Piazza Messina

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

Our first date was at Forest Park, after Julie found out that I had never had Imo's Pizza. My original thought was this was just a park bench off of a trail, but I later discovered that this was the middle of Art Hill. We had a Pepperoni, Green Pepper, and Jalapeño Pizza from Imo's.

Forest park

Our next date was a day later- I had been released from work that morning and messaged Julie asking if she had been available around noon that day. I later found out that she had been on vacation for the week, but we went to the Original Pancake House in Clayton, primarily due to the fact that she had never had crepes before. While I still ordered crepes, she ordered pumpkin spice pancakes. After brunch, we went to Forest Park again, this time at the basin, and I showed her my tattoos. On our way back to our cars afterwards, we saw the Oscar Mayer Weiner Mobile was in the parking lot!

Weiner Mobile

Our third date, I had a tattoo appointment that ended up taking about an hour longer than anticipated. After establishing that we would meet at Wasabi Sushi, (me thinking it was a single restaurant), I messaged Julie after my appointment that I would be there in 10 minutes. I arrived in Clayton and texted her that the restaurant was take out only, only to discover that there were multiple Wasabis, and she was waiting at a table at the one in Kirkwood.

Late for Sushi

Our fourth date, Julie asked me to meet her at Eckert's Family Fun Farm on a Thursday in October. We later got lost in the Corn Maze, watched the Pumpkin Cannon, and enjoyed a late "dinner" (I ordered pancakes) by what ended up being one of the most personable waiters I have ever met in my life- Larry, within two table visits, realized that we were on our (3rd or 4th) date, and was incredibly accommodating during our visit. After being lost for a while in Eckert's corn maze, Julie and I went to the Cracker Barrel off of 64's 9th exit for a late dinner. Larry took amazing care of us for our meal.

Eckert's and Larry

During the peak of COVID, Julie's family shared the ingredients of a Thanksgiving meal with me, despite the current enviroment

A few months later

I went home, but video chatted Julie with brother Chris and Cousins Laura and Sarah.

Christmas 2020

Gatlinburg, MN State Fair and Renaissance Festival.

Fall 2021

I returned home for Christmas 2021. Julie flew to MN and discovered that I was wearing shorts while it was snowing. We attended the Sikorski wedding, with a low of -38 degrees, to return to the Twin Cities where unfortunately the Wild lost to the STL Blues for the Winter Classic.

New Years 2021, Eric's Wedding, Winter Classic

A handful of Blues vs Wild games later...

Spring 2022

Fall 2022

Winter 2022

Spring 2023

Engagement!

Engagement Photos

Our Story

Photos

Kelsy Chapman

Taylor Dettmann

Taylor Davis

Stephanie Casey 

Michaela Jackson

Brehanna Jenkins

Eric Sikorski

Cody Ziemer

Joey Jackson

Jacob Jackson

Chris Weik

Paul Valencia

Tyler Casey

Hudson Casey

Wedding Party

The most important question... What's for dinner? Appetizers:Southwest Grilled Shrimp CanapeSpinach &amp; Artichoke Puff PastryToasted CannelloniSmoked Pork EmpanadaCaesar Salad Buffet:Hickory Smoked Pork RoastChicken Spedini Vesuvio Garlic PotatoesPasta con BroccoliCavatelli BologneseDinner rolls Dessert:Cake!Chocolate with salted caramel fillingVanilla with strawberry fillingRed velvet with cream cheese fillingPumpkin with cream cheese filling Gluten Free and Vegetarian meals available upon request!

Q + A

Reservations can be called in at (800) 548-8690 and reference the Jackson/Weik Wedding Room Blockor by following this<a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=STLOFGI&amp;arrivalDate=2025-10-17&amp;departureDate=2025-10-20&amp;groupCode=90M&amp;room1NumAdults=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LINK</a>

Hilton Garden Inn St. Louis/O'Fallon MO

Travel

After St Louis's Major League Soccer Team was established, we became major fans, despite Matt leaning towards Minnesota's team during every altercation

After attending a couple preseason National Hockey League games, to include the Blues vs the Wild, Julie and Matt established a quick rivalry. Despite many losses to the Blues over the last few years, Matt's beloved Wild have now had a few wins that bring Matt just a little bit of solace in these trying times.

Our favorite local Mexican restaurant is El Milagro Azteca, which offers phenomenal salsa, tacos, and entrees- to include El Comal, which is a platter of meats.

Near our venue is Top Notch Axe Throwing in Cottleville. While Matt has become quite comfortable with throwing axes, Julie is smitten with the throwing stars.

Despite many local Barbeque places, Matt's favorite is Salt and Smoke. He highly recommends the Burnt Ends, Pulled Pork, Jalapeño Cheddar Bologna, and Deviled Eggs.

Union Station in Downtown Saint Louis provides fun for the whole family with an aquarium, high ropes course, carousel, and minigolf course. The Soda Fountain has a phenomenal selection for Ice cream and Floats.

Our favorite local sushi restaurant is Mochi Cafe, off of Grand Ave. It also offers numerous delicious Vietnamese entrees.

Eckert's Millstadt Fun Farm was the location of our 4th date. It hosts a phenomenal corn maze, pig racing, and a pumpkin cannon, as well as an amazing apple orchard and pumpkin patch.

The Saint Louis Zoo is not only free, but has a wide variety of exotic animals to include elephants, cheetahs, lions, red pandas, and seals

Our favorite place to go for breakfast on a weekend is City Coffee House and Creperie. They offer a broad variety of both sweet and savory crepes, as well as a full spread of beverages including mimosas, lattes, and hot chocolate.

Julie & Matthew

Julie & Matthew

Q + A