Photo credits: Stephen May

Melinda and Todd
May 26, 2001

ABOUT THE BRIDE: Melinda is currently working at a technology company in St. Louis. She is also completing classes for certification to teach High School Biology.

ABOUT THE GROOM: Todd grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and graduated from Washington University with degrees in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. He is currently employed at BECS Technology as a Senior Engineer.

HOW WE MET: Please visit our engagement site.

ENGAGEMENT: Please visit our engagement site.

PLANNING: The wedding was actually planned for December 2001. After two months of engagement, Melinda and Todd realized 18 months left them with too much time to plan and too long to wait... so a Memorial Day weekend wedding was chosen.

Melinda's mother has a civil war home and farm that was the perfect setting for the ceremony and reception. A Victorian theme was chosen to take advantage of the house's abundance of roses. The home was decorated with pink roses, highlighted by the long stairway banister leading to the upstairs dressing rooms (usually, the bedrooms). Outside, the red garden roses were just beginning to bloom, following the explosion of many, many flowers in the gardens circling the house.

Melinda also relied on advice from Arina, founder of Wedding-Club.com. Both exchanged many e-mails during the planning of the wedding.

ATTIRE: Melinda always knew she wanted a gown that looked liked it could have been in an old 1930's movie, but also would have the genteel look that would go along with the Victorian garden theme. The perfect gown was found and to add some drama to the gown, Melinda chose a blusher and a sweep veil.

The bridesmaids would wear Melinda's favorite color -- pink. The long pale pink dresses complemented perfectly the slender sheath wedding gown and veils.

Todd chose a four-button black suit with an ivory shirt, necktie, and vest that matched Melinda's ivory gown. The groomsmen wore a two-button suit with black vests and neckties, all over ivory shirts.

THE CEREMONY: They were prepared for any weather as they woke to beautiful sunny skies the morning of the wedding. The 12:30pm ceremony took place on the west side of the house under the long arms of a shade tree. The blooming spring flowers were dancing as the rushing wind warned of an imminent storm. The wind roared as the ceremony progressed. By the time Todd and Melinda were husband and wife, greeting their guests inside the house, the heavens opened and soaked the expansive green yard.

THE RECEPTION: With the wet weather, everything was moved indoors. Tents were up for those who wanted to be outside in the gardens when the rains turned into light drizzle. Since they had to move indoors, there weren't any seating assignments, which led to more intermingling among all the guests.

HOW WE PERSONALIZED THE WEDDING: The couple emphasized the importance of family and friends. They carefully selected songs for the ceremony, which were performed by Todd's brother and sister-in-law. To remember Melinda's late father, his rose paintings decorated the interior of the house. With help from girlfriends, Melinda made the guest book and pens, and the kissing balls for the flower girls, all which had a Victorian appearance. The program was designed with the background being an image of Rosemont, the site of the wedding and reception.

THINGS WE LOVED: We are truly blessed with "guardian angels". All our family and close friends lent much support and work in preparing the house, gardens, and music for our wedding.

A special thank you to cousin Cristina for being the coordinator of the day - it was a huge job and we are grateful for all she did.

Ceremony/Reception Site: Rosemont Farm in Eolia, Missouri
Photography by Stephen May

If you have questions or comments for Melinda and Todd please sign the guestbook on the engagement site.