Jessie Berilla never thought she would be surprised by a proposal from her fiance, Brendan Chapel. “I always get presents before my birthday because he is horrible at keeping secrets,” she laughs. So after they had been dating for two years, she was extra shocked when he got down on one knee at the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Garden Glow last November. “I thought we were meeting his family there, so when he started this sweet, elaborate speech, I just kept asking if he was serious!” The surprises continued later that night at his parents’ house, where Brendan had planned a party with their families and closest friends.
The two knew from the beginning that their relationship was more than a casual fling. After meeting as freshmen at the University of Missouri through mutual friends, they ran in the same social circle throughout college. The couple didn’t start dating, however, until years later when they were ‘paired up’ during a night out with friends. “We were with a small group of couples, so we were forced to talk to each other,” Jessie says. “After that first night, we were on a fast track.”
Things moved quickly after the engagement, too. Jessie’s mom knew about Brendan’s plans to propose, so she started compiling a binder of wedding information immediately. “My mom is an amazing planner and was instrumental throughout the entire process,” Jessie says. She had always pictured a spring wedding to incorporate her favorite color, Tiffany blue, but she and Brendan didn’t want to wait that long to say ‘I do.’ “I’m still using it for the wedding,” she says. They booked the reception venue two days after they were engaged. “We needed a space that could hold at least 300 people, and besides being beautiful and elegant, The Coronado is especially meaningful to us,” Jessie explains. “It’s where we celebrated New Year’s Eve on our first official date!” The couple will be married September 19.
[resources]
Ceremony | Washington University’s Graham Chapel
Reception | The Coronado Ballroom
Photographer | Conner Photography
Cake | Sarah’s Cake Shop
Dress | Allure Couture
Florist | The Special Event Florist – Tina Barrera
Honeymoon | St. Lucia
[wedding party]
Maid of Honor | Lizzie Gleeson
Bridesmaids | Lauren Westcott, Taryn Peck, Terra Wiedemeier, Kendall Klingler, Alex Blau, Jamie Berilla, Mackenzie Bert, Ali Chapel
Best Man | Sean Struve
Groomsmen | Mike Westcott, Jimmy Pfleger, Travis Shaw, Chris Cullen, Garrett Chapel, Ryan Berilla, Wes Bert, Lash Chapel
Flower Girl | Reese Berilla
Ring Bearer | Bennett Bachert
Bride’s parents | Dan & Mona Arnoff of Chesterfield and Nick & Carolyn Berilla of Wildwood
Groom’s parents | Dr. Howard & Mary Kay Chapel of Chesterfield
Photo: Shannon Dodge Photography
