The Crist-Hilgerson Wedding

On a brisk Saturday morning at sunrise, Sam and Tessa met on the snow-covered hills of her family farm, where they were engaged and now shared their first look. They were married in front of their friends and family in a heartfelt ceremony at Galena Bible Church. A beautiful brunch reception with dancing, toasts, joy-filled smiles, and famous Pedretti’s Bakery doughnuts followed at The Galena Territory Owner’s Club.

The day was breathtaking.

Getting to know Sam and Tessa has been wonderful. Seeing them surrounded by the joy and love of their friends and family was one of my favorite things about their wedding day.

Just a few short months ago Sam and Tessa reached out to me about photographing their winter wedding… I was ecstatic! Knowing Sam from church and photographing two of his siblings’ senior photos, I already knew he was easy-going with a genuinely kind soul, and I just knew I was going to love his bride-to-be, too! Not only is Tessa absolutely gorgeous, but you can imagine my excitement when she mentioned she is an art teacher! While talking about her wedding ideas, I found my heart smiling to hear her vision filled with sentimental details, a first look at sunrise on the family farm, her love of natural light portraits, and her stunning engagement ring handed down from her great-grandmother. My sentimental heart beamed. It would have been easy to feel a tiny bit of pressure to fulfill another artist’s vision, but Tessa’s calm joyful spirit, beautiful ideas, and complete trust in my photography made her an absolute dream to photograph! I am so thrilled she had the idea to do a snowy exit (it was so fun)!

From our first conversation, to their engagement session, coffee date timeline planning, and throughout their wedding day, I was so excited to get to know Sam and Tessa as a couple. From witnessing these two plan and prepare with a gentle eagerness to be married, witnessing the love and prayers spoken over them throughout their wedding day, witnessing them calmly cope as they were missing a few very dear friends and family members, to witnessing their faithfulness, filled with gratitude and joy for the day, for their future, all reemphasized just how truly perfect they are for one another. What a blessing these two are to each other and to their new families.

Enjoy this little glimpse of their beautiful day:

Sam and Tessa, I hope these images transport you back to the day you were married. Thank you so much for having us, for sharing your faith and love with all those you encounter. May your days be filled with peace, love and joy.

Sincerely,
Jillian (+ Zach)

The Vendors
Photography Jillian Webb Herrmann JWebbArt
Wedding Dress I Do Bridal Galena IL
Wedding Party Azazie Neptune
Florals by Jean Wachter
Doughnuts Pedretti’s Bakery
Ceremony Galena Bible Church
Reception Venue Galena Territory Owner’s Club