Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

Wedding Stationery

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.

Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

Red Pumps

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

Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

Bridal Bliss

"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.

Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

Something Blue

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.

Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

Giant Signs

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."

Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

Washington University

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

Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

The Family

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.

Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

Bridesmaids

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

Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

Lollipop Tree

A display of lollipops greeted guests post-ceremony and encouraged guests to tap into their inner children.

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Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

The Reception Table

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.

Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

Seating Card Display

Cheree based the design of the seating-card display on Plinko from "The Price Is Right."

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Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

A Reception Toast

The happy couple raises glasses of bubbly.

Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

Napkins

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

Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

Long Table

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.

Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

The Wedding Cake

A layered buttercream-frosted cake is decorated with lengths of ribbon; paper artist Denise Sharp transformed parts of the couple's stationery suite into the cake topper and paper swags. Slices of red velvet cake wrapped in papers stand in for the groom's cake. The bride crafted the crimson garlands in the background by spray painting foam balls and stringing them on fishing line.

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Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

Cake Cutting

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."

Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

Favor Bags

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

Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

Dime-Store Treats

"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.

Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

Newlywed Kiss

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. .

Real Wedding: Cheree and Jeff, St. Louis, Missouri

Sources

Ceremony Location: Graham Chapel at Washington University in St. Louis
Reception Location: Lumen
Event Planning: Rebecca Boillat of St. Louis Wedding Design
Catering: Lumen
Flowers: Bloomin' Buckets
Cake: Mathew Rice of Niche Restaurant
Stationery: Cheree Berry Paper
Calligraphy: Cheryl Tefft of Calligraphics
Music: The Ultraviolets
Wedding Photography: Susan Jackson
Gown: Carolina Herrera
Bride's Shoes:
Stuart Weitzman
Bridesmaids' Dresses: Siri
Groom's Suit: Jos. A. Bank
Tie: Murano from Dillard's
Hair: Jennifer Jones of Jones & Co. Hair Salon
Makeup: Suzy Bacino