Ceremony Site: Japanese Garden in the Missouri Botanical Gardens

These two photos were taken at the Japanese Garden of the Missouri Botanical Gardens this past Monday. For March, this is incredibly beautiful weather, with blue skies and white blossoms.

This will be the location of our wedding ceremony in September, and we hope it will be beautiful in a different sort of way.

Address:
Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 577-5100

Click HERE to visit the Gardens website.

Click HERE to get maps of the Gardens.

Click HERE for directions to the Gardens. Please note there may be construction going on, so check the website as you prepare your travel plans.

Black and Ivory with Gold Accents

We've finally decided our colors: black and ivory with gold accents.

Black because it makes everyone look slimmer and it is an easy color to find in our closets as well as in all the stores. Ivory because we want something classy, and neutral, and which would balance out the deep black. And gold because we need some shine, some gloss, to highlight the mood and bring some brightness and joy to what often can seem like a too formal, serious affair.

Despite what traditions say, we believe it is absolutely ok to be decked out in all black; if you prefer the satin-y ivory look -- that is fine, too. If you choose to wear all gold -- make sure you're in my photos so that your bling will distract from my (inevitable) shiny (oily) nose.

Most importantly: wear whatever makes you happy, and comfortable. The weather is unpredictable; it might be rainy or too hot and humid. Keep in mind that you'll want to look happy -- uncomfortable clothes and shoes will make you look unhappy. (Shoes that hurt give you that >pinched< look.)

Ladies, footwear might be an issue since we'll be outdoors and your high heels might sink into the grass at Powell Gardens.

It would be wise to have an umbrella nearby - for sun or for rain.

Rain or shine, we'll be at the Japanese Garden!

xoxo
frank and hat

Location, Location, Location

Breaking News:

The Diez-Tran wedding ceremony will be held at the Japanese Garden at the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis, MO.

This will be an outdoor ceremony overlooking the Japanese lake and footbridge.

In case of inclement weather, we have a back-up site: the Shoenberg Theatre.

However, we both would prefer not to be married in a constructed theatre building, so we encourage everyone to watch the weather forecasts and bring umbrellas.

A little rain won't hurt and might actually help cool us off!

Guests attending the wedding can stay after our ceremony to enjoy the Botanical Gardens free of charge. No parking fees; no entrance fees. You'll just need to show that you're invited to the Diez-Tran wedding.

We also will get unlimited photo-taking at all Garden sites. So, charge up your cameras and i-devices! Practice your pretty smiles!

A few notes to keep in mind:

1. No rice, flower petals, birdseed, confetti, paper or balloons may be thrown or distributed. However, you may shower us with thanks for selecting such a magnificent venue in St. Louis and not in Kansas City.

2. We'll be outdoors, so the chairs will not be as comfortable as the cushioned pews in a church setting. And ladies, your spiky heels might go right through the grass; select your footwear carefully

3. Weather in St. Louis is finicky. Watch the weather forecasts and either bring a fan to cool off or an umbrella to stay dry!

No matter the weather and no matter the setting, we are happy to have this special day under the sun to celebrate among family and friends.

xoxo,
frankie and hat

(These photo images below were not taken by us, but if/when we get a chance to get photos taken there, we'll update.) 

Date Settled! September 24, 2016

Date selected.

Change date. 

New date selected. 

Changed date. 

Third try at fixing a date...why is it so hard?

Three time's a charm. 

We are thrilled to announce that we finally have a date confirmed. 

Saturday, September 24, 2016. 11:00am. 

Mark your calendars!!