Lauren and Andrew’s love story is one that began long before romance ever entered the picture. Growing up in the same small Missouri town, their families intertwined through generations of friendship and shared history—grandparents knew each other, parents went to school together, and as children, Lauren and Andrew were simply part of each other’s everyday world. Years later, that bond would deepen into best friendship, and eventually blossom into a love worth traveling across the country to celebrate.
Their wedding, set in the peaceful beauty of Cooperstown, New York, was designed with the kind of intentionality that only comes from knowing exactly what matters most. With only 36 of their closest loved ones gathered lakeside, Lauren and Andrew curated a day that felt like an elegant family dinner—intimate, heartfelt, and rich with personal touches. From the handmade florals and Lauren’s custom-designed gown to the multi-course Italian dinner inspired by their travels, every detail was a reflection of their story. Even the rain paused just long enough to grant them the ceremony of their dreams—under soft skies, surrounded by the people who shaped their journey.
This is a wedding that reminds us that love doesn’t have to follow a formula—it just has to be yours.
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
We met in elementary school in 2005. Andrew was 2 years older than me, and we went to the same school until we both graduated. We knew each other really well, but did not become interested until I (lauren) was a freshman in high school and Andrew was a junior. We had a few classes together and that’s where we really became best friends. We started dating in April 2015.
Describe a hurdle you had to overcome in your relationship or during your wedding planning.
There were a few hurdles in our wedding planning. First, we chose to get married in New York even though we live in Missouri. Lauren’s parents used to live there and it was a special place for her. We booked our venue, caterer, rehearsal venue and caterer, makeup, and hair without having ever met any of those vendors. Once the snow melted, we were able to visit in May before the wedding to see where we were getting married. The other hurdle was rain. All of our wedding was outside, and it poured the whole day. Everyone was urging us to rent a tent, but that just wasn’t what we envisioned for our day. It stopped raining about 10 minutes before our ceremony, and we were able to have our perfect day.
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
My (Lauren) vows were centered around our family connection. Our parents went to school together, my grandpa would go to Andrew’s grandpas farm auctions, my mom as a kid would play with kittens at Andrew’s great uncles’ feed store. My grandpa was Andrews’s step mom’s 5th grade teacher. There are so many more connections our family has, and it truly does feel like all of those connections lead to us being together.
What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you?
Andrew: before we got married, Lauren and I sat together in another room waiting for the rain to stop and for everyone to head out to the ceremony. We just sat and listened to all of our favorite people gathered in the other room
Lauren: the most important part for me was during dinner. I had dreamt up this scene of everyone at our wedding enjoying dinner and chatting while sitting on the porch, having dinner by candle light. It was exactly as I had imagined, and it felt like the perfect moment as Andrew and I got to sit together alone and take everything in. It was such a perfect time to sit together and just be so happy.
If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?
Have the wedding day that you want. It’s easy to feel pressured to have this big, picture perfect day. Andrew and I wanted our wedding to be simple, and just be able to declare our love in front of the people we loved most. We traveled to upstate New York from Missouri with 36 of our closest family and friends and it was such a laid back day. We didn’t feel any pressure or stress and that was honestly the most perfect day for us.
What is the most honest thing you can say about love?
Love is very different for every couple, and no ones love looks exactly the same. When you’re trying to find the one, you feel like love has to look like a certain thing or fall into a mold. Love doesn’t have to fit into a box, it can be whatever you at your partner make it to be, and that’s great.
Photographer: Juliana Grace Photography / @julianagracephoto
Videographer: Two Chairs / @joshellenburg
Venue: Otsego Golf Club / @otsegogolfclub
Hair Stylist: Hair Artistry by Marlysa / @hairartistrybymarlysa
DJ: All Event Entertainment / @allevententertainment
Catering: Erie Station Bar & Grill
Cake: Erie Station Bar & Grill
Bridal Dress Boutique: J Marie’s Formal Affairs / @jmariesformals
Invites: GNK Designs Co / @gnkdesignsco
Rings: Zickfield’s Jewelry & Gifts / @zickfieldsjewelry.gifts
Shoes: Jessica Simpson / @jessicasimpson
Earrings: Anthropologie / @anthropologie
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal / @davidsbridal
Groom Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / @menswearhouse
Florist: Art Farm Flowers / @artfarmcutflowers
Getting Ready Location: VRBO Property in Cooperstown, NY
Publisher at The White Wren and Bajan Wed, Award Winning Photography + Videographer at Live View Studios, Dad, 80s music lover, crunchy health advocate
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