the experience
Slowly you watch yourself through photos as if you were the main character of a movie: sitting in the living room laughing with your wedding party, finishing your cup of coffee before buttoning up your shirt.
You're married and you're anxiously awaiting your wedding gallery that JUST hit your inbox. Your gallery doesn’t feel like photos- it feels like a movie.
As the photos switch locations for hours, the camera not only focuses on you and boo as the main characters, but also your side characters: your loved ones. While you were looking into your partner’s eyes reading vows, your grandma reached over to hold your mother’s hand. When you were signing your marriage license, your nieces were chasing each other around with their flower baskets in hand. When you and boo were getting sunset photos, your college roommate and their fiancé were dancing to Lover by Taylor Swift.
Not only do you remember the warmth in the room that afternoon, but you can hear your best friend’s laugh.
The first photo you see is where your day started: whether an AirBnB, courthouse, venue, or campground.
The scene is set:
And those photos of you and your boo!! They feel both like a sweet, romantic movie montage, with sprinkled moments of laughter when you two just couldn’t hold it in anymore. Looking at these photos you remember feeling comfortable, relaxed, and focused on your favorite person in the world. You were exhausted from the day, but overflowing with joy.
You didn’t miss out on the little side stories your guests had: you get to relive them.
Imagine this with me:
All love is welcome & celebrated here.
Rachael Marie Photography values inclusivity and will never discriminate against your gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, body type, or abilities. You are wonderful, beautiful, and loved here.
Trailside Wedding in Peoria, IL
snapshots of real weddings
Reality on Monroe Wedding in Bloomington, IL
Courthouse Elopement in Downtown Springfield, IL
Click to journey through each love story:
- Chat whenever 24/7 access
- Personalize playlist creation
- Location scouting for photos
- Forms to learn about you, your vision, your guests
I've experienced over 65 weddings and I know how to hold your hand through this process. This is going to be fun!
Day-Of: A go-to confidant who includes everyone and makes photos feel fun
Pre-Wedding: A personal guide helping plan the day YOU want
Behind the scenes, your friends, family, and vendors are hugged and photographed as if they were my own loved ones. You will have photos of those moments you missed out on and relive them as if you were there.
The photos in the making will be a mix of documentary style, posed, and directed. For those posed photos, you + boo be given laid-back directions so you find your natural, goofy rhythm in front of the camera quickly.
TL:DR
- No stress in sight
- photos are a mix of candids and directed poses
- I’m here as your #1 advocate, hypewoman, & chacha-slide teacher
Between video chatting and never ending communication between us, I make sure that you’re never in the dark about the wedding process. There are natural anxieties that come up about the planning process - after 65 weddings, I will hold your hand through this process. Think of me as your sounding board for all things planning. This is going to be fun.
A personal guide
I confidently and quietly make sure your day goes the way you’ve planned based on what I learned about you in the months leading up to your day. I keep us on track with your timeline, and remember the little details that need to be in place, whether it’s photos of a family heirloom, or reminding your person of honor has the rings on hand.
Day-of confidant
Behind the Scenes, I check in with your friends, family, vendors, and officiant. You invited them to share in your special day–so as side characters to your new favorite story, it’s important I get to know them too. Their background moments are documented too, so you don't miss their part in your favorite story.
No one is left out
No awkward photos here - I give you both clear yet laid-back directions so you feel confident, relaxed, and connected to each other. Through this directive posing, You’ll find your natural, goofy rhythm with your partner in front of the camera quickly. You’ll hear me hype you up in between laughing with your partner.
Photos are actually fun
5-9 hours of coverage
wedding day forms for a stress free day
timeline organization
family photo organization
shareable high resolution online gallery
up to two year gallery insurance
free image downloads for friends & family
second photographer coverage available
engagement session available
wedding albums available
full day investment details
Starting at $3,500
"This is too much, sis! I need less!"
documenting your day no matter the size...
- 5-9 hours of coverage
- wedding day forms for a stress free day
- timeline organization
- family photo organization
- shareable high resolution online gallery
- up to two year gallery insurance
- free image downloads for friends & family
- second photographer coverage available
- engagement session available
- wedding albums available
1-4 hours of coverage
split coverage available
timeline organization
expertise in Springfield, IL photo locations
family photo organization
shareable high resolution online gallery
free image downloads for friends & family
wedding albums available
shorter coverage details
Starting at $1,200
Not getting married? Click here for couples photography & other endeavors.
- 1-4 hours of coverage
- split coverage available
- timeline organization
- expertise in Springfield, IL photo locations
- family photo organization
- shareable high resolution online gallery
- free image downloads for friends & family
- wedding albums available
questions
Frequently asked
How do we recieve our images?
Can we sign up for a payment plan?
Can we do an engagement session first?
