Meet the Brownes: Meg + Aaron

I am almost certain that not many brides would have handled a tornado taking out their reception venue the eve of their wedding day quite the way that not only Meg did.  Yes, you read that correctly.   This is good-ole Saint Louis.  The city where the weather can go from a perfect summer day to a blizzard in one day.   Friday was full of monsoon-type weather and tornados spotted throughout the city.    Then I received the text informing me that the reception was no longer going to be at the country club, because it had been hit by the inclement weather.   As usual, I knew the best thing to do would be to roll with the punches.    I packed up rainboots, towels, umbrellas, and anything else we may have needed.  But as it turns out, there was not a raindrop in the sky.  The storm had passed, and we could not have asked for better weather.    

As for the reception......Whitmoor Country Club did what they had to do, and less than 24 hours after the gnarly storm had passed through, they created the reception that exceeded each and every one of Meg's dreams.  I can only imagine the nerves, anxiety, questions and so much more flooding Meg's thoughts as to how everything could possibly come together and if the new reception location (The Event Tent in New Town) could and would be everything she had hoped for.    I saw Meg's face first hand as she walked into her new reception venue.....and the tears of joy, happiness, and gratitude said it all.    I must give it to Sue Putnam, all of the staff at the Whitmoor Country Club, & Katie Mulcheck (Meg's Day of Coordinator) for not letting anything....even a natural disaster damper any of Meg and Aaron's wedding day bliss.   

One of my favorite moments of the day (along with when her dad recited every lyric of "My Girl" in the speech he shared at the reception).   Father-daughter moments like these ALWAYS get me!!!

The entire wedding day reminded me of a J. Crew/ Anthropologie-esque theme.   The Navy + Green combined with the Seersucker suits was perfect!    

 So many details throughout the day were put together by the mother of the bride.   ALL of the stationary, the details throughout the reception, the OH-SO-CUTE Ceremony Ribbon wands.....the list was endless!!!      You could feel the love that this mother had for her daughter.    She went far beyond above and beyond and made each detail with love.    After the wedding day, I always send a little info sheet to the bride and groom with the question, "What was your Favorite detail from your wedding?"   Meg's answer blew me away.....  

"I find it nearly impossible to just choose one aspect of my wedding that made it different and unique, but I'd say the detail that I loved the most was all of the small details my mom put into this day.  She made every little sign for the candy bar, photobooth and signature drink, etc.   SHE was my favorite detail from my wedding day.    She made it ALL possible with her creativity, love and attention to detail, and she did it all with a smile.   I find that unique and amazing.   My mom was the greatest detail of it all."   

Vendor Info
Wedding Coordinator:  Day of Coordinator, Katie with Your Perfect Wedding Day
Ceremony: Holy Redeemer Catholic Church (Webster Groves)
Reception: Whitmoor Country Club
Transportation: JED Transportation
Florist: Becky Huffman Flowers
DJ: Pat Decker with Millennium
Cake: Sweets to Remember 
Hair/Makeup: Hair Theatre Salon (Kirkwood)
Dress : Dillion by Enzoani from Maiden Voyage
Stationary and Ceremony Ribbon Wands: all designed, created and put together by the brides lovely, sweet and oh-so talented mother, Jill  :)

Aaron + Meg : June Wedding

We have been busy little wedding bees shooting weddings weekend after weekend.    I wouldn't have it any other way.    I always feel so very lucky to be by the side of my brides and grooms as they experience the tears, laughs and love that surrounds them on their big day.    Meg and Aaron are no different.   Here are few of my favorites until I get a chance to share more.    :)

Stephanie + Daniel : Saint Louis Wedding

When the rain is blowin' in your face And the whole world is on your case I could offer you a warm embrace To make you feel my love. - Dylan

It was a day full of rain.  Monsoon style rain.   The torrential downpour began the night before, and when I woke up with it still falling, I knew the weatherman had a chance of being right this time (sorry local weather meteorologists :)   As in life, I have learned to roll with the punches.    I have learned all too well that life is going to throw curve balls.  It is also going to throw those wild pitches that hit you so hard, they knock you on your butt leaving you trying to ease the sting and pick yourself back up.   Somewhere along the planning process, I usually always share an important piece of wedding wisdom with the bride, "Always have a backup plan (Especially for outdoor wedding venues).   If you end up not needing that plan, then great!  But it is usually when you do not have that plan in the back of your mind that you need it most.  I apply this little nugget of knowledge into my photography as well.    I scout out different locations, props and ideas to incorporate into the day to use everything from the sweltering Saint Louis Heat, to the frigid cold to the rainy, rainy day we were faced with on Stephanie and Daniel's wedding day.     So when I heard the pitter-patter of the raindrops outside of my window on the morning of their wedding, I had my rainboots packed up and was ready to rock n' roll.    

Some of the most vibrant and memorable rainbows are only possible after the longest rainstorms.   Well the rain continued all day, and finally had let up by the time I left the reception.    Stephanie and Daniel began their marriage on a rainy day, and their rainbow are all of the years, memories and moments ahead of them.  They were there for what really, truly mattered.....to marry their best friend.  You could feel their love across a room.   Congrats to Stephanie and Daniel, and thank you for reminding me how very easy it is to dance, smile and love even when the rain is coming down on me.   

This has got to be what I looked like at that age!   Shades + dance moves.    Love it!   

Stephanie and Dan also had the LeLe photo booth, which was a total hit all night!!     This reception knew how to cut loose and have fun!!

Vendors : 
Hotel : Ameristar Suites 
Florist: Artistry 
Lighting/ Chairs: Exclusive Events
Venue: St. Charles Foundry Art Centre
Wedding Planner: Sabrina Torti with Proposing Dreams
Photobooth:   LeLe UnScripted