landlocked bride® | midwest + mountain west wedding inspiration

Pam and Jay’s wedding was so full of not just love and fun, but personal elements to really help make their big day about their relationship. Their story, as shared by Heather, the photographer, is the kind that warms your heart – one that reinforces what a great marriage (and wedding) is founded upon.

Heather Cook Elliot Photography

From the Photographer, Heather:
Pam and Jay’s wedding photos tell their story of love, travel, friendship and intensity, and, like Pam’s smile, it’s a big story. Their love story details are sweet and romantic, their history together already rich with vivid places and spaces they’ve explored together. He’s from the Boston area, she from Chicago but they met in the fair city of Milwaukee at Marquette University. Big bodies of water figure prominently in both their histories – his summers on the Cape, her years with Lake Michigan as the defining spacial marker plus a year spent in Ireland, an island after all – meant that we had to go to the lakefront on their wedding day. Turns out, he proposed to her at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco… Water, water everywhere.

As far as their relationship goes they challenge and sustain one another intellectually…and playfully. But even knowing all that about them I was stunned by the beauty, fun and thoughtfulness that characterized their wedding day. Both Pam and Jay were radiantly joyful all day, the weather and the smiles of their friends perfect mirrors of their happiness. Thoughtful touches like a trolley (in honor of their engagement city), custom cufflinks to celebrate Jay’s old city and his new one, plus dual priests to honor both families (Pam’s Uncle and Jay’s longtime family friend) made my day and their superb taste in cupcakes made my night. (Seriously, months later I can still remember how good the french toast and red velvet cupcakes tasted!) To top it off Pam and Jay hosted one of the best dance parties I’ve seen at a wedding, and yes, even Pam’s uncle the priest cut a rug on the dance floor.

Ceremony Venue: Old St. Mary Parish | Reception Venue: Lakefront Brewery Palm Garden | Wedding Gown: Pronovias from A L’Amour Bridal Boutique | Bridal Accessories: A L’Amour Bridal Boutique | Bride’s Shoes: Nina | Bride’s Purse: Weddings By Janie | Bride’s Hair Flower: Weddings By Janie | Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse | Bridesmaid’s Dresses: B2 from A L’Amour Bridal Boutique | Groom’s Cufflinks: Tomatomade | Makeup: On Location Makeup Artistry | Salon: Executive Edge | Flowers: Flowers By Faye | Invitations: For Now and Forever Wedding Invitations | Cupcakes: Classy Girl Cupcakes | DJ: Sound By Design | Photographer: Heather Cook Elliot Photography | Videographer: Our Wedding Day Forever | Photobooth: The Traveling Photobooth | Cake topper: Tuckerreece | Linens: Weddings By Janie

Rachel at Talia Events shared this wedding with me earlier this year, which happens to be her brother’s wedding. I couldn’t wait to share – the warmth in the photos had me longing for warmer temperatures. And, with Spring here the barn back drop, gondolier, adorable pup, and shear joy between Blayne and Alex make the perfect mixture for a beautiful wedding.

Jeff Sampson Photography

alex + blayne | the perfect game from AJ Production Company on Vimeo.

From the Photographers, Val and Jeff:
We’ve fallen in love with Alex and Blayne! They are one of those couples who we had an instant connection with. The first time I chatted on the phone with Blayne, I just knew! And, after we spent an evening photographing their e-session, we knew they were kind of people we could sit, chat, and have drinks with. We love them!

Every aspect of this gorgeous affair was thoughtfully planned. There wasn’t a moment without that “WOW” factor, not a corner without a beautiful detail, nothing was over looked and not a minute went by without pure happiness from everyone!

Some of our favorite highlights: the reception in a true South Dakota Barn, two dresses for the big affair, a gondola ride with a gondolier, their thoughtfully practiced, adorable first dance, the contagious laughter, smiles, and love by all, and the overall gorgeous simplicity of the affair!

