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.  
It 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.