Kate and Kyle

Kate and Kyle’s Jewel Box and World’s Fair Pavilion wedding was one that I adored so much, because of how sweet Kate and Kyle are. They are truly some of the kind-hearted, passionate, and intentional people.

I was introduced to Kate through one of my fellow clients, which is the ultimate compliment, sending your family and friends my way because you’ve enjoyed working with me!

Their Jewel Box and World’s Fair Pavilion wedding will also be a story I tell when people ask if it’s worth hiring a coordinator or a planner. 🙈 What do you do when your ceremony venue totally forgets about your wedding and you’re locked out?

Yep. Shit happens.

Thankfully Kate and Kyle had an amazing coordinator in Flawless Festivities on site who got to calling. And they have amazing friends and family who put in the work to get chairs set up in record time. At the end of the day, they had a beautiful ceremony, albeit just a bit delayed.

And as a journalistic photographer, I’m there to document all those moments too. Because while it wasn’t funny in the moment, I think they can laugh about it now.

I contemplated telling this story because I don’t want it to seem like I’m talking negatively about a venue. And I definitely didn’t want this to scare couples. But like, I’m there to document what happens. And it did happen.

I do what to put out a disclaimer: I shoot at the Jewel Box often and I still recommend it as a venue! It stinks this happened to Kate and Kyle, but I’ve never heard of this happening before at the Jewel Box among my vendor friends. And I’ve never had this happen any other time in my 10+ year career. Just want to put this out there to put any couples at ease!

I shot Kate and Kyle’s World’s Fair Pavilion wedding on a Saturday this fall. And sadly, Kyle’s grandma passed away the very next morning. I can’t imagine navigating the joy and grief so close together.

When photographing a wedding, I am always looking for moments with those people that will mean a lot to you years down the road. Your parents, your best friends, your grandparents. But sometimes those photos become special far too soon, much sooner than we would like.

I know the family found a lot of comfort in the photos of their grandma smiling on her last day here. Having all of your family that you built, together celebrating? I can’t imagine a better day as a mom myself.

Little did I know less than a week later, my own grandma would pass away. I found myself looking at photos of us together – through the years as a child and on my wedding day (we actually got married on my grandma’s front porch).

In times of grief, photos of the good times bring us comfort. They bring us back to the memory when all that love for them has no where to go.

As photographers, we often get caught up in the day of the wedding and extended family shots can feel like a chore. It’s not necessarily a creative part of the day, and it can be madness posing everyone.

But it’s important.
So, so important.

Our couple’s people are everything.

Coordinator: Flawless Festivities
Photography: Jacoby Andrick Photo
Ceremony Venue: Jewel Box
Reception Venue: World’s Fair Pavilion Wedding
Bridal Attire: Clarice’s Bridal
Groom’s Attire: Bonobos
Florals: Heap Acres
Rentals: The Aries Company
Band: Diamond Empire Band
Catering: Pasta House
Desserts: Jilly’s Cupcakes and Whole Foods
Transportation: LS Transportation
Hotel: Residence Inn St. Louis Clayton
Second Photographer: Nathan Hoefert