Rachael Marie Photography

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.

The before & after of the same space— just by flipping a switch!! It’s very important to me to play with light when sett...
09/07/2026

The before & after of the same space— just by flipping a switch!!

It’s very important to me to play with light when setting the scene for my work.

I arrived early for Merrian & Ryan’s engagement session in Allerton Manison’s library. I immediately saw how bright it was in there. It was beautiful! There were both large windows pouring in late afternoon sun, as well as many different bulbs that lit up various features of the library.

It was the huge windows letting in natural light that caught my eye. 🌅 I was tempted to see what would happen if I only had the window lighting...

With a quick flip of the switch, I was able to turn the library into a much more moodier venue, which really worked out for their romantic photos. 🌃

Playing with lighting as a wedding & elopement photographer is really important to me. I’m always amazed as to how quickly I can change the mood of a scene with a few simple actions.

Cuz if I’m allowed to touch a light switch, I’m more than likely to turn OFF those big lights. Just to see what happens... the big light can suck a lot of the times. 😅

Ugh I’m so glad I did!!!! So obsessed with how these photos turned out.

If you love moody lighting & this Paramore song I picked for the post… I might be the right photographer for you 🤩

Spring engagement photos at Luthy Botantical Gardens !!! 🌸🌷🌼🥀Back when it wasn’t a bajillion degrees outside 😭Jillian & ...
09/06/2026

Spring engagement photos at Luthy Botantical Gardens !!! 🌸🌷🌼🥀

Back when it wasn’t a bajillion degrees outside 😭

Jillian & Lee’s engagement session was so chill!! Luthy Botanical Gardens in Peoria was lush in so many cool plants & trees. 🌿

I love hanging out with my couples for an engagement session for their wedding. Before we hang out I have a questionnaire where they tell me about themselves.

But some things you can’t just learn off of reading about someone, but seeing them interact with each other.

So what did I learn IRL??

J&L will hype each other up when it’s time to get stuff done, and will double fist bump. 🤜🏻🤛🏻 which is so cute!! High fives and fist bumps are underrated honestly.

And like, isn’t that the beauty & fun of having a partner? Someone to cheer you on!?!! Give you a fist bump when you feel kind of meh?? LOVE

So excited to hang out with Jillian & Lee again this month!!! Keeping my fingers crossed this heatwave is GONE by then 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Post ceremony feelz 🥹🥹After a first look, private vow readings, and portraits, we headed over to Silvercreek Restaurant ...
09/03/2026

Post ceremony feelz 🥹🥹

After a first look, private vow readings, and portraits, we headed over to Silvercreek Restaurant for the their intimate ceremony & dinner. 🍽️

The greenhouse of Silvercreek was a beautiful backdrop, and also a great transition from vows in their backyard— a garden & greenhouse wedding. 🌿🌸

Anna & Jimmy’s ceremony was simple & sweet. Anna’s sister, Abby, officiated the ceremony 🥹

—because FUN FACT it’s super easy for anyone to become ordained!!!

So it’s extra special when someone you love very very much gets to wed you to your person, who you love very very much. 🤍

As someone who also has a younger sister, I was so in my feels during the ceremony.

I do, I do, pronounced married, and a kiss!!! It never ever gets old.

Great first kiss post exit!! Also never gets old. 🥰

(I’ve learned to be quick with my flash for moments like these— going from outdoor light to indoor darkness 🔦📸 these are some of my fave moments)

Next up— dinnnnerrrr time!! With le croix, duh 💁🏼‍♀️

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

Getting ready at home before your first look in your backyard garden >>>>Spending time with Anna before Jimmy arrived wa...
09/02/2026

Getting ready at home before your first look in your backyard garden >>>>

Spending time with Anna before Jimmy arrived was so special. Their home is well loved, with thoughtful touches everywhere.

It made sense to plan for their first look to be in the home they love so much.

Anna mentioned our time together in her Google review!! 🥹

“The day of the wedding, Rachael and I had half an hour where it was just her and I while we were waiting for my husband to arrive for the first look. She helped me get ready and made me feel calm! She took photos of our home that we will look back on when we are old and grey and reminisce on this time of our lives. How special!”

(Peep Anna on the couch on slide 3 as I photograph her dress!!!)

Then to have Jimmy come home!! Home to Anna!!! 😭 to have their first look in the backyard where Jimmy got down on one knee to propose. 😭😭😭😭

It’s important for me to ask my couples, “do you want me to be within earshot of you for vows for photos, or do you want to be completely alone?”

So I went inside their house when Anna & Jimmy read their vows to each other. Their large windows gave me a peak of their promises to each other. It was hard to not tear up as they got emotional. Damn you can tell they love each other so much. I had to turn away for a moment, to hide my tears (that no one could see) and to give them a true moment.

We took some portraits around the outside of their home & street before heading over to Silvercreek for their intimate ceremony.

new x union ?!?! Are you kidding me?!?!1

How sweet is this job.

If you want to get ready at home with your person, please do it. Just send me your address 🤍

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

Central Illinois wedding photographer, Champaign IL wedding

What if… we eloped at the Sangamon County Building & got photos at the Capitol & cut cake & read private vows after havi...
08/28/2026

What if… we eloped at the Sangamon County Building & got photos at the Capitol & cut cake & read private vows after having lunch with family? 🥹 👉🏻👈🏻

✨say less✨

Mya & Kolby wanted the best of both worlds on their wedding day—

1️⃣ private moments with just the two of them
2️⃣ time with their loved ones

So we planned for both!!

We met up for a first look in the IL State Capitol Building. Because if you want that special moment on your day you should absolutely have it. 👏🏻👏🏻 It was so sweet watching Mya & Kolby see each other all dressed up before their ceremony 🥹

The Capitol never disappoints!! We hung around there for pictures before their 1:15pm ceremony.

