It’s not common to hear of a couple getting married before their engagement party, but the Walker’s are proudly unconventional. They made the “spur of the moment decision,” to get married in a private ceremony with just their parents in attendance the day before their engagement party. While their intimate wedding was perfect for them, they still wanted to have a celebration with their family and friends. So, on their first year anniversary they decided to have a vow renewal ceremony and reception at Busch Stadium, the location of their first date. Their vow renewal was a total home-run! The fun loving couple exchanged vows on Home Plate, while their guest sat in the Green Seats. Their wedding theme was “modern with a southern twist,” and their color scheme of pewter, various shades of blue and red accents was as unique as their venue. The brides’ dress was perhaps the most original aspect of their wedding. To honor her southern roots, she wore a custom made seersucker a-line gown! Complete with a southern inspired dinner menu and a live band, the Walker’s vow-renewal was a non-stop party! Pinxit Photography captured every exhilarating moment. Enjoy!
- Bride: Cora Drew Walker
- Groom: Tim Walker
- Wedding Date: 06/15/2013
- Wedding Location: St. Louis, MO
Wedding Description
We started our story of forever in a bit of an unconventional manner. The day before our engagement party, we made a spur of the moment decision to get married in a private ceremony in Forest Park with just our parents in attendance. While the day was perfect for us, we knew then that we still wanted to have the opportunity to come together with our loved ones and have a true celebration of our marriage. We are known for having a good time and our family and friends were looking forward to a big shindig – so we obliged! Exactly one year after we first said “I do,” we were so excited to relieve the exhilaration of our first day of forever, but that time around to share the joy with our family and friends with a vow renewal ceremony and reception at Busch Stadium.
Busch Stadium has always been a special place for us! Five years before we renewed our vows, Busch Stadium was the location of our very first date – a classic rivalry game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs (even though the Cardinals lost that game, we definitely won!). We exchanged vows on Home Plate while our guests sat in the Green Seats, and after the ceremony, we held our reception in the elegant Cardinals Club, located inside the Stadium behind Home Plate. Keeping with the theme, we chose a band headlined by Nikko Smith, son of Cardinals Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith and former American Idol contestant. We are known for cutting a rug on the dance floor, and Nikko and his band made sure the dance floor stayed packed the entire night!
Our colors were pewter, and various shades of blue (navy, aquamarine, and pool blue), and we used red as an accent color (and as a shout out to the Cardinals). I would say the theme for the event was modern with a southern twist. We used the chevron pattern and clean lines as major elements throughout, but also tried to incorporate fun southern details, with things like mason jars and red and white twine! Our programs were also fans inspired by the fans I remember seeing growing up at my grandmother’s church in Alabama. I’m a G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised in the South), so I tried to incorporate my southern heritage.
Wedding Style
Just as our entire approach to our wedding was unconventional, so was my wedding style! After not really being able to find “The Dress” off the rack in any boutiques, one of my best friends put me in touch with a talented, award-winning designer based in Chicago, Borris J. Powell. I flew to Chicago and together with my cousin, visited Borris’ design studio to talk about ideas. I told him my style was modern and chic with a southern twist, and by the end of our consultation (and after a couple glasses of champagne) we had the concept – a seersucker gown! What better way to pay tribute to my southern roots?
Borris assured me it would be “Gone with the Wind Fabulous,” and he did not disappoint. He designed a gorgeous, A-lined, seersucker gown, subtly incorporating a chevron pattern; the level of detail he and his seamstress put into making sure every line of that seersucker lined up truly boggles my mind! The gown included lots of tulle underneath and was accented with a navy silk sash. I was elated with my one-of-a-kind masterpiece!
My wedding style advice for brides is to be true to yourself and to not lose sight of who you really are and what makes you happy. If that means doing something that’s never been done before, so be it. In my opinion, originality trumps trendy any day!
Incorporation of Culture
We tried to incorporate Cora’s southern heritage throughout, but it was probably most evident in our menu. We asked the caterers to “southernize” the menu, and they came up with a concept not traditionally seen at weddings. Our guests feasted on watermelon, feta, and arugula salad, braised collards, macaroni and cheese, tenderloin of beef, barbecue salmon and cheddar grits (fish and grits), and red velvet cake! As another special tribute to Cora’s southern culture, the escort cards included fun southern sayings Cora’s mother, grandmother, or great-grandmother use, like “Gimme some sugar,” “I’m fixin to,” and “It’s over yonder!”
Most Memorable Moment
It was pretty exhilarating to be in a stadium that can hold nearly 50,000 people with just our closet friends and family in the stands, but we have to say the most memorable part of the night was when we surprised our guests and performed the last song with the band. Cora got on stage and rapped, Tim was her hype man, and the band performed the hook! It was like a concert and we’ll never forget the looks of excitement on our guests faces!
You Make Loving You So Easy
From the Groom…I love the way Cora strives to be the best at everything she does. I love her motivation, ambition, and work ethic. I love her interests in living life to the fullest but still like to just hang and relax at home with me. I love her interests in sports and being able to enjoy and talk to her about them. But most of all, I love her support and dedication to our marriage.
From the Bride…I truly discover something new to love about Tim every day! Tim is my rock, and his calm, measured, and well-reasoned approach to most things life is a perfect complement to my spontaneous and impulsive side! I love how Tim is trustworthy and reliable, and so very supportive of me. He makes me so happy!
Vendors
- Photography – Raquita Henderson Pinxit Photography
- Ceremony and Reception – Busch Stadium
- Bride’s Dress – Borris J. Powell
- Bride’s Shoes – Valentino
- Groom’s Tuxedo – Tallia
- Groom’s Shoes – Cole Haan
- Event Planner – Damon Green Events
- Dance Floor, Staging, Lighting and Linens- The Aries Company
- Linens – Bride’s Personal Collection
- Catering and Cake – DNC-Sportservice
- Flowers – Walter Knoll Florists
- Band – Nikko Smith and My Ego
- Makeup – MAC
- Jewelry- Saks Fifth Avenue
- Invitations – Wedding Paper Divas
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Pinxit Photography is a member of The Coterie, Munaluchi’s exclusive wedding collective. Click here to view her portfolio. Want to learn more about The Coterie? Click here to learn how to apply.
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