Missouri Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

A Wedding Planner’s Classic And Timeless Wedding With Subtle Stripe Detailing

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Green, white, light blue, and pink.

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As a professional wedding planner, I have seen it all! I wanted my wedding to be classy and elegant with a reception that reflected my personal style (without overdoing it). I wasn’t as worried about every corner having something going on, instead I wanted to showcase smaller details that felt special and unique to me. For instance, I love stripes, so I had a blue, green, and white painted dance floor. I also incorporated subtle stripes into our invitation suite. I’m very particular about color, so I chose custom paint colors for the bars that I designed for our reception. I wanted to make sure the dining room looked utterly warm, inviting, and classic and yet unlike any other that I had designed before for my clients. My top priorities were creating a reception space that was pretty and also comfortable for all my guests. As an event planner, I believe you should never have a sea of rounds in a space. Instead, I wanted to incorporate various types of seating: including banquette wall seating, longs, and rounds with different linen patterns and napkin designs to give dimension to the room and make each table feel unique.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]

We love to travel as a couple. While we were on a family vacation in Aspen with William’s family, he proposed to us on the top of Aspen Mountain! Right after the proposal, I found out that my whole family had traveled there as well, so we could all celebrate the moment together. We had an incredible trip that I’ll never forget.

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All I knew going into the process was that I wanted a slim, fitted silhouette. After trying on many options at Warren Barrón Bridal in Dallas, it came down to two gowns. Ultimately, I ended up choosing a Monique Lhuillier because it felt more classic and timeless. My gown had a removable Watteau train off the back that photographed beautifully and made for a dramatic walk down the aisle. The shoulder straps on my gown were also removable. I took them off at the reception to give my arms more range of motion for dancing. Speaking of dancing, I knew I wanted a second short white dress as well. I picked out a strapless Safiyaa mini-dress with a fun feather hem. As much as I loved my wedding gown, changing into something shorter midway through the dancing felt great. My best friend helped me change, and we came out wearing costume wigs (mine in pink) for the reveal. As we entered the reception, a variety of crazy wigs were handed out, along with fun sunglasses. Our guests loved it! Everyone has more fun with a wig on! My “something blue” was a pair of diamond and sapphire earrings by our family jeweler, Genovese Jewelers. And my “something borrowed” was a diamond necklace and bracelet set from my mother, also by Genovese. For the rehearsal dinner, I also wanted the green color scheme to kick off the weekend. I found an incredible green and white floral satin gown by Rodarte that had a high neckline and a cape off the back. When I saw it, I knew it would be the perfect dress for my rehearsal dinner. I paired it with some gorgeous diamond and emerald hoop earrings from Genovese Jewelers. My sister and best friend (my two matrons of honor) also wore green dresses that night.

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I didn’t want a huge wedding party, so I chose to have just my sister and my best friend as my bridesmaids/Matrons of Honor. I picked a full-length statement dress in green and white floral from Emilia Wickstead, a designer I love. I wanted my bridesmaids to feel beautiful, special, and comfortable. The dress not only matched the wedding colors but also provided a timeless and elegant look that my bridesmaids could potentially wear again for other formal occasions. We had three precious flower girls at the wedding party, including my goddaughter and William’s two nieces. They wore white batiste cotton dresses by Pieces by Tam. I loved the old-fashioned styling with delicate French lace and ribbons. They had so much fun twirling and dancing in their fancy dresses!

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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

Our wedding’s dress code was black-tie so all the male guests wore tuxes. William wore a midnight blue tuxedo with a black satin lapel and a black tie.

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We passed Texas ranch waters to guests on arrival as a nod to William’s Texas roots. We chose not to have signature drinks because, as a wedding planner, I always see guests only take a few sips before heading to the bar to get what they actually want to drink. We hosted a full bar so our guests could order any cocktail that they enjoyed! Our reception was held at my hometown country club where I grew up going with my family, Old Warson Country Club. We hosted a seated dinner, starting with my favorite — tomato and mozzarella salad. Our entrée was a short rib and shrimp. When it was time to dance with my favorite wedding band, Jessie’s Girls, we passed espresso martinis for a caffeine kick.

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

As a professional event planner, I knew what vendors I wanted to work with for our wedding. I felt so honored to have jackson durham at the helm of the floral design. I knew they would understand my vision and execute everything with beauty and taste. We kept things very classic and all white for the ceremony and my personal flowers. But for the reception, Jackson Durham infused the design with bright pinks and coral tones which looked beautiful set against the linens in green, white, and light blue. Another special detail was how they used a variety of containers for the flowers on each table, including silver trays and vintage silver vases in different styles and sizes. Combined with the various different linens, each table had its own look, and the overall look had a personalized, home wedding feel.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]I didn’t want a traditional wedding cake so we went with a pale green tiered cake with sugar flowers. We had a white-on-white cake with raspberry filling and delicious cream cheese icing. We toasted our cake cutting with champagne in two large sterling goblets that belong to my family and have been used at many other family weddings. [/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

Our first dance was set to “All Your’n” by Tyler Childress. William nailed the dip at the end. It was such a celebratory moment! We were so ready to party! We were honored to have Jessie’s Girls, one of my very favorite bands, play for three hours solid.

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As a wedding planner, I know how important it is to have the best photography. After all that planning, you want to have the pictures to remember it all by. Liz Banfield is one of my all-time favorite vendors in the wedding industry! I’ve worked with her many times professionally and have come to rely on her ability to make everyone feel at ease and comfortable. Liz’s ability to capture the genuine personality of each client is a testament to her skill and dedication to her craft. Liz was not only our wedding photographer but someone we will always call our friend!

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My dad surprised me with a fireworks display midway through the reception. Having fireworks was so special and something I had always wanted. William and I watched in awe with all our guests from the lawn next to our tent. Since I was doing double duty as bride and wedding planner, I still can’t believe my dad was able to pull off the surprise without me knowing.

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The printed invitation suite by Carly Creative Co was an absolute dream, setting the tone for the whole event. Like the whole wedding, it was classic and yet unique and personalized. She even managed to include stripes, my favorite. Carly is one of my top invitation designers for my clients, and it was fun to be the bride in the creative process. At the end of the night, we sent guests home with extra wedding cake beautifully boxed up. As a rule, I think wedding favors can often be a waste of money, but everyone loves a little sweet snack for later. I’ve seen a lot of exit cars in my days as a wedding planner so I wanted something a little different. Following a celebratory exit with a colorful confetti bomb, we took off in bight blue Moke America golf cart. We didn’t have to drive far to my parent’s house, where we hosted the after-party late (late!) into the night.

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Liz Banfield

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Elegant & Classic St. Louis Wedding Day With Incredible DIY Details

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Sara and Sam chose a classic black and white color scheme for their formal affair, with gold accents! Their wedding party wore black, while Sara used white and gold for their decor! For their stationary and signage (which she designed and DIYed herself!), she chose white with elegant gold calligraphy. They used the ballroom at the Missouri Athletic Club for both their ceremony and reception! The space has darker accent colors, so the white tablecloths and modern gold touches really stood out and created a beautiful contrast!

