Grant and Lauren have been married for 5 years, but they rarely take pictures of themselves. Lauren, a photographer herself, has been wanting to get some photos of the 2 of them for a while. Grant, well, he’s pretty much the opposite of Lauren, they say. He’s never in pictures, always puts his hand in front of the camera, etc. I feel honored that he allowed me to photograph him and his wife. They’re going to make some super cute babies one day!
A few weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of photographing scrumptious 5-day-old Bobby. Let me tell you it has been a LONG time since I’ve held a little one this tiny. We’re talking 3.5 years…And Baby Bobby was soooo sweet and sleepy. We also had plenty of time for some family shots around their new home. This sweet family just moved to St. Louis from Wisconsin and had a brand new baby all in just a couple weeks. Phew. Can you imagine?
Really beautiful light in their home.
Ceremony: Manchester United Methodist Church
Reception: St. Louis Marriot West
Wedding Party Pics: Faust Park
Bridesmaid Dresses: White House Black Market
I really wish I could remember what happened at this moment…All I know is it makes me laugh.
Dani + Joe’s wedding party was fiesty!
More proof…
And pretty…
See – told ya. FIESTY! One of my favorite moments of the day.
Faust Park rocks.
Who doesn’t love a candy buffet?
I love her expression…And her stance.
I love that she cried pretty much every time she saw her dad. Is that weird?
There was just so much love in this family. It was incredible to watch how close they are.
But then it was time to party! Dani is fierce! (A la America’s Next Top Model)
Here’s part 2 of Melissa + Scott’s fabulous wedding.
List of vendors:
Ceremony: Journey Church of Clayton
Reception: City Museum
Flowers: Schnucks
Bridesmaid Dresses: JCrew
I love this shot.
Isn’t she stunning? Melissa has the most amazing, kind eyes.
Oh, and I should add that these portraits were taken at the Soulard Farmer’s Market. And they were taken right before the crazy storm last Saturday. Since it was sprinkling, we wanted somewhere covered, and Melissa and Scott are really fun people, and they wanted a unique location, which I was all for. Once we got there, though, we saw how absolutely insane the wind was. I know the girls were cold, but it made for some fun pictures! I think I’m diggin the wind-blown look.
I love that they really had fun with it, despite the crazy weather…
And right after those pictures were taken, all the workers at the market started frantically packing up EVERYTHING. I asked the bus driver to find out what was going on, but at that point, we had no idea. So they got in their limo, and I got in my car, and Ashley was in her car. And we were both ALONE. The plan had been to take more pictures at Union Station, but during the drive, the tornado sirens started going off, the wind was nuts, and it was pouring rain. As I was driving down Market Street, Ashley was well behind me, the wedding party was well in front of me, and I felt like the ONLY person driving down that road. And I could hardly see, more less drive. It was pretty insane. I pulled over, and I called Ashley, who was in a parking garage taking cover. I don’t even know where the the wedding party was, but I told them to head back to the City Museum. That little drive by myself felt like it took an eternity! I surely thought I was going to be swept up in a tornado and die all alone. The wedding party made it back safely, but they couldn’t get in the City Museum. They ended up in a parking garage/stairwell that would later turn out to be an amazing place for pictures. So I’m guessing this is an example of “everything happens for a reason”……..or something. Hahaa.
Once the happy couple actually got inside, we took some portraits with the nice window light. And yeah, right after the crazy storm, beautiful sunlight! I was SO happy.
And then we hit up the city streets of St. Louis. City shots with wedding parties are super fun.
Aren’t they gorgeous? Love, love, love their dresses.
And here’s the garage where they hid out during some of the storm.
Love this location. Thanks to Melissa + Scott for scouting it out for me. 
My fave of the day. I’ve never seen this much natural light in a stairwell before. Beautiful!
And then we headed out to Washington Ave. where we found some beautiful SUN.
Ok, my second fave of the day. They’re such a gorgeous couple. I could have photographed them ALL day. And they probably would have let me because they’re just that cool.
Thanks to Ashley Turner of Ashley Turner Photography for this rockin shot! Hello amazing light.
This one is by Ashley, too. GORGEOUS!
