The Best Wedding Vendors in Dakota, IL

The Best Wedding Vendors in Dakota, IL

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741 Wedding Vendors in Dakota, IL

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Poplar Grove Floral 

5.0

  • Florist
  • Starts at $1,500
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Whether you’re planning an intimate setting where you just need bouquets, boutonnières, and corsages, or the full-service set up, we are here to help plan your perfect wedding and event florals! We’ve got you from the backdrop to the tabletop, and everything in between! We would be honored to meet with you for a consultation. Professionally trained on the job and through formal education, Sarah has over 20 years experience in the industry, and we are constantly learning & continuing our education through online and in person seminars. Check out our Instagram for lots of Reels and photos of our work, and our Highlights for lots of reviews!

Awarded Best of Zola
Poplar Grove Floral was an absolute pleasure to work with for our wedding. From the very start, Sarah, the owner, was prompt in her communication, honest about any potential challenges, and completely transparent throughout the process. Her creativity and eye for color was evident in the beautiful floral arrangements she created for our ceremony and reception. When there was an issue with one of the suppliers, Sarah was upfront about it and provided us with several options to ensure the flowers were exactly what we envisioned. The end result was stunning - the flowers were fresh, vibrant, and perfectly complemented our wedding decor. Sarah's sweet demeanor and hard work truly made our vision come to life. We are so grateful to have worked with Poplar Grove Floral and highly recommend them to any couple planning their wedding. She made a life-long client out of us!
Delanie K., 2 months ago
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Leif & Christine Photography 

5.0

  • Photographer
  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $2,650
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Welcome to Leif and Christine, Rockford wedding and portrait photographer. I specialize in capturing your special moments. While I am based in Rockford, IL, I also photograph weddings in Chicago Suburbs, Beloit, Madison, WI. I would love to be a part of your special day!

Leif and Christine were phenomenal wedding photographers! They were extremely organized and the communication was wonderful beforehand. They emailed, called, and met with us in advance of our big day to make sure they were capturing everything we wanted and had some great suggestions as well! Could not be happier with the way our pictures turned out!! Best day ever perfectly captured!
Ashlee N., 3 years ago
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Davis & Company Productions 

5.0

  • DJ
  • Starts at $1,000
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Davis & Company Productions was birthed in a time of uncertainty during the pandemic shutdown of 2020. After years of being in the hospitality and service industry and quite a few weddings, I definitely found my passion for people only growing the more I got into it. From weddings and school dances to corporate and private family events, my goal with Davis and Company is to help create and execute magical moments meant to last a lifetime

Awarded Best of Zola
We had a June wedding with Lance from Davis & Company as our DJ, and we absolutely recommend them! Not only was Lance an amazing DJ music wise, he also was incredible at helping run the events and coordinate speeches/the ceremony/et cetera. Our day would not have run as smoothly without him. He was also just extremely fun and friendly to all of our family and wedding guests.
David and A., 4 months ago
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Chapel In The Pines Wedding And Banquet Center 

4.4

Sycamore, IL
  • Venue
  • Up to 150 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $350
  • Offer

Built on a foundation of love. This country-chic destination wedding venue offers Midwestern charm right here in the Chicago-land area. A seven-acre private estate complete with luscious wedding gardens, breathtaking grounds, a white Victorian Wedding Chapel, an intimate Wedding Gazebo, Bridal Dressing Room, Engraved Brick Walkway, and Vintage-inspired Reception Hall. We proudly host several wedding amenities not offered anywhere else and definitely not all in one place. All of these accommodations provide numerous amounts of photo opportunities. And our friendly staff are always willing to help!

Working with Chapel in the Pines was great. They offered payment plans at an affordable price. The location is a hidden gem. The property offered so many great photo ops & they catered to everything we asked for. Our big day was stress free! This is an all inclusive affordable venue that has indoor & outdoor options. The wedding coordinator, Amanda, went above & beyond to make sure every detail was accounted for! ️️️️️
Alexis W., 6 months ago
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The Noble Cakery 

5.0

  • Cakes & desserts
  • Starts at $400
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Hand-crafted cakes and desserts are our specialty. Combining a focus on delectable, from-scratch baked goods and a close attention to detail to create custom wedding cakes and desserts to fit your vision. All of our cakes are designed and tailored to fit each individual clients needs and design inspiration. The Noble Cakery is open by appointment only. Wedding cakes and dessert tables serving Northern Illinois; Oregon, Rockford, Rockton, Dixon, Sycamore, Dekalb and beyond.