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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

From the bride… “We wanted our wedding to stand the test of time and to never go out of style. The feeling you get when you look at your parents or grandparents’ wedding album is how we wanted it to feel looking through ours. Almost an old charm & nostalgic feel would be the best way to describe it. Design-wise, I am *obsessed* with the royals and wanted it also to feel very regal and grand. So, having the personalizations from the drink toppers pre-ceremony, to the runner and newspapers during the ceremony, to all of the kids walking down the aisle, to the personalized menus… we wanted everyone to feel that they were important on our day too.” Sara made sure the design was cohesive throughout their entire day! Their wedding monogram made every detail feel thoughtful and intentional. So many elements were customized for each guest, which was so special! Sara and Sam went above and beyond to make sure every guest felt welcomed and appreciated in their celebration. A moment Sara had envisioned was Sam seeing her for the first time, walking down the aisle! However, they also loved the idea of a first look – seeing each other in a more intimate setting and being able to spend more of the day together! So, that morning, Sam waited at the alter and turned around to see Sara for the first time walking down the aisle – just the two of them. This was such a sweet moment! We then captured photos of them in the ballroom with their wedding party! Sara had envisioned formal, seated portraits, which turned out beautifully in front of the mirrored backdrop at the MAC. We then went to the St Louis Central Library for more informal, candid portraits! The library has such beautiful architecture that it feels cohesive with its beautiful, historic wedding venue. While the library has historic architecture, it also has a more modern feel with the St. Louis city skyline in the background.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]

“Sam’s family has been taking annual summer vacations to Grand Haven, Michigan since his mother was little. It was a very serious thing to be invited on the family trip so when I got the invite one year in – I was ecstatic. We went and we both felt like that was truly a turning point in our relationship. Spending a week with such a large family can be intimidating but I loved every second of it and it gave us that glimpse of what our future would look like together. Another year later, on our trip to Grand Haven… we went to dinner with Sam’s twin brother and his wife. While this dinner was happening, our families were setting to the proposal site on the beach. Little did I know, my mom drove 7 hours!! And I had no idea. We all decided to walk to the lighthouse after dinner until we reached an umbrella with a blanket covered in flowers with champagne and his aunt hiding behind a sign taking photos (lol!) It was also on the “family spot” on the beach where we always go during the day. He asked me to marry him in the most special place ever and then our families came down to the beach and his sister threw us a big family celebratory party after! It was the surprise of a lifetime and we love that we get to revisit that spot every year and relive the memories.”

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“This is funny. I envisioned tulle and large fabrics. Basically, I wanted the most outrageous and largest dress. We had set an appointment with my matron of honor, mom, mother-in-law and sister-in-law the following day at a few boutiques. But, the night before my mom and I grabbed a cocktail and there was a new-ish dress boutique, so we stopped in and they allowed me to try on a few dresses. I loved everything I tried on but my mom said the dresses were swallowing me and weren’t “my style”. I was a bit annoyed of course because I envisioned it this whole time… but my mom grabbed a dress and said “JUST TRY IT ON!!!” It was a tight, mermaid-style dress with a bustier top and puff sleeves (I always wear puff sleeves). When I tell you, getting me to take this dress off was nearly impossible. So technically my mom picked out my dress and I would have never tried it on if it weren’t for her. Trying on dresses the next day, nothing compared so I brought my mother and sister-in-law back to the store before I officially said ‘yes!’.”

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]“We originally chose a mauve color but the room had a lot of reds, purples, and golds. So, we went with black! They all picked their own dresses. A lot of them were actually vintage found here in St. Louis and in Arizona. My bridesmaids are all so incredibly different women, I wanted them to choose something that spoke to them and made them feel really good.”[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The groomsmen wore classic black tuxes! Sam’s dress shirt included a custom embroidered monogram, which cute enough, is now Sara’s monogram as well! He also had gold monogrammed cuff links. Sam gifted each groomsmen a golf ball with their photos on it which was a fun moment while they were getting ready![/field]
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“Being an evening wedding and in the winter with it getting darker earlier, we had champagne passed pre-ceremony. We wanted it to feel “adults only” even though there were a lot of kids. For our cocktail hour, we had an STL favorite – toasted ravioli. We also had spanakopita and Beef Wellington. For dinner, we served filet mignon with garlic butter, green beans and whipped potatoes. Our wedding cake was white cake with raspberry filling. Our venue handled our food and beverage and knocked it out of the park. We are still getting compliments on our food! A++”

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

“The first thing I bought when we were engaged was the custom aisle runner. We didn’t even have a venue yet haha! We used Chair Luxe for the candelabras and acrylic pedestals and the stemmed candles from Alyssa at Joyful Belle Event Services. The majority of the other items, I DIYed.” Sara used the same custom monogram from their ceremony runner for their invites and menus – all of which she designed and DIYed herself! The invitation suite was elegant and classic, perfectly matching the vision they had for their day. She designed the suite herself and then had them printed at InkSpot! Although the stationary was stunning, the most impressive DIY of the day was the florals! Sara envisioned grand and luscious florals filling the ballroom. With rising floral costs, this would have been a big feat for a florist to accommodate. Instead of minimizing her vision, she took on the project herself! She sourced white roses for her bouquet (which she wrapped with fabric embroidered with their custom monogram!) and made matching white rose bouquets for her bridesmaids. She created arrangements of roses, hydrangeas, and greenery for her ceremony and reception. Low floral arrangements lined their ceremony aisle with gorgeous, tall florals on glass vases and acrylic stands decorated with their monogram. A ribbon draped the aisle until guests entered, greeted with a glass of champagne, live music, and a ‘Newlywed Times’ newspaper on each seat listing the wedding party and details of the day. “My bridal party, mother and mother-in-law helped me with the florals. We did ALL of them. From the aisle florals, to the tall arrangements, bud vases, bouquets… all of it! I spent the year doing mock-ups and working with our local wholesaler, Harold’s. The Wednesday before the wedding, my mom and I processed them – this took about 8 hours at least. We had the basement filled with buckets of flowers until Friday morning (the day before the wedding!) and we got to work around 8 am. It took about 4 hours to get the arrangements done and then we transported them to my hotel room at the venue. I woke up on our wedding morning surrounded by white roses!”

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]“Our wedding cake was a classic cake with white cake and raspberry filling. We kept the decor pretty minimal with a few extra flowers we had!”

Sara & Sam’s wedding cake was so beautiful! It was elegant and classic while also being minimalistic and chic – a tough combination to nail but she certainly did!
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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

“Our ceremony music was amazing. We had a piano and cello duo play Bittersweet Symphony, Young and Beautiful and Golden Hour for our aisle songs. My sister-in-law read “The Alchemist”. For the reception, we all entered to “Gimme Gimme” by ABBA. Sam and I danced to “Feeling Good” by Michael Bublé. We practiced once and had a few sketchy impromptu dips that were somewhat successful.” Sara & Sam also wrote and exchanged their own vows! This was such a special moment. Each wrote their vows on booklets from the Missouri Athletic Club to be kept as a special memento from their day.

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“The children walking down the aisle. Our families are the most important thing to us and it is quite big. We had all 19 of our nieces and nephews walk down the aisle by families so our siblings could get a really good photo of their kids together dressed up. We wanted our families to be reflected big time on our day. Sam is the last of 7 of his siblings to be married, so seeing the photos of his mom that Ashley captured really told a story and tugged at my heartstrings. She raised seven really amazing kids and is the grandmother of so many. She really is the backbone of the Kersting family, so to watch her soak in the moments with her last baby was really fun to watch through the album.”

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“The pins in my bouquet were actually the pins from the bouquet at our proposal. Sam makes fun of me for keeping random trinkets from certain memories, but I always find a place to use them. I also used my great-grandmother’s brooch. A majority of the women in our family had this on the bouquets, so I am honored to carry on that tradition of such a great woman.”

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Sara is actually a jewelry consultant at Clayton Jewelers here in St Louis! So, of course, her engagement ring was absolutely stunning and reflected her personal style to a T! A special moment was her opening Sam’s present to her in the morning before she put on her dress! She knew he was gifting her her wedding band, but she had no idea what it would look like! She was so excited that morning to see what he had picked out for her. The moment she opened the box, she was so touched by how perfectly he chose a band that reflected her style and matched her ring!

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Monet Moment: A Floral-Infused Impressionistic Love Affair

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[field title=”The Inspiration”]From event planner and designer, Michlle Layman of Events by Elle:
This editorial shoot was inspired by the Impressionist master himself, Claude Monet, the signature shades of blue in Water Lilies, and the pristine white interiors of the Musée de l’Orangerie. Lovers of Monet’s work since childhood, our team was excited about designing a world where weddings and art intertwined.The vision resonated with Ashely Hotka of Good Earth Floral Design: “The blue hues of the Water Lilies series, the whimsical pastel parasols, the painterly meadows- let’s bring Monet’s works to life!” Reminiscing, photographer Claire Ryser recalls, “My late grandfather was a fine art painter, I remember playing hide and seek among his canvases and drop cloths, surrounded by oil paintings of prairies, lush river scenes, and meadows, all in the Impressionist style. It means the world to me that this team and I had a chance to bring the gardens of Monet’s village to life inside the The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.”

