St. Charles Convention Center

Garba

Jewel Box

Wedding Ceremony

Ceremony

Reception

Fall

Our Wedding

Our story goes all the way back to 2010, when Andrew walked into Ami’s art class on the first day of high school. As any 14-year-old crush goes, Ami was convinced she had just seen her future husband (little did she know!). For the next four years, Ami had a crush on Andrew. Meanwhile Andrew had absolutely no idea Ami knew who he was. And as high school crushes go, nothing ever came of it, until eight years later! After a girls' night, Ami worked up the courage to message Andrew, but in the moment, all she sent was an emoji. Thinking her account had been hacked, Andrew hesitantly responded with an emoji of his own the next morning. Unsure what to say, Ami decided not to respond. Four months later, when he realized her profile was the real deal, Andrew decided to reach out again!&nbsp; And the rest, as they say, is history. Our first date was at The Royale, and it lasted an incredible 10 hours. We talked, laughed, and felt like we’d known each other forever. From that moment, we both just knew that we had finally met our person. Two years later, Andrew planned a special weekend to celebrate the solar eclipse. He took Ami to his aunt and uncle’s property in Farmington, thinking it would be a fun getaway to watch the eclipse together and pay respects to his late father. They headed to the lake, where Andrew set up a tripod to take a photo—only, it wasn’t just a photo he had in mind. As the eclipse finished, Andrew gave a speech he had prepared and got down on one knee. Ami, completely caught off guard and overwhelmed with emotion, realized this wasn’t just a photo, it was the moment she had been dreaming of. She started crying hysterically, so much so that she could hardly hear a word Andrew said. The answer, of course, was an obvious yes! We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this next chapter together, and we’re so grateful to everyone who’s been part of our story. We can’t wait to share this special day with you all!

Our Story

Gallery

Bridesmaids

Sonia Williams

Sonia is Ami's older sister and throughout the years they have built a special bond based on laughter, support, and countless inside jokes.

Conversation topics could include: how she won fantasy football without even trying, the latest updates on her kids, or her newest fashion obsession

Prapti Patel

Ami met Prapti through her cousin, and they quickly became the best of friends! After Prapti married Ami's brother, they formed an inseparable bond as sisters.

Conversation topics could include: dessert, being clumsy, and her latest lego project

Rima Patel

Rima and Ami are just six months apart and grew up as cousins, always finding trouble together. As they got older, their bond deepened through shared experiences at every stage of life.

Conversation topics could include: her dog Jolie, life in Chicago, and her latest knitting project

Eileen Tully

Eileen and Ami met at their first nursing job at Barnes and quickly became work wives. They relied on each other and shared countless laughs to get through the toughest shifts together.

Conversation topics could include: Taco Bell, how many weddings she's been in, and why 'White Chicks' is the best movie

Allie Jacobs

Ami and Allie met their freshman year of college when they ended up living just a few doors down from each other. They spent countless nights laughing, crying, and bonding over all their new experiences!

Conversation topics could include: best running trails, her dog Tieghan, and the latest scoop on Whole Foods.

Emily Butris

Emily and Ami met halfway through nursing school when they got paired for a clinical together! They clicked instantly and were inseparable for the rest of the year!

Conversation topics could include: brunch, hunting, and doing Spartan's for fun

Hitu Patel

Hitu and Ami are cousins and have been close friends since Hitu moved here back in high school!

Conversation topics could include: the latest makeup trends, cocktails, and her latest DIY project

Nisha Jasani

Ami met Nisha through her cousin, and since then, they've bonded over their shared sense of humor, creating countless memories and laughing until they cried together.

Conversation topics could include: her latest thriller read, Bollywood music, and her worst work horror story

Groomsmen

Matt Bruening

Andrew and Matt’s friendship began in Kindergarten and quickly grew strong, often centered around their favorite hangout—a neighborhood field where the sewers connected, which they called the "common ground." From then on, they’ve been inseparable.