Hair + Makeup: Angelique with Platinum Imaginations | Ceremony Venue: First Lutheran Church | Wedding Coordinator: Leah with Envision Wedding Studios | Tables & Chair Rentals: Ideal Wedding Center  | Wedding Gown: Watters from the French Doors | Entertainment/DJ: DJ Jer | Lincoln Towncar: Royal Limousine  | Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew | Caterer: Chef Dominiques | Cakes + Cookies: Hy-Vee on Minnesota | Flowers: Hy-Vee on Minnesota | Videographer: AJ Productions | Men’s Suits: Jos A. Bank  | Rings: Bechtolds |
Necklace & Bracelet: Faini Designs 

I always love when I am able to directly connect with brides on Twitter. It’s both rewarding and exciting to see them go through the planning process. Not to mention the anticipation that builds around the first sneak peek of their wedding photos. Kasey was a St. Louis bride I connected with while I was engaged. So, when she sent her photos to me, I was thrilled and honored to be able to share them with you. Her modern set-up with a bold pop of color and crazy photo booth are only the beginning of why this wedding was so fun.

Fisher Photography

From the Bride:
Shortly after our college graduation, Tim and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary. We went to Chicago which is my absolute favorite city. On the second night of our trip, we had a delicious romantic dinner and took a stroll down the Navy Pier. Once we reached the end of the Pier (and I do mean the very end…we walked a long way). Tim stopped and began to hug me and tell how much he loved me and how much he meant to me. I honestly did not think that we would be getting engaged for at least another year out of college, but the thought crossed my mind at that moment that maybe, just maybe, it was about to happen right then and there. With the beautiful bright city skyline all lit up behind us, Tim got down on one knee and pulled a Tiffany & Co. box out of nowhere and held it in front of me when he asked me if I would spend the rest of my life with him. Of course I was ecstatic, both laughing and crying and gave him a very enthusiastic “Yes!” Only moments later as we were taking in the moment did a security car drive up by us to tell us the Pier was now closed and we needed to leave. I proceeded to tell him we just got engaged, and he took a photo for us before we left.

Tim was surprised when we arrived back home from our trip, and I opened up my closet to show him the stack of wedding magazines I had already had waiting in my closet. I have always had a passion for planning weddings and events, not just my own, and Tim knew this, but didn’t know that I had already been studying ideas for our own wedding for months. I did a good job of hiding this I must say.

I was so excited for the planning process to begin, and we started right away. Tim was the perfect groom-to-be being involved when I wanted him to be and stepping back when there were decisions I wanted to make with my mom. He was content with everything. I am a very modern bride, but still like a tradition or two thrown in here and there. I wanted everything to be classy, yet still fun. We chose to go with a modern, crisp black and white theme with a pop of color, that of which I chose to be pink, my absolute favorite color. I was worried though as I didn’t want anything to end up looking like ‘Barbie’ or a child’s birthday party, but I think we did it all just right. The venue was perfect. It had that lofty feel that we both so loved with the sleek patterns, open structures and exposed brick walls. The centerpieces and bridal bouquets were phenomenal and exactly what I had wanted. I don’t think anything could have been more perfect.

Our wedding ceremony was especially sacred to us as my Grandpa was the pastor who performed our ceremony. My Grandpa has been a Baptist pastor for years. He is a truly amazing man who married my parents and the rest of his children along with many other close family members including my cousin who was married in Atlanta just two weeks before Tim and I. We went through pre-marital counseling with my Grandpa the months leading up to the wedding with dinner together once a month discussing marriage, our lives, our future together and our faith and spirituality. Having my Grandpa as the man who was standing at the altar next to my soon-to-be husband as my dad walked me down the aisle was truly one of the most meaningful aspects of our day. I don’t think it would have felt quite the same with anyone else pronouncing us as husband and wife.

