Blog Post

Nerf Guns and Cupid's Bows

Hibu Websites • November 3, 2020

Molly and John's fall wedding

We at Clarice’s Bridal Fashions adore a good love story! Molly and John’s sweet meeting and relationship certainly qualify. When asked about meeting John, Molly lit up! “I love this story so much,” she said with a grin. The pair met in college in the most charming way! They lived in the same building at Bowling Green State University and engaged in group activities to meet one another and develop friendships. “He was my next-door neighbor. . . To get to know everyone, we had a nerf gun fight,” Molly explained. “He happened to hit my glasses, and [the toy bullet] stuck!” Circumstance seemed to draw them together, as John landed two more toy bullets on Molly’s glasses!

The following years were spent growing their relationship and facing life changes together. The pair were perfectly matched with similar personalities and a shared “quirkiness.” Molly said of their relationship, “I feel like we’re different but the same in a way. . . Emotionally, we are on the same level, which is good. . . We each bring something different to the relationship because we both have our likes. We click in a weird way.” By the time Molly was ready for graduate school, she and John were serious about their future together. Having grown up in St. Louis, Molly dreamed of returning to her roots, and John was happy to build roots there as well. “He didn’t even think twice when I got into grad school here in St. Louis,” Molly gushed. “He said, ‘Let’s move there together.'"

In time, it became obvious to both Molly and John that they were headed toward marriage. They joked about proposals, and Molly often reminded John to make sure she was “engagement ready.” “I was always telling John, ‘When you propose, make sure I look good because I’m sure I’ll want photos!'” Molly recalled. It was this advice that made John’s plans for engagement so transparent! He suggested Molly get a manicure and have her hair touched up, so she knew what was coming. The pair took a stroll through Forest Park during which John popped the question! Molly’s cousin accompanied the couple to take pictures. Of the proposal, Molly said, “It was pretty private, which was nice. That’s what I wanted!”

With an official engagement, wedding planning commenced! “The first half was great! I loved every minute of it and wasn’t stressed at all. Then COVID hit, and it wasn’t so fun anymore.” Molly’s mother was a huge help in easing the burden. “It was a really fun bonding experience with me and her!” Molly said. In addition to the help received from her mother, John’s parents provided significant support. Molly explained that she had heard “horror stories” about monstrous in-laws and was grateful for their kindness.

In the planning process, Molly chose Clarice’s Bridal as her first bridal shop. Though it was her first wedding gown shopping experience, she fell in love with a gown by Eddy K. “I tried on maybe five dresses, and I found my dress,” Molly recalled. She also found the Clarice’s staff to be just what she needed! “It was the most positive experience. . . I felt very overwhelmed when I saw how many dresses you guys had. I just told [Brandi] a few things I liked, and she did all the pulling for me so I didn’t have to worry!” Molly purchased her gown, belt, and veil that day!

The pair chose to go through with their original wedding date of September 6, 2020, limiting the number of guests to about one hundred people. The ceremony took place at Sts. Mary and Joseph Chapel in Carondelet. Molly said, “It was just an overall perfect day!” Her father officiated the wedding, and his words moved the crowd. “I still go back and listen to his speech [at the reception.] It was so sweet! Everyone—even the staff—came up and said they [had] never [seen] a dad with such a good speech. . .” To other brides, Molly advises they cherish the process, because the actual wedding day will “be over in a blink!” She suggests people take lots of pictures so they can look back at their memories and the highlights of the day.

Post-wedding, Molly and John are waiting for the state of the world to settle before they enjoy a honeymoon. They are hoping to travel in the summer of 2021, COVID-19 permitting. Molly was raised in St. Louis and plans to stay in the area long-term. “It was always my dream to move back because I was born here and left for a while.” With John by her side, Molly’s St. Louis dreams are coming true! Congratulations and best wishes to Molly and John!