Live from Champaign, Illinois, it’s Saturday Night, starring this week’s hosts, Lauren and Drew with a cavalcade of special guest stars. Now, please welcome from Holy Cross Church, this week’s hosts, Lauren and Drew!
This is a little different version from my usual Saturday night posts, because this one actually starts in the daytime and we’re in Champaign, Illinois! Last Saturday was the wedding day of WMBD Meteorologist, Lauren Rainson and Drew! They got married here at Holy Cross Catholic Church and this is a beautiful church both outside and inside!
I love the stained glass and the Jonathan Young, the organist is perched up there in the ornate balcony.
The wedding is beginning as the bridesmaids start to walk down the aisle and there’s Lauren with her father marching down the aisle. What a beautiful bride!
I didn’t take a lot of photos during the wedding ceremony because I had to stretch out in the aisle to get shots of the bride and groom up at the altar and I didn't want to be a distraction for the rest of the guests behind me. When I was seated, you can see my view in the bottom photo. I got to stare at the back of this guy's head! It was a lovely ceremony, the Celebrant was Father Joseph Donton and he did a great job and even cracked a few jokes.
Lauren and Drew have exchanged vows and there’s the happy couple walking down the aisle!
The crowd was waiting outside and blew bubbles as the newlyweds emerged from the church and sped off in a limousine!
The reception was being held at the Hilton Garden Inn and it was a fabulous and elegant room!
A slide show featuring photos of Lauren and Drew were playing on screens around the room, very cool!
The wedding pary hasn’t arrived yet, they’re out taking photos and maybe a drink or two was being had! This is their table and there’s the wedding cake with cupcakes underneath. I love the top of the cake, that’s hilarious!
While we waited for the wedding party to arrive, I took photos of some of the guests in attendance. I also had a drink. Okay, I had two...maybe three, but let’s not focus on that!
Suddenly the wedding party arrived and took their places at the table of honor in the front and center of the room. Alyssa was the Maid of Honor and the Best Man was Derrick. The Bridesmaids were: Madeline, Randi, Megan and Maddie. The Groomsmen were: David, Ed, Logan and Stephen and the Usher was Justin. The group sat down and it was time for dinner!
And just as they were getting ready to eat, I showed up to bother them with the MBIP Camera! There’s Lauren and Drew at the top looking fantastic. Alyssa was the Maid of Honor and she looked beautiful as did the other Bridesmaids. The bottom photo is the Groomsman and that’s the Best Man, Derrick at the front of the line.
Lauren’s beloved St. Bernard, Elsa was represented at the table with this wonderful photo and letter!
After dinner it was time to cut the wedding cake and Lauren and Drew fed each other a piece in fine wedding tradition.
Lauren and Drew went to the dance floor for their wedding dance and then Lauren danced with her dad and after that Drew and his mom took their turn on the dance floor.
MBIP Exclusive Bridal Bustle Photos!
I really wanted to get some sort of a photo that no one else would have. Everybody was snapping photos and I wanted an exclusive shot and while looking for the bathrooms, I got it! I saw Lauren standing while her mom, Athena, Alyssa and her sister Madeline were doing something to the back of Lauren’s dress. Well of course I had to go over and ask what was going on and Lauren explained they were pinning up her dress so she could move around easier. She said the process is called, “bustling.” I have never heard of this or witnessed it and this is something no one else got to see at the wedding! So I now present these exclusive photos which I’m going to try to sell to TMZ later today!
Now it was time for the traditional Wedding Dollar Dance! Alyssa was taking the dollars and I got in line. There’s Lauren with her Good Day Central Illinois cohort, Mark Welp and that’s the Good Day Central Illinois Producer Andrew Harvey dancing with the bride. These guys were okay, but...
They’re no match for me! I went out and really busted some moves with Lauren! It was lot of fun and I thank Lauren’s other Good Day Central Illinois cohort Shelbey Roberts for taking the first three action shots and to Mark Welp for the last photo! You two are officially MBIP Contributing Photographers and maybe some day I’ll actually have money to pay you for your services...but don’t hold your breath waiting!
Then the dance floor opened up and people definitely Gettin' Jiggy Wit It!
What a beautiful wedding and such a fun reception! Congratulations to Lauren and Drew and thanks for inviting me to the wedding! I wish you much love and happiness for your future years together!
Related Posts: Saturday Night @ Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Bohannan! Amber and Joe’s Fabulous Wedding Day and Reception! and Brian and Courtney Hennessey.