MEGAN + GREG

Sometimes, love stories bloom in the most unexpected places. For Megan and Greg, that place was a chaotic dorm room on move-in day at college. Boxes overflowing, nervous introductions, and that general feeling of “who are my neighbors?” hanging in the air. But for Megan and Greg, amidst the whirlwind, a spark ignited.

Megan had her dorm room door propped open for some good people-watching of the newcomers moving in on her floor. One of those newcomers was Greg, his easy smile and infectious laugh making an immediate impression. “On that first day, all I can really remember about Greg is that he had curly hair and a great laugh,” Megan remembers fondly. “There were so many new people that it was all a blur.”

Despite the initial blur, a connection formed. Over the next few years, their friendship blossomed. One Friday morning, Greg asked Megan if she wanted to head down to the riverfront after he finished his computer lab shift. Megan, a little shy but excited, agreed. They walked along the riverfront, taking in the sights and sounds, eventually settling down to listen to a musician. There was a moment of awkwardness when Greg offered to buy ice cream, but Megan, with a touch of her characteristic shyness, politely declined. Looking back, they both laugh about it now. It was a simple date that ended up laying the foundation for a future filled with shared experiences and unwavering love.

They had been dating 6 years, when on a February day Greg suggested they go for a hike at Rockwood Reservation. Megan had a suspicion Greg might be proposing which made her more incentivized to say yes to the hike lol. They walked the entire trail and with the parking lot in sight Megan though perhaps she’d been wrong in her speculation that Greg would be proposing. Greg was secretly panicking because he’d chickened out the entire hike and knew it was now or never. She asked him if he was ready to go when Greg said “Well, I have a question for you first.” He then pulled out the ring and said “I think I’m supposed to get down on one knee” and “So you wanna get married” and popped the question right near the parking lot as he was squinting into the sun. Megan excitedly said YES and the two began planning for their wedding day.

That culmination of their love story – the wedding day itself – unfolded at Sugar Creek Winery in Defiance MO. The day they dreamed of was one of “laid-back, chill vibes” and that’s exactly how it felt. There was a sense of relaxed joy that never veered into rushed or hectic, and we’re thrilled to share a glimpse into their picture-perfect day with you!

Megan’s earrings were borrowed from her mom, and her hair was done by the same hairdresser who has been cutting her hair since she was 9!Nestled amidst the rolling hills of Missouri wine country, Sugar Creek Winery – not just any winery, but the couple’s absolute favorite – provided the perfect “super chill” backdrop for their laid-back celebration of love. Greg had even told Megan before the proposal that he’d be open to a winery wedding for its relaxed vibes, solidifying Sugar Creek Winery as the ideal location.Megan and Greg knew they’d be emotional during the ceremony, so they made a sweet and strategic choice – exchanging personal vows during a private first look. This created a special, intimate moment before the big event, allowing them to express their deepest feelings and shed a few happy tears in private. It was the perfect way to start their wedding day, relaxed and completely focused on each other before the joyful chaos of the ceremony began.

Greg is constantly impressed by the immense size of Megan’s heart. As a teacher, Megan’s dedication goes far beyond the classroom walls. He describes the countless instances where Megan has come home late, overcome with emotion after going the extra mile for her students’ well-being. It’s this profound compassion and empathy that Greg speaks of when he shares what he loves most about Megan. 

Greg is someone who effortlessly makes Megan laugh every single day. But his charm goes beyond just being funny. He possesses a remarkable ability to sense when Megan’s anxiety starts to creep in, and he always knows exactly how to calm those worries with his playful spirit and unwavering support. Beyond his humor lies a sharp intellect and a strong work ethic. Greg is constantly striving to improve himself, yet remains one of the most humble people Megan knows. This genuine humility combined with his infectious fun-loving personality seems to have an almost magical effect – literally everyone Megan has ever met adores Greg. From his high school buddies to work colleagues and even her own family friends, the sentiment is unanimous: everyone loves Greg. His ability to connect with people and his adventurous spirit are just two of the many qualities that make Megan love him so much.

