Wedding Day

Ceremony

Zoar United Church of Christ

Reception

Send Off

Spring

Our Wedding

It all began with a simple click. Two people, living in different states, found themselves drawn together by chance on the internet. What started as a casual message quickly grew into something more. At first, it was the little things: the way we laughed at each other’s jokes, the comfort of late-night conversations. Slowly, those words on a screen turned into something deeper. We began looking forward to every message, every call, every moment we could share, even across the miles. There was a connection neither of us could ignore. We realized that what we had wasn’t just friendship—it was love. The kind that grows stronger with every conversation, every shared dream, and every promise made through the glow of a screen. When we finally met in person, it felt like the world had been waiting for that moment. The nervous excitement faded the instant our eyes met, replaced by the clear sense that we had found our person. And now, on our wedding day, we celebrate not just the love that brought us here, but the journey that started with a message, a smile, and a leap of faith. Our story shows that love knows no boundaries, no distance, no limits. It finds us where we least expect it—and carries us to where we’re meant to be.

How We Met

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Our wedding is a fall celebration in Columbia, Illinois on October 17, 2026. We’re keeping the vibe simple and elegant—think polished but comfortable. Suggested attire - Men: Light suit or dress slacks with a blazer; tie optional. - Women: Day-to-evening dresses, jumpsuits, typically below the knee. - Footwear: Comfortable dress shoes; consider low heels or wedges for outdoor photos. - Outerwear: A light layer (trench, shawl, or lightweight blazer) for cooler breezes. Please avoid overly casual items like athletic wear, ripped denim, or flip-flops. If you have accessibility or comfort needs, let us know—we want everyone to feel great celebrating with us.

Dress Code

Q + A

AmenitiesOn-site RestaurantRoom ServiceHotel Longue24 Hour ParkingGift Shop &amp; MarketWi-Fi

The Principal Hotel

Approximately 35 minutes awayAmenitiesPremium Free Wi-FiIndoor Heated PoolFree Hot BreakfastFree Weekday NewspaperHotel has a Safe

Quality Inn & Suites Caseyville - St. Louis

Sunset Motel is located in Waterloo, 24 miles from St. Louis Gateway Arch and 22 miles from Grant's Farm. The property is around 23 miles from Old Courthouse, 24 miles from Laclede's Landing and 24 miles from Lumiere Place. There's a sun terrace and guests can use free WiFi and free private parking. Edward Jones Dome is 24 miles from the motel, while Fox Theater is 26 miles from the property. St. Louis Lambert International Airport is 37 miles away.

Sunset Motel

Travel

<a href="https://tickets.gatewayarch.com/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=cat&amp;c=SECTKT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ultimate Explorer</a>Includes Tram Ride to the Top (45 – 60 minutes), Documentary Movie (35 minutes), Virtual Reality Theater (10 minutes) &amp; St. Louis Riverfront Cruise (60 minutes). Time at the top is limited to under 10 minutes.Adult:&nbsp;$50 – $54Senior (60+):&nbsp;$48 – $52Child (3–15):&nbsp;$31 – $35National Park Pass Holder:&nbsp;$47 – $51<a href="https://tickets.gatewayarch.com/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=cat&amp;c=TRMOVR" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Architect’s Vision</a>Includes Tram Ride to the Top (45 – 60 minutes), Documentary Movie (35 minutes) &amp; Virtual Reality Theater (10 minutes).Time at the top is limited to under 10 minutes.Adult:&nbsp;$26 – $30Child (3–15):&nbsp;$17 – $21National Park Pass Holder:&nbsp;$23 – $27<a href="https://tickets.gatewayarch.com/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=cat&amp;c=CCTKT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Captain’s View</a>Includes Tram Ride to the Top (45 – 60 minutes) &amp; St. Louis Riverfront Cruise (60 minutes). Time at the top is limited to under 10 minutes.Adult (16-59):&nbsp;$39 – $43Senior (60+):&nbsp;$37 – $41Child (3–15):&nbsp;$25 – $29National Park Pass Holder:&nbsp;$36 – $40<a href="https://tickets.gatewayarch.com/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=cat&amp;c=ATDMCTKT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Builder’s View</a>Includes Tram Ride to the Top (45 – 60 minutes) &amp; Documentary Movie (35 minutes).Time at the top is limited to under 10 minutes.Adult (16+):&nbsp;$19 – $23Child (3–15):&nbsp;$14 – $18National Park Pass Holder:&nbsp;$16 – $20

