Carolyn Burke STL Blog

The St Louis County Parks and Recreation department has a wedding website. Their parks are great locations for wedding ceremonies and you cannot beat the price! Some locations come with electricity and restrooms, while others are simple for short, sweet and simple ceremonies. I have performed ceremonies as a Wedding Officiant  and I love the versatility that they can provide. Couples need to have nerves of steel as there is usually not a PLAN B or contingency plan in case of bad weather.  Nonetheless, they remain very popular. Below are my favorite photographs that show off the space.  You must contact the County Parks to book the location. Call me if you want my personal opinion on any of these locations as I am an Event Location Specialist. Bee Tree Mansion Garden Bee Tree Park Overlook Bissell Rose Garden Faust Park Jefferson Barracks Laborers House Patio Jefferson Barracks Museum Patio Queeny Park Courtyard Garden St Louis Cou...

Florist  ::  Walter Knoll  Catering Company  ::  Hendri's  Bakery  ::  McArthur's Bakery Ceremony Music  ::  Dragon Duo Reception Band  ::  Grand Beauty Ceremony and Reception Site ::  Butterfly House Butterfly House Pavilion Sand Ceremony Love The Butterfly Heart on This Program The Dragon Duo Performing Amy + Jesse Wedding Party Wedding Cake by McArthur's Bakery We would have been a mess if not for Carolyn's help. All of the little details that were decided along the way came together beautifully. We had a perfect day and I wouldn't change a thing. These photographs were taken by Carolyn Burke - Wedding Liaison. Check out my Pinterest Board of other couples. Follow Carolyn Burke - Wedding Liaison's board My Couples on Pinterest.

Once in a while I am honored to perform a ceremony for my friends.  Thumper and Brenda are from a fun parade group I belong to - The Banana Bike Brigade .  They had their ceremony among family and friends at the beautiful Bee Tree Park - a St. Louis County Park. Brenda + Thumper Bee Tree Park  This was a second marriage for both of them and the wedding party consisted of close family and friends.  No fancy wedding attire was needed for them.  I enjoyed the flower bouquet aisle runner and Thumper's top hat made the occasion whimsical in a way. They now live happily ever after on a house boat out west.  Two years later I performed a ceremony for Brenda's daughter and she now is a grandmother.  The blessings continue and watching them bloom is the best part of my job. Many blessings Brenda and Thumper !!!

Villa Antonio Winery 3660 Linhorst Road Hillsboro, MO 63050 (636) 475-5008 VillaAntonioWinery.com Have you always dreamed of having an outdoor wedding?  Located in Jefferson County, Villa Antonio weddings provide the perfect setting -- rain or shine. Whether you choose the lakeside, gazebo, vineyard or patio, you'll have a picture perfect backdrop as you exchange your vows. Sherry and Joey had a beautiful day for a wedding ceremony and reception near a romantic lakeside with vineyard views. Lakeside Ceremony Site Carolyn Burke - Wedding Officiant The Kiss 1 - 5 - 10 Year Anniversary Bottles

Jenn and Mike were married at the Lakeside Patio of Hidden Lake Winery in Aviston, Illinois. The weather was beautiful and some nice details were added at the ceremony site. Lakeside Patio - Hidden Lake Winery This location has over 6 sites to have a ceremony or reception. The Champagne Hall & Lakeside Patio Ceremony Site Majestic Falls The Estate Barrel Room Lakeside Patio Gazebos

Planning a garden wedding can be lots of fun. A garden setting offers one of the most romantic and sensual locations for celebrating your special day. Remember to keep it simple and elegant. Below you will find suggestions on how to achieve the ultimate garden wedding of your dreams. Use varying shades of one color accented with white or cream to create a very visual and striking combination. Use lots of delicate fabrics. Solid table linens with vintage overlays purchased at flea markets can make an unforgettable statement. Small painted terra cotta pots with seedlings make great favors. Buffet-style catering with large clear glass jugs of lemonade, punch and sweet tea add whimsy. Keep the menu simple. Grilling favorites are an easy and affordable way to go. Decorate tall trees with lights. Hand-write placards then tie them with a ribbon and hang from the trees for the guests to pick. A trellis decorated with ivy, Spanish moss and fresh flowers is the perfect foca...

Campbell House Museum 1508 Locust Street St. Louis  MO  63103 (314) 421-0325 www.campbellhousemuseum.org  The garden and gazebo at the Campbell House Museum is a green oasis in the heart of downtown St. Louis and is a unique place for weddings and special events. The restored 1870s gazebo divides the large lawn at the front of the house from the gardens and carriage house at the rear of the property, and the space can accommodate 250 guests for your special day. Be advised that there is no contingency plan at this location.

Backyard or home weddings are my favorite type of ceremony to officiate. I have stood in front of fireplaces, arbors, windows, and even televisions in the living room, dining room, deck, basement, garden, poolside and dockside. Driving to Columbia, Illinois takes me about 30 minutes to travel and one cannot beat the beautiful road trip. Jingwan and Vito were to be married at the parents of the groom's home located 5-6 miles outside of Columbia.  Jingwan and Vito I had no problem finding the house.  I do not use a GPS system because they can be unreliable.  I study a map the old fashioned way using Google Maps to be sure I know exactly where I'm going in case of road closures or other surprises with traffic. The Ceremony Site The ceremony was in the front yard and they had various chairs and two church pews acting as the front row.  WOW !!  The ceremony was short, sweet and simple.  The guests moved to the back yard for the reception and I too...

The Street Corner Where Sean Proposed I have never been asked to perform an elopement  ceremony for a couple on a street corner.  But that is exactly what I did for Michelle + Sean who asked to meet at Olive Street and Grand Boulevard in the heart of Grand Center  in St. Louis MO.  It was in the middle of the afternoon in September so the weather was hot. I parked my car on the closest side street.  We met in the shade since is was so hot.  I saw a quiet space off the sidewalk in the shade, but the couple was determined to do it at Olive and Grand.  Michelle asked two of her girl friends to witness and no one else was in attendance.  Unless you count the multitude of people getting on and off at the nearby bus stop.  While I was performing the ceremony, a loud conversation was going on between a small group of women walking by who did not even notice we were there, and why should they? We were literally at the street corner...

I love a wedding ceremony that is short on pomp and circumstance. This summer wedding was held at the  Lemp Mansion Pavilion on a hot summer day. Fans were blowing everywhere, but the show must go on.  A small wedding party is nice on a day like this - sweet and simple.  The heart-shaped fan was a nice keepsake and an item that was really needed.  The soft pink colors of the wedding gave a delicate touch.

I enjoyed helping Shellie and Kerry put together their short, sweet and simple wedding ceremony in Lake St Louis.  I have been near the lake a few times, but not on an island!  Guests took a pontoon boat to Engler Isle first and then the bride came in last in a grand processional. The ceremony decor was simple, but in good taste with even an aisle runner.   An aisle runner on an isle - nice.