Madeline Story and Andrew Winkeler have a long history that started on the campus of the University of Missouri, on their first day of college, to be exact. Madeline went with a friend to a fraternity party where she met Andrew, and they hit if off—at first, just as friends. “At the end of second semester, we got to spend an entire week hanging out because my sorority and his fraternity were paired together for Greek Week,” Madeline recalls. “We went back to our hometowns that summer but were dating by the end of first semester sophomore year.”
They took the time to get to know each other, and still didn’t rush anything after graduating. “We dated a couple years after we were out of school to get settled,” she says. But a trip to New York City to visit friends one Halloween made it all worth the wait. “Andrew was intent on going to Central Park on Friday,” Madeline says. “We went to a coffee shop and then walked around for several hours. He kept wanting to check out these specific trails.” Andrew had a plan. They got to a bridge, took some pictures and then he asked her if she knew why that particular bridge was so special. “I said I didn’t, and he replied that it was because it was where he was going to ask me to marry him!”
Even though Madeline had always pictured a spring or summer wedding, Dec. 3 marks eight years exactly from their first official date. “It happened to be on a Saturday, so it just worked out, and it’s around the time we got engaged,” she says. “I didn’t want to be engaged super long, but I wanted time to plan a great wedding.”
She says planning hasn’t been difficult, even with her mom living out of town. The couple chose the Cathedral Basilica for its beauty and history, and both their parents are members of the Missouri Athletic Club. The bride-to-be notes the color scheme of navy and metallic gold will keep the atmosphere elegant and wintry without looking too ‘holiday.’ “Planning has actually been really fun,” Madeline admits. “We’re a funky couple, so we’re choosing things that reflect our personality.
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Ceremony | Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Reception | Missouri Athletic Club
Gown | Justin Alexander with custom detailing and a lace veil from Belgium
Cake | Missouri Athletic Club
Florist | Belli Fiori
Band | Soulard Blues Band
Honeymoon | Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
[wedding party]
Maids of Honor | Virginia Story, Melissa Lumley, Sarah Catrino Cuba
Bridesmaids | Kathryn Lottmann Dalton, Lindsey Johnston McCue, Chloe Potter, Lindsay Riffle, Jayna Rother, Gina Siekman, Laura Simon, Julie Terry, Madeleine Webb
Best Man | Mitchell Grewe
Groomsmen | Kevin Buehler, John Dalton, Kyle Fritz, John Guerra, Daniel Martin, Ryan Mica, Matthew Porter, Nathan Smith, Charles Story
Flower girls | Charlotte Novak and Audrey Novak
Ring bearers | Oliver Thompson and Parker Thompson
Bride’s parents | Sam E. Story Jr. & Mary Ellen Story of Sikeston, Missouri
Groom’s parents | William & Janet Winkeler of Des Peres