Ashley + Kevin- St. Louis, Missouri Wedding

Besides a short time crunch in the beginning of the day, Ashley and Kevin’s best day ever couldn’t have gone any better. Ashley was absolutely BREATHTAKING in her sleeved Maggie Sottero gown (definitely a bigger the risk the high the reward kind of situation! I mean come on, SLEEVES on an August day…in St. Louis). No one who saw her could keep a dry eye, including her dad, who just kept turning around in disbelief and was literally speechless. I wasn’t all that surprised though as Ashley is the only girl of four children (see the photo below where I asked her brothers to tell her how beautiful she was! lol!), she is definitely daddy’s girl! But, Ashley being the sweetheart she is, is everybody’s girl. She and her momma shared a few quiet moments, and her soon-to-be sister-in-law shed a few tears listening to the letter her brother wrote to his bride (Ashley’s MOH is Kevin’s little sister, did doesn’t get anymore precious than that).
Ashley and Kevin were married in the same church Ashley’s parents had their nuptials twenty-four years ago, what is now known as “The Old Cathedral”. When Ashley was designing her perfect wedding day bouquet, even THAT had sentimental value with nods to her mother and mother-in-law by using stargazer lilies like her mom’s bouquet and white roses as her mother-in-law’s bouquet had. Ashley also wore a watch from her late great-grandmother as well as a family heirloom necklace. Even the flower girl had a piece of the family tradition pie; she was wearing Ashley’s First Communion gown as her flower girl dress!
As Ashley made her grand entrance in to the ceremony, the look on Kevin’s face was pure bliss. Although he didn’t ball his eyes out as I expected, the smile that took over his entire face was much better. Ear to ear would be the only way to describe it. They couldn’t keep their eyes off each other the entire service, sneaking glances at one another, often unnoticed (which made it all the more adorable) by the other. After what I’m sure seemed like an eternity for the two of them, the first kiss as husband and wife was had, then the fun began!
Located conveniently RIGHT IN FRONT of the Arch, we just walked over to a beautiful (shaded) patch of grass then proceeded to laugh, sing (yes sing. If you were one of my couples or in a wedding I photographed, you know what I’m talking about!) and snuggle in the beautiful, mild, early-August weather before whisking away to the reception at River City Casino.
Because they’re so cute, Kevin and Ashley opted to do a “reception first look”; they got to sneak a peek at what their reception space looked like (not to mention have a few quiet moments before the night began) prior to any guest stepping foot in it. Kevin also had a big surprise waiting for him: a multi-tier groom’s cake with everything Boston (it’s where he is originally from, relax St. Louis) adorned with his beloved pup on top!
Once the guests were all seated and the newly Nichols walked in, the party began and didn’t stop!

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Earl Nichols, I truly can’t thank you enough for allowing us to be a part of your truly best day ever and making me feel like family! I wish we could do it again every weekend (I’m sure your bank accounts would disagree! lol!). I wish you nothing but the best that married life can bring and that you two grow a family of your own as great as the ones you grew up in! Have SO much fun in Hawaii!!

Yours truly,
Sonni