The Noble Cakery was an absolute dream to work with for our wedding! From the very first interaction, Barb was quick and easy to communicate with, and made the entire process a breeze. Her attention to detail and talent as a baker is truly unparalleled - the cake she created for us was nothing short of perfection. Barb brought our dream cake design to life, and it was stunning. She is such a wonderful, talented baker, both in terms of taste and visual design. We are so grateful to have found The Noble Cakery, and cannot recommend them highly enough!
Gabrielle R., a month ago
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Lily in Bloom 

5.0

  • Florist
  • Starts at $500
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Hi! Thanks for stopping by. My name is Tori Bennett and I am the owner of Lily in Bloom. I opened this business in the beginning of 2022 to support my growing family. I had just recently given birth to my daughter and I wanted to be able to stay home with her. So, I quit my job and opened a business working with something I absolutely love: FLOWERS! They can play such a key role and have so much impact in people’s most important days. I love that I have the opportunity to play a part in that!

As a bride I was so nervous to trust someone with the vision of my floral arrangement for my wedding BUT LET ME TELL YOU….TORI CRUSHED! She completely understood each detail, color scheme, and florals I was going for - I still get compliments on my arrangements to this day! She’s hits it out of the park every time - 100% in my book
Tatiana B., 6 months ago
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Capstone Occasions 

5.0

  • Planner
  • Offers 6 services
  • Starts at $2,400
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Hi! I'm Tia - Mom of 5 kids, 2 dogs and wife to the most supportive and amazing husband there is. In fact, you will often times find him carrying boxes, straightening linens, or even officiating from time to time. I started Capstone Occasions (aka-my crowning achievement) to help elevate your events to the top of your expectations. It could be a simple intimate affair to the grandest of parties, but whatever you are envisioning, it is my plan to execute it with every bit of intention and emotion that you have for it yourself.

Awarded Best of Zola
Capstone occassions made our wedding day absolute magic. I started the planning process on my own but got stuck and unmotivated because i felt overwhelmed/not entirely sure what was next. Tia jumped in and helped me get excited about the process again and accomplish the tasks in order of importance and made sure it was a day that both Mike (my now husband) and I envisioned and wanted to make it special for us. Because of her experience she has so many friends in the business. I appreciated she recommended vendors based on who the two of us are and what we were looking for and within our budget (and ways to save). She thinks about EVERYTHING! Things we never would have considered on our own. My favorite being the sunset photos of me and my husband. He doesn’t like pictures but he loved how they turned out. Not only that, she makes sure it’s a seamless process and day that’s stress free. My mom was so grateful to be able to let loose and relax and could not say enough about how instrumental Tia and her team were to make the day so beautiful and coordinating with all the vendors so we didn’t have to. Day before the wedding, I was honestly a mess and left our name tags at my office and a few other prints including labels and a mock up picture of what we were thinking. So, we had to last minute hand write the name tags and in a rush left unorganized and unlabeled bins for them to sort out. My brain was all over the place and it didn’t occur to me until too late but when we walked in, it was even better than I imagined. They really went the extra mile and made everything picture perfect. Our friends and family were so impressed and we’re still getting compliments to this day. Thank you Tia and the Capstone Occassions team! You are fun to work with, easy to get along with (even some of our craziest family members), hardworking, magician ninjas (for all the stuff you do behind the scenes we will never even know about- thank you). We are forever grateful for the best and happiest day of our lives!
Madeline W., a month ago
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Erik Anderson - Photography 

5.0

  • Photographer
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,200
  • Serves Dakota, IL
  • Offer

I grew my business after a desperate venture as a newspaper photographer over six years living with student loan debt in my father's basement. But, that soon changed... And in 2014 I had the opportunity to work with some of the best wedding photographers in the state line as a second photographer having 20 weddings that first year. It was brand new to me, it stirred a passion, and I realized I wanted to do this for a living. I found my calling, but that first year was rough, until...

