All of the trees around here in central Pennsylvania have lost most of their leaves and vibrant color but the trees in St. Louis were at the height of their fall glory this past weekend for Erica & Ben’s wedding. Saturday was sunny and warm and apparently one of the last nice fall days since we missed St. Louis’s first snowfall of the year by a matter of two days.

Erica is one of my dear friends from Franciscan University and it was such a joy to get to be a part of her wedding and watch her marry the love of her life! Even though Saturday was the very first time I met Ben, from the way Erica has talked about him, I felt like I had already known him and finally seeing them together was amazing.

Although they first met in the summer of 2016 at Catholic Heart Work Camp, it wasn’t until January of 2018 that Erica & Ben officially started dating. Eight months into dating, Ben got down on one knee and asked Erica to spend the rest of her life with him. In his toast, Erica’s father said that Erica had taken the phrase “hard-to-get” to a whole new level in the earliest stages of Ben & Erica’s relationship and her father said that he was so grateful for Ben’s persistence, patience, and gentle yet unwavering love for his daughter. Throughout their wedding day, it was so evident how much these two love each other and truly complete one another. Their mutual desire to lead the other to Heaven is beautiful and inspiring and it was a tremendous honor to be the one to photograph their wedding.

Erica and Ben, thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your wedding and for sharing your love with everyone you encounter! You both bring so much joy and light to this world!

Xoxo,

Mary Kate

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A huge thank you to all the other vendors who came together to make this day possible!

CHURCH // Christ the King Catholic Church, St. Louis MO

RECEPTION VENUE & CATERING // Landings at Spirit Golf Club

DJ // Third Street Entertainment

VIDEOGRAPHER // Brooks Sherman Media

FLORIST // Nicole Field (cousin of the groom)

HAIR & MAKE-UP // Tammy Retzke-family friend of the bride; AnnMarie Friello-aunt of the bride

CAKE // Patti Wulf-family friend of the bride

DRESS // White Traditions Bridal House

BRIDESMAID’S DRESSES // David’s Bridal

GROOMSMEN ATTIRE // St. Louis Suit Company

INVITATIONS // Vistaprint