I Photographed a Real Wedding in a Photography Class… and It Might’ve Broken a World Record

Every spring, I pack up my camera gear, clear my schedule, and head into three days of total creative chaos at Shutterfest—a photography conference held right here in St. Louis. It’s where I recharge, try weird new things, learn from the best in the business, and maybe (just maybe) witness a spontaneous wedding with a few dozen cameras pointed at the couple.

Yep, that really happened.

Florals adorn the Gothic Corridor within St. Louis Union Station, complimenting the antique green tiles & intricate architecture.

When Learning and Life Collide in the Most Unexpected Way

One thing about me: I’m always thinking about how to make the experience better for my couples. That goes way beyond taking pretty photos—so each year I invest in continuing education, meetups, and new ways to challenge myself creatively.

Shutterfest, hosted at the Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, is where thousands of photographers and videographers gather for nonstop learning, hands-on classes, and full-on creative energy. You shoot. You sweat. You stay late talking about business strategy with strangers-turned-friends. You try things you’ve never tried before.

Bride & Groom show their personalized conference t-shirts featuring the slogan "Shoot. Learn. Marry." at the photography conference, cleverly modified from the original "Shoot. Learn. Party."

This year, I signed up for a class called Rock Your Styled Shoot led by Jewels Gray of White Buffalo Photography. Styled shoots are usually fun, low-stress setups that allow us to explore visual storytelling without the pressure of a real wedding. Or so I thought.

Because here’s the thing: our “models” were not just models. They were Ciara Sant’Angelo (@thestlgaga) and Ethan Fischbach (@ethanfischbach)—a real couple who met at Shutterfest, got engaged at Shutterfest… and were about to get legally married right in front of our class. Like, in an hour.

Cue the gasps. Cue the camera scramble. Cue the coolest surprise ever.

Yes, It Was a Real Wedding. And Yes, It Was Beautiful.

For the first hour, we photographed every dreamy wedding detail that was planned to perfection by Luna + Co Events:

A custom stationery suite by Chelsey Huff Design

Flowers by Fields and Fern

Cake magic by Simply Sweet Sensations

The dress? A stunner from Elysee by Enzoani

The most epic Veil by Tesoro Si

Rings from Little Mia Jewelry and Ladies and Gents Bands

The venue? The insanely gorgeous Gothic Corridor at St. Louis Union Station Hotel

Rentals from: Epicurean Tablescapes (tablescapes), Zhush Rentals (linens), All Seasons Party Rentals (tables and chairs), and The High Bar Experience (bar)

Ethan arrived slightly before the ceremony and, being the total pro that he is, was more than happy to step in for a few photos. But you could see the nerves and the realness of the moment catching up with him. And honestly? We love a boundary king. He let us know he needed a few minutes of quiet to ground himself before the ceremony, and it was such a beautiful reminder that even “styled” weddings are deeply personal when they’re real.

At 3:00 p.m., Ciara walked down the aisle in front of a sea of photographers. Dozens of shutters clicked in sync as Ethan smiled through misty eyes. We filled the seats. We captured it all.

Someone joked that we were maybe breaking a Guinness World Record for most photographers at a wedding. Honestly? It wouldn’t surprise me.

And the coolest part? Last year, I actually got to photograph an engagement session for Ciara and Ethan, so this whole thing felt full-circle in the best way.

Planning a wedding that’s totally your own vibe? Let’s connect and talk about how your day can look and feel like you—not like a Pinterest board.

Champagne Towers, Real Priorities, and One Last Shot

After the ceremony, just a handful of us photographers stuck around to capture a quick cake cutting and a bubbly champagne tower moment (yes, coupe glasses and all—it was amazing).

As professional models, Ciara and Ethan knew exactly what they were signing up for with this kind of event. Thousands of photos were guaranteed, so their top priority after the toast? Spending time with each other and a few close loved ones. Totally understandable.

Before they slipped away, though, a few of us got one last shot with them inside the Grand Hall at Union Station, in front of the massive Allegorical Window, a famous stained Tiffany glass piece from the 1890s that just glows. If you haven’t been, they put on a 3D light show in that bar area every hour, which is seriously perfect for a date night in St. Louis.

In front of the stunning Allegorical Window, the couple enjoys one last romantic photo moment before kicking off their cozy wedding celebration privately.

Big Feels, Small Guest Lists

One of the things I loved most about Ciara and Ethan’s day was how it embraced the spirit of a micro wedding—intimate, intentional, and centered around what mattered most to them. There weren’t hundreds of guests, a packed dance floor, or an endless timeline. Instead, it was short, meaningful, and soaked in the experience. More and more couples are choosing this kind of celebration: fewer people, deeper moments, and less pressure to “perform.” If that’s what you’re dreaming of, you're not alone, and your day can be just as stunning, stylish, and full of life without being over the top.

If you’re dreaming up a wedding that doesn’t play by the rules, values experience over tradition, and puts your connection first, I’d be honored to help you remember it forever. Reach out here and let’s start planning something uniquely you.