What captures my heart most about this wedding is not the dress or the bouquet or the decor but the incredible, beautiful and strong family at the center of it all. There is so much love and joy that radiates from each and every image by Hawes Photography. How wonderful that The Gifted Wedding was able to give them such a spirited celebration of love and life and they were able to have a perfect day together. Visit the full gallery for more heartwarming inspiration!
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It’s hard to know where to start with Ryan and Amber’s story. The most obvious place is to talk about their daughter, Harper. Harper was born with an extremely rare form of cancer. It is so rare that they have better odds of winning the Powerball… twice. Not surprisingly, Harper became the immediate focus of Ryan and Amber’s life. They scheduled their life around doctor’s visits, chemotherapy treatments and enjoying their time with their baby girl.
When it came time to plan their wedding, they knew they needed help. Somehow worrying about the exact shade of wedding colors and planning a menu paled in comparison to their daily challenges. So they turned to The Gifted Wedding. This newly formed St. Louis organization provides dream weddings to couples faced with unique financial situations. The Gifted Wedding organizers were inspired by the Creek family’s story and set to work planning.
We were truly blown away by the entire day. The Gifted Wedding volunteers organized a celebration that truly honored Ryan, Amber and Harper’s life. They made sure every detail was perfectly done, from buses to transport the wedding party to a wine bottle guestbook to kids games on the lawn of the winery – the entire day was infused with fun and personality!
Unfortunately, just a few short weeks after Ryan and Amber were married, Harper lost her battle with cancer. While this is nothing short of a tragedy, it’s not the end of Ryan and Amber’s story. They are two of the strongest people we have ever met. They are optimistic in the face of insurmountable odds. They have a fighting spirit that continues to march on. And that’s why it’s hard to know how to tell their tale. It’s equal parts sadness and hope, and it’s important for you to know both as you get a glimpse of just one of the happiest days of their lives.
Photographer: Hawes Photography / Venue: Balducci’s Vineyards / Appetizers – Cafe Mosaic / Tent, Lighting and Linens: Crown Rental / Bridal and Flower Girl Attire: White Traditions Bridal House / Custom Stationery: Your Day Your Way Custom Stationery / Custom Wine Box/Card Box: M. Haley Design / Disc Jockey: A Touch Of Class DJs / Transportation: The Wine Wagon / Airbrush Tanning: Envy Mobile Tan / Digital Photobooth: PhotoboothStL / Videography: Milestone Productions / Bridal Accessories: Jenny Present Custom Jewelry / Dessert Bar: Augusta 4H Club / Favors: Bunny Cakes StL Custom Cakes and Desserts / Florist: Windy Hill Cut Flower Farm / Centerpieces + Decor: Hillermann Nursery and Florist + Fahr Greenhouses, Inc. / Bride and Groom Accommodations: Hermann Hill Bed and Breakfast / Flower Girl Gifts: Build-A-Bear Workshop