Conversation topics could include: perfecting a Dark &amp; Stormy, playing bass guitar, and his favorite ancient history battle﻿

Ethan Payer

Andrew and Ethan have been friends since 2014, bonding over their shared love of video games and music.

Conversation topics could include: his impressive multi-instrumental talents, his favorite video game and why, or his favorite big cat

Mack Weaver

Mack was introduced to Andrew through Matt in their shared "common ground", and their connection was instant. Bonding over their engineering minds, they've spent countless days working on various projects.

Conversation topics could include: when his next race is, the secret to a good sourdough starter, or his unique sleep routine

Kris Williams

Kris and Andrew met on the first day of first grade at the Henderson Library wall. Kris had just moved from Florida, and Andrew, never one to shy away from conversation, sat down next to him and started chatting.

Conversation topics could include: what a hare scramble is, his favorite front-end framework, or his trio of rescued cats﻿

Keegan Fouch

Keegan and Andrew first met in 9th grade during freshman health class. Andrew overheard Keegan blasting 'Rage Against the Machine' and 'System of a Down', two of his favorite bands at the time, and couldn’t resist striking up a conversation.

Conversation topics could include: the best Grateful Dead live album, how his 90-year-old grandpa still beats him at golf, or the best STL bar to watch a soccer game

Matthew Cather

Andrew met Matthew during his co-op, when they were randomly assigned to share a room. With no internet for weeks, they had no choice but to become fast friends.

Conversation topics could include: the difference between rock climbing and mountaineering, the best time to see Cahaba lilies in Alabama, or the intriguing world of reverse siphon coffee makers

Kush Patel

Kush, Ami's brother, and Andrew quickly became fast friends, bonding over endless childish jokes around the dinner table. Their shared sense of humor made for an instant connection.

Conversation topics could include: the best light fixtures for the house, his latest messed up horror movie obsession, or the number one reason he's a proud Drake fanboy

James Williams

James, Ami's sister's husband, and Andrew first met through Ami’s sister and quickly bonded over the sheer chaos of the Patel family insanity. Their shared experiences and humor made for an instant connection.

Conversation topics could include: his favorite type of Uno, why the Cirrus SR22 is the safest plane to fly the skies, or the best cold one to take on a fishing trip

Wedding Party

What is the dress code?

We want you to feel comfortable, confident, and enjoy yourself to the fullest! To help ensure everyone is dressed for the occasion, we kindly ask that you follow the dress codes outlined for each event:

Friday – Garba Night:Get ready for a vibrant and fun celebration full of energy and color! Feel free to embrace bold, lively outfits for this festive occasion. For women in Indian attire, consider wearing a flowy lehenga with intricate patterns, and for men, a traditional kurta will be perfect. For those choosing American attire, semi-formal is expected, but don’t be afraid to get creative with colors and patterns! Saturday – Wedding Ceremony:Cocktail attire is requested for the morning ceremony. Think elegant and classy, but comfortable! Saturday – Reception:The evening reception is formal, so please dress accordingly. Men typically wear suits, while women in Indian attire can opt for a lehenga—preferably in a solid color with minimal patterns. For those choosing American attire, cocktail or formal wear is expected. If you'd like to join in the fun and wear traditional Indian clothing, we've provided some websites where you can find beautiful options. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help selecting an outfit or have any questions!

<a href="https://www.lashkaraa.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lashkaraa</a><a href="https://www.azafashions.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aza Fashions</a><a href="https://www.kalkifashion.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kalki Fashion</a><a href="https://www.utsavfashion.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Utsav Fashion</a>

What time should I arrive at the ceremony?

Please plan to arrive NO LATER than 12:15pm. The Jewel Box has strict timing requirements, and the doors will be closing promptly at 12:30pm when the ceremony begins. To ensure you're able to join us, we kindly ask that you make transportation arrangements accordingly. Due to the intimate nature of the ceremony and the limited size of the venue, we ask that only those named on the invitation attend. If your invite does not specifically include the wedding ceremony, we respectfully ask that you refrain from joining us during that time. Thank you for honoring our wishes and helping to make this a special day.

