A Summer Wedding to Remember
Okay okay okay. I truly don’t know how to even begin talking about Sarah & Tyler’s wedding at Venue 5126 in Oswego, IL without screaming into my pillow about how freaking magical it was. I could write a 20-page love letter to their families, their bridal party, the way they love each other, & the fact that the night ended with a tornado warning & the groom chugging beer from his shoes (yes, the ones he wore all day), but I’ll try to keep this reasonable. For now.
Let’s rewind.
July 11, 2025.
It’s 90 degrees.
We’re at Venue 5126.
Let’s go.
Getting ready: kind souls, pretty dresses & so much hairspray
I started the day popping into the bridal suite & immediately wanted to become friends with all of them. Sarah’s bridesmaids were next-level sweet — like the type of people you just want around you all the time. They were hyping her up, wiping her tears, blotting her face between photos (iconic), & just radiating kindness all morning.
Over in the groom’s suite? Tyler’s guys were cracking jokes, fixing each other’s ties, being helpful (!!), & just generally bringing good vibes. No chaos. No stress. Just a group of good humans excited to watch their best friend marry the love of his life. I haven’t seen such a genuinely supportive crew all around in a long time & it made my heart happy.
First looks on first looks on first looks
We started with Sarah’s parents, then the girlies,
Then her actual forever person, Tyler. Every single moment? Tear-worthy.
When Tyler turned around, he just melted (no like literally, it was 90 degrees in case you missed that). These two have been together since college (Elmhurst University, shoutout), & it shows in the most beautiful way. They love each other in a soft, grounded, sweet way that made everyone around them pause & feel it too. Also yes, it was hot as hell. But no one complained. Everyone rallied. There was this sense of “we’d do anything for these two,” & I mean… same.
& just after we wrapped up portraits, people immediately started peeling off their clothes to let them air out from the sweat —Tyler, I’m looking directly at you. The heat was that intense. We were all basically living inside a slow cooker, but this crew handled it like champs.
Ceremony time: real vows, real tears, real love
They got married with Sarah’s cousin Jay officiating (hi Jay, you crushed it). The vows were emotional & personal & had me crying behind my camera which, if we’re being honest, happens more than I admit.
The way they looked at each other? The way their families looked at them? It was all so tender. So sincere. The kind of love that makes you believe in it all over again.
Party time: broken glass, barefoot dancing & one VERY unspellable last name
So after vows & dinner & the most heartfelt speeches ever (seriously, the Maid of Honor had the entire tent crying), it was go-time.
& oh. my. gosh. This crew came to DANCE.
There was a sign that said “Take a shot if you can’t spell the groom’s last name (Abuelhawa)” & let’s just say... the bar was busy. Every throwback song you can imagine was played—& screamed. We’re talking early 2000s bangers, top-of-your-lungs Taylor Swift, some truly chaotic group singalongs, & one dance floor that never once emptied out. Shoes were off. Glasses were broken (RIP). Nobody wanted the night to end.
Sunset, sparklers & the sky absolutely losing it 🌅⚡️
We snuck off to the wildflower field at golden hour & I can’t wait for you to see those photos. They are every kind of dreamy.
Right after that—like literally minutes after—the sky started doing that dark, windy, dramatic thing & we realized... tornado warning. Casual. But we managed to squeeze in the sparkler sendoff just in time, & then everyone ran inside as the sky opened up.
It was chaos. It was perfect.
& then—because why not?—Tyler ended the night drinking beer out of his own wedding shoes with his groomsmen. I still don’t have words. I refuse to think about how gross that was. It’s fine. It’s love.
TL;DR: Sarah & Tyler’s Venue 5126 wedding was magic 💫
If you’re planning your wedding at Venue 5126, you already know you’re choosing a venue that checks every box—a picture-perfect pergola, fields of flowers, & a big ol’ tent made for dancing under the stars (or tornado clouds, your pick).
But if you’re planning your wedding anywhere & your biggest priorities are love, laughter, community, & a party your people will talk about forever… let’s make it happen.