Erin & Phil's Winter Coronado Ballroom Wedding

What a fantastic wedding! This is part one of Erin and Phil's wedding. I had too many favorites for one blog post to contain it all. First of all, Erin is my cousin. If you have a good eye, I bet you can spot the Brown family smile on a number of faces throughout the day. This is actually the first time I've photographed a wedding of someone so close to me, and it was such a fun experience. In many ways, it was a normal wedding day, but it was infused with my family. I ate dinner with my immediate family, got to dance with my wild man of of a nephew, and had the privilege of seeing my dear cousin's wedding from start to finish. So cool.

As a wedding photographer, I am always knee deep in other people's most meaningful moments, and I love that. It's awesome and powerful and it lets me take photos that matter. It's amazing. For this wedding, it was such an interesting and different experience because I knew the full cast of characters. Usually, I just see how things unfold, but this wedding was different. No one had to tell me that the bride's aunt would be one of the first on the dance floor, because that dancing aunt is my mother, or that the bride's sister would deliver a fantastic toast. I didn't know it would be the most epic toast I've ever heard (it was and it's a good thing I had tissues because I downright cried). I knew Erin would be a gorgeous bride and that her wedding would be full of dancing (she's a professional dancer with The Big Muddy - they should consider renting themselves out for wedding receptions because they were so. much. fun.). Knowing all of this, my expectations were set pretty high and they were all completely exceeded by reality. I'll let you see for yourself.

Ceremony Venue:  First Congregational Church of Webster Groves

Reception Venue: Coronado Ballroom

Floral Design: Botanicals Design Studio

Make Up Artist: Erin Darling

Caterer & Cake Artist: Steven Becker Fine Dining

Bridal Gown: Kirkwood Bridal Boutique, Designed by Mia Solano

Bridesmaids' Dresses: Ultimate Bride

Men's Attire: St. Louis Suit Co.

Stationary Design: Beacon Lane

Band: Cole and the Gang

DJ: Brian Ward

Featured: Kristen & Mickey are on Borrowed & Bleu

One of my favorite things about getting featured in blogs is that I get to relive the wedding, months later, and remember all the handpicked details and incredible moments. Today, Kristen and MIckey's wedding is featured over on one of our favorite blogs, Borrowed and Bleu. Their beautiful Christ Church Cathedral wedding was followed by dinner and dancing at Windows on Washington. As the blog post shows, their reception incorporated so many personalized details that incorporated their New York home. I love their black and white cookies with that sweet NYC inspired bride and groom cake.

Check out the feature here: http://www.borrowedandbleu.com/real-weddings/windows-washington-wedding-carretto-studio-photography/

Jessica & Ben: A Winter Wedding at the Doubletree Hotel in Chesterfield, MO

What a perfect winter wedding! Jessie and Ben were married on December 7 at the Doubletree Hotel in Chesterfield, MO. For their Doubletree Hotel wedding, Jessie and Ben used light blue, silver, and white as the main colors. The event space at the Doubletree Hotel in Chesterfield was perfect for the occasion - white ceilings, chandeliers, and uplighting. Jessie's bridesmaids wore light blue dresses, but each had a white cardigan to keep them warm. Jessie wore the same cardigan, but in blue. Jessie was a simply stunning bride, in a sweetheart gown with cascading tulle from the Wedding Gallery. With her side swept hair and red lips, Jessie had an Old Hollywood way about her...classic, vintage beauty. Ben and his groomsmen wore gray Vans with blue laces, and they skipped the jacket for their gray suit. Their look was modern and a little edgy - the perfect fit for Ben, a musician. At the reception, Jessie and Ben had a hot cocoa bar complete with custom mugs for each guest, peppermint sticks, marshmallows, chocolate dipped stir spoons, and cookies.

One of my favorite parts of the day (other than the hot cocoa bar!) was Jessie's card to Ben. She picked a card with a wood pattern, since Ben loves rustic elements, and the outside read, "In love we each believe we are the lucky one." I love that. May you each always think you are the luckiest.

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Doubletree Hotel, Chesterfield

Floral Design: Mexico Road Florist

Cake Artist: Cakes by Elaine

DJ: Elite Pro DJ

Bridesmaid Dresses: David's Bridal

Gentlemen's Attire: Men's Wearhouse

Carolyn & Andrew: Far Oaks Golf Club Wedding Photography, Caseyville IL

Carolyn and Andrew's wedding day was wonderful. Their November day was blessed with beautiful weather and lovely light (lucky us!). We had an amazing time photographing their wedding. Their ceremony was at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, and their reception was held at Far Oaks Golf Club in Caseyville, IL. Carolyn and Andrew currently live down in Georgia, where Andrew is a firefighter, but they are both from the Illinois area. Andrew's friends and coworkers helped them incorporate so many awesome details into their day, like the firetruck that brought Andrew and the guys to the ceremony to a custom shield/helmet with their married names. Carolyn's bridesmaids wore varying shades of espresso and caramel, which combined perfectly with the soft tones of their flowers (amazing flowers by Steven Mueller!). Carolyn herself was simply gorgeous in her beaded gown. The girls had bronze shawls (a white one for Carolyn!), in case of cold weather. Their colors combined beautifully with the fall colors and the soft golden afternoon light.  Altogether, their wedding was an amazing celebration on a perfect fall day, and I felt so lucky to be a part of their wedding day. Congratulations you two!

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Ceremony Venue: Holy Trinity Catholic Church

Reception Venue: Far Oaks Golf Club

Floral Design: Steven Mueller Florist

Hair Stylist: Sanctuary Salon

Caterer: Bella Milano

Bridal Gown: Simply Elegant Bridal

Bridesmaids' Dresses: Blushing Bride

Men's Attire: Joseph A. Banks

Stationary Design: WeddingpaperDivas

Event Rentals: Grand Rental