As our gift to our wedding guests, we made a donation the The Humane Society of Missouri in honor of them. Tim and I adopted our dog, Bentley, from the Humane Society of Southeast MO while we were in college and couldn’t think of a better or more meaningful cause. The guests still had something to take home with them too as donation cards were given along with a dog bone shaped chocolate representing what we have done for them.

Not only was there great food and dancing at our reception, but we also chose to have a photo booth which I believe was one of the highlights of the evening. Our guests were at the photo booth all night long taking all sorts of fun and goofy photos in remembrance of our day. Tim and I made sure we got a few shots with friends, family and of course each other at the photo booth as well.

Around 10:30 pm after dinner was served, the commemorative dances had been done and the party was getting started, we brought in Imo’s pizza for our guests as a late night snack, especially great since everyone was dancing off their dinner throughout the night. Our family has a relationship with the owner of several of the Imo’s stores, and Tim worked for Imo’s throughout college when we came home for summers and breaks, so it couldn’t have been a more perfect treat to give to our guests, plus Imo’s Pizza screams St. Louis.

By 11 p.m. with only one hour left in our reception, Tim and I found each other and decided that we had done all of the greeting we could do throughout the night and we were ready to spend the remaining minutes with each other and our close family and friends to really take in the moment so we hit the dance floor and danced the rest of the night away together. As I am a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, several of my sorority sisters were there, and they gathered in a circle around Tim and I with a candle pass and song honoring our special day and our love for one another. As for the boys, their tradition is a little different with the singing of American Pie, which gets a little more rowdy than the girls, but it’s still so much fun. The night closed with the last dance being Marry Me by Train which is the song that one of Tim’s Groomsmen sang to us during our wedding ceremony.

The entire day could not have been more perfect or more personal with so many little details and aspects that fit Tim and I just perfectly. After six years of dating, one year of engagement and lots of time spent planning, our wedding day turned out to be everything I ever imagined it would be. I would do it all again tomorrow. I couldn’t be happier to be celebrating this new chapter in my life as a newlywed with my husband.

Ceremony Venue: Third Baptist Church of St. Louis | Reception Venue: Westin St. Louis | Florist: ZuZu’s Petals | Photography: Fisher Photography | Stationery: Slice of Lime Design | Bakery: Whipt Cream | Photo Booth: Fish Eye Fun | DJ: Millennium Productions | Wedding Gown: Town and Country Bridal | Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid

LAM Photography

From the Bride:
We wanted our wedding day to reflect our values and our styles as much as possible and to do so on a reasonable budget. So if we could make it, thrift it, or borrow it, we did. We had a rather quick engagement because we wanted to get married on a unique date, 11.11.11, so a lot of friends and family helped us out. We made our own wedding website, designed our own invitations, photo backdrop, and all the decorations. We set our priorities and spent our funds on those aspects, the rest we did ourselves. We hired a great photographer and an excellent caterer. The Museum of the Dog was a great spot for us to have the laid back and fun reception party we wanted to provide for our guests. Having a “first look” before the ceremony was the right choice. It was in the park across the street from our house in just the right fall light.

If our wedding had a theme it was vintage DIY. All the attention we paid to detail really paid off for us and our guests. They still tell us what a great time they had. We used vintage book pages throughout the décor (ceremony programs, bridesmaids flowers, aisle decor, boutonnieres, etc.) and I scoured antique malls and my grandma’s dresser drawers for brooches for my bouquet. Two of our favorite things we prepared for our guests were the dessert tables and the centerpieces. All the plates on the dessert table were antiques and I designed the stands myself. The groom’s cake was a “bologna sandwich,” family members made all the cookies, cake pops and treat bags for the tables. The reception tables were full of hand made details made with love for us on our special day. The day went by so quickly, but I know that it was truly a day that reflected us and our journey together.

