Society | Town&Style

Rachel Mintzlaff and Jason Lewis’ relationship has been full of unconventional moments. When they met, she was on a strict training regimen and carefully watching her diet, so their first date wasn’t the usual movie or dinner out—it was a trip to the grocery store for some healthy shopping. “I showed him how to pick nutritious fruits and vegetables, and he appreciated that,” says Rachael, a fitness trainer. After their productive produce outing, the pair watched March Madness basketball together. “At the time, I was a personal trainer at the gym where Jason was working out,” Rachael says of their introduction. “He was too nervous to talk to me, but his trainer wanted us to get together and joked that he would get an extra-tough workout if he didn’t call me.”

Jason also popped the question in an unusual way. On the evening of his 30th birthday, the couple used their Apple watches to take a GPS-guided stroll around the historic St. Charles waterfront. “Every few yards, his watch would buzz for us to turn left or right,” Rachael remembers. “We’d go about 10 feet, then he would pull an odd U-turn. I thought, ‘This is the most inconsistent walk ever! What kind of runner would create this trail?’ But I kept following his directions.” When they finally stopped at a Frontier Park pavilion overlooking the Missouri River, Jason told Rachael to look at the GPS route that had been mapped out. It spelled ‘Marry Me.’ He then presented her with a ring.

“I was in shock—I didn’t cry, I just felt happy and excited,” Rachael says of the big moment. “We had reservations for Jason’s birthday at Kemoll’s that evening, and he asked me not to tell anyone until the next day so we could have the evening to ourselves. But he had invited our families to the restaurant!” Jason told their relatives it was just a birthday dinner, so they were as surprised to learn about the engagement as Rachael was to see them. Her brother Jared even flew in from Maryland to attend the celebration. The couple is planning a late afternoon wedding and evening reception at The Country Club of St. Albans, and they hope to do some hiking in Hawaii on their honeymoon. They’ll celebrate with bachelor and bachelorette parties in Las Vegas and Miami, respectively. Rachael owns A Perfect Fit + Wellbridge Athletic Club, and Jason works for GE Healthcare. They live in Kirkwood.

resources
ceremony & reception | The Country Club of St. Albans
gown | Pronovias
cake | Sarah’s Cake Stop
honeymoon | Hawaii

wedding party
maid of honor | Sarah Mintzlaff
bridesmaids | Lois Veguilla, Jory Hamilton, Kim Hardan, Lauren Lewis, Katie Milleville
best man | Daniel Hopkins
groomsmen | Jared Mintzlaff, Clark Morris, Justin Taylor, Brian Corrigan, Justin Powelson, Tyler Stewart, Vince Butano
bride’s parents | Jeffrey & Maureen Mintzlaff of Kirkwood
groom’s parents | Lew & Cindy Lewis of Chesterfield

wedding date | sept. 29, 2018

Leisha Ritter says her wedding to Brevin McVicar was full of personal touches that all added up to a very memorable event. From writing their own vows to choosing centerpieces, the pair took a ‘do-it-yourself’ approach. Leisha says the result was a celebration that reflected their personalities and their priorities.

“Brevin and I are both Christians, so it was important for us to make the ceremony’s message about the roles of a husband and wife,” she says. “We wanted our family and friends to know what commitment means to us.” Each wrote a speech for the ceremony, and neither knew what the other was going to say until that moment. “It was such a nice surprise to hear what he had written,” Leisha recalls. “That was my favorite part of the night.” They held both the wedding and reception at Jefferson Underground in Benton Park, a unique venue that features a scenic rooftop space.

The bride is an interior designer and says she happily took the event’s creative decisions into her own hands. “My mom and I enjoy working on projects together, so we did as much of it as we could and included a lot of greenery and natural elements,” Leisha says. “There were many trips to Hobby Lobby and thrift stores. We spent so much time shopping that I still find myself looking for those things when I walk into a store!” They put together a collection of mismatched brass candlesticks and other eclectic touches for the reception tables, which worked well with the venue’s exposed brick and wood decor, Leisha says. “We displayed photos of the different phases of our relationship throughout the space,” she adds. “Our guests really enjoyed looking at them.” Friends and relatives made cookies and cake pops for the reception, and the bride chose white flowers with leafy green accents to complement her attendants’ dusty maroon gowns.

After the wedding, the couple departed for a honeymoon in Mexico. “Our big day was wonderful, but with all of the planning, moving and both of us starting new jobs, we needed a break!” Leisha says. “Normally we’re pretty adventurous when we travel, but we spent this trip just enjoying the beach and recharging.”

Leisha, a Westminster Christian Academy and University of Missouri-Columbia grad, works at Gray Design Group. Brevin, who attended Francis Howell High School and Lindenwood University, is an account manager for TEKsystems. They live in the Tower Grove South neighborhood.

wedding party
maid of honor | Rachel Ritter
bridesmaids | Katie Reed, Leah Younkin, Laurel Dicus, Jordan Montgomery, Bethany Strodtman, Tessa Canon
best man | Chris Perry
groomsmen | Kevin Mason, Richard Copeland, Ryan Ely, Alex Langford, Andrew Frank, Guido Margiotta
bride’s parents | Andy Ritter of Wildwood and Belinda Ritter of Ballwin
groom’s parents | Doug & Elizabeth McVicar of Lake St. Louis

wedding date | October 6, 2017

Kelsey Nelson and her husband, Michael Giaimo, met through an online dating site and bonded over a shared love of animals. “I was happy to find a guy who would love my dog as much as I do,” says the bride, who introduced Michael to her Scottish terrier, Winchester, early on. The pint-sized pup (and Kelsey!) quickly won him over.

