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“I couldn’t have asked for a better day. Even with the cold weather, everything was perfect. It was everything I wanted for a winter wedding.” -Erin
D reami n g o f a
white WEDDING
By Kristin Stefek Brashares
Two St. Louis couples tie the knot in the heart of winter and their big days are an oh-so romantic winter wonderland.
Erin & Brent Photos by Switzerfilm Ever since she started dreaming of her wedding day, Erin Brunetto knew exactly when she wanted to have it: in the winter. “I felt like I could do something a little more formal in the winter, and because everyone leans toward spring/summer, I figured it would be unique,” she says. Fortunately, her groom, Brent Krempges, didn’t think twice about tying the knot in frigid temps. The couple—set up by a mutual friend—went on their first date in the winter of 2005—catching Annie at the Fox Theatre and then driving around the city to look at Christmas lights. Four years later, Brent surprised Erin with a springtime proposal in Kirkwood Park. After a bicycle ride, Brent got down on one knee and told her he had invited their families to Erin’s house for an engagement party BBQ. The next time everyone gathered for the couple’s January 9, 2010 wedding, the thermostat barely rose above single digits. “It was 10 degrees at the time we got married, and 3 degrees when we took pictures outside in the morning,” Erin says. Nonetheless, the big day turned out flawless from start to finish—beautifully blending the magic of wintertime and the couple’s love for each other. 104 ALIVE STL APRIL 2010
THE BRIDE: Erin Brunetto, 27,
Business Analyst for AnheuserBusch
THE GROOM: Brent Krempges, 28,
Business Intelligence Specialist for LaserBand, LLC
THE CEREMONY: Erin wanted an evening ceremony, so the early sunsets of January played in her favor for planning. With its grand chandeliers and towering arched windows, the already striking interior of the couple’s church, Manchester United Methodist Church, needed little embellishment. THE RECEPTION: Continuing the cozy atmosphere at the ceremony, the couple kept the lights dim at the quaint reception site—the Forest Park Visitor’s Center at the Lindell Pavilion. THE FARE: A chilly winter day
called for a hearty meal. Catering St. Louis (cateringstlouis.com, 314.961.7588) delivered just that, starting with a plentiful first-course puff pastry tart followed by chicken breast stuffed with a spinach mousse and Gorgonzola cheese. Later in the evening, they presented a special late-night snack: 250 White Castle hamburgers served on silver platters.
THE DRESS: The epitome
of cool-weather chic, Erin accented her deep-V, ruffle-top halter gown from Brides by Demetrios (demetriosbride. com, 314.721.7400) with chunky jewelry and a black-sequined cardigan from J.Crew.
THE FLORALS: In the spirit of
the season, Rich West of RW Designs (richwestdesigns.com, 314.540.0228) went entirely with white flowers. Centerpieces altered between tall vases topped with clouds of baby’s breath and smaller vases wrapped in black-and-white striped ribbon and filled with white hydrangeas. White wreaths hung by black-and-white striped ribbons on the Lindell Pavilion’s arched windows perfectly suited Erin’s desire for elegant yet understated decór. “I wanted to play off of the winter theme,’” says Erin, who outlawed seasonal standby decorations like icicles and snowflakes.
THE STATIONeRY: Simple shim-
mery white save the dates and invites with a contemporary flair by Vellum (velluminc.com, 314.909.1640) in Kirkwood established the winter theme without overdoing it. Blackand-white striped bows decorated the programs.
Big-Day Details The Cake: Wedding Wonderland (wedding wonderlandcakes.com, 314.837.5015) The Rings: Andrews Jewelers (andrewsjewelers.com) The Music: Millennium Music (millenniummusic.net, 314.918.9335)
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