A Timeless Love at the Ritz-Carlton St. Louis: Harry and Ruthie’s Elegant Wedding Day

A Perfect Union of Tradition and Modern Elegance

When it comes to blending tradition with modern elegance, Harry and Ruthie’s wedding at the Ritz-Carlton St. Louis was a wedding to remember! Surrounded by the glow of candlelight, lush white roses, baby’s breath clouds, and hydrangeas, this couple created a celebration that was both timeless and deeply personal, perfectly reflecting their journey and love story.

Meet the Couple: Harry and Ruthie

Harry, originally from just outside of Boston, is a former lacrosse player who pursued his dream of working in the NFL. After playing lacrosse at the University of Michigan and professionally in Israel, he now works on the coaching staff for the Chicago Bears. Ruthie, a St. Louis native, has carved out an impressive career in sports broadcasting. After graduating from the University of Michigan, she embarked on a journey that took her across the country, covering everything from high school football in small-town Texas to Super Bowls with the New England Patriots. Ruthie’s career highlights include working as a sports reporter for NBC-6 in South Florida, before landing her dream job with NBC Sports Chicago and NBC-5 in Chicago. Despite living in different cities, they both shared a love for sports, making their careers and their relationship a perfect match.

Their Love Story: A Pandemic Meet

Harry and Ruthie’s love story began in Miami, a few months after Ruthie had moved there to work for NBC-6. Harry, who was with the Miami Dolphins at the time, happened to listen to a podcast where Ruthie was sharing her life story and career journey. Struck by how much they had in common, Harry was determined to meet her.

Fate stepped in when they matched on Hinge, and their first socially distanced date during the pandemic sealed the deal. Sitting on a park bench in downtown Miami, with the water as their backdrop, they both knew they had found something special. Although they weren’t at the University of Michigan at the same time, they quickly discovered dozens of mutual friends, further solidifying their connection.

The Perfect Proposal

After a year of long-distance, with Harry moving to Chicago in 2022 for his job with the Bears, he planned a perfect surprise proposal. During Ruthie’s 30th birthday weekend, with both of their parents in town, Harry took Ruthie to the bench where they had their first date. There, he asked her to marry him. Ruthie, who had been completely thrown off the scent, was in total shock.

The surprise continued at her favorite restaurant, where their families and friends were waiting to celebrate. The night was filled with joy, love, and dancing, marking the beginning of their next chapter together.

A Vision of White: Timeless Wedding Style

For their wedding, Ruthie wanted a design that was timeless and elegant, steering clear of anything too trendy. From the bridal fashion to the subtly details of stationery, everything featured clean lines and classic, yet modern touches. One of our favorite features of Ruthie’s stunning gown, was the large bow in the back. It was complimented by an all white ballroom-style bouquet to not distract from beautiful lines of the gown. She chose white roses and hydrangeas as the focal point of the floral design, creating a crisp, bridal atmosphere. The addition of candles throughout the venue added a romantic glow, enhancing the sophisticated ambiance. Given the unpredictability of St. Louis weather in late March, the white florals were a perfect choice, complementing both the possible snow or sunshine.

The Ceremony: An Acrylic Chuppah with a Modern Twist

The ceremony was a central focus for Harry and Ruthie, and the chuppah was a key element. Ruthie envisioned a modern, clean acrylic chuppah adorned with lush white florals, creating a stunning backdrop for their vows. The design was a perfect blend of tradition and contemporary style, fitting seamlessly into the overall theme of their wedding.

As wedding pros, we know that many couples do not get the opportunity to see their ceremony decor before the ceremony. Thanks in part to Ruthie and Harry having a “first look” they were able to have a ceremony reveal moment and have some quiet time in their ceremony space to soak it all in.

Creating an Unforgettable Experience

Harry and Ruthie were focused on creating a wedding that wasn’t just a celebration of their union, but a merging of two families. They wanted their guests to feel the warmth and love that their families share and to enjoy every moment of the celebration. Music played a huge role in their lives and their wedding day. Ruthie’s background in musical theatre and dance, combined with Harry’s family’s love for dance, meant that music was a top priority. They chose a live band that perfectly matched their energy, ensuring the dance floor was packed all night. The celebration continued with a DJ at the after-party, mixing in pop and electronic music for the younger crowd. “We also really wanted everyone to eat, drink, and dance the night away! The food, drinks, and music was so important to us, and we wanted our guests to leave our wedding with sore feet and full stomachs!” Our kind of party!

A Family Tradition: Mom’s Challah Bread

One of the most special touches of the night was the inclusion of Ruthie’s mom’s challah bread. A beloved family tradition, the homemade challah was placed on every table, symbolizing love and the importance of family in their lives. It was a meaningful gesture that added a personal and heartwarming element to the evening.

A Dance Floor to Remember

Ruthie was determined to keep the dance floor full all night, and she succeeded. The all-white dance floor, complete with their monogram in the center, became a focal point of the reception. Its sleek design invited guests to dance, making it a night filled with energy and joy. With music being such an important part of their lives, it was no surprise that the dance floor was never empty.

Exceeding Expectations: The Florals

Reflecting on their wedding day, Ruthie was overjoyed with how everything turned out. “Oh my gosh, did the flowers exceed all of my expectations in the best way! The way Simcha and Lisa worked together to bring my vision to life was seamless. I will never be able to properly express my gratitude to both of those brilliant, talented, and creative women! The chuppah was incredible, but I loved the centerpieces so much. I showed Lisa a picture of a wrap-around centerpiece that I thought would work with our floral scheme, and she completely made it her own and brought it all to life. When I saw them in person, it brought me to tears!”

Ruthie and Harry’s Advice for Future Couples

“All I know is that I wouldn't have changed a thing about the team of vendors we used. Lisa was transparent, honest, kind, creative, and worked so well with our wedding planner. I think having an idea of what you want is super helpful, but also trusting your vendors to have some creative freedom makes your wedding day so much fun! I'll never forget the room reveals and seeing Harry's reaction to it all.”

We adore room reveals and especially love including the parents as we have often spent countless hours working together to perfect all of these details. It’s a big moment for the parents too as they get to enjoy the reaction of their children seeing their wedding dreams come to life.

Harry and Ruthie’s wedding was a perfect blend of tradition, elegance, and modern style. From the candlelit ambiance to the heartfelt family traditions, every detail was meticulously planned to create a night that their guests will remember for years to come.

Vendors:

Planner: @simchasevents

Venue: @ritzcarltonstlouis

Photography: @elise_usesacamera

Videography:@matthewjayfilms

Stationery: @js_designs

Linens: @bbjlatavola

Rentals and Decor: @decorumeventsstl

Chuppah Rental: @fatimadesigns

Band: KC Flo @patricklentzentertainment

Late Night Party Music: @dawson.high

Late Night Pizza: @loafersstl