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Photo by Tim Gryseels
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Courtship: A native St. Louisan, Morgan Gilmore moved to Houston to work in the energy industry, and while she was there she met “a boisterous group of friends who’d eventually introduce me to the love of my life, the famed ‘Australian Ben.’” He’d been vacationing in the U.S., visiting friends. The whirlwind carried them to Mexico for a secret vacation just a week after their first date. They spent every moment of the next six weeks together. Then Ben Hawkey left for Perth, promising to return. “I didn’t know what to expect,” says Morgan, “but we spoke daily, and a few weeks later, he returned to Houston with five suitcases and informed me that he was here to stay.” Six months later, Ben Hawkey went to her father to formally ask permission for her hand—and luckily, her dad already knew full well what his daughter wanted.
Ceremony & Reception: The details fell into place fast: Morgan discovered the Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion (“When I lived in St. Louis, I never knew this place existed!”), called her preordained caterer (“I worked at Vito’s for six years, and I love Vito and the family. When I was a college waitress working our catering jobs, I would fantasize about my future wedding.”) Her American politics professor, also a minister, officiated, and she and Australian Ben cut the cake with a swaggering Crocodile Dundee knife, a present from her dad.
The Details:
Venue: The Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion in Benton Park
Catering: Vito’s Sicilian Pizzeria and Ristorante
Cocktail Hour Band: Mt. Thelonious
Photography: Gryseels Photo, Tim Gryseels
Videography: Kashmir Wedding Films, Bryan Birks
DJ: Premier Entertainment, Chris Abell
Flowers: Snapdragon Studios
Makeup and hair: La Belle Marie
Transportation: Llwyellyn’s Trolley
