Timing was just right for Lauren Paige Macheca and Michael Anthony Ambersley when they met at Bar Louie in Kirkwood through a mutual friend. They discovered that their paths had intertwined for years, but it wasn’t until that January night that they officially had their first conversation – which was the beginning of a whirlwind long-distance relationship as Mike began his professional soccer career in upstate New York.
The couple proved that no distance could hamper their relationship. “I knew Lauren was the one for me because of the way I felt when I was around her,” Mike recalls. “I had never been happier, and knew I wanted that feeling forever.” Mike popped the question during a late-night dinner at the couple’s home in Tampa, Fla.
The couple chose the simplistic beauty of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Clayton as the setting of their nuptials. Lauren’s bouquet, which held her grandparents’ wedding bands, was bound together with her grandfather’s handkerchief.
A reception followed at Forest Park’s World’s Fair Pavilion, which was transformed into a warm, fall sanctuary for the occasion. The pavilion glowed with candlelit gold trees in urns that were brimming with white pumpkins and kale. Silver trays under each centerpiece were handpicked and collected over the years by Lauren’s mother. “It was everything I had dreamed it would be and more,” said Lauren.
The newlyweds spent a relaxing honeymoon in Key West, Fla., enjoying local flavors at area restaurants. The groom is a professional soccer player for the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
THE DATE
November 10, 2012
BRIDE’S PARENTS
Mr. & Mrs. David Macheca of St. Louis
GROOM’S PARENTS
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Ambersley of St. Louis
GROOM’S GRANDPARENT
Mr. Tony Pecoraro of St. Louis
CEREMONY
St. Joseph Catholic Church
RECEPTION
World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park
OFFICIANT
Fr. Thomas Santen
WEDDING PLANNER
Ellen Guitierrez, Bride’s Vision Weddings and Events
WEDDING DRESS
Vera Wang, Berrybridge Bridal
FLORIST
Jane Winter, Wildflowers
CAKE
Encore Baking Company
BAND
The Ralph Butler Band
PHOTOGRAPHER
Jon Koch Photography
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Coren Moore, Berrybridge Bridal
MATRON OF HONOR
Taylor Granneman
BEST MAN
Eric Ambersley
BRIDESMAIDS
Molly Ambersley, Natalie Maldonado, Lindsay Marsden, Lisa Smith, Cristina Tash, Madison Herweck
GROOMSMEN
Brian Bittner, Gene Frederic, Timothy Henrich, Nicholas Macheca, Nicholas Ohl, Ian Quattrocchi
USHERS
Michael Lueders, Mark Rieke, Kyle Reuther, Joseph Stockton
FLOWER GIRL
Lindsey Herweck
Bluff View Nursery - Only $25 for $50 worth of plants and garden supplies at Bluff View Nursery!