The Gateway Arch

<a href="https://citymuseumtickets.parkezpay.com/#/43/store/offers/e346a125-e8de-e811-8dc8-989096aa1ac7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">City Museum Tickets</a>General Admission starts at just $20 online, compared to $23 at the Ticket WindowExplore all 4 floors of fun, including the NEW LabyrinthAdd-on Pinball Hall and Rooftop Access for more to discoverPlan ahead and reserve Kneepads, Lockers, and Preferred Parking, or book a Guided TourChildren 2 and under are FREE

City Museum

<a href="https://secure.missouribotanicalgarden.org/events?kid=9&amp;queueittoken=e_mbgsnet~q_7060f699-6f80-4a17-bdf6-bd38f8aad531~ts_1660587796~ce_true~rt_safetynet~h_0c0f460fc707ac01e941002396de0835cf3b118d851c98669e98d80c6dd0b270" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tickets</a>RulesFOR THE ENJOYMENT OF ALLStay on pathways and mowed lawn areas. Do not walk in mulched or planted garden beds.Please leave flowers and plants for everyone to enjoy. Do not collect or remove seeds, flowers, fruits and vegetables, plant labels, etc. Please also refrain from bringing any plant material into the Garden to prevent potential contamination of our living collections.&nbsp;No music.PHOTOGRAPHYFor visitor, individual or family photography, please refer to our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/visit/things-to-know/photography.aspx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Photography Policy</a>.If a visitor is asked by another person not to take pictures of that person or others accompanying that person, the request must be honored to protect personal rights of privacy. If a picture has already been taken, it must be deleted upon request.SMOKING, VAPING AND LITTERThe Garden is a tobacco-free environment. Smoking, tobacco products and devices and electronic smoking devices are not allowed on Garden property, including all buildings, grounds, restrooms and parking lots.We care about the environment. Please dispose of waste in recycle bins when appropriate. Do not litter.PICNICKINGPicnicking is not allowed anywhere on Garden property (exception: Whitaker Music Festival). Please no outside food, picnics, coolers, grills, or open flames. Visitors who wish to picnic may do so nearby in Tower Grove Park, south of the Garden.

Missouri Botanical Garden

THE ZOO IS FREE<a href="https://map.stlzoo.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zoo Map</a>How to ParkNon-members:&nbsp;Parking fee is $10 per carPull into the entry lane at a Zoo parking lot and pull a ticket; the parking arm will go up, and you can enter the lot. Please save this ticket; it will have a QR code that you can scan to pay (this can be done any time before exiting the Zoo). If you’re unable to use the QR code, a walk-up kiosk is available within the parking lots.Feed the Giraffes$7 per ticket for non-membersThe current schedule is&nbsp;11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily, weather and conditions permitting.Ticket includes two pieces of lettuce to feed the giraffes. Limited tickets available.Purchase tickets at the kiosk near the south end of the Antelope House in Red Rocks. Cashless transactions only.Tickets go on sale approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled feeding time. More details are available at the ticket kiosk.Emerson Zooline Railroad﻿Tickets are $7.95 and include all day on-off privileges. Tickets expire at end of day.Children under age 2 are free. Purchase tickets at any of four stations for a tour of the Zoo.You may leave the train, visit exhibits and re-board. Large personal items are permitted if riding in a seat with at least one passenger at all times.Personal fold-up strollers and Zoo-rented strollers may not be taken on the train.

