There are moments in this job (more like this calling!) as a St. Louis wedding photographer that feel like a full-circle gift from the Lord.
Alex and Georgie’s engagement session was one of them.
Back in September of 2023, I had the privilege of photographing Alex’s sister’s wedding, and it remains such a special memory. When Alex and Georgie reached out about their own wedding, I was absolutely thrilled. There is no greater honor for this St. Louis wedding photographer than being invited back by the same family. It means the world to know that the experience was so meaningful they wanted me to document another chapter of their family’s story.
Before we ever met in person, the three of us spent time together on FaceTime. What was supposed to be a conversation about wedding photography quickly became so much more. We laughed, shared stories, talked about what they were dreaming for their wedding day, and by the time we hung up, I felt like I had made two new friends. Those are my favorite kinds of conversations because they remind me that wedding photography has always been about people, not just photographs.
When engagement session day arrived at the Missouri Botanical Garden, it honestly felt like the Lord had orchestrated every detail.
If you’ve ever visited the Japanese Garden in the spring, you know how breathtaking the pink flowering trees are. What many people don’t realize is just how brief that season really is. Those blossoms seem to appear overnight and disappear almost as quickly.
Somehow, Alex and Georgie’s Missouri Botanical Garden engagement session landed during that tiny window when every one of those trees was covered in soft pink blooms.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
The very next day, a cold front moved through St. Louis, temperatures dropped, frost settled over the city, and nearly all of those beautiful blossoms were gone.
I’ve photographed engagement sessions at the Missouri Botanical Garden more times than I can count, but Alex and Georgie are the only couple I’ve ever photographed beneath those particular blooms at their absolute peak. It’s one of those gifts that simply can’t be planned.
As if that wasn’t enough, the forecast had called for rain throughout the evening.
We kept watching the sky, expecting the first drops to fall at any moment.
Instead, we wandered through the gardens together without a single interruption. We explored winding paths, laughed beneath the flowering trees, and enjoyed one beautiful backdrop after another. It wasn’t until we had completely finished their session, hugged goodbye in the parking lot, and were getting into our cars that the rain finally began to fall.
Sometimes the Lord answers prayers in ways that leave you smiling long after the day is over.
This session felt like one of those moments.
Of course, beautiful scenery can only do so much. What truly made this evening unforgettable was Alex and Georgie themselves.
They’re the kind of couple who make photography look effortless because they’re completely at ease with one another. Their joy is genuine, their kindness is obvious, and every smile comes naturally because they’re simply delighted to be together. Watching them interact made my job incredibly easy, and I found myself smiling behind my camera just as often as they were smiling at each other.
One of my favorite parts of being a St. Louis wedding photographer is getting to know my couples long before the wedding day. By the time December arrives, we’ll already have shared memories together. They’ll know exactly what to expect in front of my camera, and I’ll know how to serve them in a way that allows them to be fully present with one another on one of the most important days of their lives.
I already know their wedding at Piazza Messina in Cottleville, Missouri is going to be something special, and I genuinely cannot wait to celebrate alongside them. After such an incredible engagement session, December can’t come soon enough.
Alex and Georgie, thank you for trusting me with another milestone in your family’s story. Photographing your sister’s wedding was an incredible privilege, and being invited back to celebrate with your family again is an even greater honor. Thank you for your kindness, your joy, and for making me feel like a friend from our very first conversation. I cannot wait to document your wedding day and all that the Lord has in store for the two of you.
If you’re searching for a St. Louis wedding photographer or planning your own Missouri Botanical Garden engagement session, I’d love to hear your story. Whether you’re dreaming of engagement photos surrounded by spring blossoms or a timeless wedding celebration anywhere in the St. Louis area, my greatest joy is creating photographs that reflect not only the beauty of your day, but the faith, love, and covenant that make your marriage unique.
Photography: Erika Rene Photography
