Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Summer

Our Wedding

Our story began in Freshman year at Eastern Illinois University, when Jarad and I lived in the same dorm building. We started as strangers, but what began as casual hellos quickly turned into a friendship. We spent hours hanging out in the dorm lobby, laughing, and sharing our days. By the end of that month, on September 13th, 2019, we made the leap from friends to something more. We started dating, not knowing then just how deeply our lives would intertwine. Like many relationships, ours faced its first big test just a few months later: COVID. After spending nearly every waking moment together, we found ourselves separated by distance for months suddenly we were forced into the world of Zoom calls, texting memes, and staring longingly at each other’s faces on FaceTime. It was hard, and at times, it felt like everything we had built was on pause. But we pushed through, and what was once a fragile connection only grew stronger with time. The distance didn’t break us—it deepened our bond. Sophomore year was a turning point. We reunited in the same dorm building, and it felt like home. We filled our days with spontaneous dinner dates, late-night talks, and all the small moments that make life feel big. By the end of Junior year, we took another step forward: we moved in together. And just as we were settling into this new chapter, we took on a new adventure—becoming dog parents to sweet Roxie Anne. From that moment, our little family felt complete. Senior year was full of unforgettable memories. We lived with six of our closest friends, making the most of our last year of college. We traveled to new places together, like Jarad’s first trip to Chicago and our first trip to Maryland with friends where we learned way too much about each other and made memories that will last a lifetime. Each trip, each new experience, was a reminder of how much we had grown together. After graduation, we made the move to Alton, Illinois. I started my teaching career at Mark Twain School, and Jarad began law school at SLU Law. Though we were each navigating new, challenging paths, we always knew we were building our future side by side. Then, a year later, during a trip to Branson, Missouri, Jarad surprised me in the best way possible—he proposed in front of family, marking the next chapter in our shared journey.

From Strangers to Forever 

Our Story

Photos

Party of the Bride

Caleigh Blessing

Dasha Blessing

Kady Patelski

Sarah Hicks

Chelsey Fabris

Jaya Hickman

Hazel Fabris

Party of the Groom

Jordan Barnes

Brandon Schroeder

Bobby Lieske

Logan Baker

Jordan Oakley

Dave Savard

Levi Barnes

Ushers

Blake Cantrell

Josh Hickman

Matthew Hickman

Wedding Party

Hotels!

Below are some hotel options that are about 30 minutes away from the venue. There are also lots of Airbnb options in and around Shelbyville IL. There are no rooms blocked for any hotels!

Clara & Jarad

Clara & Jarad

C&J

Wedding Day