Kathryn and Mark
June 5, 2004
St. Louis, Missouri

Photography by Laurel Cochran Photography

ABOUT THE BRIDE: Kathryn Jamboretz is a native of Webster Groves, Missouri. She attended Nerinx Hall high school and received her journalism degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She is currently the 9 pm anchor of WB 11 News. Kathryn enjoys traveling, cooking, and gardening. She is the president of the Cardinal Glennon Hospital junior board and a member of the Young Friends of the Art Museum.

ABOUT THE GROOM: Mark Keersemaker, Jr. grew up in North St. Louis County. He is a graduate of St. Louis University High School, Guilford College, and the University Of Missouri School Of Law. Mark runs his own legal practice, The Keersemaker Law Firm, located in Brentwood, Missouri. Mark, a college soccer player, still enjoys playing in both indoor and outdoor soccer leagues. He's also learning to play squash at The Racquet Club where he recently became a member.

HOW WE MET: We met at J. Bucks Restaurant in Clayton. I wasn't even going to go out that night, but a friend convinced me to meet up for a cocktail after work. A mutual friend introduced us and we were engaged one year later.

ENGAGEMENT: Mark surprised me with a proposal on a trip to San Francisco to celebrate our first anniversary. He proposed on Mt. Tamalpais overlooking the San Francisco bay. It was a complete surprise since he and my best friend plotted to convince me we were getting engaged, but not until much later in the year. I came to find out he walked around the city all day with my engagement ring loose in the bottom of his pocket. No wonder he was acting so nervous!!!

PLANNING: I planned most of the event myself, but I used Josie Littlepage of Cosmopolitan Events to execute the wedding. That's the best money I spent all year!!!

ATTIRE: I wore a strapless Amsale wedding gown with a dropped waist and a French blue sash. It was candlelight duchess satin. The bridesmaids wore custom-made strapless, tea-length gowns in champagne colored faille with ivory satin sashes. The groom wore a Brooks Brothers tuxedo, a gift from the bride.

THE CEREMONY: The wedding was a traditional Catholic ceremony at St. Anthony's of Padua. The evening ceremony was highlighted by the full choir from Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. Fr. Ted Wojciciki, a close family friend, performed the ceremony. We pulled away in a vintage 1941 Ford Convertible. It was the first car my grandfather ever owned, and he was there to see us use it!

THE RECEPTION: The reception was held at the St. Louis Club. Since we didn't want to do a cake cutting, we positioned the cake in the entry foyer. It was a work of art and a true joint effort between my florist Dale Rohman and the talented pastry chef at the St. Louis Club. At cocktail hour, we had a wine bar, which I just loved. It had about ten different wine selections and champagne. The martini lounge was also a big hit. It was an ice sculpture carved in the shape of our initials. We had a seated dinner for 250 guests, including smoked tomato bisque, filet mignon, and arctic char. The cake was a butter cake filled with passionfruit mousse and topped with triple buttercream icing. Guests danced the night away to the Ralph Butler Band and then departed to silver trays filled with Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

VENDORS WE USED:
Wedding Planner - Cosmopolitan Events, Josie Littlepage
Photography - Laurel Cochran Photography
Dress - Amsale, New York
Veil - Saks Fifth Avenue, New York
Florist - Dale Rohman
Music - Ralph Butler Band