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

Jason & Jenny : Soon to be Mr. & Mrs.

There is something I love about quaint little coffee shops. There is something so warm and inviting about being outside the confines of your home and cozying up on a big chair, java in hand and kicking off your shoes. You can either surf the internet for hours, get some work done, people watch, or chit chat as you catch up with an old friend.

We met Jenny and Jason at The Geletaria Tavolini. As soon as you walk towards the front door of the cafe, you are transported to Italy. You walk past the sidewalk cafe and into the front door of the cafe to find exposed brick walls, artwork, the invigorating smell of fresh espresso, a gelato stand and and array of scones, muffins and croissants. What better place to start our session than in a place that makes you feel as if you are in the land of amor, Italia.

"Il dolce far niente." The sweetness of doing nothing.

I LOVE this one.

I think it is so cool that Jenny's future last name is going to be Hendrix!!! I was like seriously!??!!? Are you kidding me?!!? Awesome last name. AND her first name is Jenny, Jenny Hendrix.....sounds pretty similar to one of my favorite musicians......

A quick outfit change....and my creativity was running wild......Must have been all the espresso.....

Then we decided to hop in the car and see what new places we could find.....abandoned warehouse.....yes please.

I freaking love this one....


Then we ran into a friend of mine.....which I will tell you all about in our Behind the Lens bit.....and he pointed us in the direction of this wall......LOVE IT!!
Go Birds!!!!!

View Slideshow HERE.

And some LeLe Behind the Lens Fun....
Alicea usually calls me "The Monkey". I am the one who is always climbing up on random things to get "the shot"......Yes I may look like an idiot.....but it's all for the shot! :)

Alicea laughing at me.....

No trespassing sign.....HA. Shoot first, ask questions later. That's how we roll.
One of the perks of having a photographer who is a hairdresser......not only do you get an outfit change, but also a personal stylist for a hair change.....oh and makeup. :) Alicea is a one stop shop.

Demonstrating how to properly do "The Creep." Any Andy Samberg fans out there? :)
Special guest appearance of the day belongs to the one and only, my dear friend, and awesome fellow photographer, Sal Cincotta. While driving around the abandoned warehouse, I see a car pulling up, and who else but Sal hops out of the car!!
Sal rocking it out......

Contact LeLe Photography Here.