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Becky & Josh | Married

Reception: The Schlafly Tap Room

Slideshow: Click here!

 

Becky & Josh were married on the beaches of Sanibel Island, Florida surrounded by a group of their closest family friends. They decided not to let that party end by having a reception back home here in St. Louis. Fabulous idea - they got to do a lot of things twice! Like getting all gussied up ...

Unfortunately Becky's mom was a bit under the weather on her daughter's wedding day in Florida, so there weren't pictures of her helping her put on her dress. So we made sure to capture those moments the day of their reception. And Becky's mom was just beaming. Becky was obviously not the only one who had dreamed about her wedding day.

The day of their reception was a complete rainy washout and downtown St. Louis was a flurry of activity with the Cardinals/Cubs game, Blues Game, and marathon activities going on. As luck would have it, the rain and the people all cleared out just in time for us. We started outside the Schlafly Tap Room where their party was to start in a couple of hours.

FAVE! Josh is an old co-worker from my corporate days and it while it was nice catching up with him, it really was a joy to get to know his new wife. They are really perfectly matched and their love for each other is so evident.

And she has other cool people who adore her too. :)

We headed down to Busch Stadium after the game cleared out. We only encountered a few stray sad Cubs fans :) and Cards fans who didn't want the party to end.

Back to the Tap Room to start the festivities!

Fun details. They brought some of Florida back home and included some new details too.

First Dance :)





Thank you Becky & Josh for extending the party and including me in your day. May the party for you two never end! :)

Angie & Byron | Married

Ceremony: Bride's parents' home

Reception: Moulin

Florist: Bloomin' Buckets

Bride's hair: Brandy Langley, Metro Design Studio (Des Peres)

DJ: TKO DJs

Slideshow: Click Here!

 

Angie & Byron. Their families have been their foundation. They've provided them with roots that anchor them. Shoulders to lean on. But also strength to spread their wings and fly on their own. And now as Angie & Byron are starting their life together, it's their turn to share the love they've discovered in each other. That love is what binds them. Holds them. And lifts them. Being there, you felt the strength and support between them and from their families throughout the day. So what better place to start their wedding day - and have their ceremony - than in Angie's parents' home.

First look.



I have to mention we totally lucked out on this January day with the weather. It was in the mid-fifties when we headed to the World's Fair Pavilion for some wedding party pictures.

These just say "winter wedding" to me.

I had the amazing Kate on hand that day. She produced many fantastic images including these two below:

Okay it was warmer than it was supposed to be that day, but still a little chilly for some. :)

When Angie & Byron first saw each other Byron surprised her with his finishing touch - his "David Letterman" socks! Byron, his groomsmen AND Angie's dad showed them off a lot that day. Byron was quite proud of them. We loved them too.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these black & whites.















We headed back to Angie's parents' home for the ceremony which happened right at sunset.

Ah, sunset.

Thanks, Kate:

The toasts - all 4 of them - were especially emotional and uplifting.













I have to thank Suzanne for sending your friend my way! And Angie & Byron, thank you to you and your families for including me in your day and letting me witness all that love and support you have among each other. Best wishes! :)

Emily & Jared | Married

Ceremony: Our Lady of Providence

Reception: The Falls

Florist: Floral Memories and More

Slideshow: Click here!

 

I remember that I was relaxing under the sunny skies of Florida when I got a call from Emily's mom about booking me for Emily & Jared's wedding. I photographed two of Emily's cousins' weddings and with Emily planning from Ft. Smith, Arkansas, she relied on her family's help to pin down the details to make it all happen. That's what stood out to me about Emily & Jared's wedding - from the planning, to the day-of preparation, and throughout the whole day - their families and friends were there for them every step of the way.

And it all came together from the very start. 

I was very fortunate to have the awesome Kelly Park shooting with me that day. Here's one of her shots:

It was getting a wee bit dark, but Emily lit it up. :)

With the sun setting, what better place is there to stop and take a break indoors?

LOVED all the gorgeous purple at the reception.

Everyone was ready to par-ty. :)





What a wonderful day from start to finish. Thank you Emily & Jared for including me in such a perfect day. I hope Ft. Smith continues to treat you well. 

