I love weddings, obviously. But what I love more is the relationships I form with my clients that last long after the wedding. With Crystal and Nick, their love and adoration was contagious; you couldn’t help but be in the same room and feel their chemistry and have a constant smile on your face. Not only because they’re hilarious, but because they have the love you think only exists in movies.

Crystal and Nick’s day was so them and they played perfectly into their favorite color of red with splashes in the tuxedos and a signature drink during their cocktail hour. Vibrant low centerpieces with red gerbera daisies alternating with tall centerpieces with branches and ivory orchids by Botanicals Design Studio offset the black and ivory linens. The ivory chair covers with long red sashes provided by Sitting Pretty/Party Arts were used for both the ceremony and reception, and mimicked the red stripes on the wedding cake by Steven Becker Fine Dining. Of course, the wedding party’s secret wardrobe change into red Converse high top sneakers for the reception literally tied it all together.

Downtime Band did an amazing job providing music for Crystal and Nick’s intimate ceremony in the South Ballroom and cocktail hour in the Grand Lobby. Downtime then kicked it up a notch and had all of the guests on the dance floor during the reception in the Coronado’s beautiful North Ballroom; that is, as long as guests weren’t off taking pictures in the traditional photobooth provided by PhotoboothStL. Of course, Lyle Whitworth Photography was there to capture every moment and detail. Congratulations Crystal and Nick, wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness!

To view pictures from Crystal and Nick’s wedding, click here to visit our Facebook page

Jaci Burgess, Catering Sales Manager for Steven Becker Fine Dining and the Coronado Ballroom

The Popvic – Schuh Wedding Wedding Reception

Sometimes the best place to find your Coronado Ballroom wedding inspiration is from your favorite things. It makes your event personal and magical. The theme of Natalie Popovic and Mike Schuh’s wedding focused on the French confection shop Laduree in Paris. It is one of their favorite places to visit. Known for its signature pistachio green box filled with pastel macaroons and toile ribbon bow, it provided the inspiration for their Marie Antoinette reception. Keeping the linens simple and elegant and matching the ballroom marble, the incredible flowers designed by Tony Montano were out of an haute couture magazine. Each table held a different style arrangement – each a work of art. Every imaginable color and style of flower was mixed with various fruits to create a very lavish French court look. Every table was pin spotted and the ceiling of the ballroom was shadow cast with branches and garden vines like the Louvre gardens.
Both Natalie and I love movie “Great Expectations” and we often laughed at how many things in common we shared. When I first saw her on the wedding day, I walked up and hugged her and said, “You had me at Great Expectations!” It was priceless! I also named their delicious signature drink “Natalie and Mike’s Great Expectation” and was rimmed in pistachio green sugar. I feel so blessed that I was able to design the wedding cake to look like the stacked boxes of Laduree confections with pistachio green fondant and medallions of French toile transposed on white chocolate…it was breathtaking! Their lavish meal was topped off by handmade French macaroons and other friandises accompanied by fine cordials and liquors. Coordinated by the always delightful and organized Sarah Grus, Sarah created a magnificent candy station at the end of the evening. Guests could create their own bag of candy to take home with beautiful European pastel candy. Candy was abundant in beautiful bell jars and glass containers. The place cards were on ribbons and hung from the branches of a tree filled with little feathered birds created by Tony Montano. This later adorned the candy station.
Although it rained earlier, there was a double rainbow in the sky that afternoon. The smell of the rain reminded me of being in Paris and the wedding photos look like a Parisian fashion shoot with the incredible work by photographer John Fedele.
If you are a St. Louis bride and groom in need of a little wedding inspiration, call me. I would love to talk to you.
En vous souhaitant une vie étonnante!

Rob Schaefer
Inaugural St. Louis Wedding Professional Hall of Fame Inductee

It hardly seems possible that a year has gone by since I was asked to style the St. Louis Bride Magazine gown spread. When they asked me what my concept would be to inspire St. Louis brides, nothing seemed more appropriate than classic fairy-tales. Since I work in the fairy-tale ballroom of St. Louis, I knew that I wanted to incorporate the amazing Coronado Ballroom into the mix as well. I believe that fairy-tales were written about real people and handed down for generations to inspire and act as life’s lessons to children. I often wonder what would Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood and Belle of Beauty and Beast be like today. Were they woman ahead of their time? So drawing upon their stories, I was inspired to recreate their persona as modern women of today. And it became a really beautiful thing.
I hope I did Cinderella proud when I staged the photo shoot at the Coronado Ballroom. Walking through the beautiful gowns at Saks Fifth Avenue, one dress in particular called out to me and I felt was Cinderella worthy. It was called ‘Braccio” by Kenneth Pool and featured pleated net across the bodice and around the train. Crystals and rhinestones were set in an almost antique silver setting on the french lace appliques. A stunning crystal tiara and diamonds from Curt Parker Jewelers completed the look. And of course satin and crystal Manolo Blahnik heels served as the modern day glass slippers.
I know that no one believes me but our model for the shoot was Lily Cella and she was 14 years old! Lily embodied all the things her Cinderella counterpart did…elegance, purity, beauty and the glow of youth. When she came out of the dressing room, everyone inhaled! Carrying a bouquet by Master Florist Randy Shamel from Artistry, the all white flowers, white PUMPKINS, and little gold mice brought the elements of the fairy-tale to life. Photographer Jon Koch captured the moment in story book fashion with his extraordinary style. The photos are magnificent!
When Kathy Becker mentioned that we should use the stunning photo of Lily in our ad, I was honored. Beth Barr did an amazing job with the layout of the ad, copy, color and fonts. We love and respect Beth so very much! It is truly a beautiful ad and we have already received so many wonderful comments on it.
I know that not every St. Louis bride wants to be Cinderella on her wedding day and that many receptions don’t have an element of fairy-tale glamour. But as a very old soul, I have to believe that everyone wants to feel just a bit of enchantment on their wedding day. I know I do…and I am counting down the moments until Prince Charming makes his appearance.

