I have been looking forward to Eric & Caroline’s wedding ever since I shot their engagement photos. Since they were referrals from Katie & Brandon, I knew that Courtney & I would have a blast. And we did!! With a super fun group, it made the absolutely horrendous temps and humidity of St. Louis much more bearable.
The day began at the house of Caroline’s parents. Sometimes when I show up to where the bride is getting ready, the flurry of activity can give off a stressful vibe. But not here. Everyone was so calm and cool. I immediately felt at ease.
I think these were some of my fave shoes to date. I loved the fresh, feminine touch to a classy, traditional style. Come to think of it…the entire wedding was exactly that. 
Even the adorably, precocious flower girl had to get ready…
The pic on the right is a fave… not exactly planned, but when I saw the lovely shadows, I had to grab!!!
The guys, meanwhile…were being covered by Courtney…who recently obtained a fish-eye lens that she loves!! 
And then guess where they went next???
The girls were well-behaved and went straight to the ceremony’s location…St. Peter’s in St. Charles. 
And the emotions started coming out…when recording a brief message to Eric…and when opening his gift to her (a new digital camera for their honeymoon!!!).
AND THEN IT WAS TIME!!!!! Courtney’s catch before Caroline’s loveliness headed down the aisle….and mine on the right of Eric, seeing his bride for the first time. (There might have been tears…I’m not telling… 😉 ) 
AFterwards, the newlyweds waited in the side room while every gathered out front. They had a mission…clean off some makeup on Eric’s tux…and steal a nuzzle. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. 😉
Introducing their dazzling-ness. 
There really is never a dull moment with this group. At one point, everyone screamed and the trolley driver was forced to stop. Why? Because their cooler had jumped off the back!!! How many guys in tuxes does it take to retrieve a forlorn, beer-filled cooler from a busy highway? You tell me…
So the next location has a lil’ story with it. Caroline really wanted to go to New Town because there are lots of little spots that would be AWESOME for photos. EXCEPT… the bummer was….it being a new area, trees were scarce. And shade was even MORE scarce. Since it was in the middle of the day…and hotter than any other wedding I’ve shot…we did what we could to find a place that wasn’t under the brutal rays of the sun. Eric had asked someone if we could use their yard, but was turned down…only to then be stopped by a friendly woman on a bike who offered HER backporch to the couple. And her cool, air-conditioned house to the bridal party. So we did what we could. And I actually REALLY love the images…and the story!!
SO HOT!!
The bride & Groom with the hospitable houseowner!!! Thank you!!
We headed back to Frontier Park for some pics in the shade. Courtney’s catch…
The one on the left is my shot of Courtney wrestling with the earthworms for the best view. The one on the right is the somewhat vertigo-causing image she snapped with that fish-eye.
FAVE (And E&C…you are NEVER NEVER NEVER allowed to again tell anyone that you are not photogenic. I mean, seriously. Are you kidding me with your stunningness????)
Court’s on the left…mine on the right.
And then…after the sun all but baked us to a brittle crisp… we looked up and saw something very different.
We booked it!!!
At their Ameristar suite, everyone freshened up (including Courtney & me) and I had to get a photo of me with a Darbi G. bride & groom from 2009 (Kate & Brandon). One from 2010 (E&C). And Jason & Kristen whom I will be working with NEXT June!! So excited.
The reception was waiting…
I stole Court’s fish-eye lens for a couple…. 
Jason (the bestman and my June 2011 groom) was VERY prepared. With a speech several pages long…)
One of my fave pics of a b&g during a speech ever. (This was while Caroline’s sister conquered the mic)… This speaks volumes. I tear up seeing her tear…and then get chills when I see how Eric is looking at his beautiful bride. 
Ok, let’s be honest. A lot of garter-belt tosses look the same. A group of guys is somehow cajoled to come to the dance floor. Begrudgingly, of course. And then they stand there…and the garter belt falls on the ground. And sometimes a little kid will come up and get it. Everyone cheers as the guys who escaped the fate of the catcher of the garter wipe their brows. But oh no. Not this time. Despite the DJ’s warning that if the garter belt hits the floor, they will redo the toss again and again till someone catches it…or maybe it was because of this warning…either way…this is what happened the first time around. (and please also note the unenthusiastic guy in the front who holds out a finger in a hook as if the garter will magically drop on it…) 
HAHAHAHAHAHAH. 🙂 I have no idea where he came from, but ohmigosh… i hope he didn’t have burns on his elbows!!
Eric & Caroline… you braved a day filled with sweat, an unair-conditioned trolley, fallen coolers, angry property owners (both at New Town & at Frontier Park) and sudden downpours. But it was also rife with reasons to laugh out loud, friends and family who love you, and an amazing overall experience that I hope will always be remembered as the best day of your life. We had so much fun with you both…and seeing how much you love one another makes all the sweat so worth it. 🙂 Enjoy your newlywed bliss…and life thereafter!! xoxo
VENDORS:
DJ- Larry from Complete Music
Videographer- Brian Gomski
Hair- Whitney Werle
Make-up- Sadie Hershewe
Ameristar Reception Venue Coordinator- Jodie Parker
Florist – Beth from Bloomers
Baker- Elaine from Cakes by Elaine
Caterer- Ameristar (some of my fave food ever!!!)