Suzanne & Matt | Married

Ceremony: Shrine of St. Joseph

Reception: World's Fair Pavilion

Caterer: Pairings

Florist: Wildflowers

Band: Arvell & Company

Bakery: Lubeley's Bakery

Dress, Boutique: Bella Bianca (Chicago); Dress, Designer: San Patrick

Wedding Planner: Tiffany Munster, Soiree Wedding & Events (Chicago)

Slideshow: Click here

 

Timeless. Beautiful. Classic. Heartfelt.

Suzanne & Matt's wedding were all of these things and so much more. To say I was looking forward to this wedding is an understatement. My sweet friend Maeghan introduced me to this couple and when Suzanne told me they were having their reception at the World's Fair Pavilion - where I was married 8 years ago - I just wanted the day to hurry up and get here.

The day started out with the girls getting ready. My trusty sidekick Liz was there to capture these amazing images.

I love this picture of Suzanne's mom gazing at her daughter. You can see where Suzanne gets her beauty. And grace.

Hello Mr. Choo.

In the meantime, I was hanging with the fellas at the reception site. And even though there were a lot of them, they were the most cooperative groomsmen ever. Gold stars for all of 'em!

Dashing.

Suzanne did not want to see Matt before the ceremony, so once the guys were finished, she came swooping in with the ladies. I really could have taken the whole day photographing Suzanne. Here's why:

:)

And off to the church.

And the two best reactions ever. Like EVER. #1:

And #2:!

And even though the wedding coordinator was chaperoning us the whole time, I got my 10, really 5 minutes I needed right after the ceremony to get the husband + wife shots. Oh yeah, and the sun was going down. :)

The WFP. Just like I remember.











Cheers! Suzanne & Matt, I wish you a lifetime of happiness and joy. Thank you for taking me back to a place so special to my heart. I know it will mean the same to you both from now until, well, forever. 

Kristen & Matt | Married

Kristen & Matt's wedding is the kind of wedding that reminds me of what it's all about. The smaller, intimate ceremonies are the ones that always get to me - you can just feel the emotion that much more. And of course it doesn't hurt that beautiful Chandler Hill Vineyards served as the backdrop when they said their vows in front of a small circle of their closest friends and family. It was just beautiful all around.

Their son Conner took his ring-bearing duties very seriously and did a stupdendous ring-bearing job.

Kristen tried to hold it in for a second, but she couldn't. Her true, heartfelt reaction couldn't be stopped!

Of course there were light moments too.

Great-grandma :)



Which was another you can't help but get choked up moment.

And off to roam the vineyard with Kristen & Matt.

Thank you Kristen & Matt for sharing your beautiful day with me. I hope partied the night away!

Emily & Jason | Married

Ceremony: Graham Chapel, Washington University

Reception: Sheraton Clayton Plaza

Florist: Schnucks Focus on Design

DJ: Elite Pro DJ

Bakery: McArthur's Bakery

Slideshow: CLICK HERE!

 

Ah, Emily and Jason. They are thoughtful. When they say something, they mean it. They are generous and trusting with their hearts. And if you are lucky enough to know that about them, you don't take that generosity lightly - you kindly let them open their hearts to you and give them all that love back in return.

That was Emily and Jason's wedding day. They were surrounded by friends and family - returning all that love and support they had been given to them over the years. Oh there were plenty of laughs too. And some kick ass dance moves. But I'll get to those a little later. Let's start at the beginning ...

 

 

I fell in love with the Wash U campus that day. Jason & Emily were engineering students so we stopped at one of their favorite engineering buildings, Lopata Hall.

Thanks Emily & Jason for not saying, "you're crazy" when I suggested we do a few on this staircase.

Emily is GORGEOUS. I just love these of her.

Might as well hit Forest Park while we are in the neighborhood ...

Kate second shot for me that day. She amazed me with her amazingness that day too. She had my back all day long and took photos like these two. Brilliant.

FAVE!

Proof that all the ladies in Jason's life just adore him.

Oh the dancing. Now I have to admit I didn't think a couple of engineers would have a packed dance floor, but they did the ENTIRE night. It was like a Night at the Roxbury ...

Oh yes, they went there. :)







Emily and Jason, thank you so much for being so generous with your hearts and including me in your day. What a blast!