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Classic St. Louis Opera House Wedding

We get it—Mondays are rough. But yours is about to get so much better thanks to this beauty from Mike Cassimatis. At St. Louis’s classic Peabody Opera House, this NYC couple said “I Do” in a day full of classic glamour. From the lush flower arrangements and intimate Jewish ceremony to the elegant ballroom reception, this wedding is as pretty as it gets. See it all in THE VAULT!

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From Mike CassimatisI’m so excited to share Michelle and David’s beautiful wedding with you. Michelle and David are two of the sweetest people you could meet and planned their own wedging all the way from NYC. Both being lawyers, they left no detail behind. They had a sweet, intimate Jewish wedding ceremony in the ticket lobby of the amazing Peabody Opera House. A stunning reception followed in the upstairs ballroom.

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Photography: Mike Cassimatis Photography | Cinematography: Brian Gaadt Productions | Floral Design: Randy Felkey | Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo | Cake: La Patisserie Chouquette | Invitations: Fourteen-Forty | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Makeup: Lisa Lipsitz | Hair: St Louis Bridal Hair And Makeup | DJ: DJ Uptown | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | String Quartet: Rosewood Ensemble | Venue: Peabody Opera House | Photo Booth: Browers Studio B!

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Sweet Monday Photography + A Promotion + A Giveaway!

‘Tis the season for saying “YES!” to the one you love… and for all of you newly-betrothed ladies + gents out there in SMP land, Sweet Monday Photography has you totally covered.  Think an ah-mazing Style Me Pretty Collection, plus a fabulous giveaway from a team of photogs that knows everything there is to know about capturing your Big Day.  Sooo awesome?  Yes. They. Are.

From that beautiful First Look between you and yours to those special moments you’ll share with everyone you love, Sweet Monday Photography (aka, April and Lindsey) has a way of capturing every spectacular second in the most breathtaking way possible.  That’s because these two picture taking geniuses are not only best friends (since age 12!), they’re former brides, as well.  Which means they completely and totally understand what it takes to preserve those joyful moments of your Big Day, so that you can cherish them always… whether it’s those butterfly moments right before you put on your dress or your epic reception, sweet dance moves included.

Natural, vibrant, fresh and totally stunning, Sweet Monday Photography is THE best decision you’ll make while planning your wedding.  Contact them TODAY to begin your journey towards the most perfect collection of images you will ever lay your eyes upon… and be sure to follow Sweet Monday Photography on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for even more inspiration!

Promotion

Sweet Monday Photography is offering SMP readers a special Style Me Pretty Collection if you book your wedding by March 31, 2016!

STYLE ME PRETTY COLLECTION – $3750 + MO Sales Tax
8 Hours of Wedding Coverage by Sweet Monday Photography
10×8 Custom Wedding Album
Engagement Session
High Resolution Digital Files of Engagement and Wedding Images

This is over $1000 off Sweet Monday Photography’s regular pricing!

the-giveaway

What: Sweet Monday Photography is giving away a Fine Art portrait session (including High Resolution Files) to one SMP couple to be used for a bridal session or an engagement session in the St. Louis area! (Value $500)

How: Simply leave a comment below telling us what moment of your Big Day you are looking forward to the most!

Who: One lucky SMP reader, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on Friday, February 5, 2016!  For terms and conditions, click here.  Good luck, lovelies! xo

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Classic Meets Modern Wedding at The Caramel Room

This wedding had me at hello.  Well, actually, it had me at classic meets modern affair held at a chocolate factory, but you get me… it’s completely awesome.  From the neutral + completely elegant color palette to the fabulous florals from Bloomin’ Buckets to the never-ending lineup of breathtaking images from Laura Ann Miller.  Indulge your sweet tooth right this way in THE VAULT.

From Laura Ann Miller Photography… This St. Louis wedding was such a charmer! Kristen and Michael’s day was elegant, timeless, and fun! Kristen’s lace dress was just to die for, and Michael looked smashing in his classic black tux. They blended a mix of green, gold and white into the day, which worked perfectly. The maids wore pistachio dresses, the groomsmen tuxes and the reception decor was filled with greenery!

The cherry on top… their reception was held in a chocolate factory! The Caramel Room at Bissinger’s was sweet, just as the name implies. Guests sipped on signature chocolate martinis, mingled on the rooftop, and danced the night away inside!

From the Bride… My vision for our wedding was classic and modern. My main goal was to have a day that would be timeless and would not look aged in pictures a decade from now. Our color palate consisted of neutral colors: grayed jade and gold with hints of black. I wanted it to be simple, yet elegant. My favorite DIY detail was by far our invitations. Originally I was planning on letter pressing the entire invitation. After multiple attempts it was obvious why everyone does not do this. However, I was determined to use our letterpress machine. Even though I sent the actual invitations off to be letter pressed, I embossed any other detail I could with our monogram. This included the bellyband, the dinner menu, and the ceremony programs.

My favorite moment of the entire day was finally standing up at the altar with my soon-to-be husband. All of the hard work and coordination all seemed to finally come together and finally there was nothing left to plan. The only thing left to do was actually say our vows! This was the most relieving and enjoyable moment of my life. I finally got to marry my best friend.

Every detail to me was just simple and elegant. The flowers were a mixture of greens and whites, which blended with the bridesmaids pistachio dresses. The usherettes were in matching black dresses and the groomsmen in classic black tuxedos. My gown was Jasmine in ivory with lace details and a keyhole back.

After attending many weddings without ever noticing the cake, my goal was to have a simple cake. Sarah’s Cake Shop made me fall in love with cakes. I loved the detail in the second tier and finally understood why everyone put so much effort into how their cakes looked.

Since our reception was held in a chocolate factory we wanted to send everyone home with something to remember the day. We sent a bag full of dark, milk, and white chocolate home with our guests. We topped the bag off with a light green ribbon and, of course, an embossed monogram tag.