The bride says animals even were part of their engagement. “I compete in agility events with my dog,” she says. “We were at a show one day when I received a dog toy with a jewelry box inside it.” The two had designed her engagement ring together, but Michael worked secretly with Kelsey’s parents to pull off the surprise. The very special piece included diamonds that had belonged to grandparents on both sides. The couple held both their ceremony and reception at Silver Oaks Chateau in Pacific. According to Kelsey, there were a few unexpected developments—weather prevented an outdoor ceremony, so Winchester couldn’t take part in the wedding as planned. But she says more than anything, she recalls a beautiful day full of family memories, celebration and love.

A big fan of Jurassic Park films, Kelsey managed to work some prehistoric animals into the mix, too. She ordered a dinosaur-themed photo booth as a lighthearted diversion for guests at the reception. “It had a green screen so people could take pictures with a Tyrannosaurus rex in the background,” she recalls. “I walked down the aisle to the movie theme played on bagpipes, and we even had a dinosaur-themed cake the next morning at brunch. I really wanted to incorporate some fun into the events.”

After the big day, the newlyweds took off on a weeklong Alaskan cruise. “We stopped at a few ports and enjoyed a different activity at each,” Kelsey says. “We saw Iditarod sled dogs, took a bike tour around a glacier, and went ziplining.” The couple lives in St. Charles with Winchester and their cat, Wally.

wedding party
maid of honor | Kylan Nelson
bridesmaids | Karey Wilbeck, Kristina Murphy, Brooke Nelson, Ryan Nelson
best man | Noah Wait
groomsmen | Jordan Green, Ethan Stack
bride’s parents | Dr. Douglas Nelson & Dr. Carol Graham of Town & Country
groom’s parents | John & Carol Giaimo of Bridgeton

wedding date | April 14, 2018

Christen Goltermann says a happy chance brought her and husband Peter Grote together—with a little help from family. Christen’s mom teaches preschool, and Peter’s sister had a child in her class, so the two women became friends. Later, they realized each had a family member who was single. “Peter reached out to me first,” Christen says. “Our first date was at Sasha’s Wine Bar in early 2017, and we hit it off. We laugh about that a lot; if it hadn’t been for our relatives, we never would have gotten together!”

The pair became engaged several months later and got married at Ladue Chapel. The unseasonably comfortable weather in June was perfect for outdoor photos, Christen says. The wedding was followed by an indoor/outdoor reception at Deer Creek Club, including cocktails on the patio and a sit-down dinner. “Everything was very traditional, and the day went very smoothly,” Christen says. “We took pictures in the church’s garden, and the bridesmaids looked beautiful in their light pink dresses.” The groomsmen complemented the look in navy blazers and pink ties.

The bride and groom commemorated the occasion with special love letters for each other, which they read before the ceremony. Their reception included live music by The Fabulous Motown Revue, and the dance floor was hopping all evening, Christen recalls. She says having a number of friends and family travel in from out of town made the day extra special.

The couple’s original plan was to honeymoon in Bermuda, but when they arrived, the forecast was a
week of heavy storms. “We stayed there for one night, but the weather was so bad that we decided to book a flight to South Carolina instead,” Christen says. “We ended up spending a beautiful week at the beach on Kiawah Island, where we found a resort that would take a last-minute reservation. Peter and I really enjoyed the lovely sunsets and great food, bike rides along the beach, and relaxing by the pool. We loved that it was close to Charleston, too.”

Both born and raised in St. Louis, Peter and Christen recently bought a home in University City.

wedding party
maid of honor | Catherine Goltermann
bridesmaids | Liza Weiss, Stephanie Efthim, Frances Jones
best man | Richard Grote
groomsmen | Woody Goltermann, David Weiss, Peter Grenney
bride’s parents | Chris & Cathy Goltermann of Ladue
groom’s parents | Richard & Suzy Grote of Ladue

wedding date | June 23, 2018

Jordan Waldschmidt says her fiance, Pete Tomczik, asked her to be his bride on a beautiful Texas evening. The pair were on a camping trip near El Paso, and she had just come back from a run. “I nearly got lost, so it had been a stressful afternoon,” she recalls. “We decided to unwind by sitting on a hilltop to watch the sunset. It was secluded and peaceful. Pete hugged me and said, ‘Let’s get married.’”

Before their trip, Pete had secretly driven from Atlanta to St. Louis to ask permission from Jordan’s parents, and to get her late grandmother’s engagement ring so he could surprise her. “My parents were very excited for us,” Jordan says. “I called them right after he proposed.”

The two plan to marry at the Jewel Box in Forest Park. “We looked around a lot for a venue,” she says. “When we walked into the Jewel Box, we both knew it was the place. The tropical plants and atmosphere reminded us of Jamaica, where we met and became friends while serving in the Peace Corps.” They got to know each other through work projects on the island, Jordan explains. “We were good friends for a couple of years before we started dating, and I think that created a strong foundation for our relationship,” she notes.

After tying the knot, the newlyweds will celebrate with family and friends during an evening reception at Third Degree Glass Factory. “It’s close to Forest Park, and we love the venue’s cool vibe,” Jordan says. “We will have a cocktail hour, buffet dinner and a fun glass-blowing demonstration for guests.”

