I had the honor of officiating the wedding of Kyle and Hien Brown on September 27, 2014 at the St. Charles Convention Center. Kyle and Hien went to Riu Palace Rivera Maya in Mexico on there honeymoon They had this amazing photographer Juan Navarro. His website is www.juanphotos.com.
If you are planning your honeymoon to Rivera Maya, please take note of this photographer and you can have these beautiful photos as well.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Monday, August 25, 2014
Zachary and Ashley one year anniversary
Zachary and Ashley were married last year on 8/23/14 at The Thaxton in Downtown St. Louis.
This past year, Zach and Ashley have bought a new house and she has a new job.
They are a great couple and I am so glad we have stayed in touch on Facebook,
Happy one year anniversary Zachary and Ashley
Picture of new home
This past year, Zach and Ashley have bought a new house and she has a new job.
They are a great couple and I am so glad we have stayed in touch on Facebook,
Happy one year anniversary Zachary and Ashley
Picture of new home
Friday, August 1, 2014
Jeff, Jennifer and Ben
I had the great pleasure to marry Jeff and Jennifer on April 6, 2013 on the Arch Grounds in Downtown St. Louis.
We have kept in touch through Facebook and I got to watch Jennifer going through her pregnancy.
Ben was born on July 16, 2014. They have a beautiful family. I wish you many more years of happiness.
Monday, April 7, 2014
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Thursday, March 6, 2014
Small Weddings-BIG Memories
Small Weddings – Big Memories
I have been officiating weddings for over 3 years. I have noticed a new trend in the "wedding business" ,,,,, smaller weddings.
Perfect Elopements may be a new name, but it's actually an all-star team of well established and respected St. Louis/St. Charles wedding vendors who've teamed up to provide couples with an amazing wedding experience at a fantastic price. Their packages, which range from $395 to $895, are very complete and include an officiant, a high end professional photographer, and great extra touches.
You don't have to leave town to elope. An "elopement" is really just a very small wedding. You can elope to Forest Park, to Mid Rivers gazebo, Faust Park….or even the riverfront. There are a lot of beautiful places right here in town that don’t cost a dime.
But, seriously, $395 for a wedding with an officiant and a good photographer? Yes! Naturally you're not going to get the equivalent of a $50k Saturday wedding with 250 guests, but what you do get is a beautiful ceremony, really good photography, and classy extra touches. It's so affordable because they are very short, the "guest list" is kept very small, most are done on a weekday. Often you're at a location that's completely free as well, so that can save a ton right there.
Even if your wedding is small, you just owe it to yourself to get some beautiful images of the event – after all, it’s still a very, very special day in your life. Find out more at www.PerfectElopements.com or me at 314-704-1092.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Why your venue’s “Wedding Coordinator” is NOT the same as a private Day-of Coordinator
This is a guest blog by Victoria Burrows and she owns A Brides Ally.
She can be reached at victoria@abridesally.com or 314-560-4138
Why your venue’s “Wedding Coordinator” is NOT the same as a private Day-of Coordinator (i.e. A Bride’s Ally)
I get that a lot.
But, let me start off by saying that I’m not writing this to bash on those who work as Wedding Coordinators for venues. In fact, I love them. They make my job A LOT easier. However (and they would probably be the first ones to tell you this), they do not do the same job I do. Allow me to explain:
Venues use the term “Wedding Coordinator” very, very loosely.
The title does not mean the same thing at all venues. Sometimes the Wedding Coordinator is just the staff manager assigned to the event, sometimes it’s the catering captain, and sometimes that Wedding Coordinator you’ve been planning with this whole time doesn’t even come to your wedding because he or she is really a sales person and not part of the staff who actually works your wedding. (Close your mouth - yes, that really is the case sometimes.)
Again, none of these are bad things, it’s just the way of the wedding world. Some venues have Wedding Coordinators who really do fill the role you think of when you hear that term. However, even those Coordinators can only do so much for you, and here’s why:
Your venue’s Wedding Coordinator’s first responsibility is to the venue; my first responsibility is to you.
Aside from being your “day-of coordinator” this person is typically also in charge of the wait staff, the kitchen, the bartenders, and the maintenance crew. They (usually) have a boss to answer to and a bottom line to always keep in mind. He or she is organizing your wedding and making decisions from the perspective of what’s best for the venue.
For example, he or she can’t make sure the photographer isn’t in the bathroom when the DJ is announcing the first dance because there is a mini crisis in the kitchen. Or, they can’t be responsible for unpacking and setting up your DIY centerpieces because there won’t be enough staff there at that time to cover the extra work and they can’t pay more to come in early and help. Or, they can’t help make sure your elderly grandma gets a ride safely back to hotel because they already left for the night an hour ago. (Yes, you read that right.) Or…well, you get the idea.
If your venue does offer a Wedding Coordinator, be sure to get very detailed information on what exactly that means. Never assume they will be able to manage any and everything you throw at them. And, of course, seriously consider hiring a private Day-of Coordinator who will work alongside your venue’s Wedding Coordinator to make sure your wedding runs smoothly and is free of stress, frustration, and last-minute drama.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Guest Blog: First Look Photos by Jennifer L K. Thompson Photography
Over the past couple years my wife Jen and I have been
photographing weddings in St. Louis and the surrounding area. We have
seen a lot of trends come and go but one that we really like is the
first look. We have noticed that it is such a great opportunity to get
candid photos of our couples and for them to a quick moment together.
The
tradition has been for the first time that the couple see each other is
when the bride is walking down the isle. I found myself needing to
coach our grooms to smile and look happy as often the nerves would take
over and we got a lot of deer in the headlights looks. I know our
couples were excited to see each other but the photos didn't always seem
to show it. We began shooting first looks and we got those beautiful
emotional shots of the couple seeing each other and having a moment to
reflect on the day.
The
way we do first looks may be a little different than most. Jen and I
look for a beautiful well lit spot and we clear every one out. We feel
its really important for the couple to have this moment just to
themselves. I stand with the groom while Jen gets our bride and then we
stand back and have our groom turn around and we capture everything that
happens from there. We have seen the stress of the day and nerves melt
away. I can't tell you how many times I've heard our couples say " okay,
now I'm ready."
The
benefits of the first look beyond eliminating some of that stress. The
first look can help with the flow of the day with photography. We find
that it frees up time before the ceremony to have couple and wedding
party photos or even the family formals. It can also eliminate the long
break between the ceremony and the reception. We know that most
photographers are by the hour and first looks help to get more of those
important photos of the bride and groom. If your looking for a great way
to get beautiful candid moments between the bride and groom a first
look may be the way to go.
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