Saint Louis Zoo

You will need tickets for certain parts of the Museum, but general admission is free. See website for details.ParkingParking at our Oakland building (5050 Oakland Avenue) costs $15.Parking is also available at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.slsc.org/attraction/mcdonnell-planetarium/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">McDonnell Planetarium</a>, which is connected to the Oakland building by a walkable Sky Bridge over Interstate 64/Highway 40.Parking can be paid for by credit/debt card at the pay station in the main lobby or at the gates of the Oakland parking lot when you leave.

Saint Louis Science Center

<a href="https://buy.acmeticketing.com/orders/596/tickets?eventId=66c8d351de44f606452175aa&amp;cdEventIds=66c8d351de44f606452175aa&amp;date=2025-12-24T00:00:00" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aquarium Day Pass</a>Adult:$29.75Child:$24.75<a href="https://buy.acmeticketing.com/orders/596/tickets?eventIds=66c8d351de44f606452175aa,66c8d4193e02eb56fcbd8e2b&amp;comboId=66eb0c864dd052221e57f465&amp;date=2025-12-24T00:00:00" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aquarium + Wheel</a>Adult:$40.00Child:$30.00<a href="https://buy.acmeticketing.com/orders/596/tickets?eventIds=68d2d4d67a51a95111b6fc5a,66c8d351de44f606452175aa&amp;comboId=68d2d865e433b2606962801d&amp;date=2025-12-24T00:00:00" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aquarium Experience + Ray Feeding Cup</a>Adult:$34.75Child:$29.75<a href="https://buy.acmeticketing.com/orders/596/tickets?eventIds=66c8d351de44f606452175aa,66c8d3b7de44f606452175d4,66c8d3d4b0b88e1947d6f6d8,66c8d450d3a0203a60a5327a&amp;comboId=66fdba2fdc763a0f6179c9e6&amp;date=2025-12-24T00:00:00" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Indoor Pass</a>Adult:$50.00Child:$45.00<a href="https://buy.acmeticketing.com/orders/596/tickets?eventIds=66c8d351de44f606452175aa,66c8d4193e02eb56fcbd8e2b,66c8d450d3a0203a60a5327a,66c8d3d4b0b88e1947d6f6d8,66c8d3fdde44f60645217603,66c8d3b7de44f606452175d4,66c8d432b0b88e1947d6f713,6888eee69e245c20344f7b10,6888f7052c6f096520a234b1,6888f99fc379266e37276492&amp;comboId=67083cd774d3871c9c8d0bca&amp;date=2025-12-24T00:00:00" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">All-Access Pass</a>Adult:$70.00Child:$60.00

St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station

Things to Do

Registry

Major Timeline

3:00 p.m: Seating of the Guests3:30 p.m - 4:00 p.m: Ceremony 4:00 p.m - 5:00 p.m: Pictures5:00 p.m - 6:45 p.m: Reception7:00 p.m: Send Off

