Written and Photographed by Karen Shoufler

Alexandra and Preston’s Providence Vineyard wedding was such a beautiful celebration of their love for each other and the joy they have in their family and friends. After over a year of cancellations and restrictions, it was so great to see a wedding space full of people smiling and filling up the dance floor. I’m so excited to share this day with you.

I first met Alexandra and Preston at the Lincoln Park Nature Boardwalk in Chicago for their engagement session. We had the best time walking around getting to know each other and photographing their session. When they mentioned that they had booked Providence Vineyard for the wedding day, I was so excited for them. Although it wasn’t even fully built yet, I had been following along with the progress of this new venue for months and knew it was going to be stunning.

The week leading up to this wedding day, I’d been watching the weather quite closely. Up until the day before, they were calling for mid-nineties and humid. Instead, it was low eighties and sunny with a gorgeous breeze. It was truly the best weather for an outdoor wedding with the vineyard as a backdrop.

Alexandra was getting ready in the bridal suite when I arrived at the venue. I got to work photographing her stunning dress and beautiful details while she finished up with hair and makeup. Once she was in her dress, we did a sweet reveal with her bridesmaids on the balcony of the venue. It was the perfect spot for a reveal! Next up was an emotional first look with her dad. I was in tears as I watched her dad see his only daughter as a bride on her wedding day. It was precious.

As guests starting arriving, the wedding party tucked away and I wandered out to the ceremony site. A simple floral-adorned arbor was waiting at the end of the aisle with the beautiful vineyard behind. The sun was shining, the breeze was plentiful and the guests were so happy to finally be at a normal wedding day.

Alexandra walked down the aisle on the arm of her dad, who was doing his best not to cry. As he handed off his daughter to the groom, he gave her one last bear hug before she would become a wife. The ceremony was just perfect! One of my favorite moments of a wedding day is right after the bride and groom are announced as husband and wife, and this one was the best! Preston and Alexandra kissed, threw their arms in the air, kissed again and then celebrated as they walked down the aisle as Mr and Mrs.