Megan and Greg opted to not have a wedding party – no bridesmaids or groomsmen! They will be the first to tell you it was their “Best decision!” We would second that. When you don’t have a wedding party you can simply focus on one another without the distraction of anyone else. If you want a relaxed day and to eliminate any factors that could cause unnecessary stress – opt for no wedding party and concentrate on the two of you!

Megan walked down the aisle to Canon in D – “I’ve known since I was 12 that I wanted to walk down the aisle to this song”Their recessional song was “Let’s Get Married” – by The Bleachers. “On one of our first few dates, the song “Rollercoaster” by the same artist played. So whenever we think of that artist we think of when we first started dating.”Seed Sprout Spoon, a company perfectly aligned with Megan and Greg’s values, brought their signature charm and eco-conscious approach to the reception. Their charming tablescapes whispered sustainability: upcycled vintage china nestled amongst wooden crates and silver-plated trays, each adorned with fresh botanical arrangements. This wasn’t just décor, it was a philosophy. Seed Sprout and Spoon’s dedication to local, organic ingredients shone through in their artfully crafted food stations – which was a dream come true for us or any other of our fellow foodies. Every bite was not only delicious but also a testament to their commitment to supporting local farmers and responsible practices. And because Megan and Greg care deeply about these values, Seed Sprout and Spoon ensured a stress-free experience by seamlessly catering to their dietary needs – delectable vegan options for Greg and delightful dairy-free alternatives for Megan. From the presentation to the plates themselves (recyclable or compostable, of course!), they infused the reception with a touch of rustic elegance that perfectly complemented Megan and Greg’s celebration.
Desserts were by Nothing Bundt Cakes which was basically a dream lol.This was the time that Megan and Greg looked most forward to on their wedding day – The reception – “the hard part was over so then we got to enjoy!”

We of course stole the couple for some sunset photos before the fun on the dancefloor kicked off. When Mother Nature cooperates, this is my favorite part of the day.
Their First Dance song was Perfect/Can’t Help Falling in Love (A mashup by Joey Stamper). “We’ve known for years that we wanted to do our first dance to this song. We sing it together all the time, and it’s just a really good song. We even sang the lyrics the entirety of our first dance.”The dance floor immediately lit up when the dance music began throughout the rest of the evening, and everyone including the bride and groom had an absolute blast.The two would not change a thing about their day. They felt Loved, Excited, EXHAUSTED, but didn’t want the night to end. Megan didn’t realize how much her feet hurt until she got off the shuttle bus at the hotel. They give some great advice to couples who are planning a wedding – “Your wedding is about YOU. Don’t let others tell you that something is not the norm or weird. You do what makes you happy!”

The two are planning on either taking an Alaskan cruise or visiting France for their honeymoon, as they are currently getting a fresh start as a married couple by moving to Seattle WA!

Megan and Greg’s wedding day was a joy to capture! Their genuine connection was clear as day – it’s obvious these two are not just partners, but truly the best of friends. The way they laugh together and support each other makes it easy to see why they’re perfect for each other. We couldn’t be happier for them as they start this new chapter together, and a huge thanks to them for choosing Roger and I to document their beautiful day!

The Wedding Professionals who made Megan and Greg’s day perfect:
Wedding Planner: Sabrina Torti, Proposing Dreams  (Best wedding planner ever! Made everything run so smoothly!)
Photographer: TenSixteen Photography 🙂  (So kind and made us feel not-awkward!)
Venue: Sugar Creek Winery
Bridal Salon: Sincerely Yours Bridal  (Honestly, the most positive experience I had at any salon! Very sweet, and really LISTENED to what I wanted)
Hair: Lauren Weggeman, Metro Studio Designs 
Makeup: Amber and Erin, Studio 703
Florist: Rouge Events and Design
Officiant: Chris McMahon, McMusic Events  (He made our ceremony so personal after only having a few meetings with us!)
DJ: Chris McMahon, McMusic Events
Catering: Seed Sprout Spoon 
Bakery: Nothing Bundt Cakes