Since their Peace Corps days, Pete and Jordan have returned to Jamaica to visit friends and former colleagues, and they also are planning a honeymoon there. “We’re going to have a big party with all of our friends, and then we’ll go to the east side of the island to relax on the beach,” Jordan says. The couple currently lives in Chicago. Jordan is a Nerinx Hall and Saint Louis University grad; Pete is a Minnesota native and attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

resources
ceremony | The Jewel Box
reception | Third Degree Glass Factory
honeymoon | Jamaica

wedding party
maid of honor | Jenna Waldschmidt
bridesmaids | Allie Bronsky, Asha Phadke, Laura Andromalos
best man | Adam Tomczik
groomsmen | Samson Scheller, Owen Julius Duncan, Alexander Anders Kosnett
bride’s parents | Jim & Joanne Waldschmidt of St. Louis
groom’s parents | Pat & Dee Tomczik of Northfield, Minnesota

wedding date | September 2, 2018

The couple’s original plan was to honeymoon in Bermuda, but when they arrived, the forecast was a week of heavy storms. “We stayed there for one night, but the weather was so bad that we decided to book a flight to South Carolina instead,” Christen says. “We ended up spending a beautiful week at the beach on Kiawah Island, where we found a resort that would take a last-minute reservation. Peter and I really enjoyed the lovely sunsets and great food, bike rides along the beach, and relaxing by the pool. We loved that it was close to Charleston, too.”

Both born and raised in St. Louis, Peter and Christen recently bought a home in University City.

wedding date | June 23, 2018

Stephanie Wolf’s and Dan Henschel’s romance started in true St. Louis fashion: at a Cardinals game. They met up at Helen Fitzgerald’s before heading to Busch Stadium with a mutual friend. “We had a lot of fun together, and started seeing each other regularly after that,” Stephanie recalls. Many dates later, Dan secretly planned a romantic proposal at Chandler Hill Vineyards. “He reserved an area at the winery and invited family and friends to attend,” Stephanie says. “I thought I was just going on a girls’ trip that day, and he was going to golf with friends. But as I walked around a corner, a trail of roses appeared, and Dan was standing there with a ring.” After an emotional proposal, the pair walked up to the main building where loved ones were waiting to celebrate with them. “He did a great job of organizing everything,” Stephanie says. “The day was so lovely. It was almost like a mini wedding!”

The couple said their vows at the Shrine of St. Joseph and adjourned to nearby Union Station for a Grand Hall reception. “The hall is so beautiful on its own, it really didn’t need much decoration,” Stephanie says. “We did bring in special candelabra and eucalyptus accents for the tables and chairs, and used some of the bridesmaids’ bouquets as centerpieces.”

Surprisingly pleasant weather allowed for a photo session in Forest Park. “We were afraid it would be really hot and humid that day, but it was just perfect—85 degrees and breezy,” Stephanie recalls. For the reception, her dad choreographed some fun father/daughter and bride/groom dances set to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Stevie Wonder tunes. Stephanie says the day was extra special because while the groomsmen were getting ready, her future brother-in-law took her dad aside and asked permission to marry her sister.

“My father referred to our big day as ‘the second royal wedding’ because we kind of resemble Prince Harry and Meghan Markle,” Stephanie laughs. “Everything went perfectly, and we had a wonderful time!” The couple jetted off for a Mexico honeymoon shortly afterward and now live in Sunset Hills.

wedding party
maid of honor | Jackie Wolf
bridesmaids | Emily Henschel, Abby Andrade, Tierney Davis, Suzy Gill, Shannon Phelan, Madison van Stone, Jessica Sullivan, Caroline Ragsdale, Maddie Moore
best men | Rich Henschel, Kevin Henschel
groomsmen | Elliott Wolf, Drew Andrade, Timmy O’Neill, Josh Syberg, Joe Dodd, Eric Fuchs, Tony Scotino, Billy Feicht, Doug Devine, Tyler Brady, Rob Mitchell, Zach Manwaring
bride’s parents | Drs. Michael & Bernita Wolf of Sunset Hills
groom’s parents | Rich & Judy Henschel of Clayton

wedding date | August 11, 2018

St. Louis native Carolyn Gunthner and her husband, Taylor Horowitz, decided the blue skies and majestic mountains of Colorado would make the ideal backdrop for their May wedding. They enjoy outdoor activities together and wanted a venue where they could exchange vows in the open air, Carolyn says.

The couple met through a mutual friend and got engaged in 2016 during a cross-country ski trip to Tabernash, Colorado. “Taylor had a diamond from my late grandmother’s ring to use in a custom setting, so I knew he was going to propose at some point,” Carolyn says. “I thought it might be on that trip, but he still tried to throw me off so it would be a surprise! He suggested canceling the getaway because it was early in the ski season and the weather wouldn’t be ideal.” But they went after all, and Taylor stopped in the middle of a trail to ask for her hand. The couple took pictures together and then returned to the lodge to call friends and family. “We enjoyed a nice dinner that evening and a spa visit the next morning,” Carolyn says.

The two held their wedding and reception at TenMile Station, a rustic restaurant and event venue in Breckenridge. The ceremony took place on a picturesque patio overlooking the mountains before guests moved indoors for the party. “We got very lucky with the weather,” Carolyn says. “It was unseasonably warm and sunny, but it easily could have been snowing at that time of year.” Out-of-town guests came in force to celebrate with them, including Taylor’s relatives from California and Carolyn’s from St. Louis. She carried a special embroidered handkerchief in memory of her late sister.

