WEDDING DATE: April 20, 2019
CEREMONY & RECEPTION: Pere Marquette Lodge
ABOUT THE COUPLE: He’s a computer programmer. She’s a wedding photographer. Both grew up in St. Charles, Missouri, and now live in St. Peters in St. Charles County.
WHAT INITIALLY ATTRACTED YOU TO EACH OTHER?
Andy: I saw her in passing, as she was friends with my roommate. Then I noticed she had a Facebook page just for her cat—I love cats! I was intrigued.
Lillian: I noticed him at my friend’s house—they were roommates and lived down the street from my mom’s house. His smirk made me smile, and I enjoyed how he commented on my cat’s Facebook profile very regularly.
HOW DID HE PROPOSE?
Andy did not propose—he is a self-proclaimed feminist. He grew up influenced by strong females and early on, he had shared his feelings on proposing and women changing their last name after marriage—those were not things he wanted for our relationship. Andy felt marriage should be approached together with thoughtful, deep conversation, and eventually one of these conversations led to me getting an engagement ring made from my great-grandmother’s wedding band from 1919. The ring was updated with a London blue topaz stone, but the band’s original design has remained unchanged.
WHAT WAS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR WEDDING?
It was cat- and agate-themed! We love cats, and Lillian loves agates. Our wedding also included a lot of non-traditional elements, such a pretzel wall during cocktail hour, trophies for the best dancers, a “cat toss” in lieu of a bouquet/garter toss—and, of course, cat ears for every guest!
FAVORITE MOMENT ON YOUR WEDDING DAY?
Andy: The last song of the night, Seal’s “Kiss From A Rose,” seemed like a hard song to dance to, but everyone circled around us as we danced to it at the end of the reception.
Lillian: Getting to see my nieces and nephew as the flower girls and ringbearer. One of our nieces, 3-year-old June, insisted for weeks leading up to the wedding that it was “her wedding.” I was delighted she was so excited for the big day! Ironically, she was the most overwhelmed when it came to picture time, and didn’t make it into too many shots. I assume it was because she may have realized it was, in fact, not her wedding—I would be disappointed, as well.
AS A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER, WAS IT STRANGE TO BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION?
Lillian: Being a photographer is pretty much the source of all my confidence—it’s about the only thing in life where I actually know what I’m doing. Without a camera in my hands, I was definitely struggling. I was super-nervous and visibly shaking the entire ceremony. I picked one of my super-close friends as my photographer (JJ Lane). She and I have an extremely similar photographic style, so I knew she would capture what I wanted. To everyone’s surprise, I was a super-chill bride!
WHAT DO YOU CHERISH MOST ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP?
Andy: I appreciate that Lillian has so much love to give, and especially that she chooses to share that love with me.
Lillian: I am grateful Andy is a good communicator. I am less rational sometimes, so it’s great to have someone more centered.
VENUE: Pere Marquette Lodge
PHOTOGRAPHY: Be Lovely Photography (lead photographer), Laura Borealis Imagery, STL From Above (drone photographer)
VIDEOGRAPHY: Ann Marie Media
WEDDING DRESS: Stella York (Cleo Bridal)
GROOM’S SUIT: JoS A. Bank
RINGS: Mohr Creation Custom Jewelers (bridal set), The Timbersmith (groom’s ring)
HAIR/MAKEUP: Salon Asylum
FLOWERS: The Savvy Bride
ENTERTAINMENT: Millennium Productions, DJ Brian Lewin
CAKE: Russo’s Catering
