The moon was unusually bright on the October night when high school sweethearts Mary and Andrew had their first dance together as husband and wife. Hours earlier, I was fortunate to capture the bride's mother gazing lovingly at her daughter, perhaps remembering when she too exchanged vows with her own high school sweetheart.  Mary's older sister shares a similar story — one I had captured eight years earlier.  Commitment and faith run deep in this family.  

Mary was stunning in her empire-waisted Vera Wang gown, setting the stage for a true fairytale wedding. Christy Parson styled Mary’s romantic flowing curls along with the hair and makeup of her bridesmaids. 

Mary and Andrew married at the Shrine of St. Joseph, where the blaze of the golden altar complimented the warm smiles of friends and family.  The charming outdoor reception at St. Louis Country Club featured beautiful floral arrangements with lively bursts of fuchsia and lilac against elegant white roses, all crafted by Florist Ken Meisner.  The bridesmaids’ bouquets encircled a flawless four-tiered wedding cake by Sugaree that looked almost too perfect to eat.

Aries Lighting created a romantic atmosphere with market lights overhead and added fun accent lighting on trees and around the dance floor. For me, the setting couldn’t have been more perfect for me to test the limits of my brand new Canon 5D Mark IV camera, which allowed me to capture some truly remarkable “after dark” photos without the harsh shadows of a flash.  

As evening turned to night, the Fabulous MoTown Revue kept the energy alive as guests crowded the dance floor to celebrate the young couple’s happiness. Andrew twirled his bride beneath the moonlit sky until it was time for their family and friends to send them off in a shower of white confetti.

Congratulations Mary and Andrew!