“It was such a fun reception,” recalls Carolyn, a St. Joseph’s Academy grad. “I’m Catholic, but my husband is Jewish, so we did a hora dance where the newlyweds and their parents are lifted up in chairs. A lot of our guests had never seen a hora before! My parents didn’t realize it was happening, so we got great photos of them looking surprised.” The couple kept the celebratory spirit going with a honeymoon trip to Belize. They live in Denver.

wedding party
maids of honor | Katherine Hessel, Rachel Barnes
bridesmaids | Macy Holtzman, Ashton Wray, Taylor Reiser, Ainsley Gourlay
best men | Joss Hollingworth, Mathew Lucas
groomsmen | Brett Lawson, Kody Riley, Mathew Wray, Ojan Mirhashemi
bride’s parents | Robert & Marilyn Gunthner of St. Louis
groom’s parents | Randy & Candis Horowitz of Upland, California

wedding date | May 27, 2018

Kaitlin Gates jokes that it’s a wonder she and her husband, John Engler, ever got together. Both went to MICDS and had known each other for years, but she only thought of him as a friend during school. “I never gave him a chance because he was one of the ‘older guys,’” she laughs. After they graduated from college, however, things took a romantic turn. “John and I started going out for drinks with friends and realized we had the same weird sense of humor,” Kaitlin recalls. “Our friends said affectionately that we were two of the goofiest people they had ever met, so it made sense for us to get together!” The pair had a fun first date at The Kitchen Sink in the Central West End and went out for about three years before becoming engaged.

Kaitlin says John’s proposal made for an unforgettable evening. “I was going to a happy hour for a coworker and said I wouldn’t be able to see him until later that night,” she explains. “He got really upset, so I knew something was up.” John persuaded her to skip the happy hour, took her to a holiday party and proposed to her at the top of Art Hill in Forest Park. Kaitlin says she suddenly heard cheering when John gave her the ring. Both sets of parents had been watching from a secret spot and came out of hiding when they heard her say yes. Afterward, they all went out for a celebratory dinner.

The couple married at the Shrine of St. Joseph and threw a lovely reception at the Missouri Athletic Club. Kaitlin says she chose traditional flowers and decor, but that didn’t keep the party from being lively. A photo booth, late-night Imo’s pizza and campaign-style hats saying “Engler+Gates ‘18” made the celebration light and fun, she says. The newlyweds honeymooned in Cabo San Lucas and currently live in University City.

wedding party
maids of honor | Christina Valentine, Lucy Cross
bridesmaids | Annie Edmundowicz, Caroline Coulter, Mary Holbrook, Claire Dunlap, Elizabeth Coulter, Samantha Ryan
best men | Nicholas Pope, George Pope
groomsmen | Zachary Gates, Alex Morley, Scott Lause, George Stephenson, Drew Koeneman, Tyler Johnson, Tucker Ruwitch, Joey Loeb, Peter Bearman
bride’s parents | Mr. & Mrs. Scott Gates of Creve Coeur
groom’s parents | Jay & Dodie Engler of Ladue

wedding date | April 28, 2018

Marty Clare Purcell and Alex Araiza first met at Saint Louis University, but an overseas trip really cemented their relationship. “We both studied in Madrid for six months,” Mary Clare says. “We had more time to get to know each other that semester and started dating while we were there.”

Later, the pair got engaged while visiting the Garden Glow exhibit at the Missouri Botanical Garden. They were married at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in University City and held a lovely reception at The Caramel Room at Bissinger’s downtown. “The wedding was especially meaningful because Lourdes is my home parish,” Mary Clare says. “My cousin is a priest and performed the ceremony for us.” After Mass, the wedding party snapped some outdoor photos in her parents’ backyard and at Lindenwood Park. The bride chose a color scheme of white, coral and pink, and her attendants wore gowns in a delicate shade of beige.

The wedding party rode by trolley to the reception, where they enjoyed cocktails, dinner and dancing with guests. “Our college friends love to dance, so the floor was pretty packed the whole time!” Mary Clare recalls. “They also surprised us with some very creative entrances to the reception, including props like trenchcoats and fake beards.” The reception décor featured natural elements such as garlands, cascading flowers and vines.

Not surprisingly, the evening also included a special display of handmade confections from Bissinger’s. “They got rave reviews,” Mary Clare says. “People were going back for thirds and fourths! The peanut butter truffles were my favorite, and there were several flavors of caramels and chocolates, too.” As the party wound to a close, the newlyweds ordered late-night Steak ‘n Shake for their most die-hard guests.

A 10-day Hawaiian honeymoon capped off the festivities. “We visited Kauai and Maui and would return there in a heartbeat,” Mary Clare notes. “It was wonderful. We did a lot of eating, drinking and relaxing, and even took a helicopter tour.” She is a nurse practitioner at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, and Alex, a Belleville native, is an insurance broker at the Charles Crane Agency. They live in south St. Louis.

wedding party
maids of honor | Sally Purcell, Annie Purcell
bridesmaids | Kelsey Herbst, Dana McNicholas, Ginny Seiler, Amanda Araiza
best man | Daniel Westhoff
groomsmen | Ben Albers, Michael Legittino, Dalton Thieneman, Jon Flippen, Aravinth Karunanundaa, Craig Borkovec
bride’s parents | Bill & Angie Purcell of University City
groom’s parents | Glenn & Lisa Logan of Belleville, Illinois; Jose Araiza of Sonoita, Arizona

wedding date | May 19, 2018

wedding date: june 29, 2018

Cheryl Voss says she originally pictured her wedding to Richard Chappuis Jr. as an intimate affair with a small number of family and friends. But the more the couple thought about it, the more the guest list grew, so they decided on a bigger celebration. “Everyone we love wanted to be there for us, and we wanted them with us on our big day,” Cheryl says. “We realized that was the most important thing!”

