This love affair began with a little ol’ dating app called Tinder. That’s right, these two swiped right into happily ever after and their St. Louis ballroom wedding is one for the books. Designed by Kate & Company and Exclusive Events, it is layered with a stunning emerald and blush color palette, with pops of a soft lovely blue in the bridesmaids’ dresses from Joanna August, romantic candlelight under a jaw-dropping floral installation by Twisted Willow and classic monogram stationery by Cheree Berry Paper. I guarantee you haven’t seen a celebration quite like this. Pore through the beautiful images captured by Clary Pfeiffer, plus a film by 24 Frames below!
From Maureen FitzGibbon, Senior Wedding Designer at Kate & Company… I knew the first time I met Erin that she had great taste. At our consultation, we discussed any and every thing wedding – her love of the tiniest paper details, the overall vibe, and of course, her fiancé Mike. I couldn’t wait to get started designing what was sure to be a stunning affair. Most importantly, I wanted to set the tone of the event from the onset. Our Save the Date from Cheree Berry Paper perfectly married Erin + Mike’s story. The merged skyline of Washington D. C. [where the couple met and lived at the time] with Saint Louis [Erin’s hometown, host city, and where they now reside] gave a glimpse into the whimsical tone for the event. I truly wanted this wedding to be about them – their story and their styles. Their hashtag [#swipedrightintomike] even gave a playful nod to their Tinder love story [they met on the dating app!].
The formal invitation introduced their branded monogram, which I utilized on special pieces throughout the rest of the design to keep the feel cohesive and personal. The reception head table featured this custom monogram on cloth napkins, which Erin and Mike now use in their home for dinner parties and holidays – a great keepsake! The pop of royal green, dubbed in our design process as mallard, showed up first in the mailed invitation pieces then later in the cake table linen and custom bar fronts. I loved the way this color reeked of subtle sophistication. The elegant emerald tone became my favorite aspect of the design overall!
It is such a dream to design in The Caramel Room at Bissinger’s! The tall ceilings, dripping chandeliers, and glossy wooden floors gave a near-perfect canvas to build Erin + Mike’s dream day. Many of the guests were not from the area, so I wanted their first experience at the venue to be a memorable one! Upon entrance to the reception, the guests were greeted with a iced Rosé bar cocktail. Gummy Pandas and truffles from Bissinger’s were a perfect pairing with this fizzy drink. The impressive monogram ice sculpture served as a bottle display, too. The experience didn’t stop there! His and her signature whiskey cocktails were waiting for guests on the cocktail level, along with yummy food from 23 City Blocks Catering.
From that very first meeting, Erin described her dream reception space to include candlelit ambiance and dramatic floral installations – so, I think we achieved that with this overall look! The reception ballroom was really the icing on the cake – literally. The multi-layer cake from De la Creme Studio was stunning and definitely a showstopper. The head table pergola created such a focal point in the room and truly brought the drama. Along with the strings of hanging florals and greens over the dance floor, it was hard not to be wowed by the space. I wanted to create various textures through the room, not only with florals, but with linens, plates, and colored glassware. The mixed table looks made the ballroom intricate and interesting, yet inviting. The rustic wooden feasting tables mixed with the elegant La Tavola textured linens were a perfect combination of the two styles Erin and Mike wanted.
Overall, I was ecstatic with the way that the design came together so cohesively! Our team at Kate & Company made sure every tiny detail was executed flawlessly. The day was captured perfectly by Clary Pfeiffer and 24 Frames, our photo and video gurus. Our creative and culinary partners totally knocked this one out of the park. Any idea I dreamt up, they made it come to life! Hanging table lounges in the ballroom – you got it! A twenty-four foot pergola covered in flowers – you got it! Wine pairings with each course, even with dessert – you got it!
Erin and Mike’s friends and family danced the night away with an amazing band from Nashville and indulged in personalized late night snacks – a dueling pizza war between Erin’s St. Louis style pizza and Mike’s hometown of Chicago’s deep dish! As much as it pains me to say this [because I’m a St. Louis girl through-and-through], the Chicago deep dish definitely won that battle! To end the night, Erin and Mike were sent off with a super sweet sparkler exit!
Photography: Clary Pfeiffer Photography | Cinematography: 24 Frames Cinematography | Event Design: Exclusive Events, Inc | Event Designer: Kate & Company | Event Planning: Kate & Company | Floral Design: Twisted Willow Design | Cake: De La Creme | Stationery: Cheree Berry Paper | Ceremony Venue: Shrine Of St. Joseph Catholic Church | Reception Venue: The Caramel Room | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joanna August | Makeup: DanielleStyle | Hair: Tracy Inman | Transportation: Best Transportation | Contemporary Productions: Manhasset String Quartet | Contemporary Productions: The Downtown Band