A Chic Summer Celebration at the The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis
All images by Mike Cassimatis Photography
There’s something undeniably magical about a June wedding in St. Louis…the promise of summer, the golden light, and a color palette that feels as joyful as the season itself. For Kenton and Kathleen, their day was a heartfelt celebration of love that began years ago at Indiana University Bloomington and unfolded into a timeless wedding with a chic twist.
From a candlelit ballroom reveal to sunset-inspired florals in vibrant shades of coral, fuchsia, pink, and yellow, every detail reflected warmth, intention, and pure happiness.
From College Friends to FUr-ever
Kathleen and Kenton met during their very first semester freshman year at Indiana University. Living across the dorm hall from one another and studying together in the business school, their friendship grew naturally before turning into something more at the end of sophomore year.
“The rest was history,” Kathleen shared, and that history led them to a beautiful June wedding day surrounded by family, friends, and even their beloved pup, Chip, who joined for a few sweet photos.
A Timeless Style with a Chic Twist
When asked to describe her wedding style, the bride perfectly captured it: “Timeless with a chic twist.”
She didn’t begin planning with one grand, sweeping vision. Instead, each thoughtful decision led organically to the next. The result? An elevated, cohesive celebration where every element felt intentional, refined, and beautifully executed.
Their ceremony at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church set the tone for a meaningful and sacred start to the day; one of the couple’s top priorities, along with heartfelt speeches, incredible food, and a packed dance floor.
A Color Palette Inspired by Sunshine & Summer
Yellow has always been Kathleen’s favorite color…its warmth simply makes her happy. Initially hesitant to dress her bridesmaids in the shade, she eventually found the perfect delicate yellow gown that felt sophisticated and flattering. That one decision sparked everything else.
The bridesmaids’ soft yellow beautifully complemented the cheerful floral palette in varying shades of pink, coral, fuchsia, and sunset-inspired tones. Rather than incorporating whites or traditional neutrals, the bride leaned fully into warm summer hues, allowing the florals to live harmoniously within the same orange-pink color family.
The effect was radiant, joyful, and undeniably summery, like the perfect St. Louis sunset brought indoors.
The Coral Charm Peonies woven throughout her bouquet and centerpieces were truly the heartbeat of the floral design — lush, fragrant, and unmistakably summer.
Known for their breathtaking color transformation, Coral Charm peonies open in a rich, glowing coral before softly fading into warm peach and buttery apricot tones. That natural evolution made them the perfect choice for this sunset-inspired palette, effortlessly blending fuchsia, pink, and golden hues into one harmonious story.
Their blooms are generously full, with layers upon layers of silky petals that unfurl into wide, ruffled cups. At peak bloom, they create that coveted “just-opened” garden look — romantic, abundant, and slightly undone in the most elegant way.
Tucked into her bouquet, they brought movement and softness; elevated high in the centerpieces, they added fullness and that quintessential early-summer charm that simply can’t be replicated any other time of year.
Coral Charm peonies don’t just feel like summer…they are summer: warm, joyful, lush, and fleeting in the most beautiful way.
A Bouquet Worthy of the Moment
When asked about her favorite floral element, the bride didn’t hesitate.
“My bouquet — it was an absolute work of art.”
Designed to reflect the full sunset spectrum, her bouquet blended unique blooms in perfectly layered tones. Every angle offered something new to admire — soft pinks melting into coral, bold fuchsia playing against warm orange. It was joyful, refined, and completely her.
A Private Room Reveal & Candlelit Garden Romance
One of the most memorable moments of the day happened before guests entered the ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton. Kathleen and Kenton shared a private room reveal, soaking in every thoughtful detail together. We always highly recommend that our couples schedule this special moment into their wedding day timeline. Not only is a nice private moment all to yourselves, but it truly allows you to soak in all those decisions you made!
The candlelit reception space glowed with romance. Layers of soft draping created depth and elegance, while Belli Fiori’s lush floral centerpieces — including our new statement trees — added height and a garden-inspired ambiance. Tall arrangements in vivid sunset tones floated above tables, balanced by glowing tapers and crystal accents below.
The result was an intimate yet vibrant garden party atmosphere tucked inside one of St. Louis’ most iconic venues.
A Celebration Centered on Guests
Because many loved ones traveled in for the weekend, the couple placed deep importance on creating an unforgettable experience. From carefully curated seating assignments (connecting friends they knew would click!) to showcasing the very best of St. Louis, they wanted every guest to feel appreciated.
And by all accounts, they succeeded.
The speeches were heartfelt. The food was exceptional. The dance floor was full. And the love in the room was unmistakable.
A thank you and Their Advice to Future Couples
Planning from Chicago while organizing a St. Louis wedding meant long nights and busy weekends. Kathleen admits she was surprised by just how much time the process required, and credits her mom’s immense support and vendor team for helping bring everything together seamlessly.
There was no overcomplicated wisdom from the newlyweds, just something beautifully simple:
“Always put your wife or husband first and stay true to yourselves and your values, no matter what other couples around you are doing.”
Kenton and Kathleen’s June wedding was proof that when you follow what makes you happy whether that’s a favorite color, a meaningful ceremony location, or sunset-inspired florals. Everything falls into place in the most beautiful way.
At Belli Fiori, it was an honor to bring their warm, joyful vision to life inside The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. A timeless celebration, a chic twist, and a love story years in the making the perfect beginning to forever.
Meet the Vendor Team:
Photography: Mike Cassimatis Photography
Planning: Before I Do
Venue: The Ritz Carlton St. Louis
Decor: Exclusive Events Inc.
Rentals: The Aries Co.
Linens: BBJ LaTavola & Nuage Designs Inc.
Stationery: @simplytorn.art