The pair planned a lovely wedding and reception at the Saint Louis Club, penning their own vows that included a tribute to both sets of parents for being married for more than 50 years. Cheryl was escorted down the aisle by her daughter and son, and Richard was accompanied by his children. Judge Mary Ann Medler performed the marriage rites and read the couple’s lists of their 10 favorite things about each other. “She incorporated them throughout the ceremony, which provided laughs and kept the atmosphere light and fun,” Cheryl says.

The reception featured a bold color scheme of navy blue and orange, and bartenders poured citrus cocktails. The two took lessons at Majestic Dance Studio to entertain guests with a foxtrot number. Macarons, a custom-designed fleur-de-lis monogram and other elegant touches served as a nod to Richard’s French heritage.

A weeklong honeymoon on the Hawaiian island of Lanai brought rest and relaxation, some surfing and scuba diving, and one particularly special surprise. “We stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel and met singer Steve Perry of Journey there,” Cheryl says. “I told him we were on our honeymoon, and we ended up talking for a while about love and life. It really was wonderful to meet him.”

The bride credits the Tinder app for bringing her and Richard together, though neither was originally fond of the idea of online romance. “Our friends convinced us to give it a try,” she recalls. “Richard and I knew a lot of the same people before we started dating, so we couldn’t believe we had never met before.” Cheryl works in business development for FocusVision, a market research software firm, and Richard is vice president of sales for EWR Radar Systems. They live in Ladue.

wedding party
bridesmaids | Lauren Voss, Olivia Chappuis, Sophia Chappuis
groomsmen | Lucas Voss, Richard Chappuis III, Vincent Chappuis
bride’s parents | David & Carol Bailey of Union
groom’s parents | Richard & Kathleen Chappuis of University City

Photos: Lauren Muckler Photography

Yuval Dor and Conor Ahlering met in high school, and their first outing was a memorable one—a double date with Conor’s parents. “We all went to dinner for his 17th birthday,” Yuval says. “He and I have been together ever since.”

The two attended college at the University of Arizona-Tucson, and after graduation, they returned to St. Louis to start their careers and be closer to family. “One evening, Conor told me we were going to meet friends at the Boathouse in Forest Park, but we never actually made it to the restaurant,” Yuval recalls. “He got down on one knee on a bridge in the park and asked me to marry him. Then we went to Carl’s Drive-In for burgers and floats, and we called our friends and family to share the big news.”

They had a morning wedding at St. Anselm Catholic Church and a Jewish ceremony at Conor’s parents’ home later that afternoon. A reception followed, and guests sampled tacos, pizza and gyros from food trucks set up in the driveway. “We always knew we wanted to have an outdoor party. We came up with some different ideas, but things started to get logistically complicated,” Yuval says. “That’s when we decided to get the food trucks and let everyone choose what they wanted.”

A light rain threatened to interfere, but the trucks put up awnings and guests enjoyed going from one to the next to sample different dishes, Yuval says. “We loved having our second ceremony and celebration at the house,” she notes. “It’s where we had our first kiss, so we really wanted to come back to the place where things began. It was very special.”

Yuval’s relatives flew in from Israel for the big day, and she says it was wonderful introducing them to Conor’s family at the reception. “I changed into a silk dress for the afternoon and added a lovely pearl belt my mom wore when she was my age,” she notes. “A friend decorated my leather jacket with ‘Mrs. Ahlering’ on the back, and I gave my bridesmaids denim jackets with their names on them.” After the festivities, the newlyweds departed for a two-week honeymoon in Hawaii.

Conor owns two Orangetheory Fitness studios in Chesterfield and Ladue, and Yuval is a project manager with Centene Corp. She also has a curated gift box company called Honey Door Co. They live in Dogtown with their pup, Kona.

wedding party
maids of honor | Chloe Caswell, Stav Cullum
bridesmaids | Kara Ahlering, Hillary Cyphers, Slone Dobyns, Mairin Freese, Sarah Hoffman, Melissa Shultz
best man | Nate Townsend
groomsmen | Andy Ahlering, Nick Ahlering, Connor Cervantes, Tommy Drier, Clyde Jeffers, Max Mahaney
bride’s parents | Rahav & Sigal Dor of Dallas
groom’s parents | Dr. George & Julie Ahlering of St. Louis

When Alexis Zotos and Matt Drobak connected on Tinder, each thought the other looked slightly familiar. Later, they realized their past connection. Just a few weeks earlier, Matt had been tending bar at a Cherokee Street brewery when Alexis stopped in to meet a friend. Her companion was late, so they ended up chatting.

“Once my friend arrived, Matt and I went our separate ways,” Alexis recalls. “Neither of us asked for the other’s number. It wasn’t until well into our first date that we realized what had happened.” Matt wasn’t actually a bartender; he was just doing a good turn for his friend, the brewery owner— a fact that Alexis says impressed her quite a bit. “He also pours a good beer,” she jokes.

Matt and Alexis both grew up in Ladue and went to Ladue High School. She is three years younger, so their paths didn’t cross at the time. “I knew his sister, but he and I weren’t friends,” Alexis says. “We always joke that I was cooler as a freshman than he was as a senior. We certainly had no idea we would end up together later on.”

After they dated for a couple of years, Matt decided to make things official. “He had a secret plan to propose at the Jewel Box in Forest Park, but it rained that day,” Alexis says. “We were supposed to have a staycation at the Four Seasons that evening, so I suggested we go straight there. We were about to go to the hotel spa when Matt took out the ring and asked me to marry him in the room. I hadn’t expected to be surprised when he proposed, but I was caught completely off guard! That made the moment even more special.” Afterward, they celebrated with champagne at the hotel bar, and the bartender snapped some rooftop photos.