Erik Anderson Photography was an absolute pleasure to work with. His communication style was fun, creative, and energetic, making the entire process exciting and effortless. The quality of his work was truly captivating, creative, and authentic. He was easy to work with, a great communicator, and worked seamlessly with us, the couple, and vendors to capture every special moment. I would highly recommend Erik to any couple looking for a talented and personable wedding photographer!
Brittany Z., 2 days ago
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Erin Henze Media 

5.0

  • Photographer
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $800
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Hi, I’m Erin! In my free time you might find me reading a good book, going for a quick run, planning a trip or spending time with my friends and family. And, most of all, I love using my camera to capture the beauty of people and the world that we live in. I am deeply devoted to documenting all of the memories, moments and feelings that you deserve to have stored forever. There is so much power in visual storytelling, and I would love for the opportunity to help you tell yours! Whatever the occasion- from wedding celebrations & family photos to senior portraits and birthday parties- I’m here to capture it all.

This is the second time we booked Erin Henze Media to take family photos. Impressed that I received a pre-shoot survey so I could share the specific type and style of photos we were looking for. Erin took AMAZING photos of my family. No easy feat when you are dealing with a 6YO, 4YO, and 2YO. :P The photos she took will be treasured by family and are ones that will be hanging on the wall for a lifetime.
Jorden S., 3 months ago
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Rockton Sanctuary Spa 

5.0

  • Beauty professional
  • Starts at $285
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Sanctuary Weddings Specializing in makeup artistry and hair design. Founder Erica Smith owner of two storefront locations in Illinois, and expanding in Savannah Ga, and Tampa FL is passionate about helping clients look stunning and feel confident for their big day. Boasting a wealth of experience in the wedding industry, Erica and her talented team love every moment of the getting-ready process, from the first consultation to the final touch-up.

Rockton Sanctuary Spa is run by the amazing Erica, who is truly an artist and just a lovely person inside and out! Erica and team is all so sweet, great at what they do, and so easy to talk to and work with. If you choose them for any of your special events, they will rock your world. They made me and my entire bridal party look and feel our best! Cant recommend them enough! Would hire them all over again!
Faith F., a month ago
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The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms 

5.0

Rockton, IL
  • Venue
  • Up to 450 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Offer

Orchard Ridge Farms is a 130-acre private estate, home to The Pavilion and Copperstone Inn with exclusive catering by Henrici's. With four outdoor ceremony sites as well as an indoor option the possibilities are endless! Our award-winning venue has been featured on the Travel Channel, Midwest Living, and have been awarded- "Top 10 Timeless Venues." The Pavilion and Copperstone Inn offer a picturesque appeal and is well suited for any unforgettable affair. Our dedicated team is committed to ensure that your Orchard Ridge Farm's experience is truly one of a kind. No detail has been overlooked in creating this special venue. The Pavilion is truly a "one-of-a-kind" facility, filled with rustic and sophisticated elegance. Host to a single event per day, your wedding or event will be exclusive with The Pavilion. Relax and enjoy the serene setting while our dedicated and professional team ensures that you and your guests experience a joyful day!

We had a wonderful experience working with The Pavilion. The beauty of the venue and the pricing (compared to venues in the greater Chicago area) were what initially attracted us. However, the food through Henrici's (the exclusive in-house catering) and venue staff were incredible assets. We were very lucky to work with Lexi, Jill, and Stacie, all of whom were incredibly patient with the many questions I had throughout the process. Guests repeatedly told us how excellent the food & beautiful the venue was, asking how we found the place a couple hours away from home. We could not recommend The Pavilion more!
Ashley B., a year ago
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Artistry by Alexis Hoffman 

5.0

  • Beauty professional
  • Starts at $320
  • Serves Dakota, IL

I loveee…LOVE ! I have been a big fan off sappy romance/rom-com movies ever since I was a little girl. I grew up watching all of the wedding TLC shows! And now I get to live that dream every weekend by helping you behind the scenes on your special day. It doesn’t even feel like a job to me, it just feels natural.

