Ashley Kohm and Kurt Wunderlich’s love story started across the country. Both native St. Louisans, the two met in 2012, when Kurt signed with the Oakland As and Ashley was working in Phoenix. “He needed a place to stay for a couple of weeks before spring training, and my parents’ neighbor knew his mom and found out he was looking,” Ashley explains. “So my mom asked if he could stay with me, and I said sure.” The two hit it off but didn’t start dating. “I thought he was a great guy, but it just didn’t make sense at the time,” she says. They kept in touch, and when they both returned to St. Louis about a year later, the romance started.
After nearly two years together, the proposal was a complete surprise. “We weren’t a couple who always talked about getting married, but I think we just always knew,” Ashley says. She had joined Kurt and his friends on a road trip to his alma mater, Michigan State University, for a football game. “I was excited to meet his college buddies and hang out,” she recalls. “He had played baseball there and took me to see the field before the game started.” The couple ‘snuck’ onto the baseball field (Kurt had called ahead to reserve), where he dropped down to one knee. His friends recorded the whole event, and the group celebrated with champagne.
Wedding plans are complete except for last-minute details. Ashley says she stayed organized and didn’t feel overwhelmed. “It’s been easy,” she says. “The church is where Kurt has attended with his family since he was 6, and The Chase has such a great location and menu. I just want it to be a big party for everyone, so my main concerns were the venue and food. And the CWE is a great area to go out afterward.” She says it’s about much more than the dress, or cake or flowers. “The whole pomp and circumstance is cool, but it’s just one day,” she says. “Kurt is a great guy, and I’m so excited to be married to him.”
[resources]
Ceremony | First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood
Reception | The Chase Park Plaza
Photographer | Kelly Park
Cake | The Chase Park Plaza
Gown | Allure
Florist | RW Designs
Honeymoon | Mediterranean cruise
[wedding party]
Maids of Honor | Lucy Hormberg & Paige Falke
Bridesmaids | Ellie Goebel, Kirsten Higgins, Erica Wunderlich
Best Men | Ryan Mosby & Bryan Kayser
Groomsmen | Adam Farris, Paden Norrick, J.P. McRoberts
Ring Bearers | Dillon & Donovan Kohm
Bride’s parents | Dr. Raymond & Lisa Nikodem of Chesterfield
Groom’s parents | Dr. Christian & Cynthia Wunderlich of Des Peres
Wedding Date: July 25, 2015