October 17, 2018
Graveside nuptials
Wedding ceremonies held in cemeteries allow the bride and groom to be near dearly-departed loved ones
Around Town
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School
By Brett Auten It had nothing to do with creepy, mysterious or spooky. It was all about sharing, intimacy and love. Kira Phelps and Aaron Hawkins were searching for the perfect location for their September wedding. As the months were drawing near, Kira kept feeling the pangs of having a ceremony without her father, who passed away four years ago. “He was my best friend, my biggest fan and my biggest cheerleader,” Phelps said. “He is who I am and I couldn’t see doing this without him. I thought about just going up to the courthouse. It was just so sad to think about.” And to compound matters, her brother had passed away in March of this year. When all seemed lost, a friend had jokingly suggested that maybe they could have the wedding ceremony at his graveside. “We all kind of chuckled and laughed and dismissed it in my mind because I didn’t even think it was an option,” Phelps said. “But after a few days, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. All I could think about was how to make it possible.” Enter Ally Walters. Walters is the Manger of Service Development at Baue Funeral Home. She has been with the well-established St. Charles funeral home since 2016. But her previous work experience coincided perfectly with Phelps’ wishes. Walters helped plan hundreds of weddings when she was an event planner at Bogey Hills Country Club. “When Kira reached out, told her story and asked what we could do, it was unique,” Walters said. “It was a first in our 83 years
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Features
Moore On Life, Yeggs & Crossword Puzzle. Pg. 12 Kira Phelps and Aaron Hawkins were married at St. Charles Memorial Gardens last month.
of service to families in our community. We had to make sure we did it with respect to the people who are buried here.” Less than an hour after their initial conversation, Walters called back and said it was a go. With Walters at her disposal, Phelps plan was going to be a reality. “Ally was a Godsend,” Phelps said. “Within a few weeks the ball was rolling and I could picture everything in my head and it was beautiful.” Over 75 of Phelps and Hawkins’ family and friends joined in celebrating at St.
Submitted Photos
Charles Memorial Gardens, in the Garden of Whispering Waters. The event circle at the center, and heart, of both families’ Gardens was romantically lit with dozens of warmly glowing string lights for the reception. Phelps’ father, Bryan Phelps, and brother, Tim Matousek, are rested in the Garden of Whispering Waters, where the ceremony was held. Hawkins’ father, Jeffery Hawkins and brother Nathan Hawkins are rested in the nearby Garden of Prayer. The See ’GRAVESIDE NUPTIALS’ page 2
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Due to press configurations, the St. Charles County Community News will run independently of the St. Louis County Community News for the Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 editions. This week’s edition of the St. Louis County Community News can be found at www.mycnews.com.
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Weather FRIDAY Chance of Rain 56/46 SATURDAY Sunny 58/38 SUNDAY Sunny 54/35 FirstWarn Weather
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