The first train arrived in St. Louis' Union Station on September 1, 1894. The station connected rail lines between New York and San Francisco and was one of the largest and busiest stations in the world.

Meet me in St. Louis? Anyone traveling to the 1904 World's Fair came through this station. The Grand Hall (where our wedding will be) was the main waiting room. Inspired by the walled city of Carcassone in southern France, architect Theodore C. Link built a barrel vaulted, 65 foot-high ceiling decked out in art nouveau imagery.

As you enter the Grand Hall from street level, you'll find the Whispering Arch above you. If two people stand on either side of this arch, they can whisper secrets to each other via the great acoustics!

Set just below the apex of the Whispering Arch is the Allegorical Window. Handmade of Tiffany glass, this window represents train travel in the 1890s from New York to San Francisco, with St. Louis in the middle, linking them together.

Behind the Grand Hall, you'll find the midway, where passengers went to catch their trains. Today it's an open atrium, with the hotel on one side and attractions and restaurants on the other. When the station first opened, there was a two-ton wrought-iron chandelier with 350 light bulbs in the Grand Hall and a steel and glass wall decorated with ornamental wrought iron gates in the midway. Unfortunately, both were sacrificed to the war effort during WWII.

You know that picture of Harry Truman holding the Chicago Tribune with the "Dewey Defeats Truman" headline? Yup, that was taken in Union Station on the midway.

The last train left the station in 1978. The station lay dormant for a while, but was reopened in the mid 80s as a mixed-use space with restaurants and shops. Mike and Kaki both have fond memories of going to The Fudgery as children to watch fudge being made with a song and a show.

Mike also has a very fond memory of his sister, Katie, falling into a fountain on site after they had their pictures taken with Santa. He is happy to show you exactly where it happened. (Sorry, Katie.)

Recently, the station has gotten a new lease on life. The St. Louis Aquarium moved in and a whole host of great attractions and restaurants followed. It's an amazing part of St. Louis and we can't wait to celebrate there with you!

Visit the Union Station website to see all the current attractions and restaurants.