Sareh Nouri’s stunning Something Blue Collection was the cornerstone piece and all elements were centered around this fiercely feminine, avant-garde gown design! The Hydrangea gown truly cast a spell on us and completed our Impressionist and Avant-Garde vision.

A custom hand-painted backdrop was made specifically for this editorial by the incredible Jeremy Ellsworth to incorporate an additional fine art element. From photographer Claire Ryser: “Using a painted backdrop is another way to create a fine-art-inspired feel to your wedding day portraits. It’s also another fantastic way to incorporate your color palette consistently throughout the day’s photography.” Impressionism is having such a moment and couples will be inspired by these enchanting styles, romantic color palettes, and depictions of overflowing garden floral designs. As Monet once said, “I must have flowers, always, and always.” It’s a testament to the enduring influence of art on love and celebration. [/field]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Shades of blue and a luscious garden-inspired palette of yellow, cream, violet, rose, blush, and mauve.
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[field title=”The Venue”]After having lingered for hours through the panoramic gleaming white rooms of Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris, our photographer, Claire Ryser, knew the venue for this art-inspired editorial had to be white, bright and open. The grand foyer of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts was the perfect choice. It provided a pristine and luxurious canvas with sky-lit, soaring ceilings and an expansive glass tent-like awning, allowing the outdoors and sunlight into our imagery. The clean lines and sleek design of the all-white ballroom allowed the color and texture in the design to stand out in contrast.
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]Featuring and centered around the breathtaking Hydrangea gown from Sareh Nouri’s Something Blue Collection was an obsession for our photographer, Claire Ryser. “I couldn’t catch my breath after seeing the collection debut, and quite honestly, I became obsessed. It’s feminine, dramatic, and so avant-garde, flying in the face of the traditional all-white wedding gown. It’s perfect for a couple who wants to add a fashion-forward element to their day and wear a non-traditional yet gorgeous formal gown.” Another gown from this collection we featured is Last First Kiss, with perfectly placed blue bows dotting the back of the gown and on the sleeve. The Something Blue Collection is stunning against the gleaming venue and cascading florals. Couples wanting to add classic and timeless pops of color can also take note of the gorgeous Italian-made silk and floral heels from Something Bleu. The shoes complete the look and are an extension of the theme. Delicate heirloom pearl jewelry was our “something borrowed” here. From Claire Ryser: “I absolutely love Incorporating family heirlooms into the fashion for the day. The timelessness of vintage pieces in addition to the nostalgia is what great fashion moments are made of!”.
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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Shades of blue steal the show for this color palette, gleaning inspiration from Sareh Nouri’s “Something Blue” Collection and the breathtaking Hydrangea gown. Additionally, Good Earth Floral and Events by Elle curated everything based on a luscious garden-inspired palette by adding romantic tones of yellow, violet, rose, blush, and mauve. Much of the floral was sourced from our floral designer’s personal flower garden, making this an even more sentimental moment for our team. Our photographer, Clare Ryser says, “When I think of the famous Impressionist works, I picture sunlit meadows, serene gown-adorned women, and colorful gardens. Seeing this meadow-inspired look come to life indoors in the heart of the city brought me so much joy.”

Texture was a key consideration for floral, the dress, and especially the invitation suite.

From Good Earth Floral: “We didn’t want the florals to be tightly structured – the goal was to have the floral flow and grow upwards along the staircase at varying heights with creeping greenery and vines to really pull off an overflowing garden look. Inspired by the lighting gradients and the depth created by his brush strokes, we made intentional choices in our floral installations to play with gradient shades of blues, yellows, lavenders, and mauves. Visually heavy florals like hydrangea were nestled towards the base of the arrangement while soft dancing textures like queen Anne’s length floated up and up towards blue cloudy skies.”

Yellow Brick Graphics incorporated floral-inspired colors into the stationery for such a cohesive yet old-world feel, with monogrammed and embossed velvet invitations, delicate painted brush strokes within the textured envelope liners, silk tassels, and custom wax seals.

We added airy pops of yellow baby’s breath and hand tied satin bows to the sleek blue champagne coups as well, mixing the modern and meadow together. The essence of Impressionism, with its play of light, color, and texture really did influence every decision.
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[field title=”Favorite Design Element”]Would a Monet-inspired work be complete without a parasol? Good Earth Floral added a surprising and whimsical touch of to a traditional white parasol by adorning it with bouncy, airy, and romantic floral. From our photographer, Claire Ryser: “The flowers she selected for this reminded me of the dashed and dotted brush strokes of a painting! I’m loving non-traditional personal flowers and this parasol was probably my favorite piece!”. A basket bouquet was an absolutely darling touch to complete a fresh take on personal flowers.
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[field title=”Tips To Pull Off The Look”]The Impressionism-inspired meadowy, garden style floral isn’t solely for the countryside. Don’t be afraid to incorporate elements of cascading, climbing, and airy florals in romantic color palettes – this will soften any venue! From photographer Claire Ryser: “Impressionism is all about light and color play, seasonal floral, and giving off an air of avant-garde, non-traditional whimsy. Your stationery, shoes, gown, and personal flowers are all areas that can be used as your canvas and avenue to incorporate artful stylistic elements. [/field]
[field title=”DIY Moments”][/field]
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A Grand Affair at the Stifel Theatre in Saint Louis

If you’re the type of bride looking for something classic and romantic, then this special day is for you. Done in a palette of green and white, C & C Events coordinated pure wedding magic. Lush blooms by Magnolia Flowers add to the elegance all artfully captured in imagery by Rochelle Maples Photography. Visit the full gallery for a closer look at all the lovely.

From Rochelle Maples Photography… Ann Katherine and Devin are such a genuine pair and the love that surrounds them was felt throughout their wedding day. They had hoped for a “classic, romantic, elegant and simple” feel to their day with a focus on the true love and happiness between them as well as their families and friends. Any of their wedding guests can tell you that they achieved that feeling in a perfect and beautiful way on their big day!

From the bride… We met fall of 2017 when Devin was visiting his friends at University of Kentucky, which is where I attended college. I had apparently told his friends I thought he was cute, so Devin introduced himself to me and he ended up visiting again 2 days later! I tried to “friend zone” him but clearly, that didn’t work! In 2018 he moved to St. Louis to attend Washu Law school and I started working at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and he proposed to me in 2020!

One weekend he told me we were meeting friends on Art Hill for a picnic and to dress nice because he wanted to take pictures for Christmas. Which I thought was weird because he hates dressing up and taking pictures. We started walking over the bridge at the Grand Basin in Forest Park (which was our route we would always walk on the weekends) and he got down on his knee and asked me to marry him! Our families were hiding and popped out right after! We went to my parent’s house to celebrate, and he surprised me once again with all of our best friends in town!

Our ceremony was at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Clayton with our Reception following at the Stifel Theater. I had always dreamed of my wedding reception being in the Grand Lobby of the Stifel ever since it was renovated years ago. I have dreamt about my wedding since I was a little girl and knew the exact vision I wanted so I got straight to planning. My amazing mom helped me plan the most perfect day and thought through every detail. Devin and I had a private dinner during cocktail hour so we were able to thank everyone for coming to their dinner tables while they ate! Also, I’d like to elaborate on the fact that Devin and his family are from Kentucky and all the people that came in from out of town was humbling. Devin wanted me to have the day that I had always wished for, so he was very flexible in what the day was like to make me happy. It was the most humbling feeling having 200 people in one room that loved us just as much as we loved them.

Incredibly Chic Chinoiserie Inspired Wedding Overflowing With Flowers

Our hearts swoon for a chinoiserie-inspired wedding! Dainty details, eye-catching patterns, and personalized touches make this wedding day planned and designed by Kate & Co Events one that’s not to be missed. Watercolors from the save the date to the seating chart wow, and floral installations by Jackson Durham are nothing short of sensational. From the ceremony arch, to the floral table runner, to a floral chandelier hanging above the dance floor every inch of this wedding is lush and luxe. Clary Pfeiffer Photography captured all the dreamy details of the day in a way that only she can, get ready for endless amounts of inspiration in the full gallery. Trust us, you don’t want to miss it!

