Alysa and Josh’s wedding day was one of equal parts elegance and an appreciation for the beauty of mother nature. With this in mind, their choice to have their wedding day at Hidden Creek Estates near Rockford, Illinois could not have been more perfect. Those that have been keeping up with my blog may recognize this venue from Anna and Sean’s wedding, and I’m ecstatic to say that Alysa and Josh’s celebration here is another perfect example of the venue’s strengths. Their love story is about more than just the venue though. Alysa and Josh are actually friends of mine, so being able to document their love in a way that’s authentic to them was incredibly fulfilling, and I cannot wait to share the results with you all.

Getting Ready at the Elegant Hidden Creek Estates

When it comes to outdoor wedding venues near Rockford, Illinois, Hidden Creek Estates is one that stands well above the competition, something that’s sure to become more and more apparent as we work through Alysa and Josh’s wedding. They began their day getting ready separately from one another, with Alysa and her gals at The Cottage and Josh and his guys at The Oak View. These multiple getting ready spaces gave a sense of ease to the wedding day as it eliminated any need for serious travel time from their day. Though the getting ready spaces themselves are beautiful, we were sure to make our way outside as soon as possible to both enjoy the fabulous weather and the gorgeous setting we’d found ourselves in.

A Magical Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Near Rockford, Illinois

The grounds of Hidden Creek Estates are all incredibly beautiful don’t get me wrong, but there’s something about their outdoor wedding ceremony space that feels practically magical. The space facilitates some of the most powerful feelings of love, warmth, and joy that I’ve ever experienced during a wedding day. These feelings were apparent for Alysa and Josh, but also their friends and family who were in attendance as well. Throughout the ceremony there were smiles abound and tears of joy shed from many a loved one. After the two had said their “I do’s” we made time for some group and newlywed portraits with the company of the setting sun.

An Night of Dancing and Celebration

Following their ceremony was an outdoor cocktail hour with their tent covered reception soon to follow. Yet another thing that sets Hidden Creek Estates apart from all other wedding venues in the Rockford, Illinois area is the fantastic staff they have on site. Their Day of Coordinator Tara deserves a special shout out here as she ensured the day ran smoothly and beautifully. After some time at their reception, Alysa, Josh, and I snuck away for some sunset portraits on the grounds of Hidden Creek Estates. With the wedding venue being completely secluded in the beauty of nature we not only had a fantastic setting for their portraits, but Alysa and Josh were also able to include their sweet dogs into their portraits. Yet another fantastic aspect of this wildly impressive wedding venue.

Alysa and Josh’s evening ended with a night of dancing alongside their friends and family into the late hours of the night. Under the string lights and stars they felt free to enjoy themselves and celebrate this incredible connection that they’ve built together, and I feel honored to have been chosen to document each and every moment from their day. Congratulations to Alysa and Josh, and a huge thank you as always to Hidden Creek Estates for being such a fantastic space for wedding celebrations in the Rockford, Illinois area. For more wedding day stories be sure to keep an eye on our blog, and if you’re ready to book Forest City Photographs for your wedding day be sure to send us an inquiry.