Introducing the 2026 Looks of Love Winner
We’re thrilled to announce Leah + Ollie as the winners of the 2026 Looks of Love Contest! Over the past three days, the St. Louis community showed up in full force to support their favorite love stories, and we couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who participated. A huge congratulations to Leah + Ollie!
2026 Looks of Love Top 8
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’re thrilled to announce the finalists of Wed Society St. Louis’s annual Looks of Love contest! There’s truly nothing more heartwarming than reading a love story and seeing beautiful photos that capture the special bond between two people. Over the past two weeks, our team has read and admired the many amazing love stories shared with us and has selected the top 8 couples to enter our Instagram voting competition, kicking off on Wednesday, February 11th! Get a jumpstart on reading the incredible love stories of these 8 couples and tune in each day to @wedsociety.stlouis to vote for your favorite couples and love story. The winner will be announced on Saturday, February 14th and will receive a $150 gift card to a restaurant of their choice and a stunning seasonal floral arrangement from Serendipity Floral Design.
Photo // Films by Victoria
Sophie & Drew
Sophie and Drew’s story began as student-athletes at Missouri S&T, where their worlds collided through sports and shared laughs with friends. Even when 2020 sent them home early, they made the most of every moment with sweet fishing trips, sunny golf dates, and cozy movie nights. The beginning of their love story was truly the best part of 2020!
One year ago, the pair took a family trip to Mexico that lined up perfectly with Valentine’s Day and their five-year anniversary. To celebrate this special milestone, they planned a quiet dinner together on their last night—just the two of them. Before heading to dinner, while the rest of the family left for their reservations, Drew suggested they take a walk along the beach. Sophie felt the walk was unusually quiet, and she could tell Drew was nervous about something. Then, Drew stopped, turned to Sophie, got down on one knee, and asked her to marry him. Of course, she said yes! Afterward, they went to their dinner reservation and celebrated with family and champagne. Sophie said, “It was the most perfect and unforgettable moment in our love story so far.”
Photo // Sunday Film House
Brice & Isaac
Luckily, their story doesn’t end there! Isaac told his QB trainer that he thought Brice was the most beautiful sports reporter, and that he was dying to get to know her more. By this time, Brice had moved to Champaign, Illinois. Out of the blue on Valentine’s Day, Isaac snappchatted Brice, saying, “Happy Valentine’s Day to the cutest sports reporter.” To his surprise, she actually responded with a similar message. “I never thought she would respond, let alone think I was cute,” said Isaac.
At the end of the offseason, while driving home, Isaac decided to make an excuse to see Brice and take her on a date. From that point on, he knew she was the coolest girl and absolutely gorgeous. Even though the drive between them was nearly an hour and a half, Isaac would shrug it off and tell her, “It’s only like forty-five minutes, no big deal!”
Eventually, Isaac set up a scavenger hunt around Champaign in all the fun places the pair had been together. At the end, Isaac had flowers and treats waiting for Brice and asked her to be his girlfriend. “From there, the rest is history.” – Isaac
Photo // Lucas Sellem
Leah & Ollie
For six out of their seven sweet years together, Leah and Ollie’s love story spanned oceans and state lines! The pair met at the University of Oklahoma while both were studying meteorology: Leah in her final year and Ollie during his study abroad program from the UK. From the beginning, Leah and Ollie were inseparable and shared a love for the outdoors, weather, travel, sports, and running.
In 2025, after Ollie completed his PhD and just before moving to St. Louis, he proposed on the OU campus where they first met, proving what they have always known: “distance means nothing when someone is worth everything.”
Photo // Jenna Lynn Photography
Carly & Michael
Carly and Michael are high school sweethearts who have been side-by-side for over 10 years, starting way back when Michael was the team manager for Carly’s high school softball team. From cheering on the field to hitting the books together at Maryville University, they’ve been best friends through every season of life.
To celebrate their milestone 10th anniversary, Michael made a reservation at their favorite St. Louis restaurant in their cozy winter igloos. That night, he proposed through a scrapbook they had been updating and passing back and forth over their 10 years together. This time, he ended the final page with the perfect surprise: a proposal. “It was truly the sweetest and most special evening,” Carly said. Now, the childhood sweethearts are officially counting down the days until they say “I do” this May!
Photo // Melody Holland Photo
Kayla & Jacob
Jacob and Kayla first met in gym class, even though Jacob was a year ahead of Kayla. What began with a simple add on Snapchat led to one meaningful date. While they felt an instant connection, Kayla had just come out of a relationship and hadn’t yet begun her walk with Jesus. Out of respect for Jacob’s kind and genuine heart, Kayla chose to step back.
Exactly one year later, after walking through many refining seasons and coming to truly know Christ, Kayla began seeking the Lord wholeheartedly and realized the man she prayed for—one who would point her to Jesus and love her unconditionally—had been Jacob all along. Jacob never stopped pursuing her, and over five years, they have shared an amazing, loving life together. On Christmas Eve, Jacob popped the question, and Kayla said yes! Now, the pair is joyfully preparing to stand before God and their families as two broken people made whole in Christ, choosing each other daily with God firmly at the center of their marriage.
Photo // Lauren Michele Productions
Samantha & Neil
Samantha and Neil were introduced through mutual friends. Samantha will never forget one of the first things Neil’s friend told her—that when Neil loves someone, he is fiercely loyal. Over the last four years, Neil has shown Samantha this fierce love in the simplest and most meaningful ways: countless home-cooked meals, little gestures that let her know how much he cares, and by always showing up for everything that matters to Samantha, their friends, and their families. The pair is the perfect match, with Samantha’s outgoing personality complementing Neil’s quiet, shy side. They are so much better together.
The past year has brought many hard moments in Samantha’s life, including health challenges and surgery, but Neil never wavered and stood by her through it all. “When he asked me to be his wife during a trip to Traverse City last August, there was never a question because he’s had my heart since our very first date,” said Samantha.
Photo // Weddings by Sarah
Leah & Cade
Leah and Cade met five years ago thanks to a mutual friend who was convinced they’d be perfect for each other. From the moment they met, their lives have been intertwined in the most meaningful way. Together, they’ve grown through so many seasons of change—finishing college, stepping into adult careers, navigating long distance during Cade’s state police academy training, becoming homeowners, and learning the joys (and chaos) of dog parenting with their three-year-old mini goldendoodle.
Through every challenge and milestone, they have chosen each other again and again. No matter how difficult life has felt at times, their shared faith, deep love, unwavering dedication, and perseverance have been the foundation of their relationship. They are endlessly grateful for the journey that brought them here and are so excited to continue their love story as they begin their forever together, getting married in August of 2026.
Photo // Catherine Rhodes Photography
Danielle & Andrew
Be sure to vote on Wed Society St. Louis’s Instagram stories every day from Wednesday, February 11th – Saturday, February 14th and cheer on your favorite couple!