Ceremony Venue: Union Avenue Christian Church | Reception Venue: The American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog (Constellation Room) | Wedding Gown: Unique Vintage | Bride’s Accessories: Anna Ourth Jewelry | Bride’s Shoes: DSW | Groom’s Suit: Kohl’s | Rentals: Weinhardt Party Rentals | Cake: Bride’s Mom | Cupcakes: The BitterSweet Bakery | Catering: Candicci’s | DJ: Elite Pro DJ

Cate Jackson Photography

From the Bride:
Dennis and I met in 2009. It’s interesting how similar our backgrounds are and how many mutual friends and acquaintances we have had most of our lives. Although there were several other times in previous years when we could have met, we met at the perfect time. We began dating in March 2010, were engaged in February of 2011. He proposed at the same restaurant at the Delmar Loop (Ranoush) where we had our first ‘date’. He had come into town and we went to Ranoush with a group of friends who happened to be there again, a year later, to witness the proposal! For all the St. Louis people – he proposed the week that Lambert Field was closed for 2-3 days because of bad weather. Dennis ended up getting into town two days later than planned. That gave him 24 hours to get everything ready.

The Bible College where our wedding took place was where my parents first met. Our lives are centered around God and both have a love for mission work. We’ve both been blessed with wonderful families and friends who were a very important in our lives. It was so wonderful to include our family and friends in this celebration of our faith and beginning of our lives together.

Including our grandparents, who have all passed away, in our special day was important to us. There were several ways that we included them in the wedding. The candles on the altar table – were a memorial/dedication to them. Two of the broaches in my bouquet had belonged to my grandmothers. The pictures in the reception hall where all the couples from both sides of the family, going back a few generations on both sides.

There were a lot of sentimental touches throughout the day that made it so special to me. When I picked out Peter, Paul & Mary’s “There Is Love” for the processional, I had no idea it was the same song my parents had in their wedding. Ultimately, Dennis and I loved celebrating the beginning of our lives together centered around the most important things in our lives – God, family and friends. We wouldn’t have made it to that special day without them.

Ceremony / Reception Venue: Gateway College of Evangelism | Floral Designer: Off the Wall Florist; Harold’s Wholesale Florist | Catering: Spice of Life Catering | Baker / Pie: Helfer’s Pastries & Deli Cafe | Rentals: Premier Party Rentals | Stationery: Brewers Print & Design | Wedding Gown / Veil: Chatfields Bridal Boutique | Taffy Favors: Mt. Rushmore Taffy Shop | Cufflinks: White Truffle Studio

There is just something charming about a backyard wedding. Maybe it’s the intimacy of the affair, the closeness to home and family (literally) or the simplicity. Sarah and John’s wedding details were the perfect balance of sweet and uncomplicated.

Lindsay Carole Photography

About the Couple:
John and Sarah met sometime in 2001 or 2002. Neither of them is sure which year it was, but for the sake of continuity, let’s go with the Fall of 2001. They became close friends in the Summer of 2003. They fell in love in the Spring of 2005. But they broke up in the Winter of 2010. Luckily, they worked through many issues and became engaged in the Fall of 2010!!

John remembers first meeting Sarah at her friend Wendy’s house. Wendy was hosting a small impromptu gathering, where someone was trying to teach about half a dozen people to play poker. Wendy and Sarah sat next to each other and kept laughing and not paying attention. Sarah still does not know how to play poker. John sat next to Scott (Sarah’s and John’s mutual friend) at the opposite end of the table. John wasn’t paying attention to the poker lessons either…he was paying attention to Sarah. But Sarah had a boyfriend at the time.

Sarah remembers first meeting John at a different (earlier) social gathering (also organized by our dear friend, Wendy!) at a Westminster billiards bar, called Pink-E’s. Scott had been saying recently that she just HAD to meet his new friend, John, because his sense of humor reminded Scott of hers, and he thought these humors united could result in heights of hilarity for all! Extending Wendy’s invitation to Scott, Sarah was delighted when he said he’d be bringing John. Finally, she’d get to meet this John fellow. Amidst a sea of hot pink felted pool tables, Sarah was soon charmed by John, who was handsome, tall, fun, and had the charisma, maturity and galantry that she wished her current boyfriend would have honed by then. Now, Sarah knows that this was their first meeting, because she remembers the party at Wendy’s house very well, having again extended Wendy’s invitation to Scott, and to John, whom she’d already met… and already adored.

