Let me tell you about Hayley and Mike!
They had found me through a mutual friend/classmate of mine back when we did their engagement pictures, which until a week ago, had been the main cover image on my website because I loved it so dang much (unfortunately Google doesn't like when you don't update things, so, I had to force myself to move on after over a year lol).
From their engagement session alone, I could tell how fun and laid-back these two were, and what a perfect match they are for each other. I was so excited when they had asked me to tag along to St. Louis for their wedding day, which was even better that I could've imagined! Like many other weddings this year, this was a postponement due to you-know-what, and let me tell you--couples who had to deal with wedding planning during Covid know. how. to. party!!! This was undoubtedly one of the most energetic crews, always taking any moment they can to dance on the party bus, take a shot, and of course, have some of the best reception entrances I've seen to date 😂
I spent my first time in STL grabbing some calzones at a restaurant that my middle-school music teacher's brother managed (coincidentally), trying some local beers, seeing the Clydesdale horses, and eating donuts while exploring the Arch. The next day was wedding day, all day--keep scrolling to see pictures and read more about Hayley and Mike's downtown St. Louis fall wedding!
Bridesmaids first looks are becoming a favorite of mine!
Although it wasn't originally planned in the day, I suggested last minute that since no one had really seen Hayley fully ready we should do a bridesmaids first look! I love seeing everyone's reactions all together, spending some time hyping up the bride, and building up the suspense for everyone, which only makes it that much more emotional!
Check out more bridesmaid first looks here.
After getting the basic details and showing Hayley off to her girls, we piled into the bus and headed over to the church to get these two married (again!). They got married on their original wedding date in the summer and opted to have their bigger wedding celebration and reception in October.
This dress was everyyything! Not only did it fit her like a glove, but it was such a beautiful dress for a church ceremony--the way it cascaded down the stairs was drool-worthy!!
We had tons of time for wedding portraits, my personal favorite part of the day, so we headed to a few different parts of Forest Park.
There were a few other groups taking wedding pictures at Forest Park, but with a location as gorgeous as this, I don't blame them! My favorite locations for wedding pictures are basically what this was--a little bit of greenery, some open sky, and some stone architecture. Check, check, and check!
This group was one of the easiest groups to photograph despite what they may have thought--I got a few apologies and even questions if I enjoyed it--which of freaking course I do or else I'd find another job lol! Partying with y'all and seeing how happy and excited everyone gets is one of the BEST things about this, and this group was definitely in the mood to have fun!
All these next few walking pictures are some of my favorites from the day! Walking pictures always stand out to me, but there's so much joy in these and you can totally feel it just by looking!
Including photos from every single wedding party member would mean this blog post would be literally over 100 photos (which it might already be??), but I wanted to include some of my favorites! Which means showing those tears that you can't keep from coming out, and then sitting in a giant bird bath.....that was one I hadn't seen before hahah.
Finally, my absolute favorite part of the day, the bride and groom portraits!
Hayley and Mike both look like what you think of (or what I think of) when the word "bridal" or "wedding" come up. They both look so classic, alone and together. These are the photos that become profile pictures, phone wall papers, or hung up in your house (as they should!). These are the ones you get really excited to show your friends and family and eventually maybe your kids or grandkids. Portraits are where I got started in photography, and they're such a highlight of the day for me. Along with eating dinner 😉
And possibly my favorite from their wedding day:
Then everyone did some Fireball shots together as one last wedding-party picture, which I'm sure got them reception-ready and helped them feel a little better in the cold. We finished up some more couples pictures at the Jewel Box, then made our way to the party at Windows on Washington!
There is no limit to how many wedding portraits I can take.
Narrowing them down to which ones I wanna share on here is tough you guys!!! I feel like a mother trying to decide which child to kick out of the house when I rather just buy a bigger house. Does that make sense? Lol. I guess that's what the rest of my website is for--plastering these all over the place!
After the speeches, first dances, and cake cutting, it was time for some dancing to end the night!
Although it may not be the wedding these two had originally planned, it was still an absolute blast and I know it was special for them to get to be with so many loved ones on their new wedding date.
This day was definitely one for the books, and I'm so happy that these two got to have the party they spent so long planning and re-planning until it finally got to happen.
Congrats to the Jureks who now will always have one extra anniversary to celebrate :)
