Calli Long and Greg Williams called 2015 the year of weddings. Between both their friends, the couple had 14 to attend—which was actually helpful since they were planning their own! “We didn’t want our wedding to be like everyone else’s,” Calli says. “I knew what I liked but didn’t want!” The couple had a goal of making their special day timeless and romantic, and while they were set on having a winery wedding, they also wanted to avoid the kitschy themes that sometimes accompany these.
Chandler Hill was an easy choice for the site; sitting on the deck for hours is a cherished memory from one of the couple’s first dates in St. Louis. Various cities have played a role in their relationship (they named tables at the reception after notable ones); they met in 2009 when Greg was Calli’s sales trainer. After switching jobs and moving back to their hometowns, they stayed in touch, knowing it was more than just a friendship. “There were many flights between Detroit and St. Louis,” Calli says. “We actually booked our honeymoon off the points we accrued!”
Calli moved to St. Louis two years ago and relied on friends and family for vendor referrals. “St. Louis is our future, so we wanted the wedding here,” she says. The fall day was “the most gorgeous day you could imagine.” Sunny and 65, guests were out on the patio or cozied up by the fireplace indoors.
It was important to the couple to make the entire weekend personal and family-oriented. “We had a ton of out-of-town guests, and all were invited to the rehearsal dinner so people could meet before the wedding,” Calli says. “As a tribute to Greg’s mom, who passed away when he was 13, his brother read the Irish Lord’s Prayer. Our friend, Stephanie Gold, served as officiant, and one of my favorite memories was reading our personal vows at sunset, before the ceremony, in front of our bridal party and parents.” Calli says they call it “the greatest day we’ve had yet.”
Calli works in aesthetic sales for Galderma Labs, and Greg is an account manager at WestRock in Chesterfield. They reside in Warson Woods.
resources
ceremony | Chandler Hill Vineyards
reception | Chandler Hill Vineyards
gown | Sottero and Midgley
cake | Celebrating Life Cake Boutique
florist| Bloomin’ Buckets
music | Gateway Guitar and DJ Who
honeymoon | Kauai and Maui, Hawaii
wedding party
maid of honor | Natasha Keasey
bridesmaids | Jenna Bertee, Julianne Nienberg, Abigail Gordon, Stephanie Roberts
best man | Patrick Williams
groomsmen | Dan Williams, Billy Hopkins, Jeff Otis, Marcus Long, Nicholas LoBosco
bride’s parents | Jan & Steve Long of Detroit, Michigan
groom’s parents | Norm & Ellen Williams of Chesterfield and the late Joanne Williams
Photos by Carretto Studio Photography