iDO couple profile: Thomas & Caroline (Burdin) Foote

__How they fell in love:__ Tom and I met at Southeast Missouri State University, but we never crossed paths romantically until after college. There was an immediate spark that we hadn't experienced previously, and had our first date the next weekend. The proposal caught me by surprise. I came home to the house being a "Timeline of Us." Tom had taken favorite photos of us and written captions explaining what I meant to him when the photo was taken. It was like a diary of our love story, all leading up to him getting down on one knee and asking to continue making more memories and sharing a lifetime together.

__Wedding:__ Memorial Presbyterian Church, St. Louis

__Reception:__ The Ritz Carlton in St. Louis

__Colors:__ Red, gold, black and white

Shannon Duggan Photography

__What they wore:__ The bride wore a ballgown of ivory, English net and lace by Allure Bridals and a cathedral-length veil. The dress had a strapless sweetheart neckline and embroidered applique and pearl beading. The bridesmaids wore floor-length cranberry chiffon gowns with one-shoulder straps by Bill Levkoff. All dresses were from Joy's Bridal in Sikeston. The men wore Calvin Klein tuxedos from Men's Warehouse with white shirts and black bow ties, cummerbunds and suspenders.

__Decor and more:__ Sara Southard of Cape Girardeau designed a monogram that was used throughout the wedding. The invitations were cream in a black folder with foil-pressed script, gold accents and red ribbon. Florals were designed by Lisa Molitor of Belli Fiori in St. Louis and inspired by winter, incorporating berries and evergreen. The bridal bouquet was all red, with roses, peonies and winter berries. The bridesmaids' bouquets featured white spray roses, hydrangeas and peonies. Table 10 Event Designs managed the lighting, including candlelit living room-like displays on the sides of the dance floor. Oversized couches and chairs were a favorite spot for guests when they got tired from dancing. We had photographs of our grandparents and parents on their wedding days displayed for everyone to see. We toasted using the same crystal glasses my grandparents and parents used at their weddings.

Shannon Duggan Photography

__The food:__ The Ritz Carlton catered tapas-style displays: a hand-rolled sushi station; a station with tacos, guacamole and other Mexican choices; a St. Louis pasta station with tortellini, toasted ravioli and bread; and a Southern station with biscuits and gravy, fried chicken and mashed potatos. We wanted our personalities to shine through the day, and the food stations made that happen. It also brought a fun, laid-back atmosphere to a room that could otherwise feel uptight and stuffy. Later, tuxedo-clad waiters served Imo's pizza as a late-night snack.

__The cake:__ The Ritz Carlton pastry chef, Nathaniel Reid, made a white four-tiered cake with buttercream frosting and lace-like embellishments topped with a spray of garden roses designed by Belli Fiori.

Shannon Duggan Photography

__Wedding planner:__ Nancy Moreton of Weddings by Nancy in Cape Girardeau

__Music:__ The Downtown Band from Nashville, Tennessee

__First dance:__ "Songbird" by Fleetwood Mac

__Photographer:__ Shannon Duggan of Cape Girardeau

__Other details:__ Makeup by Anne Hudson; hair by Lani Carr and Brandie Bell; videography by Whole Street Productions; transportation by St. Louis Carriage Co.

__Caroline's advice to brides:__ Don't obsess over small details. At the end of the day, what you care about most is sharing the love with your husband and the people who mean the most. Thank everyone who joined you and remember it is such a rare occasion to be surrounded by all the people you love in one place.