Chad & Elle Ruhwedel’s Stunning St. Louis Wedding | Former NHL Player Wedding at The World’s Fair Pavilion & Forest Park
There are some wedding days that stay with you forever, and Chad Ruhwedel and Elle’s wedding is one I still think about often — even all these years later.
As I prepare for another incredible wedding season here in 2026, I found myself revisiting some of my favorite galleries from the past decade. Chad and Elle’s wedding immediately came to mind. Their day was elegant, emotional, timeless, and deeply personal in a way that still resonates with me today.
This wedding was especially meaningful for me to photograph because Chad and I grew up together. Our parents went to high school together, and I’ve known Chad for most of my life. I grew up watching him skate, compete, and dedicate himself to hockey year after year. Seeing that hard work eventually lead him to the NHL was such a proud moment for so many people who knew him growing up.
To then stand beside him years later and document one of the most important days of his life felt incredibly full-circle.
Getting Ready at The Chase Park Plaza
The day began at The Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta St. Louis, where both Chad and Elle got ready surrounded by family and friends.
One of my favorite details from the morning were the custom beer steins Chad gifted each of his groomsmen. Each stein featured a personalized illustrated character sketch, giving every gift a playful and personal touch that reflected the bond he shares with his closest friends and teammates.
The entire morning was filled with candid, emotional moments that unfolded naturally:
Chad’s father, Rudy, helping him get ready
The groomsmen sharing beers and laughter together
Chad quietly reading a heartfelt letter from Elle
A tearful mother-son moment while Chad’s boutonniere was pinned into place
Even the wardrobe details carried meaning. Each groomsman had their initials embroidered onto their shirt sleeves — a subtle but beautiful reminder of the lifelong teammates Chad has surrounded himself with off the ice.
Those kinds of intentional details always make a wedding feel deeply personal, and Chad and Elle infused that spirit into every part of their day.
A Beautiful Outdoor Ceremony at The World’s Fair Pavilion
Guests traveled from the hotel to World's Fair Pavilion via trolley and limo van, which added such a classic St. Louis wedding feel to the day.
The ceremony itself was held outdoors beneath the pavilion and surrounded by family, friends, and summer greenery. Chad and Elle exchanged vows and shared communion together during the ceremony, creating a heartfelt and reverent atmosphere that felt deeply grounded in love and family.
To this day, the bridal party portraits we captured at the World’s Fair Pavilion remain some of my favorite wedding photographs I have ever taken.
“Timeless” is a word that gets used often in the wedding industry, but these images genuinely feel timeless to me. The soft color palette, classic styling, emotional connection, and natural interactions between Chad and Elle created photographs that still feel just as beautiful years later as they did in 2018.
Their portraits are a reminder to me that meaningful photography never goes out of style.
An Emotional Reception at Forest Park
The celebration continued at the Trolley Room at the Forest Park Visitor Center, where guests gathered for an evening full of heartfelt speeches, emotional first dances, incredible food, and a packed dance floor.
There were tears. There was laughter. There were quiet moments between family members and loud moments with everyone singing along together on the dance floor.
It was one of those receptions where you could genuinely feel how loved Chad and Elle are by the people around them.
Looking back through these photographs today reminds me why I love documenting weddings so much. Years later, these moments still carry weight. They still transport people back to how the day felt.
And as I head into the 2026 wedding season, I feel incredibly grateful for every couple who trusts me to preserve memories like these.
Chad and Elle — thank you again for allowing me to tell your story. Your wedding remains one of the most meaningful and timeless celebrations I’ve ever had the honor of documenting.