WEDDING DATE: September 29, 2018
CEREMONY & RECEPTION: St. Louis Union Station
ABOUT THE COUPLE: He’s a healthcare finance consultant. She’s a prosthetic and orthotic practitioner at Shriners Hospitals for Children. The newlyweds live in the loft district in downtown St. Louis.
HOW DID YOU MEET? We were set up by Geoff’s aunt, Barb Brengle, who was Anisah’s coworker.
WHAT INITIALLY ATTRACTED YOU TO EACH OTHER?
Anisah: Geoff’s amazing smile and laugh. He’s also so witty and easy to talk to. I was at ease with him from the moment we met! Oh, and his hair…I loved those curls!
Geoff: In addition to her striking eyes and bright smile, I was really impressed with just how smart she is. She enjoys school and really loves learning. She is also very independent and driven.
HOW DID HE PROPOSE?
Anisah: I had a particularly stressful week, so he wanted to take me to the Boathouse in Forest Park for dinner. Since we were there, he suggested we walk up to our favorite spot in the entire park, the World’s Fair Pavilion. It was an absolutely gorgeous fall evening and the sun was setting. We were holding hands as I was starting out over the gorgeous view. He dropped my hand and when I spun to see what he was doing, he was getting down on one knee! Of course, I immediately yelled, “Yes!” We realized a bit later that the date we got engaged was also the anniversary of our first date.
WHAT WAS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR WEDDING?
Anisah: My family is from Pakistan on my dad’s side. I really wanted to honor Pakistani traditions while keeping traditional American elements, as well. I had a mehndi party with my bridal party the night before, which is a tradition where women have henna (like a temporary tattoo) applied to their hands and feet. I also had my dress designed and made in Pakistan. It took over three months to make and was all hand-beaded!
Geoff: We had an amazing 3-D light show. It was projected over the entire ceiling of grand hall. Our guests were in awe and still tell us how much they loved it. We also had a caricature artist because we both loved having those done when we were kids!
FAVORITE MOMENT ON YOUR WEDDING DAY?
Anisah: There were so many, but I’d have to say it was our first dance. We had our friend who is a musician, Casper Webs, sing our wedding song so that was very special. It was just amazing to take in all the love and beauty in the room while being in my husband’s arms!
Geoff: My favorite moment was standing on the balcony at the top of grand hall before we were introduced at the reception. It was the first time we were alone the entire day and all the stress had melted away. We were so happy and excited for the anticipation of celebrating with our friends and family!
WHAT DO YOU CHERISH MOST ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP?
Anisah: We have so much fun together! We’re both very silly people who love to laugh and joke around. We really appreciate getting to be together every day.
Geoff: We tend to counterbalance each other, depending on the situation. When something bad happens, she’s so positive and helps me see the upside. I really appreciate that our relationship brings out the best of both of us and is evolving us into better people. We also have a great time, no matter what we are doing.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THIS PERSON WAS THE ONE?
Anisah: My stepdad had a lung transplant and I was one of his primary caregivers. It was a very stressful time because I was also working full-time and taking two classes for a master of business degree. Geoff was there for me and my family every minute of every single day. He helped at the hospital, ran errands for me while I was in class, proofread my homework, and listened to me while I dumped all my stresses of the day out. I already knew that we had an incredible relationship when life was going great and things were easy. This showed me what a supportive, caring, amazing guy he was when life got tough. I just knew he was the one I wanted to go through all of life’s ups and downs with.
Geoff: There wasn’t one specific moment. I knew pretty early on that she was a very special person and I was in love with her. But when she went to Germany for a class, I was miserable. It was only two weeks, but it felt like two months. I knew after that I never wanted to be apart from her for that long again.
VENUE: St. Louis Union Station
PHOTOGRAPHY: Lillian Peters / Chameleon Imagery
VIDEO: Tony D Productions
DRESS: Saleha Qureshi- Karachi, Pakistan
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: Christian Wu
TUXEDO: The Black Tux
RINGS: David Kodner Personal Jeweler
HAIR: Soni Gill / SNS Make Up Artistry and Hair Design
MAKEUP: Soni Gill / SNS Make Up Artistry and Hair Design
FLOWERS: Petal Pushers
ENTERTAINMENT: Push the Limit
CAKE: The Cakery
WEDDING COORDINATOR: Jaci Spindler
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