* St. Louis Missouri * Whitmoor Country Club Wedding Photographer *
From the intimate bridal party made up of family and long time friends, to the gorgeous paper bouquets the ladies carried, to the fancy neighborhood we visited for photos in Newtown, Missouri, Mary Ann and Matt’s wedding day was wonderful! Although they officially started planning their special day in early June…THIS YEAR…you would have thought they put a full year into all the details surrounding their nuptials at the Whitmoor Country Club and Golf Course in Weldon Springs, Missouri. Mary Ann and Matt have technically been engaged for a few years, but were taking their time getting down the aisle. However, with a couple of medical issues that arose with family members they knew this was the time to go for it!
After getting ready photos were done of both the bride and groom at their home in O’Fallon, MO separately, we all headed to the Whitmoor for their first look. Matt patiently waited for Mary Ann to give a little tap on his shoulder before he got a glimpse of his soon to be wife. The two of them are so laid back and goofy with on another that even a few bunny ears were thrown up afterward to ease the emotion Mary Ann was feeling to stop her from crying. I’ve known Mary Ann since freshman year at Fontbonne University in St. Louis when we played soccer and roomed together. I literally can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen her cry. She always rolls with the punches and keeps her composure. Well I can add two more times she was on the verge of crying just on wedding day. At her first look and when she was about to walk down the aisle with her dad. Mary Ann told me right before her dad escorted her toward her new husband he told her he didn’t think he would get to have that moment with her after a health scare not too long ago. I’m sure glad as her photographer, but more importantly her friend, that I was able to witness the joy and emotion on both of their faces as they checked this memory off both their lists!
I think the funnest part of the day, however came when Matt spoke about their experience of going for their marriage license in his speech to their guests. Since kindergarten, Mary Ann has always told everyone that her name was Mary Ann, no middle name, Phannarath. Yet, when the lady helping them apply for their marriage license saw a difference between the spelling of her name on her drivers license and social security card she knew there was a problem. Luckily the lady still issued the important marriage license, but told her to double check what her birth certificate said. Well when her mom called with the results, which Mary Ann, no middle name, Phannarath was completely positive of….the discovery that her name was actually Mary (first name), Ann (middle name), Phannarath was a HUGE shock! 34 years of her life was a total lie! We had some amazing laughs about this new find and she blamed her dad, who was put in charge of filling out her birth certificate after only being in the country from Laos for three years when Mary Ann (oh I’m sorry, Mary) was born. So I believe the language barrier played a role in this mistake. Honest mistake, right?!
The Riegert’s day was a blast all around and I’m so thankful they reached out to me in their short timeframe and actually booked their wedding date around my calendar. What an honor! Mary Ann and Matt’s day will be one I will remember for a very long time! Thank you to both of them as well as their family and friends, who have always been so welcoming and delightful! Cheers to many blessings in your marriage!
Warm Regards,
Lauren
Wedding Vendor Shout Out!
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Whitmoor Country-Club
Flowers: Mi Prima Belle Design
DJ: Porta Party DJ’s
Hair Stylist: 2nd Street Hair Salon Kirsten Laning
Makeup Artist: Shannon Ball Hagerty
Transportation: St. Louis Limousine Service