My piece of advice to all brides is to try to stop and enjoy every minute of the planning. It can get time consuming and tiresome, but in the end it will all come together and you will get to marry your best friend.

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Photography: Laura Ann Miller Photography | Floral Design: Bloomin' Buckets | Wedding Dress: Jasmine Collection | Cake: Sarah's Cake Shop | Ceremony Venue: St. Michael The Archangel Catholic Church | Reception Venue: The Caramel Room | Bride's Shoes: Michael Kors | Makeup: American Image Salon and Spa | Hair: Designs By Janet Suzanne

Whimsical Kansas City Outdoor Wedding

Leave it to Brett Heidebrecht to capture the whimsical spring wedding perfection. Complete with flower crowns, blush bridesmaids, and a Pronovias gown fit for a princess, there’s so many reasons to fall in love, and we invite you to find your mid-week happy place here in THE VAULT.

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From The Bride… Two people became one on May 2, 2015, and I wanted the day to show that. I fell in love with my gown when I first saw it. I loved the boning detail and peplum. The boning was defined yet modest. My veil was made by my great grandmother. She had made that for my mother, and my mother tailored it for me for my wedding day.

One of my favorite pieces we had at our wedding was a skull. It came straight from my husband’s property and represented so many memories we had made together and with our families. I knew I wanted it at the wedding, but I decided last minute it couldn’t have been more fitting to have it at the “head” table. The tables were dressed with beautiful antlers and teacups filled with my favorite scent, Capri Blue Aloha Orchid wax from Anthropologie. The jazz band was amazing. From the little ones to teenagers to grandparents, all ages were up on their feet dancing.

It’s hard to write about my favorite memories from this day because there are many to choose from. We got married, outside, in a month when it rained 29 out of the 31 days. The morning started with dressing up with all of my best friends and decorating the reception room. There was one moment I will always remember. The Bride’s Room overlooked the ceremony. The white chairs were aligned perfectly on the freshly rained green lawn, and petals lining the aisle. The floral garland wrapped around the gazebo that I would soon meet my groom. The guests were arriving. My brother-in-law was playing our favorite songs. And my bridesmaids and I were peeking out the window to see everything. Everything was still for that moment, and I was able to take in the beauty of that day.

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Photography: Brett Heidebrecht Photography | Floral Design: Floral Accents By Diana | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: Adorn Cakes | Bride's Shoes: Sam Edelman | Hair And Makeup: Melanie Findley | Hair And Makeup: French Twist | Calligraphy: Gina DiMartino | Band: Grand Marquis | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Venue: Hawthorne House | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Ties & Pocket Squares: J.Crew

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These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Soft French Elegance Wedding Inspiration at Silver Oaks Chateau

Carretto Studio has done what I’ve once deemed impossible. That is, bringing the French countryside to our living rooms, but how? Just take on peek at these captures and your francophile soul will want to reside in this pretty little gallery until springtime. A day dreamed up by the ever-so-talented Absolutely IN! Events, this is one inspiration that’ll have you daydreaming in no time at all. See it all in THE VAULT!

From Michelle Bonham of Absolutely IN! EventsWhen a stunning new venue opened up just outside of St. Louis, Andy Carretto from Carretto Studio and I immediately knew we had to team up to create something incredible there. With gorgeous stone walls and floor-to-ceiling windows, it left me day dreaming of vineyards set in the French countryside: lush and elegant, organic and sophisticated. With a fabulous team of wedding professionals on board and a gorgeous venue to start with, we set out to create just that.

Knowing that the venue was very bright and airy, I wanted to compliment it with deep, rich color tones. I decided on a color palette of deep greens, pale blues, and moody grays, accented by touches of gold. I focused on curating simple, timeless, and romantic details, such as the gold candlesticks and the airy Silk & Willow table runner. We incorporated organic notes throughout, from the ripe figs to the soft floral designs in the stationary and cake. The talented Melinda of Les Bouquets designed floral arrangements that were full of texture and movement, giving such dimension to the shoot. The cake from La Patisserie Chouquette was ethereal and feminine, adding a touch of understated beauty that perfectly complimented the Willowby by Watters gown from Mia Grace Bridal, which boasted layers of tulle with a soft lace bodice. The stationery items that Jen from Pretty Together created pulled everything together effortlessly. Her creativity ran wild and she designed the most amazing invitation suite, menus printed on cloth napkins, and (my personal favorite) hummingbird escort cards that delicately balanced on the rims of champagne glasses! Finally, our real life couple brought so much love and joy to an already remarkable day.

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Photography: Carretto Studio | Event Design: Absolutely IN! Events | Floral Design: Les Bouquets | Wedding Dress: Willowby By Watters | Cake: La Patisserie Chouquette | Invitations: Pretty Together | Hair And Makeup: Flawless Makeup | Venue: Silver Oaks Chateau | Bridal Boutique: Mia Grace Bridal | Film Processing: The Find Lab | Rentals: Aries Company | Table Runner: Silk and Willow

St. Louis Secret Garden Wedding at Kuhs Farm

There is no sense in denying it, so I’ll just put it right out there: Jordan Brittley, I’ve got a major photography crush on you, and these images are only feeding that love. Thanks to you, our VAULT is overflowing with beauty from this Midwest wedding – this Allure Bridals’ dress alone has given me full heart eyes. But enough with my babbling, let’s get to the good stuff right this way!

From Jordan Brittley… This wedding is dripping with lovely details! This fall wedding feels like every season with its neutral color palette. You’re going to love her diamond necklace, the invitation suite, and the place they call “The Narnia of the Midwest!” I’m not even going to mention the secret garden on the estate or just how in love these two are!!

From the Bride… I was most looking forward to spending the day with those we love the most (family and friends) and celebrating our relationship and our future together!

My necklace was made from the diamond of Will’s grandmother’s wedding ring. We made a lot of the wedding decorations (bride and groom signs, programs, photo booth, tags on flip flops, signs, etc.)! My Aunt, Kristi Stockglausner, is a florist who did all of the flowers, bouquets, centerpieces. She also made chocolate covered pretzels to be placed on tables for guests

I wanted our day to be intimate, romantic, filled with love, and fun!