From the bride… Despite running in similar circles in high school, we did not meet until after high school graduation when our best friends, who had been dating for a couple of years, introduced us to one another. We had an immediate connection, and a few weeks later we began dating—just a couple of months before we were set to go to colleges 1,300 miles apart. A long-distance relationship is never easy, but we were lucky to have the warmth and support of our families and friends who strengthened our relationship through those four years. After college, we were finally together again in the same state. A little less than a year later, Jake proposed on no other than Star Wars Day, May 4th. We were immediately thrilled to plan a wedding with our families. We envisioned an event filled with laughter, joy, and beauty that would bring together all the people who strengthened and supported our relationship over the years. Our original plan of a large celebration with our friends and family shifted when the pandemic hit in 2020. We decided to get married in an intimate family ceremony on our original date of June 20, 2020, while postponing our large celebration to May 29, 2021, which just so happened to also be Jake’s birthday. Looking back, we wouldn’t have done it any other way. There was something so special about being married surrounded only by our immediate family, and we could not wait to renew our vows and celebrate with all our friends and family 11 months later. By the time May 2021 rolled around we had been married for almost a year and were closer than ever, which, to us, was a bigger accomplishment to celebrate than tying the knot in the first place. The extra year of planning had allowed us to think hard about what we wanted our ceremony and reception to look and feel like, and how to make it a memorable event for those attending, many of whom we hadn’t seen in over a year. The unpredictable St. Louis weather supplied us with a beautifully sunny 60-degree day, which perfectly complemented the soft pastel tones and bright smiles of the day.

As soon as we were engaged, I knew that I wanted to work with Kate & Co Events to design our special day in our hometown of St. Louis. I had been swooning over their weddings on Instagram for a couple of years, and we felt an immediate connection with Jill Perez and Kimmy Klipsch in the initial interview. Jill and Kimmy exceeded all our expectations in helping us achieve our vision, supported us and provided a sense of calmness through our shifting plans in the pandemic, and became our close friends throughout the process and even now. Jill and Kimmy helped us find the most amazing vendors for our day. The entire design of the day was a collaborative act between Kate & Co Events, Jackson Durham, Cheree Berry Paper, and my mom and me. We had so much fun planning out every single detail of our fairytale day. One of the first things I did while planning the wedding was finding my dress. We went to Stanley Korshak in Dallas, and the Anne Barge Berkeley Gown was the very first dress I tried on. As soon as I put it on, I immediately loved the elegant simplicity of the gown, the ruching in the bodice, and the off-the-shoulder detail. When I first tried it on, both my mom and dad cried and although I tried on a few more dresses, we all knew it was the one. On the day of the wedding, I wore my grandma’s sapphire ring as my something blue. She was able to watch our first ceremony via Zoom in 2020 but passed away before our celebration the following May. She was very special to me, and wearing her ring made me feel as if she was there smiling with us. Growing up, I always had a love for florals. Both my mom and grandmother were avid gardeners, so I was always surrounded by flowers. My favorite time of year was when my mom’s peony bushes bloomed, and she would fill our house with beautiful pink and white peonies. Because of this, I always knew that I wanted my bouquet and the bridesmaids’ bouquet to consist entirely of peonies. My bouquet contained all soft pink peonies, while the bridesmaids’ bouquets contained all white peonies. This love of florals played a large role in the design of the entire day, and I am forever grateful to Jackson Durham for creating such beautiful works of art with their florals. The invitation suite was one of my favorite parts of the design process and paved the way for many of the other paper details seen throughout the day. When selecting china for my registry, I was inspired by the blue tones and dainty details in the Herend Fortuna Blue and Herend Blue Garden designs. The butterflies and florals from these china patterns, as well as my love for chinoiserie and watercolors, helped Cheree Berry Paper design my invitation suite. The linen backer, platinum foil, soft tones, and embossed text beautifully combined colors and textures to create a final product that made all of my blue and white dreams come true. Our ceremony and reception took place at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri. We knew we wanted to get married on the golf course for both the beautiful scenery and to pay homage to Jake’s love of golf. During the two years between our engagement and our May 29th ceremony, Jake and I both experienced the loss of several loved ones who played large roles in our lives. We wanted to recognize them during our ceremony and did so through the rose petal aisle. This petal-filled aisle represented the footsteps of those who had walked before us. One of the most memorable moments of the day was when Jake’s mom, Julie, officiated our second ceremony and stood underneath the beautiful floral arch with us. Her words and presence personalized the ceremony in a way that no one else could. After exchanging our vows, we recessed down the rose petal aisle behind a bagpiper. The bagpiper was my dad’s idea and was another way we honored our loved ones – as the bagpiper reminded us of my grandfather. While the color scheme of the reception consisted of mainly blue and white with pops of soft pink florals, the ceremony saw some brighter tones and mainly consisted of pinks and whites. The brighter colors looked gorgeous with the bright greens on the golf course and the bright blue of the St. Louis sky. I gasped when I first saw Jackson Durham’s beautiful floral arch decorated with pink and white hydrangeas, roses, and peonies.

We wanted the cocktail hour to hint at what design elements were to come during dinner and dancing, stay cohesive with some design elements they had already seen in the invitation suite, and to also share a bit of our favorite things with our guests. The escort wall had the same image as our Save the Date — a watercolor painting of the first hole of the golf course at Bellerive. We decided to add a little butterfly detail from the invitation suite to the corner of this image and played with golf vocabulary with “Please find your seat on the dinner course” written on the escort bar. We decorated the cocktail tables with chinoiserie vases filled with light pink peonies. We also had a margarita bar with his and hers margaritas – spicy and skinny – to share with our guests our love of Mexican food and to pay homage to our time spent together in Dallas and Spain. We even had little umbrellas for the margaritas that had the same pattern as the envelope liner from our invitation suite. I loved the cocktail napkins that Cheree Berry Paper designed – “It’s been quite the siesta…Time for a little fiesta!” After all the time spent apart from one another, we were all excited to reunite and celebrate love and being with friends and family once again. This energy was definitely felt during cocktail hour and for the rest of the night. Walking into the dining room and tent for the first time, we were all overcome with so much joy and gratitude. Every detail was perfect, and we were so thankful for each one of our vendors’ hard work in making our vision come true. In the dining room, we decorated the tables with white and soft pink orchids, peonies, hydrangeas, roses, amaryllis, and stocks. The head table featured an elevated overhead runner of these florals with antique chinoiserie vases below filled with some of the most unique and beautiful orchids and ranunculus flowers I had ever seen. The florals, soft candlelight, light blue patterned tablecloth, watercolor butterfly details, and the use of our china that inspired the entire design created an absolutely stunning and romantic atmosphere down to every little personal detail. The two other long tables featured a floral runner that beautifully cascaded onto the floor. Finally, the round tables were decorated with white textured tablecloths, large chinoiserie floral vases, light blue tapered candles, and light blue patterned napkins that matched the tablecloths of the long tables. The cake was a delicious vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream frosting decorated with peonies, garden roses, and roses cascading down the side of the cake. It was just as delicious as it was beautiful. Designing the tent with Kate & Co Events and Jackson Durham was one of my favorite parts of the design process. Like the invitation suite, the tent made all of my blue and white dreams come true. Some of my favorite design elements we included in the tent were the beautiful pale blue banquettes, Gracie chinoiserie panels that I would love to have in my own home one day, and two white treillage bars with pale blue inserts. However, the focal point of the tent, the gorgeous floral ring hanging above the center of the dance floor, was my favorite part of the tent. Dancing under this ring with Jake, my dad, and all our friends and family is a memory I will cherish forever. Another favorite detail that we had in the tent was cocktail napkins with a watercolor painting of our Mini Aussie, Obi, that said “Obi says it’s time to pawty.” Obi was featured in our vows and in many of our friends and family’s speeches, so having him show up again during dancing, if even on a little napkin, just felt right. My dad was very involved in the wedding planning process and wanted to be included in all of the big decisions of the day. With this, came several exciting “dad surprises.” One of these was the glittering firework show after our first dance. My dad was born on the Fourth of July, so he has an innate love of fireworks that he shared with all of us growing up and on this day. Watching these fireworks surrounded by our friends and family made our hearts boom and feel as large and as full as the fireworks. After dancing the night away and enjoying some late-night snacks of our favorite guilty pleasures – pizza and French fries – it was time for the night to come to an end. We sang happy birthday to Jake and then exited to the cheers of our friends and families tossing the same rose petals from our ceremony. We went off into the night in a vintage Rolls Royce, the same car that my parents exited in on their wedding day. There was a long time between our engagement and our big celebration, with an intimate ceremony in between, but Clary Pfeiffer Photography was there with us through it all. She finds beauty in all of life’s moments and her photographs elicit a type of softness and elegance that make you feel the love that was felt in those moments. Looking through her photographs is like reliving and re-feeling all the emotions of our two favorite days. Clary and Travis are truly wonderful people, and we are beyond grateful for them both.

