How one St. Louis couple's pandemic pivot found a sweet ending

When Jake and Lauren's original wedding was placed on hold because of the pandemic, they held an intimate ceremony with immediate family. A year later, they hosted a larger celebration at The Caramel Room.

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From friends to farm to family: Jake and Lauren met in college, while they were both studying architecture at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. Although they knew each other from the start, the friendship didn’t turn into something more until senior year. They then dated for seven years, and, in 2019, went to a family farm for a weekend getaway. While on a walk, Lauren noticed at one point that Jake was no longer standing next to her. She turned around to find him down on one knee.

Ceremony & Reception: When their original wedding was placed on hold because of the pandemic, they held an intimate ceremony with immediate family. A year later, they hosted a larger celebration—with extra reason to rejoice, as they were expecting a baby. In lieu of a ceremony, they toasted on the terrace of The Caramel Room and had a surprise for guests at the reception: a gender-reveal cake, with blue confetti cannons. “Our wedding day definitely looked different than we originally thought,” says Lauren, “but it was perfect.”

Photography: Cindy Lee Photography

Location + Caterer: The Caramel Room

Groom’s suit: Savvi Formalwear

Bride’s dress: Clarice's Bridal

Flowers: Flowers & Weeds

Cake: The Cakery

Music: CJ's Disc Jockey Service

Hair + Makeup: Looks By Lisa

Planner: Signed Sealed Delivered Events

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