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Find more amazing Midwest weddings here!

Photography: Jordan Brittley | Coordination: Weddings By Renee | Floral Design: The Flower Shop | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Cake: The Cakery | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Bride's Shoes: Dune | Jewelry: Eb Horn | Rings: Eb Horn | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: Concettas | Hair: Emily Miller | Lighting: Party Rentals By Premier Rentals Of St. Louis | DJ: RC EMcees | Venue: Kuhs Farm | Earrings: Tiffany & Co. | Getting Ready Venue: Embassy Suites | Groom's Shoes: Johnston & Murphy

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Elegant + Colorful Springfield Wedding

When world-renowned photographer Jordan Brittley just so happens to be your uber talented sister, you can guaranteed that your wedding day portraits are in good hands. A colorful celebration graced with bridesmaids carrying lanterns down the aisle, a scrumptious popcorn stand, and a tree planting ceremony, every detail this duo dreamed up is darling and we’ve got it all waiting in THE VAULT!

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From Jordan BrittleyThis is my favorite wedding yet because my sister is the bride!! The reason you’re going to love it?! The bridesmaids carried white lanterns, the bride and groom planted a tree during the ceremony, the arbor was built by the bride’s father, and popcorn was served just before the ceremony! Not to mention the view of hundred year old trees, the crimson and champagne color palette, and the cathedral length veil with lace trim!

My dad made the arbor, and the wreath on the front was from my mom. Jaelyn loves popcorn more than anyone I know, so she set up popcorn for the guests before the ceremony! This allowed people to have a little snack before the reception. It was a chilly day and a little “hors d’oeuvre”was the perfect snack!

The couple both love going on mission trips and serving other people. This inspired the guest globe! Instead of signing a guest book, they signed something that is meaningful that can now be used in their home!

Charity of He Loves Me Flowers sent Jaelyn a lot of extra blooms for the bridal details! This allowed her to style things in a way that complimented the other wedding details! She wanted to do something different for her bridesmaids and finally settled on lanterns! I feel like the lanterns really made the bouquet stand out and it was timeless, elegant and unique!

If there is something you should know about my sister, she loves doing things differently! Instead of a unity candle, pouring sand, or tying a rope, Jaelyn and David planted a tree during the ceremony! It was such a sweet moment for the two of them to add another meaningful detail to their lives.

The details and never ending to do list that’s stressing you out doesn’t matter. Get the big things taken care of and remember to breathe. If it rains or you forget to buy the groom’s wedding ring until two days before the wedding, you’re still going to get married. And that’s what you’re going to remember. In the midst of planning your wedding, don’t forget to spend more time planning for your marriage. Cute wedding pictures won’t be as cute if you grow to hate the man holding you in them. Work on your relationship more than you work on your wedding.

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Photography: Ana Lui Photography | Photography: Jordan Brittley | Event Planning: 2 Planners | Event Planning: Merren Events | Floral Design: He Loves Me Flowers | Wedding Dress: David's Bridal | Cake: Style By The Slice | Bride's Shoes: Michael Kors | Rings: Niche Of Time | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Azazie | Makeup: Grace Anderson | Hair: Diamonds and Do's | Groom's Attire: Paul Phillips | Venue: Tuscan Hill | Bridemaids' Dresses: Dillard's | Globe: Target | Invitations And Signage: Jordan Brittley | Lanterns: The Corner Shoppe

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DIY Backyard Wedding

This wedding makes my heart happy.  It’s cozy + intimate, laid-back, yet totally elegant and filled with a plethora of DIY details that really speak to this adorable duo and their breathtaking location (grandma’s backyard).  From the galvanized pails of hydrangeas to the romantic blue color palette, every moment captured by Cody Hunter is absolute perfection.  Head to THE VAULT to soak it all in.

From the Bride… Our wedding focused on family. When we were deciding on a location for our big day, we toyed with getting married in our new city, DC, going back to Florida where we grew up and where our parents still live, and finally Saint Louis, where my mom and her large family grew up and still resides. Once we had the idea of wedding in my grandmother’s backyard, I knew it would be the ultimate spot to make sure all of our family could be there and make the day unforgettable. Once that decision was made (there were tears from my mom and my grandma– and me), we got to work planning for the next 9 months. Without a wedding planner, a venue that we had to turn into a wedding location from the ground up, and a tight budget, there was a lot of hard work and a closeness among and between our families that grew exponentially throughout the year.

We wanted our families to come together as one on a day that everyone would always remember. We didn’t have a “theme” or any particular design vision, but knew we wanted to create an atmosphere of genuineness, love, and simplicity, so we stuck to whites and blues that appeared in the bridesmaids’ dresses, men’s accessories, and table arrangements. We did all the flowers ourselves, my mom made my accessories, and Richard wore cufflinks with maps on them that commemorated where we were engaged and married, Paris and Saint Louis. Two great friends of ours played the mandolin and the ukelele during the ceremony and for our first dance, respectively. My cousin and our officiant home brewed beers special for our wedding.

A list of non-wedding vendors that help create our dream day includes all of the family members that took care of countless jobs the day of the wedding, from the appetizer table to running from the bar to the ice trailer at the front of the house all night to keep our guests’ drinks cold. There are not enough thank you’s in this world to show our appreciation to them and our wedding day would not have been the same without them. It truly was the perfect way to start our lives together.

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See more DIY Weddings in THE VAULT!

Photography: Hunter Ryan Photo | Cake: McArthur's Bakery | Catering: Local Harvest | Venue: At Home | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints

Intimate Meets Classic St. Louis Wedding

Effortlessly weaving classic details with a traditional ceremony and the laid-back, cocktail style reception these two cuties always dreamt of, this fabulous St. Louis affair was most definitely FUN.  Think pretty paper goods from Minted meets a stunning blush BHLDN gown meets a crazy cool locale like City Cottage On Chouteau.  Head to THE VAULT for every beautiful moment captured by Jordan Brittley and then press play on the sweet film from Pounds Media below.

