Saint Louis, Missouri



Spoiler alert: This wedding had a crasher… an EF3 tornado.

On Instagram, I captioned this day with: “I can’t think of a more Missouri wedding… Forest Park, an EF3 tornado, and @imospizza.” And honestly? That still sums it up pretty perfectly.

When I woke up on the morning of Sarah and Colin’s wedding—May 16, 2025—I felt a wave of anxiety I couldn’t shake. There were storms in the forecast, sure, but the skies were clear, birds were singing, and the sun was out in full force. It was, in every way, a perfect morning. Their celebration was set at the iconic World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park—one of my dream venues, so maybe that’s where the nerves were coming from. I wanted their photos to be flawless.

The videographer (shoutout to EP Creative!) and I met up at the venue before heading to The Chase Park Plaza, where Sarah was getting ready. Everything was smooth—no room key issues (IYKYK lol)—and we started the day capturing stunning detail shots. Some of my favorites ever, honestly.

We returned to Forest Park around 2:03 PM and noticed storm clouds rolling in. Sarah wasn’t far behind us, and we decided to go ahead with her first look and portraits while the weather held. We photographed until about 2:32 PM. Two minutes later, at 2:34 PM, every phone around us lit up with alerts. A tornado warning.

We looked up and saw rotation. Clear as day, right above us. Some of the sky was still visible, but it was quickly overtaken by a deep, eerie green. The sirens started wailing. My heart was pounding.

By 2:36 PM, we had ushered all the vendors and the bridal party into the pavilion bathrooms. I grabbed my camera bag. Just six minutes later, at 2:42 PM, it hit. My second shooter, Courtney Lemons (Lemons Photography LLC), was trying to shut and lock the bathroom door—and the moment she did, I saw a reception table fly through the air. That’s when I knew: this was real.

I texted my husband and dad, trying to preserve my battery as best I could. I was terrified. Helpless. As a business owner and vendor, I couldn’t stop my mind from spiraling. What if something happened to the pavilion? What if someone was hurt? Was I responsible? It was one of the most stressful moments of my life.

The sound was like nothing I’ve ever heard...like a freight train rolling over everything in sight. Then, just like that, at 2:46 PM, it stopped.

We cautiously opened the door. I told Sarah to stay inside while we surveyed the damage. The scene outside looked apocalyptic. Tables and chairs were everywhere. Candles shattered. Trees—some hundreds of years old, completely uprooted. Gone.

I realized I’d lost my second bag (extra batteries, meds, snacks)—not the biggest deal, but it was jarring.

My dad, Deputy Chief of the Pattonville Fire Department (North St. Louis), called to confirm: it was a tornado. And the city had sustained significant damage. I broke down in tears. I was overwhelmed with gratitude just to be alive.

I called my husband. He asked if it was over and if I was coming home. I had no idea. But one thing was clear: if Sarah and Colin could survive an EF3 tornado on their wedding day, they could survive anything together.

We started assessing the damage and figuring out what we could salvage. All you could hear was emergency sirens. News started to trickle in: at least four people had died. My heart sank. It was devastating.

Sarah and Colin had flown in from Seattle, so rescheduling wasn’t an option. And one way or another, we were going to get them married. So we reset the space as best we could. But with so many trees down, Forest Park was technically closed. Guests couldn’t get in.

Eventually, people began to arrive, trickling in slowly. Our next hurdle? The officiant was stuck. Most guests were there, but no one to conduct the ceremony. So, we pivoted.

We turned the cocktail hour into a time of connection and celebration. Everyone hugged a little tighter. We took family photos, shared stories, and soaked in the joy of simply being safe and together.

When the officiant finally arrived, we began the ceremony, and it was stunning. Clear skies. Glowing sun. Missouri, are you kidding me?

The reception that followed was full of laughter, love, and Imo’s Pizza—DELIVERED ON SCHEDULE AFTER AN EF3 TORNADO, because of course.

Truly the square beyond compare, haha.

What a day. One we’ll never forget. Congratulations, Sarah and Colin. Your love is the kind that can weather any storm—literally.