Justin and Nicole

I met Justin earlier this year at a business networking event (BNI -- if you haven't heard of it, check it out). Justin owns his own chiropractic practice, Wiethop Chiropractic, in St. Louis. Although I haven't been in for an appointment yet, I think I will be by year-end for help with my "camera-bag" shoulder...

St. Louis photographer Katie Brown shot with me again for Justin and Nicole's wedding (she also shot the Tanya and Olin City Museum wedding in July) in the large, beautiful St. Ambrose church. Any photographer would love the vaulted, ornate ceilings.

Our happy couple left a LOT of time for pictures, which was great given that they had a good list of places they wanted to go, including Busch Stadium (home of the Cardinals), Forest Park, and a particular fountain over on Maryland Avenue where Justin first proposed to Nicole. The tricky thing was that, at our first stop at Busch Stadium, there were crowds of people as a Cardinals game was about to begin. Parking would have been difficult had it not been for the limo driver that parked in a 15-minute spot and watched our car while we squeezed through the crowd looking for the bridal party. Eventually we all ended up on the pedestrian bridge in front of the stadium where we got some great shots.

And it's marvelous how a crowd of people will spontaneously burst into applause at a place like that when they see a bride and groom. On the way back to the limo a group of gruff blue-collar guys convinced Nicole to give them all a high-five on the way past -- and Justin just looked on proudly.

The ceremony ended about 1 pm and the reception didn't get underway till 7, giving us about three hours for photos before they went back to Justin's parents before going to the reception. Between crowds at the stadium, drive time, parking time, and waiting for your turn between all the other couples in Forest Park, scheduling all that time was really a good idea! Also, the driver of the limo (actually a small bus) knew how to get around and where to get a parking spot -- an extreme help!

With the day's schedule and worries behind them, the party started in earnest at 7 at Orlando's. Nicole in particular was, as my wife would say, "wide open" and thoroughly enjoyed herself on the dance floor to the tunes of Complete Music.

Thanks to Justin and Nicole for letting us be part of their celebration. Congratulations guys, and have a great time on your honeymoon!