Alexis styled hair for my large wedding party, and she did an amazing job! Everyone’s hair looked beautiful, and Alexis took the time to make sure all of the girls were happy with their styles. She was responsive to any questions I had leading up to the wedding, and helped to make a plan that worked best for the day. Alexis was always friendly, personable, and communicative throughout the planning process and on the wedding day. I’m so happy I booked with her and would highly recommend her services!!
Emily B., a month ago
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Weddings by Danica 

5.0

  • Planner
  • Offers 4 services
  • Starts at $1,250
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Why stress about budget & other details when you should spend your big day focusing on the one you love. Based in Rockford, IL, Weddings by Danica is here to help you reduce stress & handle the details of your big day! We provide Wedding Planning, Day-Of Coordination, Timeline Creation, Honeymoon Planning, and more! **Visit our website to schedule an inquiry and download our pricing guide!**

Weddings by Danica was such an absolute JOY to work with!! I am a wedding photographer and one of my couples booked her and her team as a wedding coordinator. Everything was so effortless when working with the WBD team! Communication leading up to the day was made easy and everything that I needed as a fellow vendor was taken care of before I even needed to ask. Not only was the team so professional, it made working with them fun as well. It was a great working environment where it really felt like everyone wanted to work together to give our mutual clients the best experience possible. Such a great experience on my part and I know my couple loved working with her as well. 10/10 recommend!!
Mei Lin Barral Photo, 6 months ago
Oak Hill Farm 

5.0

Apple River, IL
  • Venue
  • Up to 250 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $5,000

Oak Hill Farm is an elegant outdoor wedding venue nestled on a secluded estate near Galena, Illinois, a popular tourist destination in the Midwest. Our venue features four outdoor ceremony locations, a historic chapel and an all-white, open air pavilion (heat and window walls available as needed) that seats up to 250. We offer unique amenities, many vintage details and endless photo opportunities on our 170 acre private property.

Our wedding at Oak Hill Farm was an absolute dream! From our first communication with Becky, she was thorough, fast, kind, and detailed in answering all of our questions. On the big day, everything was set up exactly how we wanted it. It was perfect! Becky and her staff were so accommodating, helpful, and nice, making sure the event ran smoothly. As a bride, they treated me like the most important person in the world. The venue was breathtaking - I felt like I was in a real life fairytale! All of our guests and even our vendors couldn't stop raving about how beautiful Oak Hill Farm is. For any brides looking for the perfect rustic venue with an attentive team that will make you feel special, I highly recommend Oak Hill Farm!
Kelsey B., 4 months ago
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Meg Dunn Photography 

5.0

  • Photographer
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $5,000
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Timeless | Romantic | Classic Wedding photographer - I believe in the idea that "great photos are created from personal connection." I put my heart and soul into making sure the couples I work with have the best possible experience and end up with images that we can both be proud of. My favorite part of taking photos is being able to find the special moments within your big milestones. It's those candid times, along with the significance of the occasion, that come together to create your favorite memories and it's my job to capture those through my visual storytelling.

Meg Dunn Photography is wonderful to work with. Her personality and enthusiasm are infectious, and her attention to detail is phenomenal. Love seeing the amazing photos!
Erin, 4 years ago
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Dr. Bartending 

5.0

  • Bar services & beverages
  • Starts at $600
  • Serves Dakota, IL

At Dr. Bartending, we're passionate about creating unforgettable experiences through expertly crafted cocktails and seamless bar service. With over 20 years of industry experience and a commitment to personalized service, we make sure your big day is stress-free and filled with delicious drinks. Our team loves bringing a personal touch to every event, helping you celebrate in style.

Dr. Bartending provided outstanding bar services for our wedding. From the very first interaction, their communication was upbeat, smart, and incredibly friendly. On the day of the event, their team was efficient, clean, and incredibly helpful - the drinks they served were delicious and they helped ensure everything ran smoothly. We were so impressed by their professionalism and attention to detail. They truly contributed to making our special day perfect. We highly recommend Dr. Bartending for any couple looking for exceptional bar services for their wedding.
Timothy W., a month ago
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Prairie Street Brewing Company 

5.0

Rockford, IL
  • Venue
  • Up to 300 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor & outdoor

Our venue offers a unique blend of indoor and outdoor spaces with a captivating 19th-century industrial charm. It serves as a remarkable backdrop for your event, leaving a lasting impression. From intimate microweddings to large-scale gatherings, we have the flexibility to accommodate celebrations of all sizes. Rest assured, our spaces are designed to provide a seamless and memorable experience for you and your loved ones. Our highly-acclaimed kitchen is dedicated to preparing extraordinary meals from our catering menu, offering customizable options to suit every taste and need. To complement your menu, we offer a curated wine list, full bar, and award‑winning beer brewed on site. Every wedding at Prairie Street is overseen by an Events Specialist who will work closely with you to bring your dream celebration to life. You’ll have a Day‑Of Wedding Coordinator to ensure that every element comes together exactly as you envisioned it - flawlessly and with unforgettable memories.