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From Jordan Brittley… This wedding is going to steal your heart away! With a BHLDN blush wedding gown, buffet-cocktail style reception, and the classic red St Louis trolley, you are going to have your cake and eat it, too! Oh! Did I mention the ruffled cake?!

Since Matt and Becca love food so much, they decided to serve food all night long: pizza, gelato, smores, and more.

From the Bride… We had been engaged for two years, so naturally, we were SO excited to see all of the fun, creative details come together! We were so excited to spend the day celebrating with our closest friends and family. Our guest list reflected the most important, special people in our lives, and we felt very lucky to spend the day with them! We wanted the entire day to feel like a big bash!

We wanted the day to feel like the most fun they have ever had! The reception was super fun to plan because we made it exactly how we would want it as guests at a wedding – a fun, laid-back, party-like atmosphere, with food and drinks all night! That’s why we chose to do a less formal buffet-cocktail style – so that guests can mingle and hang out, listen/dance to the awesome live “country funk” band, or sit by the cozy bonfire pit and roast marshmallows! We wanted everyone to be able to eat, drink & play all night.

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See more classic weddings in THE VAULT!

Photography: Jordan Brittley | Cinematography: Pounds Media | Coordination: A Friend Of The Bride | Floral Design: Bloomin' Buckets | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Cake: The Cakery | Invitations: Minted | Invitations: DH Fitzgerald | Ceremony Venue: St. Ambrose Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Catering St. Louis | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Engagement Ring: Michael Herr Diamonds | Bridesmaids' Dresses: JLM Couture, Inc | Catering: Catering St. Louis | Makeup: Makeup Artistry | Hair: Denise Burkle | Lighting: Pro Sound Dj Rental | DJ: Acoustics Anonymous | String Quartet: Landolfi String Quartet | Bridal Boutique - Bridesmaids' Dresses: JLM Couture, Inc | Bride's Earrings: BHLDN | Bride's Necklace: Nadri | Gelato: Gelato Di Riso | Hair Accessories: BHLDN | Pie: Pie Oh My! | Trolley: St Louis Trolley | Veil: BHLDN

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Fall Engagement at Chaumette Vineyards & Winery

Raise your hand if you’re not ready for fall to end? Yeah, me neither. So instead of accepting the inevitable, I’m just might choose to never leave this gallery. It’s a celebration of all things autumn, and the perfect inspo for an engagement session among the golden leaves. Thanks Lisa Dolan for adding these gems to THE VAULT.


From Lisa Dolan PhotographyHannah & Daniel had the perfect Fall engagement session. Hannah is super stylish, and had such a great vision for her engagement session. We traveled to Chaumette Winery and Vineyards an hour outside of St. Louis to shoot in the rolling hills of Southern Missouri. Chaumette was the perfect backdrop for an engagement session – with its pretty vineyards, and old wooden barn. Hannah and Daniel picnicked and shared a bottle of Champagne overlooking the vineyard. Hannah rented an incredible dress from Rent-the-Runway that complimented the fall colors perfectly. The best part about Hannah and Daniel is that they are so happy together. They have so much fun just spending time together, and they know how to make each other laugh!

From the Bride-to-be…Daniel and I have a million versions of how we met (our paths have crossed a lot over the years), however the official story was on a float trip with mutual friends in the summer of 2012. He pulled me off the raft, lost my sunglasses, and we kissed on the bus ride home. 4 years later I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with my best friend. We have always been meant to be even if we didn’t realize it and circumstances always brought us back together.

I always wanted to have a Fall winery wedding but when plans didn’t work out I knew we had to do our engagement pictures somewhere that evoked that same feeling. Chaumette has always been in the back of my mind as a wedding venue and when the opportunity came to take engagement pictures I knew this is where we had to do it! Daniel and I (ok mostly me) enjoy our fair share of wine from time to time and the atmosphere was just right for rustic and romantic pictures.

Photography: Lisa Dolan Photography | Makeup: Dominic Michael Salon | Venue: Chaumette Winery & Vineyards | Beverage Services: Veuve Clicquot | Faux Fur Vest: Ryan Seacrest Distinction | Sequin Dress: Rent The Runway

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P.S. More Reasons to Love the Season

Fall Wedding Inspiration
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Fall Wedding Inspiration
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Elegant + Cozy Winter Wedding Inspiration

I hate to break it to ya’ but for a good portion of the U.S., it’s becoming time to bundle up. But that doesn’t mean that all the pretty is taking a break; winter holds the opportunity for some super romantic weddings and Jordan Brittley has a gem of a shoot right here. With her talent behind the lens and Social Graces setting the scene, it’s a snowy celebration to get comfy with. More in the Vault right this way!

From Jordan Brittley… This inspiration shoot is full of beautiful blooms, candles and some mother-of-the-bride inspiration!! It’s the perfect blend of warmth and winter! You can read more from our planner below…

From Alli Pool Of Social Graces… I wanted to bring cozy winter luxuries that you find inside, outdoors. Warm apple cider with cinnamon sticks, intimate conversation and richly textured furs. I wanted to create a space that made the nip in the air enhance the experience. Weddings are the ultimate romantic celebration, this outdoor space was built to create a romantic experience.

When you have a winter wedding outdoors it important that it not only look fabulous but feel fabulous to your guests. Backing each chair with a faux fur throw does just that. Whether it be throws, warm drinks, or a fire pit, it is always a good idea to create opportunities for guests to feel as comfortable as possible. Nestling reception tables in cozy wooded outdoor areas can also help create a more warm intimate experience for guests.

I would also be sure and note in your invitation that the celebration will be held outdoors. Guests are always more comfortable when they can come prepared and dress appropriately!

Peruse more winter weddings here!

