I can’t say it enough, I seriously love nice people. Just thinking about these two puts a smile on my face and then I look like a crazy person typing and staring at a computer screen. And my husband Steve asks me what I’m smiling at all of the time. That’s a good sign right?! Don’t get me wrong, not every day is all smiles and roses. I know I make it sound that way but it’s not true! So if you read our blog regularly and think “why didn’t my wedding day turn out like that?” don’t worry. You are not alone. Sometimes buses get lost, dresses get dirty, a bridesmaid is unhappy (and vocal) about being cold or hot, mom is making the bride crazy, the cake literally melts in the heat, the flowers look nothing like the bride thought they would, it rains like mad, hair and makeup runs behind, guests end up huddled in a corner with tornado sirens blaring, the DJ announces names wrong, the priest calls the groom the wrong name mid ceremony for that matter, dinner service runs insanely long and slow, wind blows over giant expensive floral arrangements, the drunk uncle falls and bleeds on the dance floor…I mean SO MANY stories we could tell over here. But if you haven’t noticed, these are not the ones we choose to tell. Because in the end, there is always some good. And if you can affect your own life in any way, it is to focus on the good in all situations, people and things. So we do!

Weddings are all about two people, two families really, pledging to love each other until death do them part. I mean that is some seriously amazing stuff when you think about it. They are filled with proud parents, grandparents and plenty of friends and family, most with the best of intentions, hope and love for the new couple to be as happy as they are on their wedding day forever and ever. I love it when I have a few extra minutes to peak at the rows of guests during the ceremony. The married couples often shoot each other the sweetest looks that clearly say “remember our wedding day?” as they give each others hands a knowing squeeze. It kind of reminds me of the movie Love Actually and the closing scene with all of the hugs, smiles and tears at the airport terminal. Weddings are a whole lot like that for me once you weed through all of the craziness.

But I digress. (Small sappy tangent!) Honestly I would say in this case little to nothing went wrong on Christy and Jeff’s wedding day. Yes, it was rather cloudy and dreary looking outside, but we made the absolute best of it! Christmastime is obviously a favorite for both families. Both homes were decked out in cheerful holiday decor! And Christy and Jeff totally embraced their wintery wedding. You’ll see what I mean in just a sec…

I used a small section of said decor for this ring shot…

And this earring shot. ;)




A small peek into Christy’s parent’s house during the holidays.


It took her dad all of 3 seconds to get teary. And Christy wasn’t even in her dress yet!

Well hello little one!




Christy’s crown has been worn by women in her family for generations. It was definitely the final piece that made her into the perfect wintery snow queen! If only we had snow.


SO, so pretty Christy!

Awww…mom.

Checking in with Meredith hanging with Jeff and the guys! His parents house was also all festive and fun for the holidays.


All of the boys had different holiday socks on but Jeff got to be Santa. Maybe my favorite fun socks of all time.

Just a few of them. Good job fitting them all in there Mer!

Jeff doesn’t look anything like his dad. Nope. Not at all.

Church time! Off to Sacred Heart in Florissant.
The flowers by Artistry for the whole wedding were fabulous. I love Gardenia in a bouquet. They almost look like they are made of porcelain.
Here we go!


I hadn’t been here in a long time but remembered it being a gorgeous church. I was right.




Woo hoo!



And off to take some fun photos!

All of the girls had cute knit gloves and plaid scarfs. Christy added a wintery fur wrap. Love it!






I think this probably says a lot about these two. Jeff? Only son. Three sisters. Christy? Only girl. Four brothers. Crazy right?!

See? Fun holiday socks!


This was not my idea but I embraced it and kinda loved it. The girls are racing for the lake…scary but true.

Christy actually had a hard time stopping. May have had an inch or two of water on the front of her dress for the next hour or so. :)

Then the girls threatened to toss Jeff in…



So cute!

As it started to get pretty dark we left the park and headed out to find some twinkle lights. They were fabulous!



While the wedding party had some fun on the bus, Mer and I headed over to Orlandos on Dorsett to get some photos of the fabulous decor! It was the perfect mix of holiday meets classic. Not cheesy and over the top whatsoever. Just beautiful. Great job Randy!




Now let’s talk cake. Seriously. Christy’s dad owns Wedding Wonderland Cake Shop in Florissant. So it goes to reason that the cake at this wedding would be a thing of beauty. They did not disappoint! It was definitely the absolute largest cake I have ever seen in person. None of those layers are Styrofoam. That is 100% yummy cake. And it was gorgeous. The lace detail on it was so pretty up close. Amazing job!


It was a surprise for Christy. This is her looking at her dad after she saw the cake for the first time.




So many smiles. Like the whole room. I can tell even though they are out of focus.


Christy’s mom looked gorgeous in her red dress. Whoever said the mothers are supposed to wear beige should be shot.

Does this give you a better scale of the size of that cake?!

Time to open up the dance floor!

We had such a great time with you guys! I hope you love the photos for years to come! With love, Liz and Meredith

VENDOR LOVE

Ceremony venue : Sacred Heart – Florissant

Reception venue : Orlando Gardens 

Stationery : Free.Dom Creative & Cheers! Paper Co.

Florist : Artistry Florist

Hair : David Hoffmann & Laura Bandert

Makeup : Emily Miller

Gown : Maggie Sottero – Bridal Connections 

Ceremony Musicians : Courtney Rockamann, Carrie Wolf, & Dave Radley

DJ : Rockstar DJ

Cake : Wedding Wonderland

L Photographie St. Louis wedding photographers