This past weekend we celebrated Jen & Kevin’s wedding at the historic Lemp Mansion.   The first thing people ask me when they hear “Lemp Mansion”.  Ah yes that place is haunted.  I’m sure you will see lots of unusual things there.

The Lemp Mansion was built in the early 1860′s and was subsequently purchased by William J. Lemp as a residence and auxiliary brewery office. Although it was already an impressive structure, Lemp used his massive brewery fortune to turn the thirty-three room house into a Victorian showplace.
The demise of the Lemp empire is one of the great mercantile mysteries of St. Louis. The first major fissure in the Lemp dynasty occurred when Frederick Lemp, William’s favorite son and the heir apparent to the brewery presidency, died under mysterious circumstances in 1901. Three years later, William J. Lemp shot himself in the head in a bedroom at the family mansion, apparently still grieving the loss of his beloved Frederick. William J. Lemp, Jr. succeeded his father as president.
Tragedy continued to stalk the Lemps with startling ardor. The brewery’s fortunes continued to decline until Prohibition (1919) closed the plant permanently. William Jr.’s sister Elsa, who was considered the wealthiest heiress in St. Louis, committed suicide in 1920. On June 28, 1922, the magnificent Lemp brewery, which had once been valued at $7 million and covered ten city blocks, was sold at auction to International Shoe Co. for $588,500. Although most of the company’s assets were liquidated, the Lemps continued to have an almost morbid attachment for the family mansion. After presiding over the sale of the brewery, William J. Lemp, Jr. shot himself in the same building where his father died eighteen years earlier. His son, William Lemp III, was forty-two when he died of a heart attack in 1943. William Jr.’s brother, Charles, continued to reside at the house after his brother’s suicide. An extremely bitter man, Charles led a reclusive existence until he too died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The body was discovered by his brother, Edwin.  

Said to be one of the ten most haunted places in America, the Lemp Mansion in St. Louis, Missouri, continues to play host to the tragic Lemp family. Over the years, the mansion was transformed from the stately home of millionaires, to office space, decaying into a run-down boarding house, and finally restored to its current state as a fine dinner theatre, restaurant and bed and breakfast.

Now dispite the history of the Lemp Mansion, the hauntings of the past decided to give Jen & Kevin their blessings this past Saturday August 14, 2010 as the two were united in marriage.   No ghosts showed themselves before, during or even after the ceremony.  No orbs were noted, no gleams of light scene.  There were sparks flying as The first kiss was had, and the bubbles danced in the breeze.   Happiness lingered as family and friends witnessed what true love is. 

The heat was on,  and that’s no lie.  Temps neared 100 degrees and the sun beat down on us.  And occasionally  the words, it’s just to hot out were heard.  Non the less, frequent breaks in an air conditioned limo bus and cool refreshments enabled us to venture out to some of the most spectacular sights of St. Louis for wedding portraits.

No Gaga about this wedding.  The first dance, was indeed a suprise to Kevin.  Should we say Kevin was a bit poker faced when their first dance began?   Priceless indeed! 

The whole day was a blast.  We had the “Time of our Life”  And the wedding party, now you want to talk about fun.  How about that toast by the best man?

And the wink on Jen’s face as I asked her, before they cut the cake.  Are you going to be a good girl?   Fun loving, crazy wild kind of fun.  Are just a few words I would use to describe these guys.  Thank you Jen, Kevin and both of your familys for sharing your special day with us.  Thanks Doreen for your assistance. 

Now here’s a preview from Jen & Kevin’s Lemp Mansion Wedding
Be sure to check out the extended version on our facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/TimelessExpressionsPhotography

This story touched many lives, family, friends, and the community.   Fundraisers have been and still are going on to help Officer Matt Crosby.  I received an email from one fundraiser event planner asking if I would be willing to donate an item to help raise money for Officer Crosby.   I was honored and touched at the same time.  Thinking to myself what could I give that would raise any amount of money to help this family.  I donated a family portrait package.  In hopes tbat money would be raised to help Officer Matt Crosby.                                                                Last evening  I finally got to meet the family who won the raffle of this portrait package.  We met at Faust Park for family portraits.  Portraits for a cause.  That has a nice ring to it.   Nothing is as priceless as family.

“Other things may change us, but we start and end with family”.  “No matter what you’ve done for yourself or for humanity, if you can’t look back on haven given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished?”

Portraits for a cause are priceless!  I later found out that our portrait package helped raise almost $750.00.    I challenge area photographers to join in with me.  Together we can help others and preserve precious memories and support the cause.

A Facebook page has been created for information about upcoming fundraisers: www.facebook.com/home.php

Thank you Officer Crosby for being a hero!  I hope to one day get to personally meet you and personally call you a hero!

Here are some portraits from our session last evening.

These two families will soon become one happy family.   Devin and her beautiful daughters, and Randy with his beautiful daughters and 1 lil grandbaby, Madeline.  Looks like Randy will be the only man in this clan.   Randy you’ve got it made!

Thanks for meeting up last night and introducing me to your wonderful families.  What a treat!   We can’t wait for the special day.

Heres a sneak peak from last night.

My goal as a wedding photographer is to capture your special day, but to capture all your special moments in life.  Thank you so much Angie and Bryan for introducing me to your beautiful little girl.    Anna,  I hope I get to meet you often, and watch you grow up to be a wonderful person, just like your mommy and daddy!