St. Louisan Anne Fitzgerald and Kansas native Logan McElwain lived near each other in Kansas City, but never met. The stars aligned for the couple in 2010, after both had moved to Denver, Colo. “My friend Blake played on a softball team with Logan, and kept talking about how awesome and funny he was,” Anne says. This sparked a friendship, which quickly turned into something more.
Two years later, after a proposal on a summer hike in Crest Butte, Colo., Anne and Logan began planning a picturesque Missouri wine country wedding. Defiance’s Chandler Hill Vineyards provided the perfect setting. “We wanted an outdoorsy feel, and the views at Chandler Hill are unreal—that place is gorgeous,” Anne says.
The couple exchanged vows during the winery’s deck, which provides sweeping views of rolling hills. With a backdrop so stunning, they wanted to keep the rest of the wedding simple. The reception centerpieces were handmade by Anne and her mother, and pops of sunny yellow—in the bridesmaids bouquets, the groomsmen’s boutonnieres and the flower girls’ dresses—helped to brighten the grays and blacks of the bridal party’s attire.
Seeing her husband to-be for the first time that day outshines everything else, Anne says, but she also loved being surrounded by all her favorite people. “I don’t know when again in my lifetime I’ll have everyone I love the most and who I grew up with in the same room,” she says.
The McElwains live in Arvada, Colo., where Logan is a catastrophe claims adjuster for The Hartford, and Anne is a healthcare IT consultant for HPG Resources.
[resources]
Gown | Maggie Sottero, from Robin’s Bridal
Caterer | Chandler Hill Vineyards
Baker | Sarah’s Cake Shop
Honeymoon | Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Florist | Scott Hepper of Walter Knoll
Reception Music | Elite Pro DJ
[wedding party]
Maid of Honor | Megan Ingerman, sister of the bride
Bridesmaids | Katie Erpelding, Emily Phillips, Beth McWilliams, Meghan Schulte, Madison Ingerman
Best Man | Will Gorden
Groomsmen | Ryan McElwain, Andy McElwain, Jared Pitts, Patrick Larm, Greg Elliot
Bride’s Parents | Dennis & Cookie Fitzgerald of Kirkwood, Mo.
Groom’s Parents | Dave & Laurie McElwain of Olathe, Kan.
Flower Girls | Olive Erpelding and Harper McElwain
Ring Bearer | Lachlan Erpelding
By Stephanie Zeilenga
Photos by Susie Vreeland
