Courtesy of i am blessed

We can’t forget about the dress. Sara was able to really customize this part of her wedding, and follow it up with a fun (semi) Trash the Dress at the City Museum.
From Sara
I bought my veil for $20 on eBay; I was appalled by the prices of these things in the bridal shop. My friend’s mother (as a wedding gift) made my hairpiece – It was stunning.

Images courtesy of Kevin Martini-Fuller Photography and Danny Reise Photography
After the wedding, I still wasn’t quite ready to give up the dress. Katie Roberds and I spent an unseasonably warm winter day at the City Museum after the wedding. It was a blast and I have some really beautiful photos to boot!




All trash the dress images courtesy of Katie Roberds Photography
I think I tried on 100 dresses. I was getting discouraged… until one fateful day at Clarice’s Bridal on Hampton. The staff was incredibly nice and described to me how the dresses can be customized. Which only makes sense… if you are ordering a dress so it can be “custom made for you,” why not get it EXACTLY how you want it? My Casablanca gown had a full order page of changes (no beading or buttons, different neckline, different type of pleats on the skirt, corset back, etc.) and I was as happy as a clam with the results. And, I happen to be selling it for one lucky girl on Bravo Bride.

Image courtesy of Kevin Martini-Fuller Photography

In addition to the entire wedding being a fun event for their guests, Sara and Dustin had some great hook-ups for their photography, the paper goods and wedding website.
From Sara
We are so lucky to have friends with unbelievable talent.
I have a degree in photography, so obviously having a great photographer was super important. My old Professor from university, Kevin Martini-Fuller, came from Elco, Nevada for the weekend. I also hired Danny Reise for the photojournalistic shots. And our friend and fellow college classmate, Katie Roberds, shared her amazing talent as well. (My advice would be to reserve more time than you would ever think would be necessary for photographs and if you are choosing one place to splurge, the photography would be it.)
John Vogl of the Bungaloo created and hand printed our save the date band posters and Tori Mathis of Paperkeet did all other papery wonderfulness (invites, signs, table names, escort cards, programs, etc.).

To keep guests up-to-date on the wedding plans, Dustin, who is a web designer, created a great little website for all the guests. A good chunk or our guests were coming from out of town or out of the country and we wanted a way for them to get a feel for our city and the people in the wedding before they even got here.
And, for all the readers wondering where all of their details came from and who their vendors were, here are the deets (with comments from the Bride):
Bridesmaid Dresses: JS Boutique, Nordstrom
Bride’s Dress: Custom Casablanca, Clarice’s Bridal
Groom and Groomsmen’s tux: Calvin Klein, Men’s Warehouse
Bride’s Shoes: Nine West and Rocket Dog (flats for dancing, of course!)
Rings: Summit Jewelers (highly recommended!!!)
Ceremony and Reception: Rialto Ballroom in the Centene Center for the Arts
Hotel for the Guests and Wedding Party: Moonrise Hotel
Rehearsal Dinner: Eclipse at the Moonrise Hotel
Photobooth: Photobooth STL
Shuttle Bus (for to and from the hotel to the venue): Best Transportation
All Images courtesy of: Kevin Martini-Fuller, Danny Reise and Katie Roberds
**Stay tuned tomorrow for details on Sara’s dress, accessories and Trash the Dress session.**

The first ever Landlocked Bride Real Wedding feature comes straight from a St. Louis bride herself. Sara contacted me expressing interest in sharing her Midwest soiree, and I couldn’t not share it with you all. Instead of me trying to tell the story, I will be letting the brides tell you the stories.
From Sara
Getting ready was a really great and special time with my mom and sisters. I was calm and relaxed. We all did our own makeup. My friend and hairstylist came to do our hair. As soon as my mom laced up my corset, it hit me. I was so freaking excited to see Dustin and felt so beautiful I started jumping on the bed. So. Much. Fun.



Our ceremony and reception took place at The Rialto Ballroom, which is on the top floor of the Centene Center for the Arts and Education in Grand Center. The over-sized patio was a perfect fit to have our ceremony for 150, and guests could file straight into the ballroom for the reception. We didn’t fully realize till we got the photos back how great the city skyline looked from up there. Very Urban Chic.


We rented a photobooth for the evening and asked each guest to leave one for us for our guestbook and take one home (which also doubled as their favor). The images were priceless. Something about closing that curtain while the flashes are firing off really makes even the most reserved of guests come out of their shell. And, we made little buttons to go on each place setting. Each one was unique with the same phrase “I love you more than…” I love you more than Family Guy. I love you more than cotton candy. I love you more than Fredbird. I love you more than Vespa Scooters. I love you more than full moons…

All Images courtesy of: Kevin Martini-Fuller, Danny Reise and Katie Roberds

Image courtesy of clark + walker studio
You know the drill – if you know the designer, be sure to share!
I’m a huge fan of tree lots around the holidays. Like huge.
You see, my sorority happens to have its very own philanthropic center in town, and each year to raise money for the foundation, they run the Shining Light Tree Lot. And, each year I spend a few of my Saturdays (and Sundays) volunteering my time, selling trees and soaking in the fantastic smell that is Christmas Trees.
When I stumbled upon this engagement session by Jenna Walker Photography, I was a bit jealous. Why hadn’t I thought of this? Le sigh. Nonetheless, the couple, Julia and Jacob look like they had a fantastic time. And, I bet they enjoyed their time together (and the smell of the trees) oh so much.


Images courtesy of Jenna Walker Photography
Not only has it been cold in the Midwest, but I haven’t seen the sun in I cannot tell you how long (literally). I used to wear my sunglasses on my drive to work every morning (thanks to sunshine slowdown, for those of you not familiar with morning commutes here in town), but they have been on the table for a couple of weeks now.
I don’t know where I was when this picture was taken, but our fabulous wedding photographer (who I cannot rave enough about – love her) managed to capture the sun on a Winter afternoon. Lucky her. It may have been cold outside at the Citygarden, but the sun graced her presence (and that of that cute couple).
I digress.
I hope you are staying warm on this cold Saturday, Winter day.

Image courtesy of Lisa Hessel Photography

Shauna Younge Dessert Tables
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Today I’m bringing you a delicious dessert table by the fabulous Shauna Younge of Shauna Younge Dessert Tables.
A few weeks back, Shauna was asked to design a table for the Minneapolis/St. Paul Weddings Magazine Bridal Party based off of this inspiration board. She recently got the photos back and wanted me to share with the Landlocked Bride readers.





All photos courtesy of Sweet Shibui Photography.
The color palette is fantastic, not to mention how hungry I am from staring at these photos while I type. Those purple macaroons have my name all over them.
A big thanks to Shauna Younge Dessert Tables, Sweet Shibui Photography, Sugar and Flour, Patrick’s Bakery, Franklin Street Bakery and Sweets Bakeshop for letting us feature Shauna’s creation!
For those of us in the Midwest, it’s cold. Like really cold. It doesn’t help that we keep getting snow (although, I cannot complain, as the East Coast has gotten about 10 times more snow than us). BUT, my point is that we are all dreaming of warmer weather (and if you’re not, you’re crazy, but I still love you as a reader). Stephanie Williams recently featured an engagement session with lots of golden light (in the obviously warm weather), bamboo and a gorgeous couple.

So, for all reasons, I’m jealous. I love bamboo and the warm golden sun. And, who cannot resist an adorable couple?
And, I know this is photo #2 from Stephanie Williams – she’s just a really good photog!


