It’s an honor to share Jenny and Colin’s romantic Forest Park wedding day on the blog!
Last year – while searching for Chicago engagement session ideas – Jenny and Colin stumbled upon my photography work on Pinterest. We hit it off from the start and have been eagerly awaiting their wedding day ever since! As I got to know these two better in those early days after we met, I quickly learned that they love their dogs Holly and Milo, they love to travel, and they love to cook and eat. Ummmm, say no more! These are my people! Oh, and I cannot forget that their engagement session was a fairytale dream earlier this year.
After some pivoting plans and moving from wedding Plan A to Plan B or maybe even Plan C… Jenny and Colin shared an intimate Forest Park wedding day with their family and friends in St. Louis. What they called a “mini-wedding” – I love it! And my husband Kyle and I were honored to document their day with both wedding photography and videography!
From the Couple
Our story didn’t start like it does in the movies, but it’s perfect in its own way. We found each other at the right time in our lives in a little ole town called Columbia. At the time, we were young and struggling to find our way through college. We liked to have fun. But when we met, something felt “right” to both of us almost immediately.
It wasn’t much at first. We’d talk at a party here, send a text there. But one fateful December night, a love story was born thanks to a quesadilla (you read that right). Colin was home in St. Louis for Christmas break. Jenny in Chicago. We both found ourselves awake at 3 a.m., as 19-year-old kids fresh off the first semester of college are prone to do. And a conversation started on Facebook.
We talked for hours. At some point, Jenny said she was hungry, and Colin walked her through the ever-challenging process of making a quesadilla. Maybe it was the fact that Colin helped Jenny make a delicious snack, but the next morning Jenny texted Colin as soon as she woke up. We talked every day for the rest of that break and counted down the days until we would both be back at Mizzou.
From that day forward, we have been inseparable. We hung out together. Took classes together. Did projects together. Worked summer jobs together. Traveled to four countries and 25 states together. And we are even wrapped around Holly and Milo’s little paws together. We make a great team and love to take on challenges together. That is why we are ready to make this team official as one family.
While the beginning of our relationship is understated, we both knew there was something special starting on that cold December night. We were meant to both be awake at 3 a.m. Colin was meant to help Jenny make a quesadilla. Looking back, we know we were meant to be together.
The Wedding Day
This wedding day started out with the guys getting ready and hanging out before heading to the ceremony. Kyle and I started photo and video with Colin and his wedding party before traveling to Jenny and her wedding party at Colin’s family home (I loved this!). When we arrived to Jenny, she was eager to get the day rolling! As she should have been – she was getting married soon! I loved photographing Jenny’s details and spending a little time with her and her wedding party before traveling to the church.
Jenny and Colin shared a Catholic mass ceremony at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in St. Louis. Their closest family members and friends were present, and best yet? Their loved ones near and far tuned in to watch the ceremony on Zoom, too. A little more about the sentiment of this church – Jenny and Colin shared with me that almost all of Colin’s aunts, uncles, and cousins have been married at St. Ambrose. Their family is a large part of the parish as well! And ever since Jenny has known Colin, she’s been going to this church, too! As their photographer and since knowing that, I couldn’t imagine photographing their marriage ceremony anywhere else! I love it.
After the ceremony, it was time to brave the August heat for wedding party photos! We traveled to the Jewel Box at Forest Park in St. Louis for wedding party photos. Jenny loves this spot, so we had to incorporate it into photos! The blooms, greenery, and pond in this area made for great photos to go along with the romantic, fairytales vibes of this wedding day, too. Throughout the photos and heat, this wedding party was wonderful! They were up for anything and willing to bear the heat for their loved ones, Jenny and Colin. It was a fun time!
As wedding party photos wrapped up, Kyle and I loved spending some time with just Jenny and Colin as we photographed them as a newlywed couple. These two are just so darn sweet and fit together perfectly. I mean, just look at them! You can see the love and joy to be with one another in their eyes.
Once photos wrapped up, it was time to travel to Pietro’s for Jenny and Colin’s intimate dinner reception. As St. Louis natives, Colin’s family has supported and known the Pietro family for years. The restaurant is a staple in their neighborhood, so there was no hesitation that the “mini reception” would take place there! Plus, we can definitely say that the Italian food at Pietro’s was top-notch. YUM!
As the evening started to wind down, Kyle and I snuck outside Pietro’s for some sunset photos with Jenny and Colin… And a little summer rain couldn’t stop us! We grabbed an umbrella and let these newlyweds dance in the rain for a few minutes. What a sweet end to a sweet day! The only thing missing from this wedding day? Holly and Milo – their cutie pups! But hey, maybe they tuned into the Zoom virtual wedding! 😉
A few days after their wedding day, Jenny and Colin sent us this message – Thank you so, so much. You wouldn’t believe the amount of compliments you and Kyle received throughout the day from our family and friends. At one point too Colin was like, “Can we be friends with them for real?” It was just great to have you both there. You really are a photographer and bridesmaid in one. Cue the happy tears. We are so thankful for this couple!
Jenny & Colin – Thank you for sharing your romantic wedding day with us! We’re thankful to be a part of your 2020 wedding crew and can’t wait to hear about the 2021 celebration next year! Virtual hugs!!
Creative credit goes to…
Jenny’s Attire: Essense of Australia at The Crystal Bride – Geneva, IL | Colin’s Attire: Savvi Formalwear | Wedding Party Attire: Bill Levkoff, Jasmine Bridal, + Savvi Formalwear | Hair & Makeup: Bliss Beauty Bar – O’Fallon, MO | Jeweler: Brilliant Earth | Getting Ready Location: Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Forest Park – St. Louis, MO | Ceremony: St. Ambrose Catholic Church – St. Louis, MO | Wedding Officiant: Msgr. Vincent Bommarito | Reception Venue: Pietro’s – St. Louis, MO | Guest Accommodations: Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Forest Park – St. Louis, MO | Florist: City House Country Mouse – St. Louis, MO | Transportation: JED Transportation – Hazelwood, MO | Photographer & Videographer: Kara Evans Photographer – Kankakee, IL | Catering: Pietro’s – St. Louis, MO | Cake: Missouri Baking Company – St. Louis, MO | Invitations + Paper Goods: Paper Culture (Designed by Jenny)
