Vows That Wow: Caroline & Kolton’s First-Class Love Story

Welcome to our latest edition of “Vows That Wow”! At Wed Society | St. Louis, we receive breathtaking weddings from across the region, each brought to life by talented vendors and couples who trust us to share their story. Every month, our editorial team selects one celebration that stands out for its beauty, personality, and thoughtful details to be honored as our monthly winner.

From an unfortunate foot stomp at a West Philadelphia pool party to a choreographed first dance at the historic St. Louis Union Station, Caroline and Kolton’s journey is a testament to the idea that some connections are simply “Biblical.” Their wedding weekend was a vibrant celebration of their shared history, their individual roots, and the meticulous details that make a wedding a core memory for every guest.

HOW THEY MET

The story of Caroline and Kolton didn’t start with a spark, but rather a stumble. Both were student-athletes at UPenn—Kolton on the varsity football team and Caroline on the varsity gymnastics team—living just blocks apart for three years without ever truly crossing paths. That changed in the spring of 2019 during the school’s legendary “Pool Party.” In a sea of people, Kolton accidentally stepped on Caroline’s toe, leaving a physical mark that lasted nearly a year and a conversational opening they’d revisit much later.

It wasn’t until December 12, 2020, that the universe staged a proper reunion. On a last-minute trip to New York City, Kolton found himself at the same party as Caroline. They hit it off immediately, talking until the room was empty. Despite the state lines between NYC and Philly, they spent the next two years becoming “Amtrak’s most valuable customers,” traveling back and forth as they fell in love while hiking the Cliffs of Moher and skiing black diamonds in Big Sky. Eventually, Caroline packed her bags for Philly in 2023, setting the stage for a lifetime of adventures together.

THE SETTING

For their September 6, 2025, nuptials, the couple returned to Caroline’s roots in St. Louis, Missouri. The weekend kicked off with a “Western Chic” welcome party at the iconic Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Guests arrived in cocktail attire paired with cowboy boots and bolo ties, posing for photos with a special guest: Bandit the Clydesdale. To commemorate the start of the weekend, the couple gifted guests custom satin bandanas by Fête Society, personalized with illustrations of places meaningful to their relationship.

The ceremony was held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, a church deeply rooted in family history, as Caroline’s parents had been married there exactly 35 years prior. Following the “I dos,” the celebration moved to the Grand Hall at Saint Louis Union Station, where the 19th-century terminal’s architectural grandeur provided a cinematic backdrop for their reception.

THE DETAILS

Caroline and Kolton focused on balancing wedding necessities with personalized details that told their story. Designs by P set the tone with custom invitations and intricate signage that carried their signature motifs throughout the venue.

The cocktail hour was a highlight of the “Dream Team’s” work, featuring:

• Stationery & Signage: A grand seating chart by Designs by P featured escort cards designed as “train tickets,” a nod to the venue’s history and the couple’s many Amtrak miles.
• Custom Linens: Fête Society created monogrammed embroidered napkins, while paper napkins were printed with real notes the couple had written to each other years ago.
• Signature Sips: Guests enjoyed cocktails garnished with custom stir sticks and held with napkins featuring the couple’s “KC” monogram, also crafted by Fête Society.

The evening was filled with nods to their favorite things, from a non-traditional guest book made of playing cards to a late-night snack of New Jersey-style Taylor Ham, egg, and cheese bagels paired with St. Louis’ own Ted Drewes frozen custard.

FAVORITE MOMENT

For Kolton, the highlight remains the moment the doors of Our Lady of Lourdes swung open. “The sun was radiating over Caroline, a perfect silhouette that was so picturesque,” he recalls. Seeing her full of joy as she walked down the aisle to “Oceans” made it impossible to hold back his emotions.

For Caroline, the first dance stands out. After months of practice, they performed a choreographed routine to “Biblical” by Calum Scott. “By our wedding day, it was second nature,” Caroline says. “We weren’t thinking about remembering steps and could be fully present in the moment. It’s something we’ll carry with us forever, and 50 years from now, we’ll still be clearing space in the living room dancing to the same song again and again.”