WARNING: Ramblings ahead.

Some people are just lucky no matter how you look at it. But for others, it’s more about the outlook than it is actual luck. Let’s take Andrea and Tim here for example. For most couples who have planned a beautiful Missouri Botanical Garden wedding, RAIN is the worst possible thing that could happen. Definitely would put them into the unlucky category. As a black wall cloud rolled in early that afternoon, I started receiving City of St. Louis Warning weather alert texts on my phone while I was busy shooting Andrea’s gown and grandma’s pearls. I still have it on my phone and it reads: “The National Weather Service has issued a FLASH FLOOD WARNING for the City of At. Louis until 9:30 pm tonight.” I remember thinking oh please let them take this in stride…it is going to be an interesting day for sure. One of my main goals as a wedding photographer is to capture the emotions of the wedding day, and I much prefer for them to be happy emotions if at all possible. :)

So as of now you are thinking “Oh poor things” or “I would be so upset if that happened to me” right? Not these families! For as concerned as they were about the weather, it may as well have been the most perfect day of the year. No one involved seemed to think it was a big deal whatsoever. Both sets of parents, the wedding party and most importantly, Andrea and Tim were basically like “Whatever!” We did first look in a light drizzle, wedding party photos in a slightly heavier drizzle, portraits of Andrea and Tim in a light rain and even family photos with raindrops falling around us. All photos took place outside in the beautiful garden as planned!

Now, ceremony time. It is still drizzling. Andrea has to make the call – move it inside or stick with the Japanese Garden as planned? Andrea chooses the garden. Gutsy. Guests begin to arrive. They, along with ourselves and the videographers start heading out to the garden under umbrellas. As I make the trek with my gear, juggling an umbrella, the rain continues to lighten…and lighten…and by the time I get to the Japanese Garden, it has stopped altogether. The timing could not have been more perfect. The muted light and plants covered in little shiny drops of rain are beautiful. And it doesn’t rain another drop for the rest of the evening.

So I ask you, were they unlucky to have rain for the whole first half of the day and all of their wedding portraits? While hair is falling and dresses are getting wet? Or were they LUCKY that the rain left us as just minutes before the ceremony began? I think that luck is in the eye of the beholder and that these two are going to have a ton of it throughout their lives together.

I apologize for the long story today. Feeling chatty. On to the photos!

Quiet moment with mom, daughter and a dress.

Time for the first look at the garden.  Meet Tim!  He’s a bit of a ham.

Mind you it is actually raining ever so slightly but they were totally cool with it.  I had an umbrella just out of frame ready to throw over them if it started coming down harder.

The easy going party!

The newly watered Japanese Garden with pretty arrangements from Wildflowers.

Married!

Mustaches always kick the party up a notch.

Congratulations Andrea and Tim!  Thank you so much for being absolutely wonderful despite the less than stellar weather.  With love, Liz

VENDOR LOVE

Ceremony venue : Missouri Botanical Garden – Japanese Garden
Reception venue : Missouri Botanical Garden – Monsanto Hall
Caterer : Catering St. Louis
Florist : Wildflowers
Cake : Cravings
Dress : Jordan from Clarice’s Bridal
Hair and Makeup : Ginger Bay Salon and Spa
DJ : Millennium Productions
Favors : Kakao Chocolate

L Photographie St. Louis Wedding Photographers