Washington University in St. Louis Chapel Wedding

Lauren Lamb (24 and a law student) and Joseph (Joe) Kiefner (24 and a petroleum engineer) got married in December, but they steered clear of red and gold décor. “We didn’t want it to be overtly Christmasy,” Lauren says. “We chose a classic, elegant design.” They filled the Marriott St. Louis Grand’s marble ballroom with black linens, silver candleholders and evergreen garlands. There was just one nod to the holiday: Carolers and a tree hung with glass ornaments that doubled as favors and escort cards.
Lauren wore a silk taffeta ball gown, and Joe sported a vintage tux belonging to his new father-in-law.
Lauren carried peonies, roses, ruscus, camellia, boxwood and juniper.
Lauren and Joe danced to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran. Sugar ruscus leaves framed a silver monogram on the buttercream-frosted chocolate-and-vanilla cake. Place settings had beaded chargers, mercury glass candles and place cards with dierent colored wax seals to indicate meal choices: mushroom- and-ricotta stued chicken or filet of beef.