Our wedding at Prairie Street Brewing Co. was an absolute dream! The ceremony by the river was breathtaking, and the reception in the Barrel Room was just perfect. Our guests are still talking about how delicious the food was! The staff was incredible—so helpful and organized, and our day-of coordinator made everything so stress-free and easy for us. We couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful, relaxed, and fun day!
Katie, a month ago
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The Wagner House 

5.0

Freeport, IL
  • Venue
  • Up to 250 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor
  • Starts at $1,500

The Wagner House, located in the historic Wagner Print Building, is a three-story industrial warehouse in downtown Freeport, Illinois. The building was built in 1903 and was one of the first buildings that had electricity in Freeport. Established in 1853 and incorporated on March 9, 1912, the Wagner Building was home to the German-born Wagner Family who, like Freeport, has a long and interesting history. The Wagner House also served as an industrial manufacturing spot for textiles and fashion. For four generations, the business did not change hands, and the present Wagner company pledged to continue their record of quality printing and letterpress and are still in business today. In 2013, The Wagner building was sold to Bill Green to redevelop and re-imagine it, creating a wine bar, business incubator, and beautiful event space.

The Wagner House was the perfect venue for our wedding! From the very beginning, they had great communication and were so helpful throughout the entire planning process. The staff was incredibly attentive on the day of the wedding, assisting with the transition from the ceremony to dinner and even helping with small details like setting up the name tags. I was so impressed by their efficiency and how smoothly everything ran. The space itself was exactly what we were looking for - it had the ideal atmosphere and vibe we wanted for our special day. We couldn't have asked for a better wedding venue and highly recommend The Wagner House!
Olivia S., 2 months ago
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Boone County Museum of History 

5.0

BELVIDERE, IL
  • Venue
  • Up to 100 guests
  • Raw space
  • Indoor
  • Starts at $125

The Grand Gallery sits next to the Museum’s exhibitions for easy access to our historical spaces. The Gallery holds up to 100 seated guests! It provides a presentation center, surround sound, and a bar space. It is a great location for anyone looking for a unique space to hold their special event.

We had our wedding reception at the Boone County Museum of History on July 6 and it was absolutely one of the best decisions we made in the entire wedding planning process! I grew up going to the museum and we had guests coming up to us all night telling us it was their first time there and how excited they were to see the museum for the first time and how they wanted to come back and spend more time there, and people saying they wanted to spend all night looking through the exhibits. The gallery space was perfect for our 125 guests and there was plenty of space to set up our buffet table, dessert table, and the bar on top of that. There was even enough room for a dance space near the entryway! The museum staff were absolutely the best throughout planning, answering all of our questions right away and helping us to figure out the layout when the time came. We were able to have plenty of personalized touches throughout our decor and our setup, and the staff even allowed us to set up a personalized scavenger hunt throughout the exhibits to find items we'd chosen based on our relationship. The Boone County Museum of History is 100% the best value for a wedding venue you could find in the area and is an absolutely gorgeous and special venue for any of your events, and I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a wedding venue in the Belvidere-Rockford area!
Genevieve E., 4 months ago
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Save the Date Planning 

5.0

  • Planner
  • Offers 4 services
  • Serves Dakota, IL
  • Offer

Hi! My name is Johnna and I’m the Owner of Save the Date - a planning service designed with YOU in mind! With nearly a decade of experience in the wedding industry, I’ve had the privilege of helping to create the most memorable day for hundreds of couples. Now, I’m excited to begin a new journey that allows me to offer an even more personal and customized experience to my clients!