Matt and Alexis will marry in August at the Grand Basin in Forest Park, and their reception will be at Wild Carrot on Shaw Boulevard. “We’re looking forward to a lovely outdoor ceremony, officiated by our friend, the brewery owner,” Alexis says.

A Bali honeymoon is planned, and the couple is buying a home in the Shaw neighborhood. Alexis is a reporter for KMOV Channel 4, and Matt is a project manager at Clayco Construction.

wedding party
maids of honor | Brittni Zotos, Krista Zotos
bridesmaids | Jennifer Meckles, Britt Thorson, Julianne Spencer, Carolyn Eady
best man | Ian Ferguson
groomsmen | Derrick Scott, Michael Riney, Kevin Eady, Zach Wood
bride’s parents | Nick Zotos and Kathy Bresnahan, both of St. Louis
groom’s parents | John & Mary Drobak of St. Louis

wedding date | august 31, 2019

Photo: Laura Ann Miller

wedding date | september 15, 2018

Creve Coeur native Meegan Gildehaus says a chance encounter on Nantucket Island first brought her and husband David Beslic together. “Both of us were spending the summer of 2013 on the island when we randomly met and began dating,” Meegan recalls. “David was en route to Toronto for his career, and I joined him there after graduating from the University of Alabama.” They spent a couple of years in Toronto before moving to Thunder Bay, Ontario.

The two were engaged in 2017 during a picturesque mountain hike. “We made it to the top and then David got down on one knee,” Meegan says. “I was very surprised! He designed the ring using a family diamond, and our relatives were in on it for months beforehand.”

The two planned an outdoor ceremony at a family home on Nantucket and held a tented reception at another house nearby. “We wanted to get married on the island because it holds such special meaning for both of us,” Meegan notes. David’s relatives flew in from Croatia and Germany, and the intimate crowd spent a few days relaxing on the island before gearing up for the big weekend. “It was wonderful to have everyone together so they could get to know each other,” Meegan says.

Family was a large part of the special occasion. Meegan’s mom surprised her with an aquamarine necklace that had been in her family for many years. And at the reception, David’s European heritage was reflected on guests’ dinner plates with sprigs of rosemary, a Croatian wedding symbol of good luck. There was a tiered ‘cake’ made of different types of cheese and decorated with figs, another traditional touch from David’s homeland. “My husband isn’t a fan of regular cake,” Meegan says. “I had seen a photo of the cheese idea and thought it would be perfect.”

The couple is planning a September trip to Portugal for a beachfront honeymoon. David is a dentist, and Meegan, a St. Joseph’s Academy alumna, has a web design and marketing company called Stack Digital Co.

wedding party
maid of honor | Renee Fleddermann
bridesmaids | Madeleine Gildehaus, Stephanie Senseman
best man | Eddie Beslic
roomsmen | Paul Gildehaus IV, Benjamin Beslic
bride’s parents | Mr. & Mrs. Paul Gildehaus III of St. Louis
groom’s parents | Mr. & Mrs. Milan Beslic of Croatia

Photos: Jonathan Nimerfroh

wedding date | november 17, 2018

It didn’t take more than a couple of outings before Gigi Esser and Peter Rager realized they were an ideal match. “We went on our third date and talked so long that the restaurant had to kick us out at closing time,” Gigi says. “But we weren’t finished, so we sat on a bench at a nearby shopping mall. I felt a sense of peace and comfort that I’d never known with anyone else. We both went home and told our families, ‘This is the one.’”

That conversation was not the only time they sat on that bench. In October 2017, the couple returned to the spot, and Peter asked Gigi to be his wife. “I had no idea what was going on until I spotted someone with a camera nearby,” she recalls. “Peter got down on one knee and popped the question. I don’t know if I actually said yes, but I nodded my head—a lot!”

The church they originally chose fell through, but the Church of St. Michael and St. George in Clayton was available on the same day. Planner Simcha Lourie ironed out the details, and the couple ended up with a splendid ceremony and reception with old-fashioned flair. “We wanted the wedding to take our guests back to Belle Époque Paris,” Gigi notes. The bride wore a custom-designed, traditional gown with a fur cape, and the groom donned a coat and tails with gloves, ascot tie and top hat. Even their cake recalled yesteryear with its dozens of handmade sugar flowers.

Gigi’s eight attendants wore rich, red velvet and carried bouquets of cream roses, scarlet orchids and ivy. “One of the girls found out she was expecting right after the wedding, so we actually had a ninth bridesmaid at the ceremony and didn’t even know it,” she says.

The celebration took place on her parents’ 39th anniversary, and Gigi says she and her husband are looking forward to commemorating their first year and her parents’ 40th this November. She is a graduate of Whitfield School and Wake Forest University, and Peter attended St. Charles West High School and Westminster College. They recently bought a home in Wildwood and will honeymoon in Europe this summer.

wedding party »
maid of honor | Cheryl Mathis
bridesmaids | Julia Talen, Chloe Colbert, Adrienne Randle, Olive Davis, Kate Miltenberger, Porscha Elton, Frannie Jackson
best man | Joe Hye
groomsmen | Theo Esser, Andy Esser, Renny Esser, Trent Miltenberger, Steve Glassner, Matt Kimball, Zack Markow
bride’s parents | Michael & Bettina Esser of Chesterfield
groom’s parents | Gary Rager and Helen Rager, both of St. Charles

Photos by Ashley Fisher Photography

may 26, 2019

St. Louis Natives Hayley Fox and Brent Chod first met when they were kids, and fate brought them together again years later. “We were in the same carpool in middle school but never spoke,” Hayley says. “We didn’t reconnect until both of us were living in Chicago as adults.”

