There are some days you just don’t want to end. Petra & Marissa’s intimate Venue 5126 wedding was one of those days—the kind that leaves your cheeks sore from smiling (and maybe from a couple of teary moments you didn’t see coming).

I walked onto the grounds that morning, camera bag bumping against my hip. Before I even made it to the barn, I could feel it. Something sparkled in the air—maybe the sun, the anticipation, or, more likely, the love radiating out from two people who are so perfectly themselves, together. 

Farm Venue Near Chicago

Venue 5126 in Oswego, Illinois, is pretty much the queen of rustic venues. It’s got this magical way of feeling both chic and homey, like your favorite pair of sneakers with a dress you feel unstoppable in. Seven acres of fields, ancient trees, and a barn so full of light and laughter you can almost hear it humming.

But in truth, it was Petra and Marissa who made the place unforgettable. Rainbow socks peeking out under both sets of vows, a subtle nod to their story and their steadfast belief in true love. Every little piece of their day felt like a secret handshake between the couple and the people who love them so very dearly. Their joy is infectious, and I hope you fall head over heels for their love story as much as I did.

Small Details, Big Impact: Designing a Wedding with Heart

I want to quickly mention the getting-ready spaces at Venue 5126 (because how you start the day matters). Petra and Marissa began their day in the prettiest pink suite (think: salon chairs, plush couches, and vintage mirrors) and a lounge that’s all bold prints, pool table, and the kind of energy that makes you wish you could hang out there every weekend. There’s even The Coop—a safe spot for your stuff and (yes) a cozy crate if your pup needs a break during dinner. It’s pretty fabulous!

And just when you thought the love meter was maxed, both of their grandmas walked down the aisle as flower girls, tossing petals and stealing every heart in a three-mile radius. Just start passing the tissue box.

And then the ceremony began. Oh, the ceremony. Petra and Marissa stood together in the bright sunlit space with friends and family, dabbing at their eyes while their choir friends sang. It was such a memorable start to their forever together.

Capturing the Love at Venue 5126

After vows and hugs and one very enthusiastic “I do!” we wandered the grounds for photos, chasing pockets of light through the trees. Venue 5126 is a playground for anyone with a camera and a soft spot for wild, windswept love. There’s the barn, all reclaimed wood and vintage chandeliers; the open fields that catch the sky in every color; the gardens and fire pits and string lights that flicker on just as the landscape starts to cool. The experience felt more like a heartfelt homecoming than a traditional schedule of events. I don’t think I’ve ever taken so many photos during cocktail hour. Everyone was just so relaxed, engaged, and candidly photogenic beneath the sunset.

For the reception, beaded friendship bracelets adorned every guest’s place setting—a cute, symbolic wink to their fellow Swifties and also those who have fiercely loved and supported them throughout their journey. To make it sweeter, in place of purchased favors, they made donations to a good cause they care deeply about. I love the idea of slipping a piece of their story onto your wrist as you found your place (and guests did, too!). 

The Magic of Venue 5126

Okay, let’s pause for the practical magic, because couples in Chicago (and anyone who’s tried to plan a wedding within city limits) know the struggle. Venue 5126 is the antidote. It’s just far enough from the city to trade honking horns for cricket sounds, but close enough that your friends won’t bail because it’s “too far.” The venue gives you all the flexibility—want an indoor ceremony with rain tapping on barn windows? Go for it. Dreaming of sunset vows as the fields glow? There’s a place for that, too.

If you’re dreaming about a wedding that feels both easy and extraordinary, Venue 5126 is a rare find. Here’s what makes it so special:

• Flexible ceremony spaces: Choose between the barn (with its Edison bulbs and rustic charm), the pergola with endless farmland views, or an idyllic outdoor field.
  
• Beautiful grounds: Nearly every inch is a photo-op. Wide-open skies, nostalgic farmland, wildflower fields, spacious “backyard” space, and the kind of sunsets you remember forever.
  
• Romantic ambiance: String lights, chandeliers, and fire pits lend a gentle glow after dark. It’s cozy, welcoming, and just a little bit magical.
  
• Open-air dining: That triple-peak tent? The sides roll up for a breezy, inside-outside dinner you’ll dream about every summer after.
  
• All-in-one convenience: Tables, chairs, linens, and even a rental boutique—all in one place. There’s an on-site catering team (My Chef Catering) ready with menu options and tastings.
  
• Getting-ready suites: One is all pink and features soft lighting (perfect for chatting away those pre-aisle nerves with laughter), while the other is cool and lounge-y, complete with a pool table and bold prints.
  
• Style team + rentals: If you want to obsess over napkin rings, you can. If you want someone else to, they will. There’s a decor boutique on site.
  
• Kind-hearted, detail-loving staff: From day-of coordinators to styling teams, the people at Venue 5126 honestly care. A lot.

Cheers To Love & Laughter—Lots of it!

Here’s the thing no venue can sell you: the way your people look at you when you walk down the aisle. Or how your voices wobble during vows. Or the hug you share with your grandma after she’s thrown petals everywhere in excitement.

Petra and Marissa’s wedding was bursting with these moments. Venue 5126 simply offered a gorgeous canvas for it all. And the team gave them the freedom to enjoy the day without stressing over details. And my hope for you is the same. It would be my absolute honor to help you preserve them through beautiful, vibrant, and true-to-color photography.