We parked downtown, picked up the license, went up to the 4th floor, and the Honorable Robin Schmidt lead the ceremony!! MARRIED!!!!!!

Once they picked up copies of their license (cuz yes yes let’s make it official official), we headed to the Clinton Country Club— for lunch & cake with their loved ones. 🥰

Mya & Kolby saved their personal vows for the golf course—because if you want to share your vows with just your person then freaking do it.

Ugh it was such a special day!! It’s so sweet helping couples get married their way. And damn don’t they look great?!? Shoutout to GOWNS Bridal & Formal Boutique for Mya’s gorgeous look!!

If you’re interested in a courthouse wedding in Springfield, IL— I’ve photographed & help coordinate over 20! Call me an expert. I’d love to be there for you too. 🤍

Congrats congrats congrats Mya & Kolby !!!

elopementinspiration

08/27/2026

Don’t mind me flipping light switches in the corner, I’m testing s**t out !!! It’s very important to me to play with light when setting the scene for my work.

I arrived early for Merrian & Ryan’s engagement session in Allerton Manison’s library. I immediately saw how bright it was in there. It was beautiful! There were both large windows pouring in late afternoon sun, as well as many different bulbs that lit up various features of the library.

It was the huge windows letting in natural light that caught my eye. I was tempted to see what would happen if I only had the window lighting… 🤔

With a quick flip of the switch, I was able to turn the library into a much more moodier venue, which really worked out for their romantic photos.

Playing with lighting as a wedding & elopement photographer is really important to me. I’m always amazed as to how quickly I can change the mood of a scene with a few simple actions. 💡

Cuz if I’m allowed to touch a light switch, I’m more than likely to turn OFF those big lights. Just to see what happens…

Ugh I’m so glad I did!!!! So obsessed with how these photos turned out 😍

When vendors collab to work on their skills… it looks like this ✨The artists 🎨 —Hair Illinois Bridal Hair Stylist Make u...
08/26/2026

When vendors collab to work on their skills… it looks like this ✨

The artists 🎨 —
Hair Illinois Bridal Hair Stylist
Make up ILLINIOS MAKEUP ARTIST
Model 𝕤𝕪𝕕𝕕𝕕 ⚡️
Gown Selkie ™

Several things blow my mind about this set of photos—

1. That I was asked to help bring this vision to life. ME!!! WHAT!?!? 🥹 That I was trusted by another vendor to colab on something special. Thank you so much Kaley. 🙏🏻 also it’s deeply inspiring to be rejected and then do something magical after the “no”. That’s how it started (read her post to learn more 👏🏻)

2. The TALENT. Yenia’s artwork with brushes & color & lashes?!? 💋 What!! Kaley’s whimsical waves & long braid was EVERYTHING. 🎀 And like this entire thing was her vision. Kaley you are so so cool.

3. The versatility through this entire set of photos. Like we saw all of this within an hour and a half- and there are SO MANY DIFFERENT LOOKS 🤯

👉🏻The look of high-end bridal glam, as she’s getting ready to put on her wedding dress.
👉🏻The powerful & beautiful feeling of being with freaking horses in a gorgeous, long, frilly dress.
👉🏻How golden hour makes everything even more dreamy.
👉🏻How using flash can bring a whole other level of glam & editorial vibes to a photo— even if the sun is still out.
👉🏻Once the sun set, how blue hour / twilight cast this beautiful even light over the hills as she runs away.
👉🏻Then, creating an almost horror movie like moment, Syd standing in between two trees, lighting her up with my flash., like she’s a ghost photographed on film.

ALL IN THE SAME SHOOT.

Holy cow.🤩

Sometimes I hate styled shoots— bc I never want someone to think I’m passing styled shoots off as real weddings. (Which, I’ll never do)

As an artist, it’s incredible fun to have the chance to create. Just because someone has an idea. And for that I am very, very thankful for.

Shoutout to 𝕤𝕪𝕕𝕕𝕕 ⚡️ for being our amazing model!! And Selkie ™ thank you for your gorgeous designs

kind of chic to collab with other business owners & create just for fun!!! shout out to Kaley for coming to me with an i...
08/24/2026

kind of chic to collab with other business owners & create just for fun!!!

shout out to Kaley for coming to me with an idea of a whimsical bride and trusting us to bring it to life!!!

if you're getting married or need event hair & makeup you NEED to check out these wonderful women 💕✨

make up
hairrrrrrr .bykaley // https://www.thebridalhairedit.com/

You don’t have to go to the mountains for views, nor do you have to go into Chicago for beautiful architecture.All of th...
07/31/2026

You don’t have to go to the mountains for views, nor do you have to go into Chicago for beautiful architecture.

All of these spot spots are located in central Illinois, whether it’s Springfield, Peoria, or the Champaign area. You can plan a really cool, special elopement just about anywhere in Illinois.

There are cute cocktail bars, European inspired gardens, beautiful courthouses, museum-like buildings that don’t require you to hang around a bunch of tourists.

Check out these spots for elopement inspiration. There are also a LOT of blogs on my website on how to elope, and where to host your elopement in Illinois. Just for you. ☺️

I’d love to help you plan & photograph your special day 🤍🤍

Slides 3, 4, 8, 12 — Allerton Park in Monticello, IL

Slide 5, 11 — Douglas County courthouse in Tuscola, IL

Slide 6 — Grand View Drive in Peoria Heights, IL

Slide 7, 10— IL State Capitol building in Springfield, IL

Slide 8 — Vondra Social House in Springfield, IL

Slide 13 — The Wakery in Springfield, IL 😭😭 RIP, no longer open

Slide 14 — Rachael Marie, you’re future elopement photographer!! 🤍🤍

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