Photography: Jordan Brittley | Event Planning: Social Graces | Event Styling: Social Graces | Floral Design: He Loves Me Flowers | Wedding Dress: Ella Weiss | Cake: Dough A Deer Bakery | Invitations: Paperworld | Makeup: Airbrush By Andie | Hair: Shannon Calvin | Groom's Attire: Ella Weiss | Menu: Paperworld

Marriage Matters: Sweet Six Month Celebration

I’m about to celebrate my six month anniversary in a couple weeks, so I’d say these pics by Jordan Brittley came across my desk at quite the perfect time. The love between these two cuties (and their adorbs pup) is spilling out of every single image, conjuring up warm feelings and happy memories of my own special day and my own love story. If this isn’t the best advertisement for any and all anniversary shoots, well, I don’t know what is. Get in on all these good vibes in our VAULT right this way!

From Jordan Brittley… I am so excited to share this anniversary session with you! I photographed Sara and Keith for their six month anniversary at my 1:1 workshop. So of course that meant that I teamed up with fabulous talent. We loved the floral dog leash, late autumn/early winter inspired colors, and the walk down memory lane! You can read more about the creative vision for this shoot below…

Sara and Keith started dating in April of 2007. They celebrated their six month anniversary with their new pup and outdoors – two of their favorite things! I knew they were the perfect models for the 1:1 workshop because I adore them and their story is so sweet!

Our invitation designer, Laura, is amazing! She wanted to pull real inspiration from the couple so that it would be meaningful to Sara and Keith. Laura designed an invitation for Keith to give to Sara that said “Come away with me.” The entire inspiration for the workshop was centered around Keith inviting Sara to celebrate the two of them. Since he proposed to her on the top of a ferris wheel, our designer created a special card as part of the invitation suite: 150 feet in the air when I proposed marriage and you made me the happiest man alive by accepting.

Charity of He Loves Me Flowers created an amazing bouquet and dog leash for the session! The bouquet was elegant and dressed for fall and I fell in love with it the minute that I laid eyes on it! I just love how the texture in the bouquet works with the light on film!!

I think my favorite part of the session was when Sara teared up as she read the cards that had been personalized to them. I love making people feel special and I really think our team was able to give Sara and Keith a special night together to celebrate their six month anniversary!

I decided to shoot along the gorgeous trees at the back of the golf course to take advantage of the gorgeous sunset. I loved everything that our team put together! The wardrobe styling from Dress Presh made me so very happy! I love that this outfit can transition from late autumn to early winter so easily! And then there is the cake from Style By the Slice! Hair and makeup from Nikki and Diamond’s and Do’s completed the entire elegant and soft look.

I think it’s so important to make each session special and unique to the couple (even if it is for my 1:1 workshop)!

Peruse more anniversary inspiration this way!

Photography: Jordan Brittley | Floral Design: He Loves Me Flowers | Cake: Style By The Slice | Invitations: Duncan Park Papers | Makeup: Nikki Smith | Hair: Diamond's And Do's | Venue: Bolivar Golf Club | Personal Stylist: Dress Presh

Elegant + Sentimental Estate Garden Wedding in Missouri

Alternate title: Get lost in a gallery SO heart-fluttering gorgeous you’ll forget you’re on your couch. Alternate title #2: Pinch me please, it’s just that pretty, or how about Alternate title #3: Take my word for it, it just doesn’t get any better than Cassidy Brooke and this garden affair. It’s the type of pretty that deserves three titles and we’ve got it all waiting for YOU in THE VAULT!

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From Cassidy BrookeShelby and Jared’s wedding day had so many sentimental pieces woven throughout the day. It started in the morning with her mother gifting her of a special journal with letters to her daughter, inside a pressed flower from a special time in their lives. Jared and Shelby’s First Look took place right outside of a cottage that Shelby’s parents had built for her. Inside was beautiful wood floors and windows streaming lovely light. From there Jared led Shelby through a field of wildflowers that her mother hand planted, it was lovely. So many colors and textures, and Shelby’s mother oozed with pride as they walked through and we photographed.

The ceremony took place at an estate in Springfield which was the perfect blend of classy and natural. The Estate itself was breathtaking and the outside features of trees and a family barn added so much. The ceremony decor was also made special, with the isle pieces consisting of buckets of wildflowers that the bride and her mother planted especially for the wedding. Shelby rode into the ceremony on a horse drawn carriage, it was something out of a fairytale. Their ceremony was intimate and emotional, many tears from guests.

The reception went off with a bang when Shelby and jared surprised their guests with a gorgeous classically choreographed first dance. And the evening ended with three wonderful things. The couple and their guests sent off lanterns into the night sky, followed with fireworks and a sparkler exit!

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Photography: Cassidy Brooke | Event Planning: Abby Mitchell Events | Floral Design: He Loves Me Flowers | Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Belsoie | Catering: Simply Delicious | Makeup: Nikki Smith | Hair: Bri Wright Of Diamonds And Dos | DJ: Spark Events | Groom's Attire: Allure Bridal | Venue: Haseltine Estate | Hair Accessories: David's Bridal

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Classic St. Louis Wedding

From an Oktoberfest meeting (complete with German jig dancing) to a romantic New Orleans proposal, these two grabbed my attention at first look. Their St. Louis affair is classic and beyond fun-loving all at the same time, just like them. And when your cousin happens to be the incredibly talented Lisa Dolan? You end up with a gah-orgeous imagery to cherish it all. More this way in THE VAULT.

From the Bride… My husband and I met 8 years ago at a chance meeting at Oktoberfest in St. Louis, MO. I had moved back to my hometown after college and Neil, who is originally from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA was going to law school at a university in town. A mutual friend introduced us and the connection was immediate. We spent the whole night talking and making a fool of ourselves dancing the German jig. After that night I knew that I found my person.

Fast forward seven years and hundreds of miles, and Neil and I found ourselves in New Orleans. He had surprised me with the trip as a Christmas present. He had booked and planned everything and I knew something big was going to happen. After exploring the city together and enjoying a wonderful dinner he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. I started crying and forgot to say yes, but the answer was definitely yes, without a doubt, yes!

