Some love stories are written in the most unexpected places, and for Tess and Pat, their story began abroad. Although they both attended Saint Louis University, they didn’t cross paths until the spring of their sophomore year while studying in Madrid. As Tess fondly recalled, “He lived a floor below me, and the rest was history!” When it came to designing their wedding day, Tess shared that her favorite thing about Patrick was that “whenever he is around, I always feel at ease, at home, and safe.” To honor that sentiment, Unfolding Events focused on keeping the couple together and present with each other throughout the day, which was all captured on camera by Leah Pieper Photography.
Classic and calligraphed
Classic and calligraphed white invitations from Minted with black cursive font set the stage perfectly for the monochromatic event.
Black and white bridal portraits
In line with the black and white monochromatic color palette of the day, Leah Pieper Photography captured numerous portraits in timeless black and white.
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Classic groomsmen style
The groom and his wedding party all donned classic black suits with black bow ties and white boutonnieres.
Keeping it simple: Cathedral ceremony style
The couple kept it simple as they styled the cathedral where they exchanged vows. They relied on the grandeur of the space and designed their attire to complement the otherwise grand white and gold venue.
Classic post-ceremony portrait
The newlyweds of course paused outside of the church for a quintessential city portrait in front of the open doors.
Portraits: Highlighting architecture and design
Portraits around The Holland Performing Arts Center gave the couple a chance to highlight the architecture of the city, as well as the unique design elements of the venue.
Seating chart theme: All the places we’ll go
A key design element of the wedding was incorporating the places that had shaped the couple’s journey together. Their seating chart, titled “All the places we’ve been, and all the places we’ll go,” showcased meaningful locations, including Saint Louis University, Madrid, the church they were married in that day, the Holland Performing Arts Center, and their current home city. It was a beautiful way to honor their past while celebrating their future.
Reception design: A monochromatic dream
Tess had a clear vision for her wedding—a classic black and white aesthetic. Every detail was intentionally curated to bring that vision to life. The sweetheart table was adorned with a breathtaking sea of white anemones from Lavish Flower Design. Each menu featured meticulously hand-tied black bows, and the reception tablescapes were a perfect monochrome dream, from the florals and candles to the flatware. The result was an atmosphere that felt timeless, sophisticated, and deeply personal to the couple.
First dance: Go with the flow
Pat expressed that he loved “how we can be comfortable being fun and goofy with each other,” which was on full display during their choreographed first dance. Even with a few missteps, they simply laughed and kept dancing—perfectly capturing the joy of their relationship.
Keeping the energy high
With an interactive band and a grand black and white dance floor, the energy never waned, culminating in the groom’s epic crowd-surfing moment!