Get Inspired By The Sentimental Details of This Couple’s Vintage Yet Modern Nuptials!

We love a vintage touch – especially when mixed with subtle contemporary elements and meaningful DIY details! The couple contrasted the modern feel of their venue, Slate, with Charleston-inspired charm – a city close to the couple’s hearts! They blended the ambiance of two cities with an escort display of vintage St. Louis postcards, an antique cake table, and celebrated their shared love for music with a Taylor Swift quote! The couple captured their romantic day with a photo-booth, florals by Olive And Gene Weddings, all set with props from our Shop – such as our most popular backdrop banner! See all the special and sentimental moments of this day, planned by Olive And Gene Weddings in the full gallery from Sarah Harvey!

From The Bride… I am a fine art film wedding photographer, so I was so excited when my now husband proposed and we could start planning our own wedding day! It was so fun planning our day alongside vendors who are also friends! Our photographer was a bridesmaid and my hair and makeup artist was my maid of honor.

We wanted the design for our wedding to feel very romantic and whimsical with pops of color (slate blue, blush pink, and mauve) and vintage touches. We wanted a more modern venue, so I loved the idea of bringing an organic garden-inspired vision to a more modern setting! I lived in Charleston, South Carolina when we first started dating, so I wanted to include the kind of colorful, vintage charm that has always inspired me in Charleston! We also wanted a modern city feel that represents St Louis. However, we were on a budget.

One of my favorite details was the vintage St Louis postcards we used for the escort card board. We love antique shopping, so this was a great budget-friendly way to include a detail that was also personal to us. We visited antique shops all over St Louis for a year to find vintage cards perfect for each guest. We hand-tied silk ribbon to each postcard and hung it on a board hand-crafted by our now brother-in-law! Guests then got to keep the postcard as a keepsake from the day.

We alternated the cards on the board so that you could see both the beautiful images on the front, and the writing the cards have on the back from the original senders! Some of the cards were over 100 years old.

The table we used for the cake was also a vintage find! We now have the table in our living room. This is now such a special piece that we have in our home, and was a great way to add to the design of our reception while staying on budget!

We kept the guest list very small and intimate. We had 80 guests! This made the day so special, and more budget-friendly.

Instead of hiring a photo booth, we had polaroid cameras complete with a Style Me Pretty backdrop and Style Me Pretty props! We also skipped a DJ and made our own playlists on Spotify. We borrowed disco balls from a local dj company for reception lighting! All of these choices helped with our budget and made for the most fun party!

We included romantic, vintage details throughout the day from our stationary on handmade paper, to our cake with delicate sugar flowers and handwritten calligraphy. We love Taylor Swift, so the quote ‘you and me forevermore’ was a nod to our shared love of music.

We wanted to also include our pets (a cat and dog) so we had custom napkins made with illustrations of them, and I gifted Brian custom cat and dog cuff links on the day to wear with his tux!

We also wanted to include special touches in memory of my grandparents who passed away that year. The necklace I wore was the stone from my grandma’s wedding ring, and I had it set with a chain of hers as well.

Our stationery designer was amazing at working within our budget! She created a full keepsake suite for us to have, and then we mailed out just the invitation and details card to guests. For some of the reception signage, she created the digital designs, and then I printed them myself on handmade paper I bought off of Etsy. This was a great way to make sure everything felt cohesive and was also within our budget!

Our florist (and coordinator!) was also so accommodating to our budget. We went with organic, petite bridesmaid bouquets with snapdragons and blush roses to compliment my bouquet. She created low, organic centerpieces for every other table. For other tables, she used simple florals in bud vases surrounded by candles.

For my gown, I knew I loved Leanne Marshall. I was lucky enough to find one of her beautiful gowns off of the rack after taking a road trip to Bride KC, hoping to find one of her gowns at a discounted price there. I then had the gown altered to better fit me which is why the top is customized!

Overall, we wanted our wedding day really to represent what is special to us vs. leaning on the more traditional side of things! For example, we had tacos served for dinner and margaritas as our signature cocktail! We absolutely love how everything came together, and I feel so lucky to have so many incredible friends as vendors who helped make the day possible!

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Classic St. Louis Wedding at Graham Chapel with Private Home Reception

Every wedding starts with a good proposal story, whether a casual at-home nestled-in-bed kind of proposal or flash mob-style. Today’s is surprisingly sweet and made possible thanks to the Bride’s brother. Have a read below while you peruse the resulting at-home fete, planned by Absolutely IN! Events. Dressed in the loveliest classic black and white details, Brett Heidebrecht and Pen Weddings captured the full day!

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On a serendipitous sailing adventure with friends in Croatia, Nicole met the man who would become her future husband Dan. “We had several mutual friends but had never met each other prior to the trip,” Nicole says. “It was definitely ‘interest’ at first sight!”

Dan, a St. Louis native, and Nicole, from Dallas, kept in touch and began dating shortly after the Croatian vacation. The couple eventually moved together to Chicago in 2016. And soon, Dan was conspiring with Nicole’s brother, Aaron Wilkinson, to plan a surprise proposal. “Dan was out of town at a bachelor party in Nashville,” Nicole says. “It was my birthday weekend, so my brother flew up from Houston to stay with me while Dan was gone.”

Little did Nicole know, the proposal plan was in motion. “My brother was in on the whole thing,” Nicole says. “Dan was supposed to fly back Sunday night from Nashville, so Sunday morning my brother and I went out for a walk, and my brother suggested we go to Washington Square Park to take some pictures.”

As the siblings arrived at the park, there was Dan, sitting on a bench with all of his luggage. “He had flown in early that morning to surprise me,” Nicole says. “As soon as I saw him, I knew what was going to happen. He had a very nice speech, and my brother was there to take lots of pictures throughout the proposal. To add to the surprise, when we got back to our place, Dan had flown in all of our parents to celebrate with us!”

When it was time to put together their big day, it was only natural for the pair to coordinate the nuptials around their beloved family. “We wanted the overall vibe to be relaxed and fun and very family-centric,” Nicole says. To ensure they were surrounded by family during the wedding, Nicole’s brother, Aaron, who had played such a pivotal part in the proposal, officiated the ceremony, and the reception was hosted at Dan’s parents’ home in Glendale. “We also made sure we had time to enjoy the full cocktail hour, so we had the chance to visit with family and friends,” Nicole adds. Nicole’s most cherished moment of the big day was her time on the dance floor with her dad, Barry Wilkinson. “We started off with a very traditional dance to Frank Sinatra’s ‘The Way You Look Tonight,’ then busted out the dance moves with upbeat music to surprise the guests!” Nicole says. “We practiced the dance for months and kept it a secret from everyone.”

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A Peony Lovers Dream Wedding Celebration at the St. Louis Art Museum

This is a wedding that will warm your heart and wow you in one fell swoop. Stephanie and Mitch were married this past June and celebrated the day at the historic St. Louis Art Museum. This stunning venue has it all: tall ceilings, white walls, beautiful art, and views that will take your breath away. The couple’s wedding day vision was soft, feminine and sweet, yet classic and elegant. Kristin Ashley Events and Poppies Design Studio helped achieve the dream and Mike Cassimatis was there to take it all in. We’re delighted to share the beauty, today!

To set the tone for Stephanie and Mitch’s classic wedding, a custom monogram was crafted by award-winning stationery designer, Cheree Berry, and it was carried throughout the entire wedding day.