We got married in an old converted church in a historic area of St. Louis, MO. The venue, with its stain-glass windows and beautiful architecture was everything we were looking for. We wanted an intimate, classic but with a modern touch wedding, that symbolized who we are as a couple. We had been through a lot together during the last few years (long-distance relationship, deaths, stressful jobs) and we wanted our wedding to focus on our unconditional love for each other and our gratitude to our friends and family for their support.

The wedding ceremony focused on our love for each other and our commitment to one another and to the community. After the ceremony, our guests enjoyed cocktails and appetizers in the beautiful outdoor courtyard while the indoor space was being prepared for the reception. Once inside, we dined on both American and Indian cuisine, a nod to Neil’s heritage, and wedding cake that was prepared by a family friend. After hours of dancing to old standards, and a little hip hop, the best night of our lives came to an end and we continued the celebration on our honeymoon in Europe. Thanks to our amazing photographer, who also happens to be my cousin, we will be able to fondly look back on our magical day and relive all of the beautiful memories.

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Photography: Lisa Dolan Photography | Floral Design: Les Bouquets | Wedding Dress: David's Bridal | Cake: Missouri Baking Company | Catering: Patty Long Catering | Venue: Patty Long Catering | Portrait Location: Lafayette Park

Elegant Kansas City Wedding Film

Jamie and Taylor, you don’t know me, but I really, really adore your wedding. With this intimate glimpse into the elegant affair courtesy of Creative Films, I was swept away with emotion and all the laughter and love that surrounded this lucky couple on their special day. With Simple Elegance leading the charge and Paul Versluis snapping pics, it all worked out perfectly – see sneak peeks in our VAULT and get ready to love every second of this film below!

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From Creative Films… Every once in awhile I save a little bit of something special to send back for a special anniversary gift. This couple was super fun because pretty much all their family and friends came to Kansas City from New York and the East Coast to celebrate the most beautiful wedding weekend. Didn’t you know that Kansas City is the HOTTEST destination wedding location? Perhaps it should be! Beautiful museums, fabulous BBQ, friendly people, The Royals, and cows. Well, not too many cows really, but hopefully Jamie and Taylor didn’t mind that. The team at Simple Elegance did an amazing job keeping things calm and collected and of course the Nelson-Atkins was stunning with Trapp Floral Design making magic as usual. I shot a little bit of super8 film from my vintage super8 camera on this day and have been SAVING it all year to share with these two on their first wedding anniversary. Authentic super8 is tricky stuff and adds such a unique point of view on a wedding day. It is perfect for these two. Happy Anniversary!

Peruse more wedding films here!

Photography: Versluis Photography | Cinematography: Creative Films | Coordination: Simple Elegance, LLC | Floral Design: Trapp And Company | Wedding Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Cake: Cake Whimzy | Ceremony Venue: Country Club United Methodist | Reception Venue: The Nelson-Atkins Museum Of Art | Makeup: Be Chic Bride | Band: In10City

Sweet Springtime Midwestern Wedding with Pink Peonies

Show-stopping soirees start and end with the details, and this wedding is has got plenty. From the thoughtfully crafted paper goods that the Bride did herself, to the divine pairing of grey hues with navy gowns, every detail of this Midwestern lovefest is sure to delight. With pops of bright, textured florals and an intimate church ceremony, Shelly Goodman has got all the gorgeousness waiting in The Vault!

From Shelly GoodmanHeidi & Josh had the perfect springtime wedding day – intermittent rain showers included. The rain brought a softness to the mood of the day, and when it would stop, the outdoor colors became more saturated and brighter.

This same contrast was reflected in other details of their day. There was a traditional subtle elegance with Heidi’s lace-appliqued Melissa Sweet gown, the choice of deep navy blue for the bridesmaids’ dresses, the men’s tailored gray suits, freshwater pearl jewelry from the Philippines, and the invitation & program designed by Heidi herself. But I absolutely loved that Heidi, with her great aesthetic taste as a graphic designer, chose to add a bold pop of color with an over-sized peony bridal bouquet – the prettiest I’ve ever seen! Absolutely perfect for a springtime wedding.

From The Bride…Josh and I met the first week of our freshman year at Auburn University. A friend of mine from high school had invited me to a campus ministry barbecue not realizing it was only meant for guys. Josh and I met at one point in conversation, and I instantly had a crush on him. Later that fall, I invited him to my sorority’s formal, and after that our friend groups eventually converged into one. All of my friends knew that I liked Josh, and despite lots of pressure from both of our friends on us to date, we never broached the topic. By the end of the year, I decided to try my best to just be friends with him until he decided to change that.

During fall of senior year, when Josh got back from his last term working away from Auburn, I started to see him again in different settings—gameday tailgates, church, friends’ birthday parties… Slowly I started to realize how much I had missed him as a friend when he had been gone the past couple years. There were certain times during that fall when I wondered if he was interested, but I quickly convinced myself that I was making up the romance in my head like I had freshman year. I remained guarded, but couldn’t help the attraction that was creeping in again. But after a camping trip with friends and a trip to the Auburn National Championship game over Christmas break, Josh asked me out on our first date in January of our senior year. We dated for just under a year before he proposed.

We got married at my family’s church, Trinity Presbyterian, in St. Louis, Missouri. It was really special to be married by my pastor from high school, and the small sanctuary made for a very intimate setting. One of my favorite memories from the ceremony was singing our congregational song, “In Christ Alone,” and hearing our friends and families sing with us as we started our married lives.

We had initially reserved the DoubleTree pavilion in Chesterfield, but hailstorms the day before the wedding ended up tearing the roof of the tent. God provided in awesome ways though; it turned out the grand ballroom ended up being available, which amazed us! We were just thankful to have a place to celebrate and dance for that night.

