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Jessica & Isaiah's Cozy Celebration - Riverside Reception, Geneva IL

Writer:  Becka Mckiness
Becka Mckiness
Jan 17, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Jan 20, 2025

Winter weddings have their own charm, and Jessica and Isaiah’s big day at Riverside Reception in downtown Geneva was the perfect example. It was cold outside, but the love and joy inside made it feel so warm and inviting.

One of my favorite details was their unique bookshelf seating chart—such a fun and personal touch! And the cozy glow of candles everywhere really set the mood for a romantic evening. Everything about their day felt thoughtful and completely them.

You might remember this sweet couple from their bookstore/Harry Potter-themed engagement session. You can check out that blog post here!


Thank you Jessica for the kind words! "Becka was truly awesome as our wedding photographer! Her photos are of amazing quality and perfectly capture both my and my husband’s personalities. She was always open to our ideas, like incorporating a wand fight and a special lift we do in every milestone photo.


We absolutely loved our engagement session with her, where we had the chance to meet, discuss our vibe, and take beautiful photos that we proudly shared on social media and used throughout our wedding planning process (like on our wedding website and save the dates).


On our wedding day, Becka and her assistant worked seamlessly together. There were moments when I started to feel overwhelmed, but Becka handled everything very professionally, ensuring that I could enjoy the day while still getting all the photos I wanted. We were amazed at how many stunning photos we got in such a short amount of time, and I genuinely love every single one of them.


I’m incredibly grateful for her talent and dedication in capturing our wedding day, as these are the memories we’ll cherish forever. I would 100% recommend Becka to other couples and will definitely return to her for all our photography needs!"


  • Outdoor sign of wedding venue Riverside Receptions. Blue and gold sign next to a vintage looking building
  • Brides dress hanging on specialty hanger with bridesmaids dresses on a wood door frame
  • wedding rings in focus with blurry bouquet in background
  • flat lay of bridal details including green invite, wrap-up white shoes, red and white bouquet, necklace, earrings, and wedding rings in box. All items displayed on wood floor
  • Makeup artist applying makeup to bride in white robe
  • bride in robe looking at herself in mirror while holding her wedding dress
  • bride and bridesmaids in robes (white and red) sitting together holding bridal balloon
  • bridal party laughing in robes looking at each other
  • Mom and step mom helping bride into her dress
  • Mothers helping bride into her dress with wooden background
  • A bride standing with her mom and step mom
  • bridesmaid placing veil on bride
  • bride standing by a window holding bouquet with moody lighting
  • close up of bride showcasing her makeup
  • Brides bouquet that is white, red, and pink, in focus with bride out of focus
  • bride placing hair out of her face showing her earrings
  • bridesmaids in red helping bride get ready at the same time
  • bride holding note her groom wrote
  • bride's emotional reaction to reading note her groom wrote her
  • close up of hankerchief that says "no ugly crying"

  • Groom watching a youtube video on his phone on how to tie a tie
  • groom fixing his tie
  • groomsmen helping groom with his tie
  • groomsmen getting ready in the reflection of a mirror
  • groom placing corsage on his mothers hand
  • close up of a mothers corsage on wedding day
  • mother of groom hugging her son
  • groom fixing his cufflinks
  • groom fixing his cufflinks
  • groom leaning against a wall with red bowtie and black suite
  • close of groom's red and pink boutinier
  • card to groom from his bride
  • groom reading card from his soon to be wife

  • Bride walking up to groom before their first look in at Riverside Reception walkway
  • Groom in focus with bride blurred behind him before a first look
  • Groom excited reaction to first seeing his bride during first look
  • bride and groom touching foreheads
  • bride and groom laughing and smiling
  • bride elated during her first look with her groom
  • bride holding large bouquet laughing with her groom
  • groom admiring his wife
  • bride and groom in vintage room at Riverside Reception
  • Groom's emotional reaction during first look with bride
  • bride and groom kiss

  • Dad seeing his daughter for the first time on her wedding day
  • Dad about to hug daughter during first look on her wedding
  • Bride and father hugging in vintage room with multiple reflections in the mirror
  • Bride and dad smiling during first look
  • sweet moment of bride leaning on father smiling
  • bride and her father on wedding day
  • groom leaning on wall, holding bride's fur jacket,

  • bride leaning into groom while sitting on bench, groom softly kissing brides head. Bride's dress flowing down on the bench
  • bride leaning into groom while sitting with eyes closed
  • bride laughing while sitting on bench with groom
  • bride and groom holding hands over bouquet showing their wedding rings
  • groom sitting behind bride on a staircase by a stone wall.
  • bride laughing with groom behind her on staircase. Bride holding large bouquet
  • bride with winter shawl in front of building with red shutters. Groom kissing her on the cheek
  • bride and groom walking while looking at each other in front of building with red doors
  • bride and groom standing next to each other in front of Riverside Reception Geneva

