A Chicago Couple’s St Louis Wedding in the Fall

This post has been updated as of April 22, 2022.

“Simple, elegant, and relaxed.” Those are the three words our Chicago bride, Annie, uses to describe her bridal style for her St Louis wedding. Not only that, but from the wedding dress to the wedding venue, Annie lets us in on the details of her special day.

The Wedding Dress Search

Keeping an open mind is something you hear about often when it comes to the wedding dress search. It’s not uncommon for a bride to walk into a bridal boutique saying she wants one style. And in the end, walk out with a completely different one. It’s also not uncommon for a bride to try on several dresses until they find “The One.”

Annie’s wedding dress shopping experience was no different. She always thought she wanted something more “boho” and something with lace. She tried on many styles that she liked during her search. But when she tried on our Isolde style, she knew it was perfectly her!

Our Isolde gown is a silk crepe A-line dress (that is available as a custom commission). Its v-neck mirrors the straps that form a low V in the back. During the fitting process, she worked with Dani at Dame Couture to customize the dress. Which included adding more sparkle to the crystal detail on the back! The end result was the perfect wedding dress for her – in both style and in fit.

But why did she choose Isolde in the first place when she thought she wanted something more boho?  According to Annie, it was because of its “clean lines with a touch of detail on the back. The silk crepe fabric was incredibly comfortable and moved beautifully. It has just enough detail for my style… and I truly felt like a million bucks! I wish I get a chance to wear my incredible gown again, even just for fun!”

Annie’s Wedding Dress Shopping Advice

To any future brides that are about to start their dress search, or to any that may even be in the middle of it, here’s Annie’s advice to you:

Don’t get too focused on the idea in your head. Be open to trying on styles you may not have thought you wanted and truly go based on how YOU feel. You will look the most beautiful when you feel like a queen in your dress, and that is how I felt on my wedding day!

A St Louis Wedding Full of Greenery + Love

Annie and Sam live in Chicago but decided on a wedding in St Louis. And if there’s anything to take away from their wedding, it’s to not get too attached to the idea in your head. Like Annie’s wedding dress shopping experience, be open to other options!

Annie and Sam’s original plan for the wedding ceremony venue was not the venue they ended up with. They weren’t planning on getting married in a church. But that’s exactly what happened! Annie and Sam’s wedding ceremony took place at her parent’s beautiful church in St Louis. As a result, Annie’s favorite moment of the day happened there: walking down the aisle! The church “made for such a gorgeous and dramatic entrance, and [her dad] was such a calming presence during what seemed like a long walk with many eyes all on [her]!” ​

As a self-proclaimed “earth advocate,” it’s no surprise that Annie describes her wedding as “simple, elegant, and full of love (and greenery) – just like us!” She and Sam made sure to take time during their wedding day to wander the streets and greenways of St Louis. Luckily for us, their photographer was in tow. Capturing breathtaking images that celebrate their love for each other and the Earth.

The wedding celebration ended at Willow – a St Louis wedding venue. It was there that the happy couple danced the night away!

The St Louis Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Vein + Vessel
Planner: Altar’d Events
Reception Venue: Willow
Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Annie Heyward of Danielle Style
Flowers: Roses & Mint
Dress Boutique: Dame Couture

Looking for More Wedding and Bridal Inspiration?

Head to our inspiration galleries page. There you’ll find plenty more to get you inspired!