I studied graphic design at Auburn, so I knew I wanted to design the invitation suite and programs. As a lover of paper, I had my heart set on letterpressing the invitations and envelopes, and Kempis Press in Birmingham, Alabama did a beautiful job. I wanted to design something simple and classic with a focus on the typography: something I wouldn’t get tired of looking at years later. I also designed a photo guestbook where our friends and family could write notes to us, and now it sits on our coffee table at home.

Josh and I wanted the whole day to be bright and joyful but also timeless and elegant. We wanted the day to be reflective of our personalities and beliefs, but we didn’t feel the need to break tradition on certain aspects. I knew I wanted the colors to be in the yellow, orange, coral, pink range, and I told Sisters Flowers that I wanted everything to feel bright, textured, and natural—and that peonies would be awesome too. The ladies at Sisters completely exceeded our expectations in the beauty they brought to the day! We used the flowers from the church and the bouquets to decorate the tables at the reception.

While planning, I had decided I would love to have our photos shot with film if possible. We were so pleased with our wedding photos from Shelly Goodman Photography! She captured all of the things you hope to remember about your day as well as moments that you didn’t even realize were happening. And she did it with such an artful, lovely eye for composition and lighting.

One of my sisters in the wedding party was pregnant, so I decided to let the girls pick a short navy dress of their choosing so that they would feel comfortable that day. Navy was easy to match, and their bright bouquets popped beautifully against it. Josh picked out the menswear and decided to buy a suit he could wear later instead of a tux he would have to return. Since we got married in May, we decided to go with a gray suit to feel less formal and navy ties to match the bridesmaids’ dresses. I loved my dress and all the layers and details. I felt very bridal and elegant, and the ballroom skirt was so much fun to dance in.

Photography: Shelly Goodman | Cinematography: Andrew Kleewein | Floral Design: Sisters Flowers | Cake: McArthur's Bakery | Ceremony Venue: Trinity Presbyterian Church | Reception Venue: Tudor Arms Hotel | Hair And Makeup: Jesse Wendt | DJ: Elite Pro DJ | Groomsmen Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Film Processing: Indie Film Lab | Invitation & Program Design: Heidi Boor | Invitation Printing: Kempis Press | Wedding Dress & Veil: David's Bridal

Romantic Garden Wedding

With an informal meets formal affair in mind, these darling sweeties set out to create a day that was all at once laid-back + seriously stunning.  The result?  A garden party-inspired fete rich in lush florals from Poppies Design Studio, soft pink hues and a stunning gown from White Traditions Bridal House. Head to The Vault for every moment captured by Alison Duffy.  It’s pretty… and then some.

From the Bride… I’m a pretty laid-back girl, and I wanted that feeling to translate to our wedding day. It may sound strange, but we wanted our wedding to be formal and informal at the same time, with a hint of garden.

Leading up to the wedding, I loved looking through pictures of designer Elie Saab. His couture line is both elegant and natural which, inspired the look for my wedding dress.

We tried to add a lot of personal touches to our wedding. Our table names were based on sentimental locations that led to the reason why we were all there. I love subtle lighting, so we decided to go with both stemmed and simple votive candles. I also am a little obsessed with gardening, so having plenty of flowers incorporated into the ceremony and reception was a must. We had a beautiful outdoor ceremony, bringing facets of different cultures together as one. And instead of traditional cake, we went with our favorite flavors of pie.

I’m also not a matchy-match person. I let my bridesmaids pick their own dress within a certain color palette, with the only requirements being floor length and some texture. I couldn’t have picked out the dresses better myself. It brought out the beautiful personality of each of my bridesmaids that only they could accomplish.

Our florist was a huge help. She helped tie in our formal garden theme with not only our flowers, but our invitations, programs, and other print items along with calligraphy. Bringing in eucalyptus branches to place on all our guests menu was a big hit!

Between our photographer, wedding planner, and florist we were able to create and capture all the beautiful moments on our special day. I couldn’t have asked for a better team.

Photography: Duffy Photo Film | Event Planning: Rouge Events And Design | Floral Design: Poppies Design Studio | Wedding Dress: White Traditions Bridal House | Ceremony Venue: Missouri Botanical Gardens | Reception Venue: Catering St. Louis | Catering: Catering St. Louis | Band: Arvell & Company

Traditional + Elegant Wedding in Missouri

Marrying an unbeatable backdrop with the lens of a pro like Koman Photography and you’re guaranteed some pretty rockin’ results, but this gallery? It takes expectations to a whole other level. For when planning their Big Day this duo wanted a central location with plenty of wow-factor. The pick? An elegant evening at Top of the Rock and every detail is topnotch (including their vendor list). See it all in The Vault!

From Koman PhotographyWe knew from our very first meeting that Kat and Steve are a one of a kind couple! John and I loved every minute of having them in front of our cameras and we feel so honored they invited us to photograph one of the most important days of their lives at Top of the Rock Missouri! Their wonderful day was one full of joy, sun, rain, rainbows, a gorgeous sunset and of course HAPPY tears!

From the beautiful Bride…Although we met on the West coast, Steve and I both grew up in the Midwest (Illinois and Oklahoma). It was important for us to find a venue that was not only central to each of our families, but one that reflected reflected our roots. When we stepped foot onto Top of the Rock, there was no doubt in our minds that this was where we wanted to celebrate to most important day of our lives. From the unbelievable views of the lake to the smallest of details in the chapel, there was nature-inspired beauty everywhere.

When it came to choosing our vendors, finding top-notch photographers and a fun band was at the top of my list. We decided on Koman Photography to do both our engagement, and wedding pictures. We loved the natural lighting that they used, and how they worked as a husband and wife team! It was also important to have a live band that could not only play fun music for our guests late into the night, but one that also set the tone for the reception starting at the Cocktail hour. Galaxy Red kept us and our guests dancing all night long, which was exactly what we wanted!

Since we chose a rustic venue, I wanted to make sure we balanced it with some lighter colors. We decided on soft pink and ivory hues with gold accents here and there! I got through the bigger things on my wedding to do list pretty quickly, and was able to just really soak in the engagement season with Steve. As we got closer to the big day, my mom and sister were huge helps in finalizing all of the not so last minute details. I was so glad I was able to delegate some of the work.