A little rain the morning of the wedding day couldn’t dampen this couple’s spirits. The skies cleared right before the ceremony, leaving behind rainbows and sunny skies, which made for perfect photos.

Following the ceremony, guests were greeted to an outdoor patio cocktail hour accompanied by a signature drink “The Stitch” (margarita mixed with beer). With guests coming in from across the country, they wanted to ensure one heck of a party with lots of ‘Ooh!’ and ‘Ahh!’ moments.

From the very first design meeting with planner Kristin Ashley Events, a Southern-Living flair arose with linen fabrics, assorted styles of chairs, silver flatware, and mixed-metal accents.

Spectacular florals from Poppies Design Studio set the tone before guests even entered the venue. And romance dripped from every last detail with a gorgeous soft pink, ivory, and mixed-metal color palette along with touches of natural greenery. The wedding reception was unforgettable with florals dangling above an X-shaped head table.

Hundreds of peonies, tapered candles, silk ribbon and the tablescape was filled with touches of gold lining the glassware, paper goods, and the wedding cake. But the real star of the day was the couple, whose love for one another could only be matched by the love from their 230 friends and family joining them for this special day.

Stephanie and Mitch wanted to be sure that everyone left happy and full! Each guest got a little taste of St. Louis with local, late night treats. As they nibbled on sweet and savory snacks, guests danced the night away. It was truly an unforgettable day and couple.

Cheers to the New Year With This Glamorous Wedding Film

What better way to wrap up 2017 and ring in 2018 than with a toast to crazy glamorous weddings like this one here!? Add in gorgeous details (thank you Simple Elegance, LLC) and a couple that have known each other since junior high and it’s almost too good to be true. But Creative Films captured it all so we know this is the real deal – from the beautiful Bride getting ready to the end of the night countdown! Pour that champagne and let’s cheers to celebrations like this and many more to come!

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From Creative Films… Wow – what a way bring in a new year with this beautiful couple and their family and friends. I don’t want their amazing story to get lost in the glamour and stunning details of their day because it is one of the sweetest stories I have heard. They met in junior high and grew up together in the Greek Church. This day was FULL of meaningful moments of family and friends and sharing of history and tradition, from the locket with Marina’s grandparents photos that was brought from Greece to the wonderful dancing that filled the Intercontinental Ballroom all night long! This was the 5th wedding that we have shot for this large family and we are truly honored to be asked back to preserve this day for Marina and Conner.

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Pnina Tornai

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Sorella Vita

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Nothing Could Stop This Adorable Couple From Saying “I Do”

You’d never know from Heather Roth Fine Art Photography‘s images that this was not Plan A. Or even Plan B! After a few hurdles that morning (thank you, Mother Nature), Kristin Ashley Weddings and Events whipped out Plan C – and it turned out perfect. From the first look through the last dance, this St. Louis wedding was absolutely beautiful – and so full of love.

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From Kristina Ashley Weddings and Events… How many times do you hear, “When it rains it pours”? Well, it poured for this April 29th wedding in the historic, beautiful heart of St. Louis. With a guest count of 250 guests and no room for a back up plan, we moved our Plan A to B to then C. It made for one crazy wet day, but the soggy weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of the love-struck couple!

Stephanie and Bradford took the chance with the unpredictable Midwest weather by getting married at one of St. Louis’ most iconic outdoor venues in Forest Park: The World’s Fair Pavilion. The Jewish ceremony was officiated by the Bride’s brothers and was as memorable and heartfelt as it was truly hilarious! Tears flowed throughout the ceremony in laughter and joy.

Family is incredibly important to the couple, and they wanted to honor one of the most important guests – the Bride’s mother, who was watching down on the special day from heaven – in a subtle yet significant way. They chose her mother’s favorite color, purple, as an accent color throughout their decor so she could be present throughout her daughter’s big day.

A photo that still gives us chill-bumps is of the couple holding hands around a column just before their first look. The Bride recalls: “Seconds before our first look, Bradford took my hand, and in that instant, I felt the exact same electric shock go through my body that I did the first time we shook hands when we met. My heart exploded, and I knew it was going to be a perfect day!”

Although the rain poured down, guests couldn’t be bothered because they were having so much fun at the reception. Stephanie and Bradford both work in the liquor/wine/beer industry, so unique elements like a dedicated Bourbon Bar, Bubble Bar, signature cocktails, and a Cigar Bar were absolutely in order! Romance, texture, love, and laughter abounded at this truly unforgettable wedding.

An Anniversary Shoot With Sweet Kisses, Beautiful Blooms And…. Turkeys!?

I dare you to find an anniversary shoot I don’t go gaga over. But find one that I totally, wholeheartedly adore, as in can’t stop talking about for days? That’s a bit more of a challenge but… you’re in luck because here we are! This shoot by Laura Ann Miller has me all heart eyed – and looking at turkeys in a whole new light. The icing on the cake? We even have a clip from LAM Cinema of it all. Happy Thursday indeed!

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From Laura Ann Miller… These two lovebirds celebrated their wedding anniversary on a farm in Missouri, and it was pure springtime magic. They reminisced the past couple of years of marriage, and stole sweet kisses underneath the blooming trees. It was the perfect anniversary date! Not to mention, their session got photo bombed by a few turkeys – and no one was mad about that! So much fun!! They ended their date as any couple should, with a picnic and bubbly!

The All-Inclusive Venue You HAVE to Meet

If you’re worried that choosing an all-inclusive venue will send you down the path to a cookie cutter wedding: don’t be. Trust us – you can have that glam celebration you’ve always wanted with all of the convenience an all-in-one location has to offer. Need proof? Check out The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center – they can handle it all.

Choosing an all-inclusive venue doesn’t have to mean giving up higher-end options like high-quality invitations, gorgeous linens and stunning table settings. With Hallmark Weddings at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center, you’ll be working with a team of talented wedding pros that know how to handle everything, right down to setting up room blocks for all of your loved ones. We’re super impressed with their unique wedding packages – which start with a luxe venue of your choosing and touch on everything from customized menus to makeup + salon time to invites from the Halls Department Store.

Wedding planning shouldn’t be stressful. So if you find yourself struggling with finding the right florist or musician, need help with choosing the perfect pre-wedding event outfits or just want to make sure your guests are completely taken care of, contact The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center to talk all things Hallmark Weddings. You’ll even earn perks on every guest room booked.

This Is the Cutest Engagement Session to Usher in Your Long Weekend

From the retro bikini and the sweetest ice cream shop to these two cuties cuddling in the cab of their vintage GMC, this engagement session is an ode to the best things about summer. And we promise, this is indeed a real couple, not a scene from a movie. So before you head into your long weekend, take a moment to soak in this sweet gallery by Erin Stubblefield Weddings + Portraiture and Ready Set Swoon.

From Erin Stubblefield Weddings + Portraiture… Like a scene straight out of a Nicholas Sparks movie, Amanda and Nick’s engagement session captures the quiet romance of summertime in small-town Missouri. On a hot summer weekend in July, the two made their way around Steelville nestled in the cab of a vintage GMC. Between the cutest local ice cream parlor and tree-lined dirt roads, Amanda and Nick shared stories and laughs (and of course, a few bites of ice cream!). The day ended at a secluded swimming hole off of the Meramec River. The couple lounged on the riverbank and waded in the crisp water until the sun began to set. As the engagement session concluded, we listened to Amanda and Nick tell us their sweet love story and plans for the future. The conversation was sincerely comfortable and inviting, much like the hidden gem of a town located inside the heart of Missouri.

Photography: Erin Stubblefield Weddings And Portraiture | Design + Styling: Megan Ellis | Hair + Makeup: Savanah Summer | Location: Dairy Isle

Your Key To the Perfect Bridal Shower or Bachelorette Party Weekend

Sure, wedding planning is time-consuming, but don’t let all of those other all-too-important events fall to the wayside. Your bridal shower, bachelorette party and honeymoon are meant to be awesome, and that means throwing on your best heels and finding a space that will totally accommodate you and the ones you love. Get inspired (and find the perfect locale) below.

