“If you ask Ryan, he will say we met at a bar!” says Christin Beck of her first meeting with her beloved partner. She and Ryan Levi were actually introduced to one another by a mutual friend – though, true, the venue of their first encounter was a bar in downtown St. Louis. “The most memorable thing about our meeting was how handsome Ryan was,” Christin smiles. “I was quite shy and he seemed nervous. I did ask for his number and after a few dates, he turned out not to be so shy!” Eight years down the line, the couple was happier than ever. Ryan popped the question on Christmas Day 2013 in the comfort of their shared home. “He brought me over to the balcony where we had our first kiss the night of our first date and got down on one knee,” she recalls. “We had so many memorable moments in that loft – so, it was really special!”

Over the course of their two-year engagement, Christin and Ryan balanced their respective work schedules with planning their nuptials. Upon hiring an event designer, Christin was able to relay exactly what they wanted to excellent wedding professionals – something she and her groom both cherish. “Hire a planner – seriously!” she advises. “Don’t be afraid that a wedding designer is not going to see your vision because there will be a team out there who can perfectly capture your personality, your story, and your love in a day!” Once the couple decided upon a resort in St. Louis as their venue – selected for its convenience for their guests, as well as its sentimental value – Christin and Ryan set about conceptualizing their dream big day.

After almost ten years to the day of their first meeting, the bride donned a custom bridal ensemble, complete with a tulle ball gown skirt and an embellished bodice with a sweetheart neckline, and met her beloved before their “I dos” for their first look. Besides their ceremony and reception, the itinerary of the day also included a bridal party photo shoot at Busch Stadium, home of the pair’s favorite baseball team: the St. Louis Cardinals. Promptly at 6PM, Christin followed her resplendent bridesmaids down the aisle in their alfresco space which showcased the famous Gateway Arch framing the background of the altar. Tells the bride: “We wanted this to be a short and sweet, intimate ceremony, with just classic vows that were true to Ryan and I.” Following their brief service, friends and family were lead into the ballroom to ignite the evening’s celebration. 

The room had been completely transformed to fit the precise specifications of the newlyweds. “The décor was the most unique feature of our wedding – specifically, the two-tiered seating!” shares the bride. “The levels gave our guests a different feel and we were able to have multiple table looks – which was a request of mine.” The lower-tier tablescapes included tall, more formal floral arrangements, while the higher level showcased elevated hedges of blooms and verdure. The entire space was splashed with delicate blush, gold, and ivory coloring, giving the ballroom a lighter-than-air feel. To offset their opulent event, the couple presented a very simple white wedding cake adorned with light-hued blossoms, expertly matching the floral design of the day.

The energy of the room was playful and exciting – an aspect Christin and Ryan were justly proud about. “We wanted our guests to feel very welcomed and at home – I think we accomplished that!” shares the bride. In fact, the festivities were so enjoyable that the new Mr. and Mrs. decided to continue the fun beyond their reception. “We opted to provide guests with a killer after-party at the nearby nightclub to keep the party going,” Christin explains. “A continued open bar with a surprise late-night snack – a ‘junk food bar’ with pizza, wings, and the like!” It was the perfect way to end their lively wedding – both bride and groom say they wouldn’t change a thing!