One weekend, she went to a party with friends and was surprised to find Brent there. “We had a lot of fun talking that night, and it turned out we were both going to a friend’s wedding in Atlanta a week later,” she recalls. “After not seeing each other for such a long time, we thought it was pretty amazing to end up together two weekends in a row.”

Brent asked Hayley out when they returned home. Their first date was supposed to be at an elegant rooftop club downtown, but bad weather got in the way. “We ended up at a dive bar across the street and had a great time catching up,” Hayley says. “The evening was very laid-back, just like we are.” Last year, the two got engaged on a Hilton Head beach as the sun was setting, and they celebrated with dinner overlooking the water.

They returned to Hilton Head for their wedding weekend, which Hayley describes as “amazing in every way.” The couple welcomed guests for a rehearsal dinner at a local plantation and said their ‘I dos’ at an outdoor ceremony. “It was hot, but the weather was perfect otherwise,” the bride recalls. “There wasn’t a cloud in the sky the whole weekend.” They wrote their own vows, and Hayley says she couldn’t help but get emotional when Brent read his.

An indoor dinner reception followed, and the space was decorated with white flowers and greenery. “My idea was for everything to look heavenly, and it did,” Hayley says. “We even had flowers hanging from the chandeliers.” Her attendants chose their own dresses in shades of blush, and the groomsmen wore blue and white. “Our flower girl had the most adorable gown,” she adds. “She looked like a miniature bride.” Hayley says the country music band that performed at the reception was a highlight of the evening.

The newlyweds live in Denver, where Hayley is studying traditional Chinese medicine and Brent works in commercial real estate. She attended Parkway West High School and the University of Missouri, and he went to Parkway Central and the University of Indiana. They are planning a late honeymoon for 2020.

wedding party
maids of honor | Samantha Keller, Elise Lefcourt
bridesmaids | Ashley Chod, Kirsten Chod, Blaine Coppaken, Kristina Fox, Mairin Freese, Tess Coughlin, Taylor Martin, Katie Jackson, Lauren Halpern, Jordan Edmonds, Rebecca Ring
best man | Ross Chod
groomsmen | Andrew Fox, Matt Seidler, Daniel Kootman, Brent Kraushaar, Alex Green, Joe Andrews, Scott Bender, Perry Max, Mike Coplin, Jeff Coppaken
bride’s parents | Daniel & Jill Fox of St. Louis
groom’s parents | Steve & Toby Chod of St. Louis

wedding date | July 20, 2019

Here at T&S, we enjoy sharing exciting news about our extended family members! Henry Beggs, son of Talk of the Towns columnist Bill Beggs Jr., recently married Madelaine Azar during a celebration with family and friends.

“Madelaine and I met on Tinder, a fact we are both somewhat embarrassed to share,” Henry jokes. “I proposed to her last summer on a west-facing beach at sunset during a trip to Bar Harbor, Maine. We celebrated the occasion with dinner at Beal’s Lobster Pier.”

The pair were married in a lovely traditional ceremony officiated by Rev. Sark Elking on the Washington University campus. “We exchanged vows adapted from A Farewell to Arms and Jane Eyre,” Henry says. “We also literally ‘tied the knot’ with a fisherman’s knot-tying ceremony.” Their chosen color scheme included green and champagne with a pop of slate blue, and floral arrangements featured ferns, thistles and wildflowers. “Inspiration came from the foliage in Downeast Maine, our favorite vacation spot,” Henry notes. The pair also exchanged special gifts before the wedding—a watch for Henry and a bottle of perfume for Madelaine. Their beloved pup, Egg, accompanied them down the aisle as ring bearer.

Henry says guests enjoyed a custom mixed drink named after the dog at the reception. “The Egg was a mixture of gin, basil, lemon and St. Germaine,” he says. “And rather than a traditional cake, we had 22 lbs. of cheese assembled into a tiered arrangement by Parker’s Table. For guests who wanted something sweet, there was a donut display by Stacy’s Confectionery Station.”

Once the celebrations wrapped up, the couple headed northeast for a 10-day honeymoon in and around Bar Harbor. “We spent the time hiking, kayaking, eating and exploring,” Henry says. “Despite having lived in the area a few years ago, we found new things to do every day we were there.” The newlyweds currently live in Carrboro, North Carolina, where they plan to stay until Madelaine finishes her Ph.D. in archaeology at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Henry is a researcher at UNC and is earning a master’s degree in microbial biotechnology at North Carolina State. Both are St. Louis natives; Madelaine attended Parkway Central High School and Washington University, and Henry graduated from Webster Groves High School and Westminster College.

“We plan to use some of our gifted wedding money to travel somewhere interesting and beautiful,” the groom says. “New Zealand is our favorite idea so far.”

wedding party
maid of honor | Shannon Reader
best man | Tom Chulick
bride’s parents | Christopher & Julie Azar of University City
groom’s parents | William Beggs Jr. & Cate Griesedieck of University City; Margaret & George Irwin of Glendale

Photos: Pattengale Photography

Sometimes, love finds a way even in the busiest of circumstances. Dr. Emily Spataro and Dr. Nedim Durakovic met during their residency program at Washington University. Although it was a hectic time in their lives, Emily says the pair’s chemistry was readily apparent, and they began dating soon afterward.

