Kaitlin Gates jokes that it’s a wonder she and her husband, John Engler, ever got together. Both went to MICDS and had known each other for years, but she only thought of him as a friend during school. “I never gave him a chance because he was one of the ‘older guys,’” she laughs. After they graduated from college, however, things took a romantic turn. “John and I started going out for drinks with friends and realized we had the same weird sense of humor,” Kaitlin recalls. “Our friends said affectionately that we were two of the goofiest people they had ever met, so it made sense for us to get together!” The pair had a fun first date at The Kitchen Sink in the Central West End and went out for about three years before becoming engaged.

Kaitlin says John’s proposal made for an unforgettable evening. “I was going to a happy hour for a coworker and said I wouldn’t be able to see him until later that night,” she explains. “He got really upset, so I knew something was up.” John persuaded her to skip the happy hour, took her to a holiday party and proposed to her at the top of Art Hill in Forest Park. Kaitlin says she suddenly heard cheering when John gave her the ring. Both sets of parents had been watching from a secret spot and came out of hiding when they heard her say yes. Afterward, they all went out for a celebratory dinner.

The couple married at the Shrine of St. Joseph and threw a lovely reception at the Missouri Athletic Club. Kaitlin says she chose traditional flowers and decor, but that didn’t keep the party from being lively. A photo booth, late-night Imo’s pizza and campaign-style hats saying “Engler+Gates ‘18” made the celebration light and fun, she says. The newlyweds honeymooned in Cabo San Lucas and currently live in University City.

resources
ceremony | Shrine of St. Joseph
reception | Missouri Athletic Club
gown | Paloma Blanca
cake | Missouri Athletic Club
florist | Ken Miesner’s Flowers
music | Arvell & Co.
honeymoon | Cabo San Lucas

wedding party 
maids of honor | Christina Valentine, Lucy Cross
bridesmaids | Annie Edmundowicz, Caroline Coulter, Mary Holbrook, Claire Dunlap, Elizabeth Coulter, Samantha Ryan
best men | Nicholas Pope, George Pope
groomsmen | Zachary Gates, Alex Morley, Scott Lause, George Stephenson, Drew Koeneman, Tyler Johnson, Tucker Ruwitch, Joey Loeb, Peter Bearman
bride’s parents | Mr. & Mrs. Scott Gates of Creve Coeur
groom’s parents | Jay & Dodie Engler of Ladue

wedding date | April 28, 2018