The City Museum in the heart of downtown St. Louis is a place where imagination runs wild and true loves are married. I absolutely love the City Museum. I’ve crawled through the tunnels, slid down the tallest slide, and explored every place of this eclectic museum/museum/architectural marvel made from unique objects, including abandoned planes, construction cranes, and dark tunnels.
I was so excited when Josh and Melissa contacted me to shoot their City Museum wedding. I am especially fond of this City Museum wedding because Josh and Melissa booked me when I was new into weddings (I had only shot about 3 weddings when I met with them).
When I met with them, I was at a low point in my wedding photography career. I was still figuring out how to run consultation meetings. The last potential client I had met with had gone with another photographer, even though our personalities matched. It’s always a bummer to meet with a bride and groom, and they end up booking with someone else. Needless to say, I was so nervous when I met Josh and Melissa for coffee for their consultation. They believed in me and booked me to shoot their City Museum wedding this April! When they booked me, I was elated!
Since that meeting, I’ve nailed down how I conduct my wedding consultations with an 80% success rate. I’ve also shot 12 weddings since then, and I’ll be shooting 25+ weddings this year. More than half of all the weddings I’ve shot so far in 2016 have been published in wedding blogs. So far, it’s been an amazing year.
Thank you so much Josh and Melissa for believing in me, and allowing me to shoot such an amazing wedding at the City Museum.
Josh and Melissa were married in the Vault Room of the City Museum, surrounded by more than 100 of their closest friends and family members.
Before the ceremony began, Josh took a few minutes to himself for contemplation, while two violinists played music for the guests to enjoy.
Melissa wore a simple Lankka Bridal dress and was escorted down the aisle by her parents. The happiness on her face was so sweet to witness!
Josh took off his glasses for their first kiss!
Their friends and family clapped in joy!
After they walked down the aisle, Josh and Melissa embraced and kissed when they thought no one was watching.
During cocktail hour, the reception tables were decorated by green ferns, each containing old photographs of Josh and Melissa when they were kids. I had such a delight watching the guests looking at the photos and reminiscing of days gone by.
The wedding cake was simple, yet elegant. I love the “Just married” sign across the cake.
The marriage license was signed by two witnesses in the Vault Room.
Before we started the bride and groom portraits, I took some bridal portraits by the Hamster Wheel and played with the mirror.
Doesn’t Melissa just look gorgeous?
Because Melissa and Josh didn’t have a first look, all the bride and groom portraits were squeezed in during cocktail hour.
The City Museum has so many fun sculptures, and because it was sunset, the rays of light that reflected on the objects was fun to play with.
We went outside just as the sun was setting to capture these lovely sun-kissed portraits.
Since the City Museum was open to the public (only the Vault Room was private for their wedding), we ran into children running around. But I thought it was charming and so much fun to share those photos with you 🙂
I love black and white photographs, and this City Museum wedding was just perfect for it!
It was time for Bridal Party introductions when we were finished with bridal portraits.
Guests enjoyed mingling with their friends and getting drinks at the well-tended bar.
A buffet-style dinner was served; 100% vegetarian, but there were so many delicious options. Guests enjoyed cake, made by Whisk, for dessert.
I always love the cutting of the cake. Every couple does it differently, but it’s such a joy to photograph.
The night ended with guests dancing the evening away to both oldies and modern music. I especially loved the tribute to Prince and Purple Rain.
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Beautiful wedding pictures !