courtesy of Michael Sweeney
Cash, jewelry, and electronics were just a few items stolen from Irene Wan and SLM writer Michael Sweeney’s wedding party this past weekend.
On Saturday, the couple exchanged vows at the Jewel Box in Forest Park. On Sunday, Irene’s relatives decided to visit the Gateway Arch before driving back to Los Angeles for their flight to Korea. When they returned to the rental van, all of their belongs were missing. “Realistically, anything that you take to travel was stolen,” says Irene. “They were left with whatever they had on them to sightsee.”
This included some of her family’s most treasured wedding keepsakes: five traditional Korean dresses called hanboks that were specially designed for the occasion.
courtesy of Michael Sweeney
“My mom bought hers in Korea specifically for my wedding. She could have bought one in L.A. or ordered it online, but she went there with her family to shop for one,” says Irene.
St. Louis is no stranger to van break-ins that also involve out of towners. Over the summer, two different touring bands were also robbed.
See also: Some Ideas for Fixing Our Band Vans Getting Robbed Crisis
Unlike the passports, camera, and iPad, Irene says the custom made dresses are irreplaceable. As KMOV reports, the couple hopes the thieves will even donate the dresses to a Goodwill, where they can be easily spotted and recovered.
Follow Madeline Yochum on Twitter @madelineyochum or send her an email at myochum@stlmag.com. For more from St. Louis Magazine, subscribe or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
