Jennifer and Will decided to tie the knot in a simple, private elopement ceremony in Carondelet Park in St. Louis. I love smaller weddings because it’s so much more personal and intimate. Everyone is less stressed and nervous- and when it’s just the two of you, then everything about it is just about the two of you. There are no family members who, though they mean well, just make everything ten times more stressful than it should be (and you all know what I’m talking about!)

I not only served as the photographer, but also as a witness (go me- I was finally a maid of honor!) For the second witness, we found a young man fishing in the park, who was more than happy to stop for a few minutes to take part in the ceremony and sign the marriage certificate. Though it was just the two of them, Jennifer & Will wanted to make sure they had amazing photos. After the ceremony, we took pictures around the park before they headed off to their lunch together.

Jennifer wanted to capture Will’s expression when he saw her for the first time, so we decided to do a “First Look” on the side of the pavilion, overlooking the pond. Will arrived to the park first, with Jennifer arriving shortly thereafter.

 

This is why I love to do First Looks! Will was a tad nervous before he saw Jennifer, but obviously, that anxiety went away right after he saw her!

The ceremony was short, but very sweet.

 

Since it was just the two of them, for once, I didn’t have to worry about where I stood to get my shots- I love being able to move about freely!

 

 

 

The boathouse in Carondelet Park is such an amazing place for pictures- the reflecting light is so beautiful!

 

 

 

This little ledge in the Carondelet Park Boathouse holds meaning for Jennifer and Will, so she wanted to make sure they got a picture there.

 

It was a warm, sunny, beautiful day, so we decided to take advantage of the gorgeous gazebos on the pond.

There is a wooden dock walkway that zig-zags out on the pond. It’s a great place for a few portraits of the bride and groom.

 

 

Jaimie Nicole Krause is a modern St. Louis wedding photographer.  You can contact her at info@modernstlphoto.com