Johnna with Save the Date Weddings and Events was an amazing wedding planner who helped make our special day run smoothly. She has a kind, efficient, and thoughtful communication style, and her years of experience were evident in how thoroughly and expertly she planned everything. Even when our photographer arrived an hour late, Johnna handled it perfectly by tweaking the timeline - she truly has a plan for everything! Guests kept raving about how well organized all the events were thanks to her. Johnna isn't just focused on the logistics either; she genuinely cares about the couple and making sure your wedding vision comes to life. She goes above and beyond with thoughtful touches, right down to having an emergency kit on hand. She even had a little heart shaped straw for me to drink water with and not ruin my makeup! Johnna truly thinks of everything. The way she decorated and set everything up was the most beautiful and perfect setup I have ever seen! I truly couldn’t have dreamed of my wedding looking more beautiful or fairytale esque. I'd highly recommend Johnna for her professional yet caring approach to wedding planning.
Elliana J., 5 months ago
Hidden Creek Estates 

5.0

Roscoe, IL
  • Venue
  • Up to 200 guests
  • Select services
  • Outdoor

This beautiful venue is located just 2 miles off I-90, but feels a world away from everything. The 48 acres of private property is full of majestic 100 year old oak trees and a 1/2 acre pond. Take a stroll across the bridge over a hidden creek to an island, or along the 2 miles of manicured trails through the woods. The little yellow barn is a beautiful, rustic treasure that can host your reception. Located on the property is an amazing house that has a bridal suite for getting ready. This 3 bedroom, 3 bath accommodations sleeps 10 and is perfect for the bride and her bridesmaids to stay overnight before the wedding and get ready the day of. The spacious decks overlook the pond and the venue in a luxurious and relaxing environment. Our venue limits the amount of weddings we do in a weekend to make sure that you have a unique and special experience. This is a family business and we are passionate about making sure you have an incredible wedding day!

Working with the team at Hidden Creek Estates Wedding always a joy. Keeping a wedding is born as possible creating an environment for the bride and groom to only enjoy their day. Anyone who works with Hidden Creek Estates Wedding will love the experience.
Forest City Photographs, 2 years ago
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Til Death Photo Film 

5.0

  • Videographer
  • Storytelling style
  • Starts at $3,500
  • Serves Dakota, IL

A husband and wife photo video team based in Illinois, but say the word, and we are out of here! We absolutely love to travel and explore new places! So many of our clients have become our friends because We love getting to know you, and your family and friends and making everyone comfortable in front of the camera while capturing the real essence of you and everyone you love. We have been together for seventeen years, married for six. We truly are best friends who love working together and we think this shows in our work when shooting weddings together!

Mixing natural Beauty with creativity this photos are stunning. My Daughter was in heaven working with them. No stress, easy to work with and kept everything on schedule. I highly recommend them for your event!
Kelly N., a year ago
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Oakhouse Wedding Films 

5.0

  • Videographer
  • Cinematic style
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Oakhouse is collective of filmmakers and videographers based in Rockford, Illinois, that are obsessed with making and telling great cinematic stories through video. What better way to tell one of the most important stories of your life than a film of your big day!

We had the most amazing experience hiring Oakhouse Wedding Films. We were first introduced to them when I stood up in a friends wedding and we met Taylor. We then attended a wedding and Taylor was at the event. We saw the results of both weddings and knew Oakhouse was the right vendor for us. Everyone at Oakhouse, Nick, Matt and more were so great and communicative throughout the whole process leading up to the wedding day. Our videographer was Taylor and he is absolutely amazing!! We had the best time with him and it was like you didn't even know he was there. My photographer and Taylor worked together like a dream and I feel like they captured all of the important moments for us. Taylor and my husband really hit it off and the groomsmen were raving about how great he was, (yes! the groomsmen were into it!!). We got our video in lightening speed and I couldn't have asked for someone better for our wedding day and would recommend Oakhouse and Taylor any day.
Bianca T., a year ago
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Grand River Hall 

5.0

Freeport, IL
  • Venue
  • Up to 300 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor
  • Starts at $1,000

Industrial feel with a separate space for ceremony and reception. We offer a rooftop area that is great for pictures and for guests to hang out. We are budget friendly without losing the great customer service.

