Did You Say Forever Yours by Black Box Events? The Premier Wedding Coordinator!

The Olde Wicks Factory never looks finer than when decorated by Forever Yours by Black Box Events.

That’s not a marketing line. That’s the caption on a photograph I took, and it’s true.

I’ve written separately about both of them — about why The Olde Wicks Factory in Highland is one of my favorite venues to photograph, and about why Cassey is the coordinator I recommend without reservation. But there’s something worth saying about what happens when the two of them are in the same room together.

A venue with bones, and someone who knows what to do with them

The Olde Wicks Factory already has more visual character than most venues in the region. The exposed brick, the stained glass, the Gatsby Room with its brass chandeliers and tufted leather — the building does real work before anyone brings in a single floral arrangement.

What Cassey does is understand that. She doesn’t fight the space or try to cover what’s already there. She works with the architecture — complementing the warmth of the building’s materials, using the venue’s existing light and color as a foundation rather than something to overcome.

The result, from where I’m standing with a camera, is that the room looks intentional all the way through. There’s no disconnect between the venue’s character and the decor layered over it. It reads as one coherent thing.

What this means for your photos

Wedding photos are a record of the environment as much as the people in it. A beautifully decorated venue that clashes with itself — modern florals fighting with rustic architecture, or generic centerpieces that could be anywhere — shows up in the images. It’s a background noise that the photographer can minimize but not eliminate.

When the decoration is right for the space, the room becomes an asset. Every corner is somewhere worth pointing a camera. The details photos — the ones that set the scene before the ceremony begins — look like they belong somewhere specific, not just somewhere nice.

That’s what this combination produces.

Two vendors who have moved to the same neighborhood

Cassey recently relocated her office to Highland, putting her right next door to Olde Wicks Factory. For couples planning a Metro East wedding, that proximity matters — a coordinator who knows a venue’s rhythms, staff, and layout as well as Cassey knows this one is a meaningful advantage.

If you’re considering The Olde Wicks Factory for your wedding, ask about Cassey. If you’re considering Cassey for your coordination, ask about Olde Wicks. The combination is one I’d recommend to anyone.

Reach them

The Olde Wicks Factory | 1100 5th Street, Highland, IL 62249 | (618) 530-1339 |oldewicksfactory.com

Forever Yours by Black Box Events | foreverblackbox.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes The Olde Wicks Factory and Forever Yours by Black Box Events a good combination?

The Olde Wicks Factory has strong architectural character — exposed brick, stained glass, warm chandeliers — and Cassey at Forever Yours understands how to work with that character rather than against it. The result is a decorated space that feels cohesive and intentional, which shows up directly in wedding photographs.

Does decoration style affect wedding photography?

Yes, meaningfully. When decor complements a venue’s existing architecture and light, the room becomes a photographic asset. When it clashes or feels generic, the photographer has to work harder to minimize the disconnect. A well-decorated venue that suits its space produces better detail shots, better environmental portraits, and a more coherent wedding album overall.

Where is Forever Yours by Black Box Events located?

Cassey recently moved her office to Highland, IL, placing her centrally in the Metro East region and close to The Olde Wicks Factory, one of the venues she works with regularly.

Can I hire both The Olde Wicks Factory and Forever Yours by Black Box Events for my wedding?

Yes, and it’s a combination worth considering. Cassey’s familiarity with the venue and its staff means coordination runs more smoothly, and her decoration style is well-suited to the building’s existing character. Contact The Olde Wicks Factory at (618) 530-1339 and Forever Yours at foreverblackbox.com to discuss availability.

Why does a photographer recommend specific vendors?

When a photographer recommends a vendor, it’s because working with that vendor makes the whole day better — not just for the couple, but for every image made that day. A coordinator who runs a tight timeline and handles problems quietly gives a photographer room to focus on the work. That shows up in the photos.

[ { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “What makes The Olde Wicks Factory and Forever Yours by Black Box Events a good combination?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “The Olde Wicks Factory has strong architectural character — exposed brick, stained glass, warm chandeliers — and Cassey at Forever Yours understands how to work with that character rather than against it. The result is a decorated space that feels cohesive and intentional, which shows up directly in wedding photographs.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Does decoration style affect wedding photography?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Yes, meaningfully. When decor complements a venue’s existing architecture and light, the room becomes a photographic asset. When it clashes or feels generic, the photographer has to work harder to minimize the disconnect. A well-decorated venue that suits its space produces better detail shots, better environmental portraits, and a more coherent wedding album overall.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Where is Forever Yours by Black Box Events located?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Cassey recently moved her office to Highland, IL, placing her centrally in the Metro East region and close to The Olde Wicks Factory, one of the venues she works with regularly.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Can I hire both The Olde Wicks Factory and Forever Yours by Black Box Events for my wedding?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Yes, and it’s a combination worth considering. Cassey’s familiarity with the venue and its staff means coordination runs more smoothly, and her decoration style is well-suited to the building’s existing character. Contact The Olde Wicks Factory at (618) 530-1339 and Forever Yours at foreverblackbox.com to discuss availability.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Why does a photographer recommend specific vendors?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “When a photographer recommends a vendor, it’s because working with that vendor makes the whole day better — not just for the couple, but for every image made that day. A coordinator who runs a tight timeline and handles problems quietly gives a photographer room to focus on the work. That shows up in the photos.” } }]