Finding the ultimate spot to host all of those “other” events may seem a little daunting, but The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center makes it sooo easy with oversized rooms that are totally luxurious AND undergoing a fab renovation that will be completed in 2018. Yep, your fave hotel in Crown Center will be even better, with plenty of space for hosting that bridal shower or bachelorette party. We’re obsessed with their convenient locale for any last-minute shopping and their easy access to airport travel. Not to mention their Bridal Suites are perfect for morning-of festivities, so you can relax with your besties before you walk down the aisle. (Champagne optional.)

When it comes to making it simple for you and your guests, The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center most definitely delivers. Host your entire wedding weekend at the hotel, or set aside room blocks for your off-site celebration. Trust us, you’ll love the beautiful rooms (we mentioned they were renovated, right?) and easy access to dining, shopping and nightlife. Oh, and don’t forget your honeymoon and check out the romantic suites with stunning views.

Contact The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center today to guarantee that every last part of your celebration is in place.

9 Wedding Locations You Havent Heard About Yet

We know that finding the perfect wedding venue isn’t always easy, especially if you’re looking for something that totally speaks to you and yours. So today we’re running through a list of nine (yes, NINE) fab venues we absolutely love, so you can find that dream locale. Scroll for some hidden gems you haven’t even heard of.

THE ST. REGIS WASHINGTON, D.C.

Why we love it: Just steps from the White House, The St. Regis Washington, D.C. is the perfect mix of luxe accommodations and upscale wedding offerings – all with a dash of historical charm. You can opt for a cocktail hour in the Italianate revival lobby, or celebrate your “I do’s” in the Astor Ballroom with its hand-stenciled ceiling (an original 1926 decorative feature) and Palladian windows overlooking The Astor Terrace. This place is beautiful, you guys – and it’s no wonder it continues to be named the “Best Hotel for Small Weddings” by Washington Magazine. It’s just that good.

What you can’t miss: The Astor Terrace. Perfect for ceremonies OR receptions, this gem of an outdoor space features a dreamy fountain. Need we say more?

W SCOTTSDALE

Why we love it: Located smack-dab in the middle of Scottsdale’s Entertainment District, W Scottsdale is every modern lovin’ bride’s dream. Think totally chic contemporary spaces (both indoor and outdoor) perfect for celebrating your Big Day, plus amazing accommodations that will make your entire wedding weekend.

What you can’t miss: Their fab W Insider service. It’s concierge plus some with everything you’ll ever need just a push of a button away. Whatever you want, whenever you want it.

LE MÉRIDIEN DELFINA SANTA MONICA

Why we love it: Situated just three blocks from the ocean with great access and breathtaking views, plus offering up some awesome amenities for guests (hey there, Bicycle Programme), Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica seamlessly combines a glam spot to say “I do” with all of that laid-back Southern Cali charm we love so much. We’re obsessed with their Pool Terrace receptions, not to mention their chef-inspired catering menus and views of the Pacific Ocean.

What you can’t miss: Their venues. From the Delfina Ballroom to the Terrazza Garden, Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica has you covered when it comes to celebrating in style.

HOTEL COLONNADE CORAL GABLES, A TRIBUTE PORTFOLIO HOTEL

Why we love it: Ideal for those travel lovers who want to say “I do” in complete luxury, the Hotel Colonnade Coral Gables has elegant weddings (and accommodations) down to an absolute science. From their 23,000 square feet of event space to their gorgeous venue options (hello, marble-tiled rotunda) to their talented staff that knows everything there is to know about throwing the perfect wedding, you’ll most definitely be making a statement.

What you can’t miss: Their Make a Green Choice Program. Guests receive a $5 food credit or 500 SPG points just for making the choice to conserve natural resources in their room. We love that.

THE WESTIN CHICAGO NORTHWEST

Why we love it: It’s hard not to fall in love with a setting as pretty as Hamilton Lake and when you add in a climate-controlled tent and fully-renovated guest rooms, you have yourselves one of the prettiest wedding locales in all of Chicago. Plus, the Westin Chicago Northwest also offers up a plethora of indoor + outdoor venue options, customizable menus AND your very own wedding specialist.

What you can’t miss: Their 24-hour room service. (Enough said.)

SHERATON SAN DIEGO HOTEL & MARINA

Why we love it: You honestly can’t go wrong with a San Diego wedding, and the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is the epitome of a perfect SoCal soiree with a gorgeous seaside location and deluxe amenities. Now add in a stunning garden ceremony spot (with marina views) and indoor venue options that are just as cool and you have the perfect place to say “I do.”

What you can’t miss: The Culinary team. They’ve been named “Best Caterer” by San Diego Magazine for 15 years running. Yum.

THE EQUINOX, A LUXURY COLLECTION GOLF RESORT & SPA, VERMONT

Why we love it: You know we can never get enough of Vermont weddings and if you’re looking for the perfect destination spot: this is it. From their three unique venues (Pond Pavilion, Colonnade Ballroom and Meadow House) to the amazing views of the Equinox Mountain and the Taconic Mountain Ridge, The Equinox Resort has everything you’ll ever need for that dream wedding… AND can accommodate anywhere from 80 to 250 guests.

What you can’t miss: The activities. This four-season resort offers up a world of fun-filled adventures, from golfing to skiing to fishing to snowshoeing – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

THE ST. ANTHONY, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, SAN ANTONIO

Why we love it: Four words: Open-air rooftop ballroom. Yep, you can literally dance the night away under the stars. Plus, the St. Anthony has been hosting weddings for over a century, so you know you’re in good hands with their talented staff of event professionals. From their gorgeous rooms to their convenient downtown locale, you won’t be missing a thing.

What you can’t miss: The details. From crystal chandeliers to a winding staircase to theatrical lighting and a 19th Century French tapestry, get ready for some non-stop oohing and ahhing.

THE WESTIN GALLERIA & OAKS HOUSTON

Why we love it: If you’re having a celebration with a lot of out-of-town guests, you can’t pick a locale better than the Westin Galleria & Oaks Houston. Its Uptown location paired with its amazing guest amenities and reception space for up to 1,000 makes it the ideal location for those looking to explore the Galleria neighborhood of Houston. Think shopping, dining and spa-ing the days away. It’s perfect.

What you can’t miss: The Monarch Ballroom. With floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the city, this 24th floor gem is a reception dreamland.

Visit SPG Weddings to find out even more about these hidden gems AND all of the amazing perks of having an SPG Wedding. You can thank us later, friends.

Looking for a unique space to tie the knot? We found it.

Let’s be honest, no one wants a cookie cutter wedding. But if finding a venue that is the perfect mix of luxe accommodations and totally unique wedding space has left you a little frustrated, we’re here to help. Because today we’re hosting a little meet and greet with The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center, a hotel that has everything you’re searching for. Find your dream space below.

Situated in the center of downtown Kansas City, The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center is the type of venue that just makes sense. Surrounded by Hallmark’s Crown Center and more than 85 acres of fabulous shopping, yummy restaurants and entertaining theaters, it’s the perfect spot to spend a weekend with your nearest and dearest, celebrating your big moment. But what really stands out about The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center is the amazing venue options. From sophisticated ballrooms, to the gorgeous panoramic views from The American, to the elegant rooftop locale known as the Games Deck, each venue will truly stun your guests. Which means saying goodbye to a generic, cookie-cutter wedding and hello to an awe-inspiring soiree for the ages. Just like you want.

Ready to host the wedding of the century at a hotel that knows everything there is to know about glamorous nuptials that are as unique as you and your love? Contact The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center today to start planning your dream day. With a talented team of wedding specialists, an amazing downtown location and accommodations that are the definition of luxurious, you honestly can’t go wrong. Oh, and don’t forget to ask about their Hallmark Wedding Packages, because, well… they’re awesome. Happy planning, loves!

How to Pull Off Summer Wedding Glamour in St. Louis

There’s no better place to pull off glamour than the city. And when said city is St. Louis, it’s time to layer on the loads of sparkle like this fete planned by Kristin Ashley Events. From the Bride’s oh-so-twirly mermaid dress to glittering tables set in La Tavola Linens, there’s no denying this day is packed with pretty. See more captured by Waldron Photography over in the full gallery!

