October 22, 2022 | Tara Photography STL
There’s nothing quite like being able to pull off the ultimate surprise! Michelle + Ian did just that! They invited guests to an “engagement party” and rather than just toast the upcoming nuptials, they walked down the aisle then and there.
Michelle explains, “we wanted to do something unique and fun, so we chose to have a surprise wedding!” She adds, “since no one besides our parents and planners knew about the wedding, every last detail and decision was planned by only Ian and I. We made date nights out of wedding planning. It was such a fun, intimate experience.” When we asked her to describe one her favorite moments she said, “it was amazing to hear all of our guests cheer when they saw us come down the aisle for the ceremony”, adding, “it was like walking out to a concert, everyone was so excited to celebrate with us!”
“Ian’s father and my mother were both in heaven for our wedding day. We reserved chairs for our parents at the ceremony and placed items that reminded us of them on those chairs. It was very important to both of us to try and include them as much as possible in our most special day since they couldn’t physically be there with us. “
“One of our most memorable moments as a couple”, Michelle remembers, “was our private last dance at the end of the night. We were able to have such a sweet, quiet moment as a newly married couple and reflect on the amazing night we just had. We picked out a song that was special to us and then used that song as the music for our wedding video.”
THE DETAILS
Ceremony + Reception: The 9th Street Abbey
Wedding Planner: Black & Olive | Sarah Marsden + Madeline Galla
Caterer: The Franklin Room
Cocktail hour charcuterie table: Grazeful Gatherings
Bar service: Tipsy Pony
Cake: Gingersnapped Baking Co.
Florist: Alex Waldbart Florist
Music: Millennium Productions
Specialty Lighting and Décor: Millennium Productions
Videographer: Millennium Productions
Attire:
Gown: Stella York, The Ultimate Bride
Formalwear: Tuxedo from Dobell
Hair & Makeup: Megan Gad, Hair | Alexis Bonacker, Makeup
