If you ever have the luck and pleasure to meet Terah and Derrick, one thing is for certain: you WILL walk away smiling. These two, especially when together, exude such joy, light and, dare I say it, silliness. Derrick has the most infectious sense of humor and Terah’s smile and laugh are so beautiful that it’s impossible to be in a bad mood around them. I experienced this a little bit during their engagement session (and from them I got one of my most favorite pictures EVER; they’re in the slideshow at the top of this page!) but there were so many spontaneous bursts of joy and laughter during the course of the wedding day that I came home feeling high on life and had to stop for a cherry limeade (one of my favorite things in the world) on the way.

Terah and Derrick were married at the Provincial House Chapel at UMSL, which you’ve seen on my blog before under a half foot of snow. On this achingly gorgeous June day, however, there was nothing but golden sunshine. The entire chapel was lit up with afternoon/early evening light and my, oh my… it haloed the entire event and everyone who stepped into the chapel. The girls were getting ready at the Sheraton Clayton Plaza Hotel, which is also where the reception was held. I had the opportunity to work with the very lovely Simonne and Jerry Bolla as well, who were handling videography for the event. (You should check them out! Click Here.)

I could go on forever about how amazing these two are. Seriously.

We started at the Sheraton, where Terah was helping Jordan, her ringbearer, get ready while all her bridesmaids got dolled up. We ended up taking Derrick’s present with us (that’s me and the Bollas), so when we all arrived at the chapel I tracked him down and made him open it.

Terah finished getting ready at the Chapel – her dress was PLATINUM. That’s right, silver. It was amazing on her! And look at those purple shoes!

We finally wrestled Derrick away from everyone to open his gift from Terah. It was a beautiful letter, that he did his best not to cry while he was reading, a sexy new watch, and socks – incase he got “cold feet”. Cute!

Terah had a gift from Derrick as well, and I had the pleasure of delivering it.

Here’s her reaction! It was a gorgeous little silver trinket box that had “Foxy Lady” engraved on the top!

After the gift exchanges, it was TIME! Here’s Derek waiting on his Bride:

These two are some of the most beautiful children I’ve ever seen!

Terah looks at her mom just before she joins arms with her to give her daughter away!

The Kiss!

(P.S. – I love these two pictures of them coming out of the chapel! That’s what I was talking about, always laughing, happy, smiling! Come on, I know you giggled when you saw them! Infectious!)

After the ceremony, the guests headed back to the Sheraton for cocktail hour, but we stuck around for some photos. Prepare yourself for some more of that same T&D Fox fabulousness. Ready?

Some of the finer details of the day:

Derrick’s Groom’s Cake. Terah surprised him with this! Derrick is a musician and teaches music, and she had this cake special made as a music stand, book of music, and a director’s baton. He LOVED it.

The Matron of Honor, Reem, tells us all how Derrick made the BFF and sister Checklist of Approval during her speech.

The Best Man, Derrick’s cousin Delarris, gives Derrick a little trouble during his toast.

First Dance!

Terah and her Father:

Derrick and his Mother:

Terah watching the same-day edit of her wedding video by the awesome Jerry Bolla:

Many, many Congratulations Terah and Derrick! It was such a pleasure working with you two, and your wedding day was an incredibly beautiful, joyous occasion. Here’s wishing you a lifetime of nothing but love and laughter!

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Connect With Samantha

To Inquire about Wedding Photography, Book a Boudoir Session or Portrait Session, please Contact Me!

Visit My Website (Portfolio and More Information about Collections and Samantha)

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I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a comment! Thanks! xo

Chaela and Nathan were married last Saturday in a beautiful, tear-jerking ceremony at the Lemp Mansion. When I arrived I met with the videographers and checked in with Nate, who said the girls were on their way. And sure enough, right after that I saw them pull up, and followed them upstairs to catch Chaela getting ready.

I soon found out that Chaela’s father had passed away and Nathan sent her up a pin to put on her bouquet, with a poem about her father. The tears started flowing right then, even for me, and didn’t stop until the end of the ceremony.

Chaela’s gorgeous over-the-hand bouquet with the pin:

Chaela and Nathan put so many personal details into their ceremony – one of my favorites were her “something blue” customized wedding heels! Completely fabulous!

Also fabulous was Chaela’s dress. Oh. My. Stunning! Also an adorable touch was their programs – made into little fans!

Chaela loves staircases so we really had to work the beautiful iron spiral into her photos, and of course use the grand staircase in the Lemp Mansion.

After we snatched pictures of Chaela and the girls and Nathan and the guys, it was time for the ceremony to begin. I told you that it was emotional, right? Everyone cried, including me! It was such a beautiful, beautiful day and the overall feeling among all the guests was simply overwhelming joy.

The dedication to Chaela’s father:

Another personal detail I loved – Chaela and Nathan’s Alaskan Malamutes Banks and Macy were the ring bearer and flower girl!

Chaela’s brother walked her down the aisle..

The Kiss!

At the end of their ceremony, they released balloons!

Afterward we grabbed a few more photos at the Lemp. But these two are huge Cardinals fans, so after a stop at the Arch for some fun photos, we made our way to Busch Stadium for the obligatory shots before heading to the Sheraton for their reception.

