Maura & Chase | Wedding Interview
- Jul 10
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
THE TWO OF YOU
Tell us how you met.
Ouu love this question!! We met at the Library Annex bar (now closed sadly) on SLU’s campus! Our mutual friend, Natalie Reider, introduced us.
How long were you together before getting engaged? What did those years look like?
We were together for 2 and a half years before getting engaged. Most of our first year was long distance, as Maura was finishing physical therapy school and Chase was in Dallas playing a year of professional soccer. After Maura graduated and Chase stopped playing, we decided we wanted to move out of Saint Louis and explore the East Coast. We picked Charleston randomly on a map and moved in the Summer of 2023! That next December, Chase proposed, and it was special to be home in STL with our families to celebrate. We absolutely love living at the beach but always cherish coming home to visit our
family and friends!
How did the proposal happen?
Chase found the ring while we were home in Saint Louis for Christmas. He bought it and says he was too excited to wait and proposed 2 days later on Christmas Day! I was extremely surprised, which was the only thing I requested for our engagement!
What does a normal weekend look like for you two?
Right now it looks like traveling a lot and attending weddings and bachelorettes! We are definitely in that stage of life and having so much fun celebrating our people. If we aren’t traveling, we are getting pub subs and heading to the beach!
THE BASICS
Why did you choose your venue?
We chose to have our ceremony at College Church on Saint Louis University's campus, which was so special as we both went to SLU. After my freshman orientation, I hoped to get married there one day! For the reception, we chose to have it at Clayton Plaza Hotel. My style is fairly traditional while still being current, which for me meant a reception in a beautiful ballroom with chandeliers, wallpaper, and lots of windows. The Clayton Plaza Hotel was perfect for this! My parents actually toured all the venues since we do not live locally. They picked the best spot for everything I wanted!
How many guests did you have? What did you want the room to feel like — intimate, full, somewhere in between?
We ended up with a little over 200 guests, which filled the church and the reception but was also very intimate, as all were close family and friends to both of us. Everyone at our wedding was very special to us, and we had close relationships with them.
Walk us through your wedding day look.
My wedding day look was definitely simple, but I still wanted the drama of a super long train and veil. I was pretty confident on the general style of dress I wanted when I went in, but Heather at Bridal Parlour surprised me with this dress, and it was better than anything I was picturing!!
THE PLANNING
Were there any details that were non-negotiable?
Our flowers, calla lilies, were definitely one of my non-negotiable details haha!! I set my mind on long-stem calla lilies, and there was really no other flower that could give the classic elegance of callas. We both love live music, and those oldies hits, so a full band was also a quick decision for us. Our first dance song was Frank Sinatra, and it was so special to have the band play it live. Honorable mention was our black and white checkered dance floor.
Was there anything you chose to leave out that felt freeing?
I think this is very different for everyone, but for me, definitely dance floor props and excessive signage. We had a welcome sign and some framed menus at the bars and you really don’t need more than that!
THE DAY
What moment from the day do you keep coming back to?
I think we both come back to the ceremony and the homily from our priest, Fr Rozier. Prior to the ceremony, he had us answer questions about each other and send them to him privately, which he used in his homily. We were both surprised, and it was such a special moment for us.
What did the energy feel like — ceremony, reception, all of it?
Chase says: Just love!! I could not agree more. It really was the best day of our lives so far, and we are so grateful. Everyone was so present and seeing all of our family and friends together was incredible.
LOOKING BACK
What would you tell couples who are just starting to plan?
I would say to just remember the reason why you are getting married throughout the whole process. This was something my mom kept reminding me of when I got stressed, and it helped to remember the reason for the wedding is about the two of you and your love for each other!! Everything will work out as it is supposed to, so try to enjoy the little things along the way.
Any vendors you want to shout out and why?
ACTUALLY ALL OF THEM LOL
OBVIOUSLY Grace!! Not only is she such an amazing friend/person, she captured our wedding in such a personal way that we will cherish our wedding film forever. We rewatch it so frequently and are so blessed to have something like that to remember our day. Grace went above and beyond what we could have ever hoped for!
My bestie and matron of honor, Maggie (maggieadamsphoto)!! If you don’t already know her and her photography, what are you doing?!! Her photography is so personal and effortless. Her style allows for each wedding to be unique to the couple and a direct reflection of the day. Her candid shots that everyone loves are genuine, which makes them that much more special.
Bridal Parlour in Shiloh, IL. Heather has curated the best collection of dresses in town and truly cares about making your vision come to life. She is very experienced and knowledgeable on all things fabrics, designs, etc. She has a direct relationship with the designers, which allows for customizations that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. Dress shopping at Bridal Parlour is a 1:1 experience unlike any other! (Special shout-out to Gray Studio Alterations by Regina -would drive to IL for these 2 any day!!
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