Well folks… strap yourselves in, this one is gonna be a doozie. It’s two events in one! Tom and Staci are a St. Louis couple with a great story (don’t worry…I’m going to tell the short version here). Their parents are long time friends and have been vacationing together in Hilton Head SC for many years… but the “kids” had never really met. Tom’s mom even made a comment once that she “wished Tom would meet a nice girl like Staci”….well… they eventually did meet and begin to date…move across states to be together, get engaged, and the rest is history. The dating portion, as I’m told, came with some serious worry from all 4 parents that it would end badly and ruin the friendship of the two families…. alas, no worries parents…looks like you can still be friends! With a family history in Hilton Head and a shared passion for golf, these two couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else, so they tied the knot on the 18th green at Harbour Town with immediate family and friends, but they didn’t want everyone else to miss out on all the fun, so they threw a party at home in St. Louis in June. I was lucky enough to be present for both, and was welcomed in with open arms to all the food, fun, and festivities. On with the show!

the harbour town lighthouse and liberty oak tree are beautiful in the evening sun

the morning after I arrived in Hilton Head I met the boys for a little golf outing followed by the wedding rehearsal & rehearsal dinner

Tom and Staci’s gift to their family and friends were these cool personalized golf bag tags, and the belt was a surprise for Tom that Staci made herself!

and the next morning was the wedding! As always, we start with the pretty things (Staci included!)

I photographed the rings in a golf and non-golf related setting (they had custom made wedding tees…more on that later)

and now the boys

very dapper indeed…and Tom, I say with all sincerity…not everyone can pull off seersucker lighthouse pants, my friend. well played.

“why is there a golf bag at the ceremony?” you ask…. well, you will see.

proud dad giving his daughter away… he may or may not have gotten a little emotional about this part (don’t worry, it’s our secret *wink wink*)

a silhouette view of the ceremony with the ocean for a backdrop

time to break out the clubs…instead of a unity candle or sand pouring, these two decided they would both drive a golf ball into the ocean together!

the getaway car(t)

you would never tell it by Staci’s serene face, but she and I are barefoot and we are stepping on some wicked sand cockleburs at this point!! OUCH!

all of the boats in the marina started honking and waving…very cool.

cake number one (shortly to be upstaged by cake number two) & intimate dinner for the guests

Phew…and yet, there’s more… the next morning we woke up and wandered around in the woods and rode tandem bicycles!

Hilton Head was a blast, now fast forward in time, back in St. Louis! Staci decided to add feathers to the veil and upgrade from her golf shoes to something a little more ballroom appropriate

the guest sign in was a flag from the golf course where they got married

two things I love: ornamental cabbage and emotional speeches.

the first dance kicked off the party with the always awesome Pleasure Groove band…culminating with a serenade of Staci by Tom and his fraternity brothers

Phew, we made it! Thanks Staci & Tom, Powers & McGrath families for letting me document your adventure, it was awesome! and a special shout out to my trusty assistant for this mission, Shane, your help and support was invaluable. Here is an embarrassing test shot of you as a thanks. tee-hee.

L Photographie St. Louis wedding photography by Liz Sloan and Kate Hayes

See the list below for the awesome vendors who made these events possible:

Hilton Head Island, SC
Ceremony Venue: Harbour Town Golf Links
Even Coordinator: Ann Czerniak
Reception: Topside at the Quarterdeck
Videographer: Hilton Head Video
Florist: Freshcuts
Cake: Signes Bakery
Trolley: Low Country Adventures
Hair & Makeup: Hair-Designers of Hilton Head
Music: Ocean Violinist
Officiant: Donna Jones
Wedding Gown: Enzoani
Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale

St. Louis, MO
Venue: Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
Event Coordinator: Emilie Fink
Band: Pleasure Groove
Flowers: C C Blumin’
Cake: Encore Baking Company
Invitations: Vellum
Videography: Weddings by Mathew
Hair & Makeup: Kate Williams