Things were pretty crazy for many months prior to the wedding. John and Sarah were at the tail end of rehabbing their house, and were at the point where they needed to decide which things could wait until after the wedding (which was being held in their backyard). As an example, a mere week before the wedding, there was a toilet and a bathtub sitting in our backyard!!

Ceremony / Reception Venue: Private Residence | Wedding Coordinator: L. Elizabeth Events | Photography: Lindsay Carole Photography | Cake / Desserts: Living the Sweet Life | Ceremony Backdrop: Décor ‘N More, Inc. | DJ: Maestro Mobile Music Productions | Caterer: Serendipity | Hair / Make-up: Ahh Mobile Spa | Florist: Timeless Floral & Events | Event Rentals: Butler Rents | Gown / Bridal Accessories: A Total Images Bridal Wearhouse | Groom’s Tuxedo: Men’s Warehouse | Paper and Sky Lanterns: JustArtifacts.com

Cultural weddings rock my socks off. The meaning, the love, the tradition. All of it. Joann and Mike take a nod to their families, but also incorporate traditional wedding details including programs, guestbook, and of course, a traditional ceremony. Beautiful all around. Not to mention that photographer, Clary, captured them so beautifully (and some of the photos are in film!).

Clary Photo

From the Bride:
Wedding planning was made easy with the vendors we used. We were planning our wedding from NYC and wanted everything to be simple, easy and organized. Our wedding planner took care of budget items, invoicing, rehearsal/rehearsal dinner planning, day off scheduling, etc. She stayed within our budget and made our wedding beautiful. Each our vendors was a pleasure to work with and was accommodating and fun to work with. Clary photo flew out to NYC and made us feel comfortable in front of the camera. She made us look like we’ve never looked before! Kelly at Crimson Petal took on a proactive role and set the mood of the ceremony and the reception with her unique and creative ideas. With the floods in STL that year, she was quick to resolve issues with availability of flowers. She stayed within our budget without compromising quality and beauty. Rockstar DJ listened to each of our requests and set the ever-evolving mood for the reception. We loved our wedding thanks to everyone who made it so special!

Ceremony / Reception Venue: Four Seasons St. Louis | Flowers: Crimson Petal | Music: Rockstar DJs | Planner: Fleur di Lis | Makeup: Metamorphisis – Jennifer Sarino | Photobooth: Photobooth STL | Photographer: Clary Photo | Linens: BBJ Linen | Rentals: Premier Party Rentals

Love knows no age is in fact a true statement. Not only did I enjoy perusing through all of the photos from this wedding because of the holiday decor, but I loved the couple, Tami and Clayton. The warmth and love in their eyes radiates in these photos. And, it reminds me that love is beautiful, always and forever.

La Vie Photography

From the Planner, Rita:
Timeless, classic and warm was the overall feeling of Tami & Clayton wedding.   The Minneapolis Club was the perfect venue to host their ceremony and reception with its dark, rich wood.  White and red flowers blended beautifully accented by a lot of candlelight  and twinkle lights to bring the element of warmth they desired.     Because it was a second marriage for both, they opted to have a small, intimate ceremony with a larger dinner reception.   Most important to them was being surrounded by their family and friends on their very special day.

