A METROPOLITAN LOVE STORY
Zach & Sidney Baum
November 18, 2023
Written By | Meg Daniel
Photographer | Gambles Photography
Imagine the pressure. You have been dating for 5 years, you know she is “the one,” it is Christmas Eve and you are spending it with your family and the love of your life. Everyone is pestering you, “when are you going to get engaged?” “What is taking so long?” “Why haven’t you popped the question already?” But you have a secret, and there is something shiny in your pocket. You have been planning this moment for a while and you convince your girlfriend to take a picture in front of the Christmas tree. While she glances away, you drop to one knee and ask her to marry you. Let the family cry fest begin!
Zach and Sidney have lived this story. But once the pressure of engagement subsided, the fun of planning began! Sidney had already picked out a photographer before they were engaged. Her best friend had used photographer Erin Gamble for her wedding a few months prior and Sidney was amazed by her work. “Erin is just phenomenal. She is so much fun, I love her pictures. I knew I did not need to look anywhere else.”
But finding a venue was another story. Zach and Sidney did not want a barn or winery, but were looking for a space that was sleek and did not need to be overly decorated. When the couple saw Shadow Rock, they knew they found the perfect place to tie the knot. The ceremony could be outside in the amphitheater and they could have a reception inside. There were spaces for firepits and games, but the “reveal” door was jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Sidney could envision herself walking through that door to marry Zach.
The next task was to find the perfect dress. When Sidney went shopping for her best friend’s gown a few months back, she was impressed with Gracie’s Bridal Salon. The selection, customer service and prices had her hooked. She tried on all the dresses she thought she wanted as a little girl, but quickly realized that those were a “hard no.” After about 12 dresses, she found one that was a v-neck with applique to her knees, a beautiful train and said “yes to the dress.”
Zach found his suit at Men’s Warehouse. He was dead set on wearing a black tuxedo on his wedding day, but once Sidney convinced him that a navy blue suit would compliment his blue eyes, he relented.
Sidney, the oldest of 8 siblings, wanted both her father and stepfather to have a special part in the wedding. So her Dad, who just cried all day, walked her down the aisle and her stepfather was their officiant. While her Dad was emotional, Sidney knew Zach was not. She chose not to have a “first look” but wanted Erin to capture Zach’s expression when that gorgeous reveal door opened and there stood his bride. Sidney says it was worth every penny for that one shot – Erin captured the moment as Zach bawled his eyes out.
The cry fest continued when the couple exchanged vows. They decided to write their own and not knowing who would go first, her stepfather tapped Zach. Zach’s vows were, as Sidney says, “obnoxiously emotional” and heartfelt. His words melted her into a puddle of tears and everyone at the ceremony was weeping. She had to pull herself together to try and eke out her vows.
Instead of the traditional maid of honor and best man signing the marriage certificate, Zach and Sidney had a “witness lottery.” Everyone who attended the wedding had their names put into a bowl and 2 names were drawn out to sign their marriage certificate with the newlyweds. This gave everyone a chance to be a part of the wedding, including the seven year old cousin and adult stepsister who were chosen for this special privilege.
After the ceremony, the party moved indoors for a reception. The guests enjoyed a cocktail hour and taco bar from Macadoodles and Hy-Vee. Live Events Missouri DJ Mike was the greatest. Sidney says, “DJ Mike is just a whole party in himself. He was feeling us out and caught our vibe and took the party from there. He played a great variety of music and everyone danced all night!”
Zach is from the St. Louis area and loves Fitz’s root beer. So instead of a traditional wedding cake, the couple brought in a Fitz’s root beer keg and had root beer floats for dessert, complete with custom beer mugs.
So what are these newlyweds best advice for engaged couples? First, you never realize how long three to four minutes is until it is your first dance and everyone is watching you. Second, do what YOU want, not what everyone else expects you to do. Who cares if you do not serve cake but root beer floats instead, it is your wedding! But most importantly, have tissues and expect a glorious cry fest.
XOXO, MET WED
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Alterations – Gracie’s Bridal
Beverages/Bartending Service – Macadoodles
Bridal Gown – Gracie’s Bridal
Bridesmaids Gowns – Normans Bridal
Caterer – Hy-Vee
Entertainment – Live Events Missouri
Floral – Our Blessed Woods
MakeUp – 417 Glam Co.
Men’s Formalwear – Men’s Wearhouse
Photographer – Gambles Photography
Rootbeer Keg – Fitz’s
Venue Ceremony – The Venue at Shadow Rock
Wedding Rings – Zales
