Bill & Hannah | A Traditional St. Louis Wedding

Being from Missouri, I have longed to photograph a wedding back there. Now, don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE my Texas weddings, but there is something about Missouri weddings that is sooo relaxing. We structure our wedding days VERY differently by having the ceremony hours prior to the reception which allows for tons of time to photograph family, bridal party and husband & wife portraits afterwards. Sometimes, the whole group gets on a party bus to travel to a completely different location for photographs and sometimes we do it right on site, like we typically see with Texas weddings. So, when the opportunity came for Nick and I to photograph this sweet couple in Missouri, we were ecstatic!

Hannah and Bill reached out to us months ago and I knew right away I wanted to capture their special day. We kept in touch the months leading up to their wedding day via social media as they had already scheduled their engagements with another photographer back home. As we pulled into the church’s parking lot, Nick and I were a bit anxious. We felt like we already knew them so well, but had never actually met these two in person. The pressure to live up to our social media lives, was high. LOL! But immediately, we felt so welcome and at home with these two and their families.

Bill met Hannah at a mutual friends wedding a couple years ago and as they merged their lives with one another, there was one special little human that Hannah needed to meet. Miss Averie, Bill’s daughter. Watching Hannah with Averie on their wedding day as a mom myself, I can honestly say that Bill couldn’t have found a better partner to share this part of his life with. Averie is the sweetest little girl and her love for Hannah is obvious to anyone who sees these two together. Getting through photographs was challenging at times as Averie just wanted to be simply held by her. (Let’s just say… my momma heart melted repeatedly throughout the day.) Hannah’s love for Averie and Bill are everything. She is a natural giver, is super supportive and loves fully. There is absolutely no doubt these two are going to rock parenthood with one another.

The coolest part of our day was witnessing the day similarly to Bill and Hannah. They choose not to do a first look and so the ceremony was the first time that they saw one another and WE got to see them together for the first time. I absolutely LOVED this part of the day. Their ceremony was a traditional, beautiful show of love with an emphasis of two families becoming one. They held their ceremony at their home church, The Point of Refuge in Byrnes Mill, MO. Pastor Steve knew these two so well and the way he described these two and the vows they were about to make brought a few tears to my eyes. As the ceremony went along, Hannah not only committed herself to Bill, she committed herself to Averie as well. The infinity rings were a beautiful show of unconditional love. Bill’s emotional daddy side couldn’t keep the tears from flowing as well. 🙂

I love this couple so much! I cannot sing enough praises for them. It is one of the greatest joys/gifts of my life to be able to witness love so true and pure. I’m so blessed by the Lord above for doing what I do. I hope you guys enjoy a peak into Hannah and Bill’s wedding day.

Bill & Hannah,

Thank you so much for choosing me to be your photographer. Your faith in me from afar was everything! Nick and I have both loved following your journey leading up to your wedding day and we honestly feel like you guys became our friends throughout the evening. I pray we all stay in one another’s lives and when we are back home, we have the opportunity to reconnect.

Your love story is so perfect and pure. God placed you on a journey to find one another and I am so grateful that he did. Your ups and downs through life have made you who you are and have brought you to this point. Your marriage is going to be full of laughter and fun.

You are so special and I am so blessed to be the one to capture your love into photographs you can hold onto for years to come. Your grandkids are going to say y’all were pretty hot as well. LOL!

Love you guys,

Kelli & Nick Holder

A huge SHOUT OUT to all the amazing vendors:

Church: The Point of Refuge

Reception Venue: Orlando Gardens

Florist: Hannah and her mom

Cake: Wedding Wonderland

DJ: TKO DJS

Catering: Orlando Gardens

Gown: Mia Grace Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses: Amazon

Men’s Attire: St. Louis Suit Company