Planner: Rita Swanson of Premier Planning Services  |  Photographer: Sally Butler of La Vie Photography  |  Ceremony & Reception  : Minneapolis Club  |  Florist: Richfield Flowers & Events  |  Reception Music: Instant Request  |  Hair Stylist: Rene Rattler  |  Make-Up Artist: Donna Kelly  |  Wedding Dress: Posh  |  Groom’s Tuxedo: Heimie’s Haberdashery  |  Photo Booth: The Travelling Photo Booth  |  Transportation: Emerald Transportation  |  Officiant: Pastor Stehen Cornils

Kate and David’s wedding has fun, color, personality and family history. Not to mention they were one of many to have tied the knot at Kate’s family’s lake house. That’s a tradition I can get behind.

Andy Stenz Photography

From the Photographer:
Kate + David tied the knot at the family lakehouse that has been in the family for over 100 years. It’s hosted many weddings (I think Kate and David made it and yet I felt special because it will be the last in their family, as they sold the house and it changed hands last Fall. Pardon my nostalgia for the first bunch of photos – it is such a beautiful house with so many memories of family, gatherings and love. The large black and white family photo was taken on the property in 1924. Amazing. The day was wonderful, and Kate and David really shined. Staying calm in the heat and just plain having fun all day long. They are so much fun to be around because they are just two people very comfortable in their own skin. They know who they are individually and together, and it’s a blast watching them interact. And, their friends are just good humored and lovely people. I was honored to have spent the day hanging out with them.

Ceremony Venue: Private Residence | Reception: Oconomowoc Lake Club | Andy Stenz Photography | Wedding Planner: Details | Florist: Avant Garden | Cake: Sweet Perfections | Hair Stylist: Craig Berns Salon | Specialty Lighting: Dream Lighting Company | DJ: Advanced Entertainment DJ Service

Keep it simple. Not just a mantra for living life, but when planning your wedding.

It’s always refreshing when a couple does not overthink their wedding plans. The simplicity helps the pieces fall into place and shifts the focus on the “m” word (you know, marriage).

Libby and Dave planned their wedding in five months and enlisted the help from friends and family. The details are sweet, simple and beautiful.

deBruyn Photography

From the Bride:
Dave and I had to plan our Wisconsin winter wedding from our new home of South Dakota, with everyone else involved spread out among the Midwest. We had five months to plan and an impossibly tiny budget, but things seemed promising right from the start.

First of all, I got the privilege of wearing my mother’s 1983 wedding gown, beautifully restored and altered by a benevolent and talented friend. She removed the sleeves and took in the waist, and another friend did wonders with an embosser removing some gnarly yellow beading to reveal gorgeous Alencon lace. It was perfect.

We were able to use a sweet little church in Wilson, WI as our ceremony and reception venue for free! Dave’s father Curt performed the ceremony, and we had friends and family who all helped things run smoothly, baked our cake, and even catered!

Using friends and family in place of vendors, we were just under budget, but we still needed to decorate. My friend Alissa invited me to pinterest, and from there DIY ideas took off. Alissa became my wedding consultant and sounding board. She coordinated, decorated, took candid photos, made my invitations from old book pages–with help from my designer friend Rob–, did my flowers, and helped me accomplish all the little DIY gems we found together on pinterest. I’d say she was the most valuable asset I had as a bride with a budget.

Our friend Tom DeBruyn offered his services as our photographer, and he exceeded our expectations. We are so thrilled with these shots–especially how well they capture the joy of the day, the humor, our personalities, and our strong ties to family.

He captured what was important to us about the day, like the music! That was definitely a dream come true for us. We were able to get a classical guitarist, who did a guitar version of my favorite song, Coldplay’s “Yellow,” for when I walked down the aisle. Some friends of David’s, a jazz trio from Minneapolis, performed during the dinner reception. David, a jazz musician himself, played along on the upright bass for a few songs, which I think was his favorite part of the reception.

Everything about our day was amazing. Even the weather. I prayed for snow, but wondered if we would actually get any—which is strange for December in the Midwest. Then on my wedding day, right when the ceremony began, we had the most gorgeous, sumptuous snow of the season. You can’t plan that.