Is there parking available near the venues?

The Jewel Box is located in Forest Park, with free parking available in the surrounding area. For the events at the Convention Center, there is convenient on-site parking available.

What should I do between the ceremony and the reception?

We understand there is a significant time gap between the ceremony and reception, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. To help you make the most of the time, we’ve included some great suggestions in our "Things to Do" section for you to explore! We hope you find something enjoyable to pass the time before the celebration continues!

Can I bring a date?

To keep things manageable, we are only able to accommodate the guests specifically listed on your wedding invitation. If you have been extended a plus-one, their name will appear alongside yours when you RSVP. We truly appreciate your understanding and look forward to celebrating with you!

What date should I RSVP by?

Please RSVP by September 1st, 2025.

Do you have a registry?

We don’t have a traditional registry, as your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift we could ask for! However, if you’d like to contribute in another way, we’ve set up a honeymoon fund. You can contribute via Venmo to either Ami (ames73) or Andrew (andrewhalaney), and we greatly appreciate any generosity. Thank you for being a part of our special day!

Q + A

Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Louis St. Charles

Rate: $164 plus tax per night

For your convenience, we’ve secured a special discounted rate at Embassy Suites, located just steps away from the St. Charles Convention Center. The hotel is directly connected to the venue, making it an ideal choice for those who want to stay close to the celebration. Simply mention our last names and the SRP number of 90R when booking to receive the special rate!

For those who prefer to stay elsewhere, here are a few additional hotel options. Please note that there is no discounted rate associated with our wedding for these locations.

Baymont by Wyndham St. Charles

Tru by Hilton St. Charles St. Louis, MO

Best Western Plus The Charles Hotel

Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis St. Charles

 Hampton Inn & Suites St. Charles Old Town Area

Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles

Travel

Rated one of the best public parks, Forest Park has been the site for some significant events since it opened in 1876! The park has 30 miles of paths and trails and is home to the Art Museum, Science Center, History Museum, The Muny and the Zoo. Ami and Andrew love to go for runs through the park and relax on Art Hill, and their wedding ceremony will take place at the Jewel Box in Forest Park!

Forest Park

Located near Tower Grove Park, this neighborhood bar serves great food and excellent unique cocktails! Ami and Andrew had their first date here and still enjoy coming back with friends!

The Royale Food & Spirits

630 feet tall, this is the tallest monument in the United States! A national historic landmark,&nbsp;this has become a popular tourist destination,&nbsp;as well as an internationally recognized symbol of&nbsp;St. Louis. Stop by for some great sights of the city!

The Gateway Arch

A charming area filled with quaint boutiques, cozy cafes, and beautiful 19th-century buildings. Stroll along the cobblestone streets, explore local shops, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of this picturesque district, located along the scenic banks of the Missouri River. It's the perfect spot for a leisurely afternoon or a fun night out!

St. Charles Historic  District

A stunning, 289-acre green space offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city. With its beautiful Victorian-era pavilions and serene gardens, it's a perfect spot for a relaxing walk, a picnic, or simply enjoying nature. Ami and Andrew often visit for the farmer's market, festivals, and to play tennis or pickle ball!

Tower Grove Park

A popular craft brewery in St. Louis, known for its creative beers and laid-back atmosphere. With a rotating selection of handcrafted brews and plenty of food options, it's a great spot to check out! Ami and Andrew love stopping by for a cold beer and enjoying the outdoor patio!

Modern Brewery

A renowned craft brewery that's right in our neighborhood! Known for its artisanal innovative beers it's a must-visit for craft beer enthusiasts! Their new menu has quickly become one of our favorites! For a truly unique experience, you can check out The Cellar right down the road. On a nice day, Ami and Andrew love walking there to try something new and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere!

Side Project

A local favorite for great Italian food! Andrew actually worked there in high school with his friends, and still considers it one of his favorites (especially their house salad!).

Ami & Andrew