Congratulations Morna and Jay - 6/7/08!

Maria and I had the privilege of serving as visual historians for Morna and Jay's wedding at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on 6/7/08. Morna and Jay had what most people would say was a non-traditional wedding. It was a Catholic ceremony -- but they elected not to have a wedding party (having Morna's mom and Jay's dad serve as witnesses on the marriage certificate). They also elected not to have any of the traditional festivities at their reception -- no official announcement, no toasts, no official ceremonial dances, no cake cutting -- just food, friends and dancing. They had a Beatles cover band play all night (which was appropriate since Morna and Jay met when they were students in London). The reception was held at Moulin near downtown St. Louis -- it was the first time I'd ever photographed an event there. Let me just say this...Moulin is AWESOME! The reception was held in four different rooms...with bars and food stations spread out among the various rooms. I highly recommend Moulin if you are considering a reception site in St. Louis!

The wedding had special significance as the bride's brother John is married to my sister Carrie -- so Morna and I have the same niece, Molly! Below is Molly have a bit of a fit during the ceremony.

No wonder Molly had a bit of a fit...she was tired, needed a nap! (below)

The band rocked all night playing Beatles tunes -- they were awesome! For a special treat, during their last song they launched into "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin...I told you it was a non-traditional wedding reception!

Morna and Jay elected to have rehearsal dinner coverage as well -- which was very cool since they had 80 guests at their rehearsal dinner. The dinner was held in the Spink Pavillion at Missouri Botanical Garden -- one of the most beautiful places in the world. It rained pretty hard at the beginning of the night but eventually the rain passed thru and the guests were able to enjoy a stroll around the garden grounds.

Here's my niece Molly again -- with her grandpa (my brother-in-law's dad).

Morna and Jay are BOTH Art History professors (and at different colleges!). At the rehearsal dinner...one of Jay's buddies had a little fun with some props / gag gifts including this "Art History for Dummies" book. :)

Below is the Climatron at the Missouri Botanical Garden -- the Climatron is a geodesic dome greenhouse and has been a fixture at the Garden for over 40 years. I rarely get the opportunity to photograph this building at night...so as the rehearsal dinner was winding down, I couldn't pass up the chance to take some pictures on the garden grounds.

In recent years the Garden has featured a number of exhibits by famous artists -- these little colored glass pieces called "onions" are the work of glass blower Dale Chihuly. Such a treat to be able to see them lit up at night.

You can watch a short slideshow of Morna and Jay's wedding day by clicking here and the rehearsal dinner by clicking here.