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The proposal… Pat was a nervous wreck. Lisa wound up with a bad cold so getting her out of the house to go to lunch proved to be a much harder task than normal. Thank goodness for Starbucks! And just like that, off we were for a lunch date in Forest Park (where we had our first date) and then a walk with our beloved pup Gunner- one of Lisa’s favorite things to do. We sat on the patio for a quick lunch and then went on a walk. And then we started strolling hand in hand talking about… Life. Soon we turned a corner near a grassy area and Pat pulled Lisa aside and immediately got down on one knee, told her how it all started here at the boat house and he always knew she was the one… Then he asked her to spend forever with him and asked her to marry him.

(A friend from Lisa’s work later popped out of the bushes. I (Lisa) never wanted a proposal photo shoot and always wanted a very private proposal but thought it may be nice to have to have a picture one day of him down on one knee… So he arranged for this photographer-friend to hide out & grab a few shots. It was perfect. I never knew we was there until we were walking back to the car. The pictures we have are priceless)

Later that night Pat set up a very small, intimate engagement party for us with our immediate family members at our favorite neighborhood Italian joint. It was exactly what I wanted. The perfect cap to a spectacular day. Tell us about your beautiful engagement ring and how/why your husband (or the two of you!) chose it.

Pat designed the ring with the help of our jeweler Rich at Genovese Jewelers. I’m fairly sentimental and always loved my mom’s marquise diamond yet liked the look of an oval engagement ring. So with two completely different concepts, he worked with Rich to create a ring that gave me both. My center diamond is actually a marquise in an oval setting. Equal parts me and sentimental value. I never saw it until he proposed and was completely blown away… Not to mention emotional. My mom’s my best friend and my parents have been married for 37 years. It’s a nice tradition to hold on to.

Meet Your One-Stop Shop for the Wedding of a Lifetime (Hint: It’s Amazing)

We all know Hallmark as THE place to go for greeting cards + gifts for every occasion. But take Hallmark’s knack for making every moment special and combine it with The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center and the results are pure magic. We’re talking beyond luxurious details, amazing accommodations and an all-inclusive wedding destination in Kansas City. This, loves, is how you say “I do” in style. Scroll to learn so much more about Hallmark Weddings.

When it comes to planning your Big Day, narrowing down the perfect venue isn’t always easy. Until now. That’s because with Hallmark Weddings at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center, you can host your engagement party, rehearsal dinner, ceremony AND reception all in the same locale. Which means saying “goodbye” to a year of stressful planning and “hello” to an easy, streamlined experience with Hallmark’s Wedding Specialists. Think totally unique celebration packages with everything from customized menus, makeup + salon services, spa time and wedding registry + invitations provided by Halls Department Store. They can even help you with your engagement + wedding rings, bridal party gifts, suits, tailoring AND accessories for the Big Day. It’s literally a one-stop shop for everything you’ll ever need, all wrapped up in pretty, pretty packaging. Oh, and did I mention you and your guests will be staying at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center? Amazing.

Contact Hallmark Weddings today to begin working with the talented team of wedding pros that will take your day to the next level… and then some. You’ll receive a complimentary consultation with a sales manager, your very own online portal and complimentary gift packaging + delivery in Kansas City. You’ll even receive a 15% off registry completion discount, a $100 gift card and your very own registry from Halls Department Store. And, obviously you’ll want to check out Hallmark for all things paper goods, like your Save the Dates, wedding invites and day-of stationery. They can even help you with gifts for your guests and bridal party. Contact a Hallmark Wedding Specialist for all of the info at (816) 391-4410 or email hallmarkweddings@starwoodhotels. This is so awesome, you guys.

Select The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center as your wedding destination and you’ll receive special rewards and bonus Starpoints® which can be used immediately towards honeymoon nights including:

Up to 100,000 bonus Starpoints®*.
Overnight guestroom or suite accommodations for bridal couple on wedding night.
Sparkling toast during the wedding reception.

*Valid on weddings reserved this year and hosted by December 31, 2018. If you have 10 guests or more visiting from out of town, their stays will also earn you both additional Starpoints, redeemable for your honeymoon.

Venue: Westin Kansas City At Crown Center

This St. Louis Wedding Is a Classic Beauty

I’m a sucker for a classic wedding, so this St. Louis bride with her feminine, lace ball gown and a soft, rose bouquet is melting me in a serious way. The soft pink and navy color palette sealed the celebration’s timeless appeal, and we have the talented team at Duffy Photo & Film to thank for documenting the beauty of the day. See it all here – and don’t forget to press play below!

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From the Bride… Ryne and I met through mutual friends at a graduation party, and I can honestly say it was love at first sight, no matter how cheesy that sounds! Ryne and I were in a long distance relationship for almost two years. Even though we were apart, it made us even stronger.

The proposal was absolutely magical, like something you would see on TV. It was my birthday weekend, and we had all these events planned with family and friends. On Sunday, October 11, 2014, Ryne told me that we were going to a winery to continue the celebration. Thirty minutes into our drive, I found out that was not the case. We pulled up to a helicopter to tour St. Louis! I thought, “Wow! What an amazing birthday present!” I’m very gullible. We flew over my sister’s house, my condo, my mom’s house, and then finally my brother’s house. We circled over, and I look out to see a sign that read, “Ali, will you marry me?” I was in shock! The surprise didn’t stop there. After the helicopter ride, we then drove to a restaurant to meet with family and friends to celebrate. That’s when the tears really started flowing!

Planning our wedding was fun, stressful, and exciting! The vision came to light after much searching through Pinterest and being a part of several amazing weddings. I am kind of girly, so I wanted a whimsical wedding, and that is definitely what we got with soft pinks, navy blue, and gold accents.

I have several favorite memories of the day.

1. Watching the video my husband made for me while getting ready that morning. He put together a movie with my loved ones in it, and they shared a favorite memory of me or gave advice for our marriage. I could not believe how sweet and thoughtful of a gift this was! It made my day even more special and obviously created more tears on my end.

2. Getting ready with my bridesmaids and mom was another memory that I will never forget. I am so lucky to have these ladies in my life, and it was such a special time to share with them.

3. Getting a short time alone with my father in my “bride room” at the church was much needed and one of my favorite memories. It was a time to reflect on what was about to happen and a time to take a deep breath and have that sentimental moment with my father for the last time as a Gottuso.

4. Having time alone with Ryne after the ceremony while the guests were exiting the church was memorable. It was our first moments as husband and wife, and it was a perfect opportunity to take a deep breath and take in the love and beauty of our new marriage.

How to Infuse Your Tablescape with the Prettiest Garden Details

Spring may be months away (tear!) but this all-star team of vendors is giving you all the inspiration you need to infuse your tablescapes with the prettiest of garden details. Tucked inside are endless ideas for floral displays, place setting vignettes and more crafted by Madison Sanders Events along with florals by Victorian Gardens. Get inspired to celebrate Spring a wee bit early with even more photographed by Jordan Brittley right here in the vault.

From the Photographer… I’ve been thinking that maybe place settings need a little loving! You’re about to see place settings that make you just a little weak in the knees. What guest wouldn’t want to sit down and feel pampered with place settings like these? Madison makes everything feel inviting – whether it’s chic and simple or elegant and elaborate! We couldn’t resist the boutonnieres and bouquet from Amy of Victorian Gardens, either. It always adds such a lovely touch to let the floral design inspire the rest of the design – including place settings. Here, you’ll find 2 different table setups that compliment each other and a variety of ways couples can create unique, chic place settings.

From the Wedding Planner… I was so thrilled when approached by Jordan Brittley to collaborate with Victorian Gardens on some Spring Table Top Inspiration! When discussing our favorite elements to include in chic weddings, beautiful floral and soft, romantic accents topped the list. We instantly started scheming fresh ways to set a table top with a variety of paper pieces, flowers and tableware configurations to make it special for guests and fun for the couple! The ideas we created could be utilized at parties both big and small. We might even suggest incorporating some of these set ups to accent the place settings for your guests of honor – just the bride and groom or the entire bridal party. The finest details make the most memorable parties and we are encouraging our clients to think outside the box when designing their tables. Here’s some inspiration for your lovely tables because want to see more of you in the place settings!

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