Debbie and Nick
May 29, 2005
St. Louis, Missouri

ABOUT THE BRIDE: I grew up in Saint Charles and attended Lindenwood University, where I received a BA in Computer Science and a master's degree in MIS. I am currently working for SBC in Saint Louis as a senior technical team leader.

ABOUT THE GROOM: Nick grew up in Southeast Missouri where he attended Southeast Missouri State University and received a B.S. in Political Science. He moved to Saint Louis to attend law school at Saint Louis University School of Law and is now working as a criminal defense attorney in Saint Charles.

HOW WE MET: We met over Memorial Day weekend at Lake of the Ozarks. I was friends with Nick's sister and she invited myself and a few other friends to stay with her at her parents' lake house that weekend. There I met Nick and we started dating shortly thereafter.

ENGAGEMENT: (Nick's side) I planned on proposing in Central Park during a carriage ride. While on a trip in NYC with friends and family I planned on doing it the first day (it rained), the second (it rained), the third (it rained). Debbie was obviously not going to understand going to the park in the rain, so I anxiously kept waiting. Finally on the last day of our trip it cleared up and I was able to do it as planned. She was in total shock...

(back to Debbie) If I had any inkling that a proposal was going to happen it was definitely gone by the end of the trip. He was able to do it in such a unique, romantic way without me even suspecting. The surprise of it is really too much for words and is something I'll never forget.

PLANNING: Nick and I decided to have our wedding on our four-year anniversary. It was just enough advance time to allow us to get the vendors that we wanted and we thought the weather would be good -- and we were right!

ATTIRE: My dress was a strapless, fitted dress made by Monique Lhuiller. The bridesmaids wore red, floor-length dresses by Dessy in a style similar to mine. Nick wore a suit-like tux bought from Stallone's that he had custom fitted by Made to Measure.

CEREMONY: Our ceremony was held at Sts. Peter and Paul church in Soulard. We wanted our family and friends to be involved in the ceremony so we chose a church that encircled the altar. We were completely surrounded by the ones we loved most.

RECEPTION: Our reception was held at Patty Long's Ninth Street Abbey -- classic and European, but a fun venue. We had cocktail hour outside in the courtyard, where our guests were able to have a drink and nibble on passed hors d'oeuvres while we greeted each and every guest (which was very important for Nick and me). A sit-down dinner was held inside and followed by a great night of entertainment by The UltraViolets. The most memorable part of the night for us was our first dance (Waltz) to Moon River. We took dance lessons and though we knew what we were doing, we really had fun with it. Thinking back on all the "ooh's" and applause we received from our guests always makes me smile.

Photography by Trotter Photography