  • Bridesmaids in red dress and white shawls link arms while walking. The walls of the buildings have red trim
  • bride and bridesmaids walking away while linking arms with bride looking back
  • bride and bridesmaids crossing their legs sitting on bench looking at each other
  • brides and bridesmaids laughing in sunlit vintage room
  • bride sitting in a sunlit room with large bouquet on her lap
  • bride looking down at bouquet with a frame of bouquets around her
  • bride turned away and looking back in stone vintage sunlit room

  • Groom leaning on rail with black suit and red bowtie
  • headshot of a groom in front of a brick building
  • groom and groomsmen staggered while holding cigars by stone wall
  • groom and groomsmen wearing red ties and black suits
  • low angle of groom and groomsmen standing

  • Wedding party laughing while looking at each other in downtown setting
  • wedding party making silly faces
  • wedding party cheering while bride and groom kiss
  • bride and groom in focus with wedding party blurred as they walk around them
  • bride and groom walking with wedding party cheering them on
  • bride and groom running with wedding party hyping them up in a brick industrial setting

  • flower girl about to throw petals while coming down the aisle at wedding ceremony
  • flower girl throwing red and white petals
  • bride and father walking down aisle
  • groom's emotional reaction to seeing bride during wedding ceremony
  • bride and father walking down aisle while guests watch
  • harpist playing in front of a brick wall
  • father hugging the bride during the send off
  • bride and groom holding hands at wedding ceremony in front of large windows that face a river
  • close up of bride and groom holding hands during wedding ceremony
  • bride laughing at grooms vows
  • bride crying during grooms vows. Bride and groom between half moon flower arch
  • bride looking at her groom during wedding ceremony
  • mother of bride wiping away tear during wedding ceremony
  • bride and groom holding candles to light unity candle
  • bride and groom lighting a unity candle
  • bride and groom walking away as candle falls over from unity candle ceremony
  • Bride and groom exchanging rings at a wedding
  • bride and groom kiss at wedding ceremony as guests and wedding party clap
  • bride and groom cheering during recessional



  • Father of bride giving speech during wedding reception
  • bride and groom reacting to speeches at head table
  • guests holding champaign glasses for cheers during toast
  • bride hugging father after a speech
  • Best man giving speech at a wedding
  • Bride and groom looking at each other laughing reacting to speeches
  • bride and groom in background watching best man give speech
  • 2 maids of honors giving speeches in red dresses
  • excited wedding guest during speech
  • bridesmaids giving wedding speech
  • bride hugging bridesmaids after wedding speech
  • sister of the bride giving surprise wedding speech
  • bride and groom reacting to speech
  • bride kissing her sister on the forehead after speech

  • Bride and groom first dance in dimly lit reception. Groom kissing bride on the cheek
  • close up of bride and groom during first dance
  • Bride and groom sharing their first dance
  • bride and groom kiss during first dance
  • bride laughing as she is about to be dipped in front of wedding guests cheering
  • bride and groom kiss and dip after first dance in front of wedding guests
  • bride hugging groom on the dance floor of their wedding

  • Bride holding bouquet excitedly before bouquet toss
  • wedding guests eager to catch bouquet
  • bride tossing bouquet behind her, bouquet in the air, women have hands in the air trying to catch it
  • bouquet falling to ground during bouquet toss as wedding guests reach to grab it
  • women holding up bouquet that she caught at wedding
  • bride posing with women who caught the bouquet
  • couples slow dancing during wedding reception
  • couple kissing on dance floor during slow dance
  • bride and groom in front of elaborate flower wall that has red, pink, and white flowers
  • bride and groom look at each other in front of elaborate flower wall
  • close up of bride and groom's crocs that are black and white with the words "bride" and "groom" attached
  • bride pointing at bridesmaid and dancing on dance floor
  • bride dancing with guests at wedding reception
  • groom dancing with guests at wedding reception
  • bride and guests holding light up tubes on dance floor
  • wedding guests doing group dance at reception
  • bride dancing with guests in a circle at wedding reception
  • bride and groom having fun on dance floor
  • bride and groom and guests singing loudly on dance floor
  • wedding guests excited and singing on dance floor
  • bride and groom dancing and singing on dance floor
  • guests having fun at wedding reception singing along to their favorite song
  • bride and groom on dance floor posing for photo. Bride wearing sunglasses

Vendors:

Hair & Makeup: Kiss This Makeup

Coordinator: Caitlin Panozzo

D.J: Nick Bowron

Harpist: Nicole Young

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