Looking back, one of the most important things I think we did was choose professional vendors who had great bridal reviews. Knowing that we were dealing with pro’s made everyone so much more relaxed the day of the wedding! The planning process is a blast, but at the end of the day it is really all about starting an incredible new adventure with your best friend and lifelong teammate.

Photography: Koman Photography | Coordination: Ella Weiss | Floral Design: Hope Stanley | Wedding Dress: Desert Bride | Cake: Sugar Leaf Bakery and Cafe | Invitations: Minted | Bride's Shoes: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Tadashi Shoji | Makeup: Melissa Britt | Hair And Makeup: Hope Stanley | Band: Galaxy | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Groomsmen Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Venue: The Chapel At Integrity Hills | Flower Girl Dress: Kleinfeld Bridal | Linen Rentals: Branson Party Rentals And Event Design | Photo Booth: Elite Photo Booth

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Classic Forest Park Wedding at the Historic World’s Fair Pavilion

Sometimes you come across a wedding so undeniably beautiful, you really have to take some time in The Vault to soak it all in.  Case in point?  This amazing day captured brilliantly by Clary Pfeiffer Photography (as they do). It’s the historic World’s Fair Pavilion meets the breathtaking florals of Bloomin’ Buckets meets a bride and groom who know a thing or two about classic beauty.  Fall in love in the full gallery, then check out the sweet film from Rue De La Vie.

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From the Bride… For our wedding day vision, David and I were both born and raised in St. Louis, so we decided that the historic World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park would be the perfect venue for our reception. We loved the open-air space, architecture and the gorgeous views from the pavilion.

As we started planning, the most important thing to us was that our wedding be a fun, loving and relaxed celebration with all of our friends and family. We were going for a classic and timeless look so we chose a palette with lots of soft and natural colors to keep it light and airy. Even though the guest list was fairly large we wanted dinner to feel intimate. We used an assortment of table sizes and shapes, low centerpieces (mix of vases and long table garland filled with italian ruscus, white polo roses, white majolica spray roses and quicksand roses), and lots of candles to achieve this look. One of our favorite details from the night was having our head table right down the center of the pavilion so we could be surrounded by all of our favorite people.

Photography: Clary Pfeiffer Photography | Cinematography: Rue De La Vie | Event Planning: Catering St. Louis | Floral Design: Bloomin' Buckets | Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanca | Cake: The Cakery | Ceremony Venue: St. Luke The Evangelist Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Forest Park | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joanna August | Catering: Catering St. Louis | Hair And Makeup: DanielleStyle | Lighting: Exclusive Events, Inc | Band: Griffin And The Gargoyles | Groom's Attire: Vera Wang | Coaster Design: Jasmine Ellesse | Invitations And Paper Goods: Drolet Paperie | Signage: Bee Curious Designs

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Classic + Romantic St. Louis Winter Wedding

In the middle of this winter wedding wonderland, Forest Park stood out as a tropical oasis, with lush greenery and bright natural light, as it hosted one fabulously celebratory ceremony for these lovebirds. Turner Creative captured the colorful occasion before heading outside for stunning portraits of the newly married pair in the snow; see all the lovely locales right this way!

From the Bride… We met at Farm Aid in 2009 in Saint Louis; Randy was at the concert from Phoenix and I am from Saint Louis, and we had our first date in Phoenix a few weeks later. We have been to Farm Aid together each year since we met. Last year at Farm Aid 2014 in Raleigh, North Carolina, Randy proposed with the help of several Farm Aid staffers. We will attend Farm Aid 30 in Chicago this September which will mark our seventh Farm Aid together(we have a few pictures with our Farm Aid Bandana from our engagement session and from our wedding day on the bus)!

Forest Park is the place I first told Randy I loved him. It is a very special place for us both. We loved the natural light and greenery in the Jewel Box and we needed an indoor venue for the February date we selected. We loved the style of the statler ballroom and the features with the marble floors and walls and the ornamental plaster ceilings. I recall watching the snowfall from the gorgeous windows in the room during our reception.

Our wedding was inspired by the classic and elegant feel of a navy, gold and ivory color palette with Southwest accents in florals. Randy is from Arizona and we spend a lot of time enjoying the desert Southwest. We incorporated succulents into the florals (Flowers to the People-Bridget Weible)
and my sisters (Bridesmaids) chose their own gowns in navy.

We had some special touches and traditions that we incorporated into your ceremony/reception: 
-Randy is quite the foodie and loves most things “hot and spicy.” The groom’s cake was a hot sauce bottle!
-We displayed photos of our parents and grandparents’ wedding days at the reception.
-The unity candle we lit was the unity candle my parents lit at their wedding 40 years ago.
-My friend Maggie gifted me a lavender-scented heart pillow to bring me calm while getting ready for the wedding and I held it close. My sisters gifted me a monogrammed shirt with our wedding date and “i do”
-My late grandma Charlotte’s wedding band was incorporated into my bouquet

We love our wedding photos! We were blessed with a gorgeous snowfall on our wedding day. I remember being so excited walking down the aisle and upon seeing Randy I paused and felt a peaceful calm surround me. The snow coming down outside. Simple and beautiful. I loved sharing each moment of the day with Randy and snuggling close to him for warmth when we were getting our pictures in the snow.

We purchased the Meet Me in Saint Louis design by Rachael Brightfield and with the help of my sister and brother-in-law, printed gift tote bags for our out of town guests filled with our local favorites: Billy Goat Chips, Schlafly Beer, and Fitz’s rootbeer. Guests were also able to take home votive succulent centerpieces from the tables as favors!

Photography: Turner Creative Photography | Floral Design: Flowers To The People | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: The Cakery | Ceremony Venue: Forest Park | Reception Venue: The Aspen Institute At Wye River | DJ: Millennium Productions | Groom's Attire: Savvi Formalwear

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