The reception was a blast! The toasts were funny and heartfelt, and the wedding party ‘line up’ was awesome – as true Cards fans, the wedding party entered the party as their names and playing positions were announced, just like at the stadium when the players are introduced. Their guestbook was homeplate, also, something I have to mention because I was the first to sign it! The band Borderline was rockin’ shop! I think EVERYONE was on the dancefloor, and the band even modified ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ to ‘Green Eyed Girl’ on Nate’s behalf, because Chaela has gorgeous, huge green eyes.

Nate and Chaela, your entire day was a beautiful, emotional and super fun day. I hope you have amazing memories of it for the rest of your lives together. Many blessings and all my best to you both! xo

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Connect With Samantha

To Inquire about Wedding Photography, Book a Boudoir Session or Portrait Session, please Contact Me!

Visit My Website (Portfolio and More Information about Collections and Samantha)

Facebook | Twitter

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I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a comment! Thanks! xo

I am lucky enough to know these two personally, so this wedding was really close to my heart. The Groom and I went to high school and graduated together, and seeing him so happy was a fantastic experience for me. Jared is kind of a quiet guy; funny but quiet. Emily is just plain fun. Sweet, down-to-earth, and she loves Hello Kitty. You can’t NOT like Emily.

These two met while working at Six Flags and I think the total count is at around 4 years that they’ve been together now. A few years back at mine and Jared’s 10 year high school reunion, I have a distinct memory of him telling me about how he’d be the happiest and luckiest guy in the world when he finally got around to asking Emily to marry him. Being able to see that sentiment fulfilled, especially to be there to document the event, was really emotional for me. It was beyond awesome. I still feel so honored.

And I admit, walking into the reception and hearing my name yelled out (my nickname, ‘Samie’, from a table of fellow high school friends) was pretty awesome too.

More awesome? Emily’s Bridesmaids – her Best Friends, Cousins and Sisters. They are perhaps the most helpful, fun, crazy, warm and patient group I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with (I mention ‘patient’ because I’m a little spastic when I work, and I tend to forget names altogether even after being told repeatedly – I’m working on that, everyone, I promise!). Emily, what an amazing group of women you keep around you!

Jared and Emily, thank you SO much for having me at your wedding! It was such an honor and such a blast to be there, to witness you two go through such a weighty, and yet completely freeing, step in your lives. The whole experience was wonderful, the wedding absolutely beautiful, I hope you look back on it forever with warm memories. Thanks again and many blessings and congratulations!

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Connect With Samantha

To Inquire about Wedding Photography, Book a Boudoir Session or Portrait Session, please Contact Me!

Visit My Website (Portfolio and More Information about Collections and Samantha)

Facebook | Twitter

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I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a comment! Thanks! xo

Amy and Mike are a couple of amazing people. Truly. Quiet, reserved, classy and incredible. They met while both working on a political campaign, and since then their love and adoration for one another have simply grown. I felt so special to be part of this wedding, because the ‘theme’ was very close to my heart – these two love St. Louis, and they wanted to highlight the city in their ceremony. They came up with some really unique ideas; from incorporating the Arch in the table floral centerpieces (courtesy of Mike’s truly talented Mom!) and Fleur de Lis accents, to having their reception at the spectacular Casa Loma Ballroom and highlighting musical artists who have played on the stage there, their wedding had old St. Louis charm and a whole lot of grace. I’m a lover of the vintage urban look they worked in, and especially when that ‘urban’ part means my home city!

This is a wedding that I will never forget. March is a tricky month weather-wise, no doubt – but who knew that it’d be 80 degrees just a few days before, and we’d get about 7 inches of snow dumped on us during their ceremony? Check out the before and after pictures:

It was so beautiful, and we ended up with so much in such a short amount of time, that I think we were mostly a little giddy over it. I don’t remember any disappointed parties; Amy and Mike simply seemed to embrace it, and we braved it for outdoor photos (albeit, not all that many!) around Provincial House Chapel and at the Eads Bridge.

If these two can weather this storm, I just know they’ll weather any storm life throws at them.

Amy and Mike, I had such a great time with you on your wedding day! It was absolutely beautiful, and some of these pictures will be my favorite for years to come. Thank you so much for having me – you both are absolutely wonderful, and I hope you’re having an amazing time on your honeymoon in Mexico! xo

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Connect With Samantha

To Inquire about Wedding Photography, Book a Boudoir Session or Portrait Session, please Contact Me!

Visit My Website (Portfolio and More Information about Collections and Samantha)

Facebook | Twitter

———————————————————————————————————————————————————–

I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a comment! Thanks! xo

Last weekend I had the pleasure of hanging out with Patrice and Shawn for their beautiful wedding day! This wedding was really special, as it was about 7 years in the making. The day started a little off-kilter schedule-wise, but it righted itself and we all literally got to the church on time!

I also got to work with Steve Alejandro of SA3 Studios (here’s his website: www.sa3studios.com) and major thanks to him for all his amazing help! I really enjoyed working with you!

These two are super sweet and their daughters are amazing. I really loved all of their family too. Thank you both so much for having me for your wedding! It’s been a long engagement and I was so excited for the event to finally happen! Thank you so much, I was so honored to be a part of your special day!