January is an infamously slow time for photographers, especially wedding photographers. But when Ellis’ mommy emailed and asked about a family session, I was thrilled to bust out the dusty camera. Ok, it really wasn’t dusty, but poor Aidan is the only one I’ve been photographing lately. And while it was cold, it wasn’t the 0-degree weather we had several weeks ago. We photographed in their lovely St. Charles home, and they also braved the cold out at Busch Wildlife. It ended up being freezing cold, but hopefully it was worth it for some of the fun shots we got. (I think it was!)
She has SUCH a great smile.
How cute is that coat?!
Ellis, a future pianist!
This post is LONG overdue, but I’ve been having internet problems. Big problems. (Anybody know of a good internet provider in St. Charles? I am SO not a fan of AT&T’s DSL.) Anywho, I had SO much fun with Emily and Tyler during their engagement session a couple weeks ago. They knew they wanted an urban environment (which I’m all about!), since their wedding is at a beautiful winery in Illinois. They wanted something different, so we headed out to Washington Ave. in downtown St. Louis and just walked up and down the streets and back into the alleys, finding places that looked fun and searching for the light. I think we found some of both!
Thanks again, Emily + Tyler. I can’t wait to shoot your wedding next year!
This post is LONG overdue. Yes, I’m still way behind in my blogging. Sorry to all, but I’m really trying! And I had my last wedding (as the main photog), last night, so hopefully this will give me a chance to catch my breath and catch up. It’s been a long 2 months.
Since it has taken me forever to post this, I’m going to make it up by showing some extra photos. Enjoy.
Ceremony: Assumption
Reception: Stegton Regency
Florist: Marry Me Flowers
On the day we moved, yes THE day (who knows what I was thinking), I had a family session with a really adorable family. The beginning of our session was a little rough, and the session was on one of the very first cold days we had, but I think we all had a blast toward the end. The girls REALLY loved running down the hills at Des Peres Park. So sorry it has taken this long to get this post up!
We had some really rockin’ light…
When it became obvious the girls weren’t having much fun, we decided it was time to PLAY!
Such a sweet smile…
I hope they look at this image when they’re older and love it. They’re just too cute.
Flying!!!
My favorite of the day…
When Elaina first sent me an email saying she wanted to do her bridal shoot in the church where she and John were getting married, I was a little nervous. Traditional portraits aren’t my thing. Not that I don’t appreciate them, they’re just not a strength. I like to shoot outside. Give me a field. Give me a busy city street. But in a church? I even wrote her back saying, “Are you sure you want to do this in a church?” Yes. She did. It was a church her grandparents have attended for many, many years. I believe her grandfather even helped build the church. Well, when I heard that, I knew she was right. We had to shoot there. This was going to be a good test for me and a chance to stretch my abilities, but I was up for the challenge. And oh my, I’m SO glad she didn’t let me talk her out of it. The church is way out in the country – about an hour’s drive for me. (A beautiful drive, though!) There was a ton of natural light in the church, and I have to say, it was a bit ethereal. I really loved shooting there for the bridal session…And I really can’t wait to show you their wedding. But first thing’s first…Here’s Elaina, and she was a true dream to have in front of my camera.
My favorite. Isn’t she stunning?! Her eyes are just incredible!
We had SO much fun with her veil…And the light. It was spectacular
I couldn’t decide if I liked the color or black and white. What do you guys think?!
So I’ve been getting a bunch of emails asking me, “What is a day after session?!” Basically, it’s just a session for couples to dress up in their wedding day clothes and go out for more picture fun without the stresses of the wedding day. Some brides choose to have their hair done differently, some may get their dress a little dirty by going places they normally wouldn’t on their wedding day. And let me tell you, they’re all sorts of fun! And no, it DOES NOT have to be the very next day after your wedding. In fact, I prefer it not to be. But if you’re interested, whether you got married last week or last year, give me a call. Promise we’ll have a blast.
Josh and Diane chose to hit up downtown St. Louis for their day after session. We went everywhere from the Arch grounds, to Keiner Plaza and the City Garden. Too fun!
My fave of the day…
These are for their thank you cards.
First time shooting at the City Garden. Loved it!
Diane is a beautiful girl, but she just looks extra amazing in this picture. I love it!
Sorry, but I never get tired of brides and grooms running. If you hire me, I’ll make you do it. 
© 2012 St. Louis wedding photographer Nicole Welch
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