Claire and Cameron’s wedding weekend celebrated love, personal connections, and unforgettable memories. With a clear vision of an intimate yet elevated garden party, they created a vibrant and cohesive atmosphere filled with meaningful touches from their shared history. From a heartfelt ceremony to a reception inspired by their favorite date nights, every detail reflected their personalities and love for each other.
Location: St. Louis, Missouri, US
Style: Elevated Garden Party
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 120
Setting: Restaurant, Church
Season: Fall
Claire and Cameron’s love story began at a school in St. Louis when they were just 13. Cameron, new to town, was introduced by Claire’s friends, and the two instantly clicked over their shared love of music, travel, and big dreams. “We were best friends first,” they both agree, and that strong friendship blossomed into high school romance.
The couple took a cross-country trip the summer before senior year, each destination adding to their growing connection. Claire suspected a proposal might be coming, but Cameron had something even more special planned. On the last day of their adventure, back in St. Louis, he brought her to a quiet spot in Forest Park, where he asked her to spend forever with him.
Vision & Photography
Claire and Cameron envisioned an intimate wedding with a sophisticated garden party vibe, embracing bold colors while keeping the design cohesive. With Claire’s passion for wedding planning, she took the lead on the design and logistics, supported by a day-of coordinator to ensure everything went smoothly. They chose a vibrant color palette of pinks, oranges, yellows, and greens, accented with hints of blue. These hues flowed seamlessly throughout the decor, from the florals to the signage, party favors, and bridesmaids’ dresses, creating a harmonious celebration of their love.
Backcountry Bohemians beautifully captured every moment of this wedding weekend, filled with love, personal touches, and vibrant colors. They expertly documented everything from candid, heartfelt moments to the laughter and joy shared by family and friends. Their talent went beyond photography, as they also created a stunning Super 8 mm wedding film, preserving the magic of the day in a timeless, nostalgic way.
Welcome Day
The rehearsal dinner was a cozy, family-style feast featuring Claire and Cameron’s favorite breakfast foods—lemon ricotta pancakes, breakfast burgers, crispy potatoes, cacio e pepe eggs, and more. “Breakfast for dinner is one of our favorite traditions,” they shared, so treating their closest friends and family to this special meal was only fitting. The soft evening light and the delicate color palette of Bowood created the perfect atmosphere for the intimate dinner.
Afterward, the doors opened to the welcome party just outside, where the French-inspired outdoor space and lush backyard gardens set the scene for mingling. Guests could play corn hole, create custom pizzas at the make-your-own pizza bar, sip on seasonal cocktails, enjoy the fragrant flowers under twinkling lights, and even join in a game of find-the-guest bingo! It was the perfect start to a weekend full of love and laughter.
Wedding Day
Couple's Morning & Fashion
Wedding planning can be overwhelming, but Claire’s story shows that trusting your instincts can lead to the perfect outcome. Initially, she chose a simple ivory dress, but it no longer felt right as the big day approached. A solo trip to Anthropologie Bridal led her to the BHLDN Valentina gown—delicate flutter sleeves, floral lace, and a dramatic train—everything Claire had dreamed of.
The journey didn’t stop there: during a family vacation in Florida, she also discovered a jewelry artist who crafted a beautiful set of pearl earrings and a matching necklace, all handmade with love for her wedding day.
Claire’s wedding morning was filled with heartfelt moments, but none more emotional than the first look with her father. Sharing that quiet moment before the ceremony brought everyone to tears, capturing the deep bond between them and setting the tone for the beautiful day ahead.
For his wedding day look, Cameron turned to a local St. Louis favorite, Woody’s Mens Shop, where his dad is a regular customer. After browsing fabric swatches and thread samples, Cameron chose a tan and white seersucker suit—a light, breathable choice ideal for a late summer wedding. To complete the look, he wore a dahlia boutonniere, a nod to the couple’s shared love of the flower.
First Look
The first look was a deeply emotional moment, with Claire and Cameron sharing a quiet, intimate exchange before the ceremony. Their personal vows were equally heartfelt, with both expressing their love and commitment in ways that felt incredibly authentic.
Ceremony
For Claire and Cameron, getting married in the church where they grew up in St. Louis felt like home. The beautiful wooden pews, stunning stained glass windows, and the church’s deep-rooted memories made St. Peter the perfect place for their ceremony. Claire walked down the aisle to the instrumental of Stephen Sanchez’s “Until I Found You” alongside her best friends – two sisters.
Though the traditional Catholic ceremony could be long, they made it personal and meaningful by inviting their loved ones to share readings and intentions for the couple. As they exited, a joyful petal toss marked the beginning of their new chapter together.
Moments Alone
After their family photos, Claire and Cameron made their grand exit in a vintage getaway car, but the most meaningful moment of their wedding day came during a private couple’s shoot at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. This serene, intimate moment took place during cocktail hour, between the ceremony and dinner, offering them a chance to pause and take in the joy of becoming husband and wife.
Surrounded by the beauty of a place so special to them, Claire and Cameron’s photos—captured by Backcountry Bohemians—became treasured memories.
Decor & Special Touches
For Claire, the reception was all about recreating the cozy, intimate vibe of a typical date night with Cameron. Pastaria Restaurant & Market, their iconic date night spot, was the perfect venue for their celebration. Back in high school, Claire would spend her babysitting money at Pastaria, savoring warm country bread and pistachio ravioli with Cameron. To make the evening feel even more personal, they opted for a family-style sit-down dinner, giving guests the chance to bond and share the experience together.
One of their favorite touches was the bread service—served with both olive oil and chili-infused olive oil—which became the inspiration for their party favors. They gifted each guest mini bottles of the oils, carefully packaged in TSA-approved containers for those traveling by plane. Months later, friends and family would send photos of their meals with the C&C olive oil duos by their side.
Claire and Cameron’s wedding day was full of personal touches, many of which were inspired or crafted by their loved ones, making it a true team effort. For their giant crossword puzzle, Claire wrote the clues, Cameron designed it, and Claire’s dad brought it to life on a large wooden board—ensuring there was a clue for every guest to enjoy.
Claire also teamed up with Pastaria to create a unique gelato station, where each flavor was inspired by a bridesmaid, matching both the color of their dresses and their names. It was a sweet way to honor those who had been part of their journey.
Celebration
After heartfelt speeches from Claire’s dad, her sisters, Cameron’s brother, and their dear friend, the couple shared a sweet moment cutting a vintage-inspired lemon cake to the tune of Taylor Swift’s “Lover.” A dessert bar featuring chocolate cake, tiramisu, and gelato offered a delicious ending to the meal.
The real fun began when dancing moved to a unique space—the place next door! Connected by a short hallway, the old sister restaurant offered just the right amount of room for dancing, with even the Pastaria team behind the bar joining in on the fun.
Advice from the couple:
• Create a celebration that you (the couple) will enjoy. Sharing the city where their relationship began, the activities they love, the food they enjoy, the music they play on repeat made the weekend unique and unlike any other wedding they had attended.
PHOTOGRAPHY & SUPER 8 FILM Backcountry Bohemians | DAY OF COORDINATION Luna + Co Events | VENUE Pastaria Restaurant & Market | VENUE Bowood by Niche | FLORALS Roses + Mint | CAKE The Cakery Bakery | STATIONERY Cherry Berry Paper & Design | HAIR Studio Bride | GOWN Anthropologie Weddings | EARRINGS & NECKLACE Sunlit Threads