Can you photograph our reception only?
Do you travel outside of Springfield, IL?
How do you keep our images safe?
What is your gallery turn around time?
What is a second shooter?
Do you only photograph intimate weddings?
How do we book you?
How do we book you?
Step 1: You’ll fill out the inquiry form about you + boo + your day. The more detail you provide the better I can help you decide on a wedding day experience you truly want.
Step 2: We’ll schedule a video call or email back and forth. I’ll hear your love story details, and walk you through some custom packages for you pick from.
Step 3: You pick a custom package, sign the contract, and and 30% nonrefundable retainer is due to officially book your date.
Click here to tell me about your day!!
How do we receive our images?
You will receive a text from me when your online gallery is ready. The gallery link and secure downloading pin will be in your email inbox. Through this gallery you can view, share, download, order prints AND albums. All images are free to download by anyone, as long as you share with them the pin!
Do you have payment plans?
Absolutely! Once the 30% nonrefundable retainer is down to reserve your date, the online invoice will trigger and then a payment plan is put in place. We can work together on a payment schedule that fits your budget, whether it's 5 payments or monthly up until your date.
Can we do an engagement session first?
OMG yes!!! An engagement session allows you to know how it feels being photographed by me so you know what it would be like on your wedding day. It's also a great time to document your life on a day that's not jam-packed with wedding guests.
If you want engagement photos first, fill out the form on this page first so we can bring your vision to life!
Please note that I do not save dates until the wedding contract is signed and the 30% nonrefundable retainer is DELIVERED.
Can you just photograph our reception?
Did you elope just the two of you?? If so OMG go you!!! YES I do receptions only. It's not uncommon for folks to get married somewhere out of state and then want to have a party with their local friends and family. I’ll be there: photographing speeches, dances, conversations, lawn games, you name it!
Click here to be inspired by Sasha + Chris's brunch reception after their coastal Maine elopement!
Do you travel outside of Springfield, IL?
Anywhere! I've flown to Washington, Texas, and California for weddings.
I'll do it again!
Mileage will be factored into your personalized packages if you are further than 70 miles away from Springfield, IL. Locations 2+ hours away require a two night stay.
How do you keep our images safe?
I back up my images 4x throughout the wedding day process; by copying to multiple SD cards DURING the wedding, and backing up images to multiple external hard drives. I keep edited images backed up even after your wedding.
What is your gallery turnaround time?
Previews of your wedding day are completed and sent to you within 48 hours of saying “I do!” I’ll send you a text when they’ve dropped into your inbox.
Full wedding galleries are completed and sent within 6-10 weeks.
What is a second photographer?
It's another photographer I hire to better help document your day.
A second is absolute must if you have 50+ people attending your day, and especially if candid moments with family, friends, loved ones are high on your priority list. The second will scope out those moments between guests while I am documenting you. It’s also important if you want your fiancé to have getting ready photos while I’m photographing you getting ready.
I have several photographers in the area I trust, train, and reach out to second photograph for me; I take care of this part, not you!
Do you only photograph intimate weddings?
No!!! I photograph elopements (less than 10 people), intimate weddings (50 or less) and large weddings (100+ more). Be sure to include details as to what you want documented through your day so I can best come up with a package that is the right fit for you.
Click here to tell me about your day!!
memories turned into sentimental art
images that reflect your love story
a photographer disguised as your best friend
you can expect
madison + Wes
"Rachael is wonderful to work with! Her photo timelines alone were so helpful in planning for the day and thinking through what the day would look like. She is AMAZING with large groups of people. She’s fun, a great communicator, and kept everyone on task.
Rachael fit right in with my bridesmaids and captured some beautiful moments of laughter. Rachael is an artist. We loved her dark, moody, dreamy images. We don’t have enough wall space in our home to hang all of our favorites."
"Rachael fit right in."
naomi + ben
"Rachael made everything so personal by getting to know me and my fiance and our long distance story. She has an eye for small details and captured so many beautiful moments over the whole day. It was really easy to book her and work with her from a long distance.
She also was so helpful in working through the wedding day timeline. I especially loved how she handled the pictures of just me and my husband. She caught just how joyful we were to finally be together for good. Her work is lovely, she is a lovely person!"
"She blew me away."
aunde + tory
"Even though we were eloping, she was so invested to make sure that our day was just as special as a couple that would've been having a huge ceremony and reception.
She really was able to capture our vision for our style but also our genuine and deep love for each other. Rachael's photography skills are incredible and what a bonus that she's probably the most kind and genuine person my husband and I have ever met."
"She made our day so special."
See more GooglE reviews here
love notes
Let's start writing your story.
Dude I am so down to dance with you or help hold your flowers. I think we'd have a great time. Let's work together to plan the best day of your life.
LET'S DO THE DAMN THING!
