Local Love – Kolby & J.

Kolby was working as a graduate assistant for the Illinois State University softball team when she met J., who was an assistant coach for the baseball team. When the baseball team staff challenged the softball team staff to a trivia night competition at a local pub, the two sat next to each other and hit it off. “We shared the same morals, beliefs, and are strong in our faith, which was huge for me,” Kolby shared.

Soon the couple was planning their wedding! Kolby and J. are both huge Disney fans, so they incorporated the magic in subtle ways— Kolby and her bridesmaids wore robes with their favorite Disney princesses on the back and Kolby gifted J. a pair of Mickey Mouse cufflinks. Kolby had an emotional first look experience with her dad before joining J. for their first look. J. said seeing Kolby in her wedding dress for the first time was his favorite moment of their Big Day: “I had an idea in my head what her dress was going to look like and when I finally got to see her, it surpassed anything I could have imagined.”

The pair wed in a traditional Methodist ceremony. Kolby carried a brooch bouquet including brooches gifted to her by her friends and family, that was as heavy as it was beautiful. After they exchanged their vows, Kolby and J. joined their guests at Kolby’s parent’s farm to celebrate beneath tents that stood up to the extremely windy weather. Guests entered the reception through the corn crib that has stood on the farm since 1925 and enjoyed custom mocktails named after the couple’s favorite Disney characters. The reception was decorated with a color palette of dusty rose, navy and gold with candelabras and floral centerpieces on the tables.

Kolby’s first dance with her father was a highlight of the evening. They practiced for four months and pulled it off perfectly! “Neither my dad nor I have any sort of rhythm and hate being in the spotlight, so nobody suspected a thing,” Kolby said. Guests enjoyed sweet treats from an ice cream food truck between turns on the dance floor, which was packed all night thanks to the fabulous eleven-piece band.

Number of Wedding Guests: 300

Vendor List:

Ceremony Venue: Dwight United Methodist Church

Reception Venue: Bride’s Family Home

Photography: Vivid Studios Inc.

Videography: Impressions Cinema Photo

Officiant: Reverend Michael Ebersohl

Event Planner: Bright DeSigns

Wedding Rings: Bremer Jewelry

Engagement Rings: Heidi Gibson Designs

Bride’s Gown: Romona Kevezavia Dimitra’s Bridal Couture

Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Hair: Zano Salons

Makeup: Rylee Glagola Makeup

Bride’s Other Jewelry: Pandora

Bride’s Accessories: Erica Koesler; Pronovias

Formalwear: Savvi Formalwear

Groom’s Accessories: Savvi Formalwear

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal

Stationery: Noted Design

Floral: Floral Designs and Gifts

Catering: Bennett Curtis House

Entertainment: David Rothstein Music; Moeller Music

Cake & Sweets: The Sugar Path; Grandma Rosie’s Sweet Treats

Transportation: A Dynasty Limo; Elite Luxury Bus

Tent: Blue Peak Tents

Rentals: Prestige Wedding Decoration; I Do Events; Spruce Wedding Rentals