Sarah and Dan
Of all the couples and families I’ve worked
with, none enjoyed the planning process more
than Sarah and her mother, Pam.  Every
vendor meeting was an adventure they
relished.  And, it all made for an exquisite,
delightful wedding.

A real family affair!  In addition to having her
sister, Amber, serve as maid of honor, Sarah’s
father, Jeff, co-celebrated the ceremony at
Salem in Ladue United Methodist Church.  
firehouse on Magnolia in the Tower Grove East neighborhood, to welcome Sarah into their family.  It
firehouse on Magnolia in the Tower Grove East neighborhood, to welcome Sarah into their family.  It
was at his firehouse in front of this very pumper that Dan proposed to Sarah on Thanksgiving
2005.was at his firehouse in front of this very pumper that Dan proposed to Sarah on Thanksgiving
2005.
As a surprise for everyone, Jeff had florist Jill Springer of Flower Depot bring in a single long-stem rose
for each of the 300 guests.  Ushers gave a rose to each guest as they arrived for the ceremony.  After the
couple was announced “man and wife”, Jeff explained his rose gift.  He asked guests to take the rose
home, leave it on the kitchen counter unattended, without water.  He then compared its demise to what
happens to a relationship that is ignored and not nurtured.  He encouraged all, including his daughter
and new son-in-law to pay close attention to their relationships and nurture them.  It was certainly a
unique and touching moment.
Another surprise from the father of the bride was a
unique envelope box.  In honor of his firefight
son-in-law, Jeff delighted the couple with a real fire
hydrant he commandeered and anchored to a chute
and box for the envelopes.
After enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, guests were invited into the
Frontenac Hilton grand ballroom for dinner and dancing.  Doors opened to
reveal the exquisite ballroom decorated by Flower Depot.  Tables were
dressed in the theme colors with chocolate overlays on the tables and
ivory chair covers with French green ties.  Lush centerpieces were set atop
tall, golden candelabra with soft candlelight setting a romantic mood.
After a delectable dinner and scrumptious wedding cake, the dancing began.  
Sarah’s song choice for her dance with her father is now my favorite father-
daughter dance song … ‘I Loved Her First’.   The emotional words reflect a
father’s thoughts as he sees his daughter growing up.  
Before guests were finished with dinner, Photographer John Metcalfe
already had a slideshow of all the photos of the day running on a laptop on
the gift table.  Guests were enthralled with the images from the ceremony
and around town.

After a fabulous wedding celebration, Sarah and Dan started their new life
together on an exotic honeymoon in Cancun.