“I ended up doing a fellowship at Stanford University, and Nedim came to visit,” she says. “We took a trip to the B.R. Cohn Winery in Sonoma, and he proposed to me there.” The location was so special to the couple that they decided on a destination wedding there.

The picturesque vineyard setting was ideal for an outdoor ceremony, and the two exchanged vows in front of family and friends who traveled to be with them. “Walking down the aisle was memorable with such an amazing backdrop and flowers all around,” Emily remembers. “The weather was just beautiful, and the vineyards were really full and lush that time of year.” She and Nedim penned their own vows, and a close friend officiated the ceremony. The reception was held outside as well, with cocktails and a sit-down dinner at tables set among the grapevines.

Emily included a pomegranate design on their wedding stationery, napkins and other paper items. “Nedim is Bosnian, and the pomegranate is a symbol from his country,” she explains. “It was very special for him and his family, many of whom came from Europe to attend the wedding.”

The reception featured California wines, cheeses and fruits, as well as beers from St. Louis. “We wanted to include some nice touches from home,” Emily says. Instrumental music provided a festive atmosphere for guests to mix and mingle, and later, everyone danced to tunes spun by a DJ.

During the weekend, the two families enjoyed relaxing together and visiting other area wineries. All of the guests were invited to a Friday evening reception, and there was a special brunch at the hotel the day after the ceremony. “It was a wonderful wine country wedding all the way around,” Emily says. “We also held a party in St. Louis for friends who couldn’t make it.”

She and Nedim celebrated with a 10-day honeymoon along Italy’s Amalfi Coast. They spent a couple of days sightseeing in Rome, hiked and enjoyed boat tours. “We loved exploring all of the little towns,” Emily says. “We went up in the mountains and had beautiful views of the coast.” They live in Ladue, and both are on staff in the otolaryngology department at Wash. U. Nedim is a neurotologist who performs ear and skull surgery, and Emily is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon.

arts and education council
st. louis arts awards kickoff
Hosts and event co-chairs Penny Pennington and Mike Fidler, Katie Fidler

Photo: Suzy Gorman

kids shouldn’t have cancer foundation
fourth annual gala
Founders Kimberly and Jon Wade

gateway children’s charity
10th birthday celebration
Steffani Lautenschlager, co-founder and president Mike Todorovich, Darlene Sowell, Christine Krueger

operation food search
swing to heal hunger golf tournament
Board chair Lisa Pelikan, Rick Bazan, Rick Stevens, Perry Hartwick, Doug Krause, executive director Kristen Wild

Erica Barnell says her two-year engagement to Ken Newcomer has allowed for plenty of time to plan a meaningful wedding. They will tie the knot next year at Washington University’s Graham Chapel and hold a reception downtown at The Caramel Room at Bissinger’s.

The pair got engaged last year during a trip to upstate New York. “When my grandfather was young, he built a small A-frame house there, and it became my family’s treasured retreat,” Erica says. “The area holds a lot of memories for me. On the first night of our visit, Ken proposed on the beach. It was short, but very sweet.” He arranged for a photographer to capture the moment at sunset.

The couple started dating during medical school at Wash. U. but discovered it actually wasn’t the first time their paths had crossed. “We found out that as kids, we were at the same summer camp,” Erica notes. “That was pretty amazing!”

During their medical training, they published papers together and bonded over shared interests. “Ken is from the Washington, D.C., area and played football in college, so he is a big Redskins fan,” Erica says. “We love watching games together.” Erica is a John Burroughs School graduate and attended Cornell University as an undergraduate. She co-founded Geneoscopy, a local biotech company that is developing a diagnostic test for colorectal cancer, and Ken is a surgical resident at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

Erica says she is looking forward to the wedding celebration at The Caramel Room, where guests can sample Bissinger’s candies and see how they are made. “There will be plenty of chocolate at the reception, of course,” she jokes. “My mom has great taste, so I’ve been happy to entrust the food arrangements to her.”

The bride and groom both speak French, so they hope to honeymoon in France and then Italy. “I have Italian roots, so we want to drive down to the Amalfi Coast and spend some time there,” Erica notes. “Because of our busy schedules, we will have a ‘minimoon’ in New York right after the wedding and plan the big trip later.”

wedding party
maid of honor | Lucy Sudekum
bridesmaids | Liesl Schnuck, Morgan Weisman, Stephanie Ball, Katie Campbell, Andrea Soares, Katie Rudolph, Brooke Greenfield
best man | Tyler Malone
groomsmen | Jack Tyler, Andrew Barnell, Jason Schmucker, Sam McGrath, Liam Newcomer, Christian Newcomer, Brad Griffith
bride’s parents | Michael & Vicki Barnell of Ladue
groom’s parents | Kenneth & Jeanne Newcomer of Oakton, Virginia

She Said Yes! Mintzlaff & Lewis

I Do! Ritter & McVicar

I Do! Nelson & Giaimo

I Do! Christen Goltermann and Peter Grote

She Said Yes!

I Do! Goltermann & Grote

I Do! Wolf & Henschel

I Do! Gunthner & Horowitz

I Do! Gates & Engler

I Do! Purcell & Araiza

I Do! Cheryl Voss & Richard Chappuis Jr.

I Do! Yuval Dor & Conor Ahlering

She Said Yes! Alexis Zotos & Matt Drobak

I Do! Meegan Gildehaus & David Beslic

I Do! Gigi Esser & Peter Rager

I Do! Hayley Fox & Brent Chod

I Do! Azar & Beggs

I Do! Spataro & Durakovic

SNAPPED! Etc. 11.20.19

She Said Yes! Erica Barnell & Ken Newcomer