Rob Schaefer
Inaugural St. Louis Wedding Professional Hall of Fame Inductee

We love Wedding Planners at the Coronado Ballroom! I am fortunate to work with so many talented and creative people here in the St. Louis wedding market. In St. Louis, we are a united family of vendors and our vendors are a part of our extended family. We love feeding our vendors a delicious meal and seeing them rest a bit during a busy wedding day. The lovely Sarah Grus, Brit Tucker, Tiffany Bentley-Halkitis, Dame Ellen Gutierrez, Shelli Alred, Ashley Rath, Kristin Weis, Lacy Branch, Jeanetta Hill and the Cosmo girls – to name a few – provide St. Louis with a wealth of talent and skills to make your preparations go smoothly and wedding day perfect. Having a St. Louis Wedding Planner to assist you at your wedding is a wise investment. With such a beautiful and neutral decor, it is such a pleasure to share new ideas and insights with these many wonderful individuals and make Coronado receptions vary from ultra modern chic to classic, old world Cinderella. If you are considering investing in a Wedding Planner for your Coronado Ballroom reception, it is worth it. Although Jaci and I are here to assist you in every way, the valuable services that extend long before the actual reception…not to mention getting down the aisle, are priceless. Ignore those horrid wedding shows and amateur articles written by reporters (who know nothing about weddings) that tell you to “Home Depot” your wedding! Doing everything yourself is stressful and most of the time, looks inexpensive…the last thing you would want.

Rob Schaefer
Inaugural St. Louis Wedding Professional Hall of Fame Inductee

Amanda and Kyle are a beautiful couple who chose very strong colors for their wedding. Raspberry pink paired with black made a crisp, summer statement and gave their event a fun, whimsical feel. Remember that anything you put on a black surface magnifies the look…similar to when a jeweler puts a diamond against a black velvet pad. It intensifies the effect. Such was the case when Amanda put hot red roses, raspberry peonies and lime hydrangea on a black overlay. Crisp, raspberry taffeta sashes tied each chair and matching raspberry napkins sat on each black charger. The wedding cake was unbelievable with multiple tiers of various patterns…black and white damask, black and white strip, all raspberry pink and then black cascading dots on white with a black and white damask top tier. Beautiful handmade papers were used to create the wedding stationary and black and white damask paper tied the entire look together. This strong color palate truly set the tone for an evening of fun and enchantment.

Over the years I have attended many industry functions and often came away let down. That was not the case this past Wednesday night. It was a beautiful and talent filled night at the Coronado Ballroom when St. Louis Bride Magazine hosted the inaugural St. Louis Wedding Awards. Vendors from all segments of the bridal industry received top honors at this star studded event. The staff of Steven Becker Fine Dining played upon the rich history of the Coronado Ballroom and created an Spanish themed evening. Steve, Kathy, Jaci and myself wanted guests to know that the architect of the Coronado was Preston Bradshaw and he designed the Coronado building with a heavy Spanish influence. Actually when the Coronado was first built as a grand hotel, the fine restaurant was called…The Spanish Grill. We worked hard throughout the day and Chef Steve, Chef Katherine and the culinary team created a Spanish feast! When our guests entered the cocktail area, they found a huge display of Spanish cheeses and olives, grilled vegetables and marinades with crackers and lavosh set upon an alter of religious and Spanish art, statuary and novena candles. Spanish wines, cocktails and the beloved Spanish pre-dinner drink (Shandy) was served before dinner. Spanish guitarist Dan Hoerle carried us far away to old Barcelona during the cocktail and dinner period. Guests walked into the Coronado Ballroom to find it resplendent with azure tone crushed chair covers, Spanish inspired linens and floral creations from St. Louis top Florists. Each centerpiece was monochromatic (all one color) and designed with a high-style European look. It was spectacular! Both Red and White Sangria were served with dinner. Assorted crusty breads with Spanish olive oil and fresh ground pepper accompanied the tapas trio which featured a beef and pork meatball, a duck tartlet and a Spanish ham and cabbage empanada. Delicious! Traditional Spanish Paella was served as the entree and was brimming over with chicken, sausage, shrimp and topped with mussels. A Flan trio was artistically served for dessert with mango, hazelnut and traditional flan done in a Gaudy design. Alan and the SBFD wait staff did an impeccable job…service and style. Alan did refuse to wear the matador hat though!
It was a superb meal and set the tone for a wonderful award ceremony. Ethan and Nancy were the most charming hosts and Millennium Productions provided state of the art sound, lighting and video…I can see why they are an award winner! The Coronado was part of two teams nominated for Best Wedding of the Year and they were beautiful!
I am honored that I received the inaugural Wedding Professional Hall of Fame Award 2009 for my 25 years of service in the bridal industry. I was so proud that I was given this prestigious award in my “second” home – The Coronado Ballroom – and with my Steven Becker Fine Dining Family. Wow! However I am really mad at myself because I never cry at weddings…it is a Rob Rule. But I did tear up when my name was called and all of my peers stood and gave me a standing ovation. It was truly one of the most special times in my life. A special thank you goes out to Ethan Woods and Nancy Warden Slade for finally giving the St. Louis Wedding Community the recognition that they deserve. And to my right arm Jaci Burgess, of all life’s lessons, find your passion, learn your craft and do what you love. To the over one thousand brides I have worked with, I thank you and know that take a little bit of magic from your event and keep it in my heart.

Rob Schaefer
St. Louis Wedding Professional Hall of Fame