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

Meet the Kurtzeborns : Lauren and Bobby

"I understand, because my heart and hers are the same...

And in January, we're getting married." 

January Wedding . Avett Brothers

Laughter.

Did you know it is medically proven to benefit your health?   True story.   It releases these chemicals in your brain which actually reduce stress and tension.   If you want to get all technical and stuff, it stimulates your immune system, adds endorphins into your body, and even reduces your blood pressure.  Beyond the physical benefits, sharing a laugh also provides physiological benefits as well.  It binds two people together and creates a synchronization between the two sharing the laugh that emotionally connects them.  When you find that person that you can make you laugh as deep as you love them....hold onto them.   This is the connection and love people spend a life looking for.   The kind of intimacy and love that is so deeply rooted that you can have nothing and still know you have everything.   The kind of love that leaves you spending the day lounging around on the couch and laughing until your stomach hurts.  Sure the tv is on, but you have that one person in your arms who manages to steal every ounce of attention and turn your favorite sitcom into pure background noise.    Lauren and Bobby kept me smiling and laughing all day.  That is what is so special about laughing, it is contagious.  The way these two can make everyone around them laugh, including each other, brings joy into the lives of everyone they touch, including my own.   

Not to get all quote-ey on you, but e.e. cummings once said, "The most wasted day is the one with out laughter."  Bobby & Lauren: I toast to your future together.  Here's to sharing a lifetime together with life, love and laughter which forbids you to waste a single day of it.     xo

I love the little looks I kept catching these two giving each other.....

The new Mr. & Mrs. 

Lauren had about 3 hair changes!  LOVED it!   Birdcage veils are my fav!  Then....to top it off she had top hats and canes for her groom and groomsmen!  Have I mentioned I just adore this girl??!!   

I could not get enough of these two!!!     

Keep in mind, it was January, in Saint Louis.   It was about 30 degrees this day.   Lauren straight rocked out her pictures the entire time.  Not ONE complaint from this little lady.....and it shows in the pics, she makes me forget how cold it really was!    

*Secret Pointer for future winter brides, get little packets of the Hot Hands.....it will keep you and your bridesmaids hands warm.....Lauren had one stashed away by her bouquet.   

 Quite possibly one of my favorite shots of the day, no....ever.

Then we were off to the reception at Old Hickory Golf Course.   Not only was the food far beyond superb (I am still salivating thinking about the Tenderloin Medallions with Cognac Sauce)......the customer service provided by this venue was unlike anything I have ever seen!   The staff here went the extra mile to make sure that everything was perfect from the food to the decor to the candle placement.  They did not want anyone to do anything besides simply enjoy themselves and celebrate the occasion.  

One of my favorite moments of the day....their first dance.   As "You and Me" played throughout the room, everyone else disappeared.   They only had eyes for each other.   I know there are so many different types of loves, but this is the only kind I want.   

Raw. Consuming. Authentic.  Genuine Bona fide love.  

Check out their slideshow HERE.

Big shout out to all of the vendors who worked together to make Lauren and Bobby's wedding that perfect winter wedding full of personality!
Florist:  ZuZu's Petals & Design
Ceremony: Immanuel United Church of Christ
Reception :Old Hickory Golf Club (Rachel - Wedding Coordinator)
Cake: Wedding Wonderland 
Limo: Absolute Perfect Touch Limo
First Dance: "You and Me" Dave Matthews Band

And a LeLe wedding would not be complete with out some Behind the Lens Shenanigans.....

Pulling out my super secret, matrix, ninja moves.    Putting all that yoga to good use!   Feel that burn....but oh so worth it for the shot!  :) 

 Thank you Bobby and Lauren for coming into our lives and inviting us into yours.   Hope you are having fun on your honeymoon!!!   :)    Live, laugh, and love every minute of it.  

Contact LeLe Photography HERE.