Working with Grand River Hall was nothing short of amazing. They were communicative, patient with all my questions, and so laid back. Courtney was our venue coordinator the day of and she was amazing!! Our wedding day was so stress free and I credit a lot of that to her. She made sure everything went smoothly and was in constant communication with us all day. The venue itself has so much natural beauty and our guests still talk about how pretty it was. The bridal suite was literally perfect and SO spacious! Couldn’t recommend Grand River Hall enough!
Hannah A., a year ago
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Expedition Joy 

5.0

  • Photographer
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $4,500
  • Serves Dakota, IL

I'm Courtney! I care not only about providing you with sharp, authentic and colorful images on your wedding day, but helping you to be fully present on your wedding day so you remember all the big and little moments.

Courtney is everything you could want in a photographer. Photography was a top priority for my wedding and I'm so thankful I went with Expedition Joy. My photos are the exact "timeless, bright and airy (without being washed out)" that I dreamed of. She made us feel super comfortable, took feedback and let us request shots, quickly turned around our engagement session & wedding sneak peaks, and even let us sneak a shot back within 24 hours (insane!!!!). Photos are so important and you should book someone you can trust to give you the gift of those memories in the way you you want and envision them. Courtney did just that for us!! 10/10.
Audrey S., a year ago
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Chrissy Deming Photography 

5.0

  • Photographer
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,500
  • Serves Dakota, IL

I'm Chrissy and I'm a documentary wedding photographer with 10+ years of experience who fully believes that your life deserves to be documented truthfully. My focus at your wedding isn't to steal you away from your family and friends for hours to make "art," but to empathically capture the moments and relationships present at your wedding. Your wedding photos are the single most important wedding investment you'll make. After the day is done and over, they will be what tethers you to your memories of your day. They will be the heirlooms you'll pass down to your grandchildren to hang on walls and sit on bedsides for generations to come.

We loved Chrissy! She was fun and easy to work with, and I loved that she provided color and black/white photos. She did everything on our list, and listened to our ideas as well. Nothing felt forced or over-posed, but she was great at guiding next moves when needed. Will definitely use again for future photos.
Eline O., 2 years ago
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The Cording Event Barn at Hawk Valley Retreat and Cottages 
GALENA, IL
  • Venue
  • Up to 40 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $1,000

Are you dreaming of a Galena Barn Wedding? Hawk Valley Retreat and the Cording Event Barn make the perfect venue for elopements and intimate weddings. Whether you get married in the barn, the gazebo, or on the grounds, you will be sure to be surrounded by nature’s beauty. Our 10 acres of meadows, ponds, and nature will transport you and your guests. We offer several packages to make the planning a breeze, but if you have something else in mind we love making your day the way that you want it. The Cording Event Barn is newly renovated as of Spring 2022 with stunning views of the grounds, a large outdoor deck, loft space, and a large main floor. Full catering is available. BYOB alcohol is available.

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The Barn at Allen Acres 
Rock Falls, IL
  • Venue
  • Up to 200 guests
  • Raw space
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $6,000

A barn is where hard work happens. It is where good times and bad happen. It is where families come together. To work. To play. To connect. To grow. And to make memories. It weathers storms, the elements and anything else you can possibly throw at it. Can you think of a better metaphor for marriage? Can you think of a better place to start one? We can’t either. That’s why we put so much heart into The Barn here at Allen Acres. To create a place where someone’s there to bring the vision of your day to life. Why we fought for it. Why we worked ourselves into the ground for it. Spent money we didn’t have on it. And put every ounce of energy into the four walls you’ll see before you. Labor of love? It was an undying test of our wills, our bank accounts and our sanity. But that’s what you do for something and someone you’re passionate about. It’s how you start your dream. It’s how we started ours. And how we’d like to start yours.

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Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront 
Rockford, IL
  • Venue
  • Up to 400 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor & outdoor

Embassy Suites Rockford Riverfront opened its doors in July 2020! What once was the Amrock Factory, Embassy Suites Rockford Riverfront has the old factory charm mixed with a brand-new conference center to give your event the "wow" factor that you deserve! The property features 160 guest suites where our guests will receive complimentary hot, made-to-order breakfast, and evening reception with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks with each stay. Embassy Suites Rockford Riverfront also is home to Tower Kitchen and Bar and The Top - an indoor/outdoor bar 12 stories above Rockford! With multiple restaurants, a local coffee shop, golf simulator, game room, pool and hot tub, your guests can have it all without ever having to leave the property!

Dakota, IL reception venues by style

Outdoor spaces
Outdoor spaces