Washington-Borrego Wedding: A sweet journey

I was so excited to photograph Traci and Fernando's wedding, my fabulous friends, that I don't think I was able to put the camera down at any moment in time.

There are cute couples, yes, and then there are cute couples who are your wonderful friends that you have watched grow from the sweet, "do you think he/she likes me?" stage to "I'm going to ask her to marry me" with God's blessings every step of the way. It has been nothing short of an honor and joy to see God's handiwork in bringing these two people together, and even more of a privilege to do my very best to capture not only their love, but their story.

I just had to shoot this wedding party at my favorite spots in Forest Park, in St. Louis, MO (Traci and I had every photography detail worked out almost a month before the wedding). It had been raining all week (gotta love St. Louis "winters" - rain???) so the ground was a bit wet. Well, Fernando being the fabulous gentlemen that he is whisked his lovely bride off the ground and carried her to our destination with a huge smile on his face. I mean really, who wouldn't marry a guy like that! Despite our sunny dispositions it was freezing outside, hence the numerous coats and blankets. We often had to stay wrapped up until we were all in place for the shot, and then quickly disrobe, think of a warm and sunny place so the goosebumps would subside, and then do it all over again. This was an amazing group - we really had a good time!

For my last wedding in St. Louis for the 2009 season, I could not have gone out with a better bang than these two. While you enjoy a SLIDESHOW of our time together, I'll be shooting!

Leslie

Terrence & Latashia Ingram~A Journey Back To Each Other

I remember meeting Latashia almost a year ago as she began planning her wedding, and I was very excited by her excitement! Due to her future husband's service in the military we weren't able to have their engagement photos done until about 3 weeks before the wedding at Tower Grove Park (which is one of my new favorite places to shoot), but we got them done and had a great time. The weather was perfect, the company superb, and Terrence looked stunning in his gray pants and Tasha simply amazing in her heels (inside jokes).


Finally the big day came - the picture perfect outdoor wedding was planned, but true to form, the weather in St. Louis was unpredictable, but we still had a great day. The wedding was supposed to be outside at Logan Chiropractic School, however the rain came and despite our efforts to wait it out, the ceremony was moved into the auditorium and the show went on. The minister's message couldn't have been more on point as she spoke of marriage requiring flexibility, compromise and the willingness to still have a good attitude. This supportive crowd of family and friends, all decked in black and white, were nothing short of supportive as they celebrated with this very cute couple.


The reception was held at the Lumen, in downtown St. Louis, and was simply stunning in its decor, decked out by vendors such as BBJ Linen. And there was an amazing old school candy shoppe for the guests - truly no detail was left undone.

Here is a slideshow of our time together.

Enjoy!

Leslie

God Bless the Broken Road - Toni & Richard, April 25, 2009

Well, though they have been married for almost two months now (I know, so late I am), I had to share the fun pictures of Toni and Richard's wedding!! Toni and Richard are a super fun couple, and Toni and I just hit it off from our first meeting in February (yeah, she was late too, lol).


The wedding was at Harmonie Church in Innsbrook, Missouri, with the reception at the Yacht Club of St. Louis in St. Charles. My most memorable moment was actually the song played during her first dance, "Bless the Broken Road." I'd heard it before, but never really heard it - and once I actually listened to the words as I captured their first dance I thought it was amazing! It has been one of "my songs" since their wedding.

bless the broken road - selah

Enjoy the song, and enjoy the pictures!

Leslie

Busy Busy Week!

This was a wonderfully (is that a word??) busy week with an engagement shoot of Toni and Richard as the evening set in Forest Park, to their wedding a few days later (we were a bit delayed with the engagement pictures because of the rain, but they were engaged longer than 2 days - lol), to Kelsey's senior photo shoot in Carondelet Park (she is gorgeous!),

and topping it off with the Meuret maternity/family shoot at Studio Altius (and this family was too adorable!!).

I was busy but had a blast with each person!! Enjoy the pictures and more to come!!

Leslie

Cassie & Tom Tied the Knot!

March 28, 2009. Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Tom Lewandowski!! Yeah!!! Well, St. Louis weather is always tricky - and this wedding day was no different. We had sunshine (though a bit chilly) for the rehearsal, so of course we all said our prayers for sun for the next day. But, who are we to control the weather - smile. We began and ended the day in rain and overcast, but we had nothing but sunshine on the inside! The ceremony was held at Washington University Catholic Student Center, and the reception was at Giovanni's on the Hill. Both were great locations. My favorite photo spot was this amazing staircase lined with white christmas lights, and donning a baby grand piano in the center of the ensemble. I fell in love with that spot when I saw it at the rehearsal and could barely be pulled away from it before and after the ceremony. I'm a big fan of using what's around me and making it work - and despite the rain outside, that's just what we did. Here is a fun slideshow of the wedding! Enjoy!


God Bless!

Leslie Wallace Photography

Cassie & Tom: Summer Love braves Winter Cold

Well, I must say that the heavens smiled on us for Cassie and Tom's engagement shoot on Saturday. Having just endured inches of snow earlier in the week, we were blessed with a fabulous 48 degrees (and that is fabulous in January) weather and a bright sun as we sloshed our way around the Landing to take pictures. I've said it once, and I'll say it again - my favorite couples are those that just let my imagination flow, and Cassie and Tom are definitely one of my favorite couples. After trying to find a parking spot, the three of us walked all over the Landing, without coats I might add, and had a really good time.

I look forward to their upcoming wedding on March 28 in St. Louis, MO. Family and friends to whom they've given their password, may view their entire client gallery below. You can also enjoy a fun Slideshow of our day together.

Meet the Nash's!!!

God certainly showed up and showed out at Samaki and Steve's wedding today! In a string of rainy days, today, the sun was nothing short of brilliant as these two said their vows at the Piper Palm House in Tower Grove Park, St. Louis, MO. And everything from start to finish ran smoothly without a hitch, thanks to their wonderful wedding coordinators Harmony Events (melanie.anderson@sbcglobal.net). And, as typical for my personality, I of course befriended the husband/wife due, Armand and Lolita Buford, the wonderful videographers (www.exousiaprod.com). This was truly a photographer's dream wedding- perfect weather, fabulous couple, great vendors and the presence of God.

I know God will bless this couple for years to come! Here are some of my favorite images from today! Enjoy!

Leslie

Sharhondia & Sean - Standing in God's Favor

Finally the long awaited day came for Sharhondia and Sean - a couple I've come to greatly admire for how faithfully they relied on God and placed Him first in their courtship and marriage. On August 30, 2008, they finally tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at Bethesda, adorned in violet and shades of blue. Every detail was in its place, the weather perfect and it was beautiful!

I know God will continue to watch over this couple with His favor and grace.

Below is a small slideshow of this blessed day (pause the Blog music - to the left - to fully enjoy the show).

God Bless,

Leslie