexa

DJ: Complete Weddings and Events

Tables/Chairs: Destihl Brewery

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Hi, I'm Carissa. My deepest desire is to care for you and take care of every background detail so that when you step in front of my lens, you can be your full, raw, honest self--undistracted by flyaways or timelines or what to do with your hands.

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