Meet the Knifongs: Amy & Trent

Writer's block is a real thing.     I have been wanting to write this blog since last December.   I have had the photos all picked out, lined up and ready to go.   Only one thing missing now, the story to go along with the photos.    Except here lies the problem....Finding the words to tell the story of the wedding day, the love I saw, and telling the background story in a way that would do it justice felt impossible.   One thing I failed to mention, Amy is my cousin.   Her parents are not only my Aunt and Uncle, but also my Godparents.  We grew up together, vacationed together, and shared the best Grandma in the whole world.   As I let the pressure intimidate me for months upon months, I prayed for guidance to tell the story in a way that was worthy of how much this day and these people meant to me.   I filled notebooks with the things I wanted to say and memories that came to mind all the while hoping the words I was searching for would just fall out onto the notepad.   It was this past weekend, that some type of light bulb went off and provided a new sense of clarity.   I realized I just had to do it.   Sit down, turn off the Hulu+ and Netflix, and let the words come out, and know that it IS indeed good enough, because everything I am about to share is from the heart, and as real as it gets.

There are certain things you remember your entire life.   Weekends at Uncle Dennis' and Aunt Cindy's lake house are one of those memories.   Amy and I were the closest in age out of all of the Douthit cousins.   Our Dad's are pretty close as well, which explains why my Dad chose Amy's parents to be God Parents.  I can still smell the way the aroma of biscuits and gravy would fill the entire lake house as Aunt Cindy would make us breakfast.  I can remember my toes sinking into the mud at the bank of the lake as we anxiously waited to hop on the boat with our dads.  Two young girls, and two dads who taught us where to find all of the good spots on the lake, how to cast our fishing line, and how very important family is.  Amy and I were so proud to be fishing right by our dad's sides all day on the lake.

I was beyond humbled when Amy asked Alicea and I to shoot her wedding.   I can not begin to tell you how much it meant to me to be in charge of capturing the tears, laughs, moments and love that took place on October 13, 2012.  Amy knew that certain parts of the day were not going to be easy.  There was one person who could not be there.  Our family lost Aunt Cindy eight years ago.  Before she passed, Amy's mother and father had not one, but two surprises to add to the family....two little sisters (Madison and Lizzie).  They were two and four at the time they lost their mom, and without hesitation, Amy stepped up and was there to help her father raise these two sweet little ladies, all the while finishing college and nursing school.   With each passing year, Amy became even more of a spitting image of their beautiful mother.    Amy and Aunt Cindy share the same careers, the same nurturing love, an unwavering strength, a desire to work hard for everything they have, compassion, and a beauty just as big on the inside as it is on the outside.   Amy grew up experiencing the love that her mother and father shared first hand, and wanted to provide that same kind of example to her two little sisters.  As she exchanged vows, I could see these two little girls looking up to Amy the same way I used to see Amy look up to her own mother.

 I recently read an article about losing someone you love.   The article talked about how each Autumn, the leaves will change and then fall from the trees.   Although we miss the pretty colors and fullness that the leaves provided, we do not cry when they are replaced with the winter cold.  This is because we find the beauty in the death of these leaves.   We may not be able to see them during the cold winter months, but when the time is right, we will see their beauty once again.   I immediately thought of Amy's perfect fall themed wedding.   Aunt Cindy may not physically be able to be here, but one thing I know through faith, is that when the time is right, we will all be together again.   There is no doubt in my mind that Grandma was there holding Aunt Cindy's hand as they watched Uncle Dennis walk Amy down the aisle last October 13th.   Everyone in Amy's presence could feel it, because there was a special kind of love that was shining from you, a light that can only come from a special place.   They say that a mother's love is endless.  The small rain shower right before the reception was no coincidence, it was the holes in the floor of heaven.   Your day was perfect, and I just want you to know how very loved and special you are.   I could not be more happy to welcome Trent into our crazy little family.  :)

Holes in the floor of heaven from LeLe Photography on Vimeo.

My cousin, Amy on her wedding day.

 

Vendors:
Hair and Makeup: My Sister, Alicea Hermeyer 
Ceremony: St. Peters Catholic Church
Reception: Old Hickory Golf Club
Flowers: Les Bouquets
Cake: Lubeleys Bakery
Photobooth: UnScripted by LeLe Photography
DJ: Joe Fingerhut with Complete Music
Dress : Enzoani from Maiden Voyage Bridal
Transportation: JED Transportation
Chair Covers: The Chair Cover Company



Here is a recap from their Engagement Session.

