It was 2004, at Christmastime, and Cheree had flown from New York to visit her parents in the small town outside of St. Louis where she grew up. A mutual friend had suggested that she meet Jeff, an attorney. She agreed but didn't imagine that anything would come of it. To her amazement, "we clicked immediately," says Cheree. She and Jeff spent the rest of the holidays together, and a year later, she moved back to St. Louis, happy to have found a great guy (who lived near her family, to boot) and ready to start her own business. Here, Jeff and Cheree share a sweet treat after the ceremony.

Laughter is something that comes naturally to Cheree. As owner of Cheree Berry Paper, a stationery and graphic-design company, her goal, she says, is always "to evoke a big smile." And that's surely the reaction Cheree and Jeff's wedding guests had when they opened their mailboxes to find thick, creamy envelopes addressed in swirls of red calligraphy, with the words love mail printed in the corner -- all designed, of course, by the bride herself. Different printing techniques (including engraving and letterpress), unexpected touches (the origami chart of St. Louis attractions), and fanciful details (the bee on the reply card) give a richly layered feel. Cheree, deeming a palette of reds, oranges, and pinks "too perfect," laced it with robin's egg blue.

Cheree gives a peek of color with red Stuart Weitzman open-toe pumps.

"From the first day I met her, I was fascinated by the way her brain comes up with all the little details," says Jeff. "With Cheree, you never know what's going to happen next." Maybe not, but chances are, it will make him smile. Here, the bride enjoys a quiet moment.

Cheree wears a Carolina Hererra lace gown and carries a bouquet of red, pink, and orange ranunculus with a single tiny golden bee -- one of the motifs she often uses in her work as a stationer -- perched among the flowers. The embroidered hankie, her something blue, is a gift from Martha Stewart Weddings editorial director Darcy Miller.

Giant signs spell out the sentiment of the day; attendants will turn the signs to reveal "XOXO" after the announcement, "You may kiss the bride."

Washington University in St. Louis, where Cheree was an undergraduate and Jeff earned his law and business degrees, serves as the ceremony site.

The beaming bride, whose gown boasts a removable bottom tier, and her groom with their parents, (from left) Bill and Jackie Berry, and Judy and Ron York.

The bridesmaids, wearing Siri dresses, carry simple, brightly colored nosegays.

Everything to do with their September 13 wedding bore Cheree's creative imprint, from the jaw-dropping invitation suite to the charming paper "chargers" on the tables to the nostalgic touches that punctuated the event. Cheree created light-pink card-stock "chargers" printed with their names and wedding date. The trumpeter on the place card (which doubles as a menu) hints at Jeff's love of music. A card invites guests to save room for dessert. Just behind it is a port glass with a chocolate and a monogrammed tag balanced on top. For the centerpiece, dahlias, zinnias, and roses form a neat dome.

The happy couple raises glasses of bubbly.

Oversize white napkins letterpressed in red add a punch of color.

An extra-long table is roomy enough to seat the couple and close relatives. Cheree's inspired settings are proof that paper can be as elegant as crystal.

The bride and groom cut the main cake; her headpiece, designed by Cheree and custom made, boasts a lace rose and a "messy, asymmetrical arrangement of tulle."

Sitting alongside a bowl of chocolate pennies, the his-and-hers grab bags are arranged on risers for guests to choose from.

"I wanted to bring memories from childhood as I went into married life," says Cheree. And in what may be the ultimate symbol of the way the bride looks at life -- with joyful, childlike wonder and a deep appreciation for the unexpected -- guests were sent home with grab bags filled with vintage dime-store finds, like whoopee cushions, googly-eye glasses, and Slinkys.

A magical moment in a stylish setting. To make the loft-style reception site "really feel like us," says Cheree, she and Jeff hung several 16-by-12-foot vinyl banners printed with Cheree's designs. This "Just Married" banner makes a fitting backdrop for the newlyweds' kiss. .

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