Courtship: Like many people, the high school connection brought St. Louis natives Cassie Brockman and Kyle Olliges together. Unlike many people, Monday will always be their favorite day of the week. Mutual friends introduced them in high school—Cassie was a freshman and Kyle was a junior—and the two maintained a friendship over the next few years until college, despite living in different cities. Kyle helped Cassie move out of the dorms at Missouri State after her first year, then they road tripped to Branson, which confirmed what they both had already known: They’d found the one in each other years ago. The couple dated long distance until Cassie graduated in 2013. Since 2015, they have been living in Affton. Cassie teaches kindergarten and Kyle works for Spire.
Proposal: Suspecting a holiday proposal, Kyle surprised Cassie by popping the question just after the New Year of 2017, following a celebratory trip to Mexico for friends who had gotten engaged. It happened on a Monday. Cassie arrived home and discovered the curtains oddly closed. She opened the door and found Kyle down on one knee in front of the fireplace.
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Ceremony: Cassie and Kyle celebrated their five-year anniversary at Cedar Creek in New Haven, where they were married in June on the day of her grandparents’ 40th wedding anniversary. As storm clouds rolled in over the hills, morale lowered. Cassie acted fast. They would move the event from the lakefront to the barn. Its vaulted ceiling, strung with white lights, abundant windows, and a quartet, added elegance to the outdoor feel. A longtime family friend of Cassie’s grandparents officiated the brief ceremony, followed by a cocktail hour. An artist created a painting of the ceremony, which Kyle’s mother presented as a gift at the reception.
Reception: Cassie and Kyle decided Cedar Creek had everything they wanted in a space: natural light and simplicity. As a bonus, guests could make a weekend of the festivities; they enjoyed the picturesque property’s accommodations, including a lodge and cottages. Arrangements of pale peonies, succulents, and eucalyptus adorned the barn. One table featured dog treat favors and a photo of Cassie, Kyle, and their pup. Guests created a polaroid book and packed the dance floor all night.
They were thrilled to be surrounded by family, friends, and even a few new faces (four partygoers crashed the wedding). The con was exposed after one crasher was caught in a lie about how he “knew the groom.” But Cassie and Kyle decided that more was the merrier and welcomed the addition. Days later, reading their cards, one stood out from the others: “Happy Mother’s Day!” It was a gift from their surprise guests, a silly and wonderful reminder of the extraordinary day.
The Details:
Ceremony and Reception: Cedar Creek
Photography: Lauren Muckler Photography
Videography: Ever After Films
Hair & Makeup: Claire Speers, Hair Theatre Salon
Jewelry: Lindwedel Jewelers
Florist: Bloomin’ Buckets
Cake/Cookies: The Sweet Divine
Dress: Madison James by Allure, Frew’s Bridal
Bridesmaids: Bella Bridesmaids
Groomsmen: Saint Louis Suit Co.
Invitations: Katie Hogan Design
Painter: TooRooster Artistry
Lighting: Exclusive Events