Carrie & Eric: Destination St. Louis

[by Ashley]

I have loved SOOOOO many dresses thru the years.    Dresses that have "oohed" and "ahhhed" me, dresses that left me speechless, and dresses that looked as if they were meant to be for my brides.   But for the first time ever, I laid eyes on a dress that I myself would have dreamed of wearing.   Carrie, I ADORED everything about your Hera gown from the non-traditional oatmeal color to the elegant and intricate beading and subtle poof of the chiffon.    You were an absolute VISION in your dress.   The details that you chose and coordinated for your day were seriously perfect.   It was a perfect combination between classic and timeless elegance, romance and sweetness.   Carrie contacted me from  her hometown in Maryland, we set up a Skype date to talk wedding, and we immediately felt like we had known each other forever!   I have a very special guest from a former destination wedding to thank for sending this lovely couple my way.   :)    Carrie was from Maryland.   Eric was from Minnesota.   I was kind of confused on why they were choosing St. Louis as their wedding destination location.   Carrie let me know that the two of them met here in the good ole' "Gateway to the West."  They spent a few years of their lives here working, and on a fateful day met the person that would change the course of their life forever.      These two wanted to share the city where it all began, the city that they fell in love in, with their closest family and friends.    One of the sweetest and most symbolic gestures I have ever heard.  

A few of my favorite things.......    That dress.    And these flowers!!!!!    Lisa with Belli Fiori NEVER disappoints!  She hones her craft, and it is evident each and every work of art she designs!  

Carrie surprised Eric on the morning of the wedding with a special album of boudoir and bridal portraits!   Eric was cheesing from ear to ear!!!  You could see his happiness, excitement and love for his bride!

I spent the weekend before the wedding scouting out locations (with my mom - Thanks Mom!) :)....I was fortunate enough to find the PERFECT first look spot!!  Carrie and Eric had opted to have a first look.  She was originally a tad bit hesitant about it, but decided on having one, because we both felt that they would get the most out of their day and timeline.  They would not only have more time together, but they would also have actual intimate and alone moments together.    Last but not least, they also wanted to have a cocktail hour and reception that immediately followed their ceremony.    After the wedding, Carrie shared with me that seeing Eric and spending time with Eric during the first look was one of her most memorable moments from the day.    :)  That makes me VERYYYYY happy!   :)    

She was a vision!!!!  I LOVEDDDDD that hair piece as well!!!  Made by Marilyn with Treats for Tresses (in Charleston, SC) 

Another one of Carrie's favorite parts about the day........this AWESOME Cadillac!    As I mentioned earlier, I had been scouting locations......then I ran across this beautiful car, and the car's even cooler owner.    He was gracious enough to let us pose with it, in it, and on it.    Thanks Stuart!!!   

We even made time for a special spot.   The doorstep they are standing in front of below is where they shared their first kiss over five years ago.    :)

Once again, Lisa, you outdid yourself with these incredible bouquets~ Belli Fiori Florist

I love these moments shared between Carrie and her father just minutes before they walked down the aisle.      The Hyatt Regency St. Louis provided the perfect view of our St. Louis skyline for all of the out of town guests and one of my favorite officiants, Mr. Frederick Sansone personalized the ceremony.     

One of the most stylish wedding cakes I have ever seen!!!    I love the sweet simplicity that Sugaree Baking created to match the full theme of the day. 
Reception in a nutshell, lots of dancing, a same day slideshow, and as an added bonus.....there was a late night snack!   Carrie and Eric had Gus' Pretzels, a St. Louis staple!

Carrie and Eric - It's people like you that make me believe that true love is a real thing and that there really are good people out there in this big world.    You reinforce my belief in fate & that things happen for a reason.   There was a reason I was able to be a part of the destination wedding and make friends with some extra special guests five years ago (probably about the same time you and Eric were meeting & falling in love in St. Louis).   There is a reason you picked THAT seat at the baby shower, which happened to be across from the guest I met at the destination wedding.   I am so lucky that she told you all about "this photographer you had to use in St. Louis".    :)   Please know that anytime you two visit St. Louis, you are always welcome in my home.....and will be in big trouble if you do not call me to meet up while you are here!!  :)   And to all of your friends......I travel here, there and everywhere for weddings and shoots!  

Photography by : Ashley Douthit & Alicea Hermeyer - LeLe Photography       

People we worked with and Vendors the couple chose:
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Hyatt Regency : St. Louis at the Arch
Officiant: Frederick Sansone with Assisi Weddings of St. Louis
Florist: Belli Fiori : Weddings and Events
Cake: Sugaree Baking
DJ: Allegro Entertainment
Videography: LoveBird Studios (these guys were so much fun to work with!)
Hair/Makeup : Studio 16 (Downtown STL)
Dress Details: Wtoo (Hera Gown) from Love Couture Bridal in Potomac, MD
Shoes: Vince Camuto
Hair Piece (bride and maid of honor) : hand crafted by Marilyn Rickards with Treats for Tresses 
Bridesmaid Dresses: Donna Morgan (from Nordstrom)
Late Night Snack: Gus' Pretzels

And just because I love music:
First Dance:  This Years Love ~ David Gray
Father/ Daughter:  Sweet Child of Mine ~Taken by Trees
Mother/ Son : Tiny Dancer ~ Elton John