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Courtship: By the time they were old enough to drive themselves, Alex Moore and Chris Friedman had already been dating for a couple of years—but had known each other for several more. Their first time out, a “group date,” they went to see the movie Cars with friends (Chris’s favorite flick to this day). Alex teaches ballet, tap, and jazz, coaches a nationally-ranked dance team, and attends graduate school at Maryville University. Chris is a property manager. Both St. Louis natives, the pair met in middle school.
Proposal: Since high school, Alex and Chris have spent over a dozen holidays and countless hours scoping the best neighborhood lights displays in St. Louis. Alex recalls driving around for hours at a time, admiring the lights. Another one of their longtime Christmas traditions: seeing the Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden. In December 2016, Chris suggested their families join them for that year’s event. Though his parents had never been to the Garden Glow, Alex remained unsuspecting but sensed Chris’s nerves as he rushed her through to the end, “The Kiss Goodnight,” where he proposed in front of both of their parents and her sisters.
Ceremony: Alex and Chris married at Alex’s family’s church, Our Lady of Pillar, in Frontenac, surrounded by 250 guests. Although it was a traditional Catholic ceremony, the couple broke with tradition by marrying during Lent, an uncommon wedding season. Because of the characteristic minimalism of the Lenten season, they adorned the church with only a few simple, elegant flower arrangements. Although their officiant was called to Iowa on orders, the three stayed in touch via FaceTime until the ceremony, the young priest’s first, and they remember his homily as a joyful highlight of the day. Seeing Alex walk down the aisle was Chris’s favorite moment. Alex was grateful to be beside a bridal party of her older sisters and all of their children, who were able to travel all the way from Hawaii for the wedding.
Reception: The reception was held at Silver Oaks Chateau in Wildwood, a venue they fell in love with for its rustic glow. For Alex and Chris, the “feel” of the space was more important than a specific theme. Blush pink, champagne, and maroon accents and roses created a warm, soft celebration. While the venue is most popularly used for both the ceremony and reception, they married somewhere else so their guests could enjoy a full day/evening of celebration at the beautiful Chateau.
Along with the toasts, the hard-to-top moment of the evening was the presentation of Alex’s gift from Chris’s brother and sister, a sleek white scooter. Blasting Macklemore's “Downtown,” Chris’s siblings wheeled out Alex’s new ride, a present that said not “Welcome to the family” but “Thank you for being part of our family for the past 12 years.” On a sunny day, the newlyweds enjoy riding through their neighborhood, occasionally accompanied by their dog, Riley, who Chris has trained to sit on the scooter.
The Details:
Ceremony: Our Lady of the Pillar
Reception: Silver Oaks Chateau
Wedding coordinator: Ali Margherio, Kate & Company, LLC
Photographer: Jason Winkeler Photography
Videographer and music: Applause Productions
Music: The Rosewood Ensemble
Florist: Roses & Mint
Photo booth: Prints Charming Photo Booth
Caterer: Ces & Judy's Catering
Cake: Kaked by Katie
Hair & Makeup: Beauty by Whitney
Bride and bridesmaid dresses: The Bridal Shoppe