Timeline

Local Favorites

Papa Vito's<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/jS2kXdk7sYWnQUc99" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">223 West Mill, Waterloo, IL 62298</a>(618) 939-5200 Tequila Mexican Restaurant<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/xZ5aea1kUzFT1nNs7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">835 N Market St, Waterloo, IL 62298</a>(618) 939-1999 Ja Bowl Asian Express<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/d2aeNR5uf6MYKcNn9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">101 N Market St, Waterloo, IL 62298</a>(618) 939-0188 Imo's PizzaSt. Louis Specialty<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/ekUbbgDNQb4xPmMW8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1450 N Evergreen Ln, Columbia, IL 62236</a>(618) 281-5552 Joe Bacardi's<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/4bv3Bz9mjoUUnCgx5" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">117 S Main St, Columbia, IL 62236</a>(618) 281-6700 P'sghettis<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/4TFKUL2pfXMeSWj99" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">5447 S Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63123</a>(314) 849-5332 Loose Ends<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZhHp8uDR86DGg3U97" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">7157 IL-158, Millstadt, IL 62260</a>(618) 476-6009 Valentine Steakhouse<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/wENQeDV8fAC13PLG6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">205 S State St, Freeburg, IL 62243</a>(618) 539-9169 Sunrise Pancake House<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/gAttXJG4wKUJ8EfXA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">548 E Washington St Suite 8, Millstadt, IL 62260</a>(618) 476-6260 Casa Romero Mexican Restaurant<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;url=https://maps.google.com/maps?vet%3D10CAAQoqAOahcKEwjAosqWl_aTAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQCQ..i%26sca_esv%3Dce2b281a184f0016%26client%3Dopera-gx%26pvq%3DCgwvZy8xeWc0ZmNkaGsiJAoeQ2FzYSBSb21lcm8gTWV4aWNhbiBSZXN0YXVyYW50EAIYAw%26lqi%3DCh5DYXNhIFJvbWVybyBNZXhpY2FuIFJlc3RhdXJhbnRI8ePWxridgIAIWjwQABABEAIQAxgAGAEYAhgDIh5jYXNhIHJvbWVybyBtZXhpY2FuIHJlc3RhdXJhbnQqCggCEAAQARACEAOSARJtZXhpY2FuX3Jlc3RhdXJhbnSaASRDaGREU1VoTk1HOW5TMFZKUTBGblNVTXdjMDh6UlhKM1JSQULgAQD6AQQIABBG%26fvr%3D1%26cs%3D1%26um%3D1%26ie%3DUTF-8%26fb%3D1%26gl%3Dus%26sa%3DX%26ftid%3D0x87d8a2b37391ea1f:0x7bdd3585f714a685%26ved%3D1t:8290%26ictx%3D111&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi46eaZl_aTAxU2lIkEHchPCUEQ4kB6BAgIEAE&amp;opi=89978449&amp;usg=AOvVaw2byDLt8KzZXnJboniJC3wU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">512 S Market St, Waterloo, IL 62298</a>(618) 939-6440 Millers on the Main<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/ta4sqncHB2mAbpuF9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">608 N Main St, Columbia, IL 62236</a>(618) 281-2020

Gluten Free

Pawz Bar &amp; Grill<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/9Xc2LEvVw1TQPACS7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">123 S Main St Columbia, IL 62236</a>(618) 281-3649 Proving Ground<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hkd7Ap1nw9atmYyx9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">180 Columbia Ctr Columbia, IL 62236</a>(618) 281-6652 Cafe on the Abbey<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/yyQT85sQ3CwAdKfB6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">322 S Main St Columbia, IL 62236</a>(618) 281-4554 Joe's Pizza and Pasta<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZBHYGYcfhSBj6Gnq7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">117 N Main St Columbia, IL 62236</a>(618) 281-7330

Halal

<a href="berixcoffee.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Berix Restaurant</a><a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/XmShEiVqx83ZARSJ8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2201 Lemay Ferry Rd St Louis, MO 63125</a>(314) 845-3711 <a href="https://www.theknot.com/gs/dashboard/preview/pages/100334402/paragraph-items/balkantreatbox.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Balkan Treat Box</a><a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/uAESjmNjiZuchEmS9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">8103 Big Bend Blvd Webster Groves, MO 63119</a>(314) 733-5700 <a href="https://www.sameems.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sameem</a><a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/TiYwfrr26qbKxr8L6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">4341 Manchester Ave Saint Louis, MO 63110</a>(314) 534-9500 <a href="hipointedrivein.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hi-Pointe Drive-In</a><a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/i2dHgsjH9yJ8WHB97" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1033 McCausland Ave St Louis, MO 63117</a>(314) 349-2720 <a href="sultan-stl.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sultān Mediterranean Restaurant</a><a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/wRZHXBaYjnuYyeCeA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">4200 Manchester Ave St. Louis, MO 63110</a>(314) 390-2020

Nickolas & Aubrey

Nickolas & Aubrey

Travel

The Principal Hotel

Quality Inn & Suites Caseyville - St. Louis

Sunset Motel