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WEDDING-CLUB.COM VENDORS WE USED:
Wedding Planner - Cosmopolitan Events
Flowers - Petals Galore
Sara and Andy
June 12, 2004
St. Louis, Missouri
ABOUT THE BRIDE: Sara grew up in Mequon, Wisconsin. After
graduating from Purdue University with a Bachelor's degree in
Accounting, she worked for three years as a Financial Analyst for IBM.
She returned to school at Washington University where she earned a
Master of Architecture, and currently works for Lighthouse Architects
in Chesterfield.
ABOUT THE GROOM: Andy is a native of Springfield,
Missouri. He graduated from Drake University with a Bachelor of
Science in Finance and Marketing, and from Washington University with
a Master of Business Administration. He worked as a Financial Analyst
for IBM for two years in between. He is currently the Advertising and
Internet Manager for Rawlings Sporting Goods in Fenton.
HOW WE MET: Andy and Sara both moved to St. Louis after
graduation from undergrad. They had both been employed by IBM as
Financial Analysts. Sara started two weeks before Andy. On Andy's
first day, his manager sat him down for what he thought would be the
IBM motivational speech of "work hard and you'll go places."
Instead, she told him that there was a new girl who had just started
that he had to meet. She was right. They quickly became friends,
but it would be a year before they started dating. Their first date
was really by accident. They were supposed to meet a group of
friends for dinner and a movie, but they were the only ones that
showed up. They continued on with the plans anyway, and it ended up
being a very romantic evening which they count as their first
date.
ENGAGEMENT:Andy devised an elaborate plan to propose to
Sara. Two months before he actually proposed, he started leaving
notes for Sara hidden in various places and at different times that
told the story of their relationship in Choose-Your-Own-Adventure
scavenger hunt style. Sara didn't suspect a thing since Andy had done
this sort of thing before. The day Andy proposed, he invited Sara to
meet him at the World's Fair Pavilion for a picnic. When they
finished eating, he was telling her about how he was almost hit by a
car, and had to dive out of the way. He got on his knee to show her
the hole in the knee of his pants. Oblivious to what he was trying to
do, she was about to tell him to sit back down when he pulled a box
out of his pocket. After that, everything was a blur. Andy told her,
"I would be honored if you spent the rest of your life with me." Sara
sat there stunned for a few seconds. Then, before Andy could do
anything, she said, "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes," and put the ring on her
own finger. Andy walked Sara back to her car where she found the
final page of the story. It read, "The rest of our lives, together."
PLANNING: Andy and Sara wanted a wedding that would be
personal and fun. They knew they had to have the reception at the
World's Fair Pavilion, since that's where Andy proposed to Sara.
Then, they sat down, and went through all the things they liked and
disliked as from being guests at other weddings, and went from there.
This attitude affected their decisions for the ceremony and reception,
even the rehearsal dinner. They wanted to include guests in as much
as possible, since many were coming in from out-of-town, so they
included them in their rehearsal dinner, as well. The rehearsal
dinner was at Las Palmas, their favorite Mexican restaurant, where
they were able to have the whole restaurant dedicated to the
party.
ATTIRE: Sara wore a silk-satin, strapless ballgown by
Amsale with a gathered cuff around the bodice. She carried a bouquet
of white roses, lisianthus, sweet peas, and orchids. She wore white
orchids in her hair. The five bridesmaids wore two-piece periwinkle
dresses by Bill Levkoff with A-line skirts and a cuff around the
bodice that complemented the bride's gown. They carried bouquets of
roses, lisianthus, sweet peas in shades of blue, purple, and fuschia.
Andy, the five groomsmen, and the ring bearer wore Tommy Hilfiger
tuxedos from After Hours Formalwear.
THE CEREMONY: The ceremony was held at Graham Chapel on
the campus of Washington University. Father Gary Braun and Reverend
Matt Miofsky officiated. Walking down the aisle was the most
memorable part of the ceremony for Sara. There are no words to
describe how she felt at that moment surrounded by family and friends,
walking toward the man that she loves. It was important to Sara and
Andy that, once they were in front of all their friends and family,
they welcomed everyone, thanked them all for coming, and expressed how
much it meant to them that they could all be there to share the day
with them. They also wanted to face their guests as much as possible
to really include everyone in the moment.
THE RECEPTION: The reception followed immediately after
the ceremony at the World's Fair Pavilion, starting with a cocktail
hour. Once Sara and Andy arrived, Sara's father welcomed the guests
and said a blessing. Dinner followed, along with cake, and dancing.
Since people who know Andy know to expect the unexpected when he is
around, Sara and Andy couldn't disappoint. So, they arranged for a
special guest appearance by the Ambassador of Mirth a.k.a. Baton Bob.
They wanted their guests to know that it was okay to let loose and have
fun, so Bob made his appearance after dinner to start the dancing and
festivities. He performed to a song called, 'It Should Have Been Me,'
which he sang to Andy. The guests loved it, and still talk about it.
VENDORS WE USED:
Wedding Planner - Cosmopolitan Events
Flowers - Petals Galore
Photography - Susan Jackson Photography
Cake - Sweet Encores
Reception - World's Fair Pavilion
Catering - Billy Sherman's
Attire - Ultimate Bride
If you have questions or comments for Sara and Andy please
e-mail them.
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