shalyn o'neal photography
The Blog – Wedding Advice, Inspiration & Missouri Love Stories
Welcome to my corner of stories and insights. Here, I share recent weddings, engagement sessions, and helpful planning tips drawn from my years in the wedding industry. Browse through for inspiration, practical advice, and a glimpse into the genuine moments I've had the privilege to capture. I hope you find something that speaks to you as you plan your own celebration.
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Kristy & Joey’s Classic, Elegant Fall Wedding at Stonegate Glass Chapel
Kristy & Joey’s early fall wedding at Stonegate Glass Chapel was filled with golden light, heartfelt vows, and one of the best first dances I’ve ever seen.
Amy & Samuel’s Sweet Dusty Blue Wedding at Stonegate Glass Chapel
Amy & Samuel’s September wedding at Stonegate Glass Chapel was filled with meaningful details, emotional vows, rainy-day portraits, and a family-centered reception.
Emily & Erik’s Timeless Black & White Wedding at Stonegate Glass Chapel
Emily & Erik’s black & white wedding at Stonegate Glass Chapel was filled with heartfelt vows, golden hour portraits, and a fun streamer send-off.
Hope & James’ Summer Wedding at Stonegate Glass Chapel
Hope & James were married on the hottest day of the summer at Stonegate Glass Chapel - and it was absolutely beautiful. With pastel florals, a touching bouquet dedication, and soft sunset portraits, this wedding was full of love. Wedding date: August 15, 2025.
Black, White & Gold Elegance | Macy & Noah’s Wedding at Stonegate Glass Chapel
Classy details, a sweet personal ceremony, and one of the most fun dance floors I’ve seen - Macy & Noah’s black, white, and gold wedding was a joy to capture.
My Favorite Wedding Venues in Missouri (with Real Wedding Galleries)
From forest chapels to garden gazebos, these are my favorite Missouri wedding venues - plus real wedding galleries so you can see them in action.
Jared & Jean’s Rain-or-Shine Elopement at Stonegate Glass Chapel
When nothing went according to plan—but everything still felt right. Jared & Jean’s heartfelt elopement at Stonegate Glass Chapel was a reminder of what really matters.
Brittany & Alex’s Sweet Family Wedding at Stonegate Glass Chapel
A beautiful family-focused wedding at Stonegate Glass Chapel, complete with sweet first looks, meaningful details, and one very emotional father-daughter dance.
Saige & Quint’s Classy Black & White Wedding at Stonegate Glass Chapel
From Shrek references to cigar photos, Saige & Quint’s black and white Stonegate wedding had it all—heartfelt moments, creative portraits, and big dance floor energy.
Cold Hands, Warm Hearts: Kelli & Johnsie's Wedding
Kelli & Johnsie’s wedding was the perfect way to wrap up 2024—a day full of love, family, and faith. It also happened to be my first truly chilly wedding, and wow, did the cold keep me on my toes! At one point, my hands were so frozen they locked up, giving me a few technical hurdles to work through. But even with the chill, this day was absolutely unforgettable.
Tears, Twirls & Touching Moments: Andrea & Greg's Wedding
Some weddings just hit differently. After attending as many weddings as I do—and with weddings being such a core part of my life for as long as I can remember—you’d think I’d be immune to getting teary-eyed. But Andrea and Greg’s wedding? I was a puddle. Their day wasn’t just beautiful, it was deeply moving, and I found myself feeling not like just their photographer, but like a friend lucky enough to witness it all.
Golden Hour Magic: Holly & Jacob's November Celebration
Having worked with Holly and Jacob during their engagement session this past spring, I already knew we were in for a great day. These two are so sweet and easygoing, and their love for each other is so obvious it makes my job feel effortless. Plus, Holly brought her A-game with organization—her detail boxes were ready to roll, which made the morning a breeze (pro tip: organized brides are my love language).
Rain-Kissed Glass Chapel: Jessica & Bruce's Wedding
With three other professional photographers in the wedding party, I admit I was a bit intimidated at first. But they were incredibly sweet and even helpful throughout the portrait session. Their attention to detail made me appreciate the power of collaboration and reminded me that there's always something to learn from others in this craft.
3 Weddings, 1 Day: A Busy and Beautiful October Elopement Marathon at Stonegate Glass Chapel
October 24, 2024—what a date! There’s something about those cool numerical patterns that seem to attract weddings, and this day was no exception. I had the honor of photographing not just one, but three back-to-back elopements at Stonegate Glass Chapel, and let me tell you, it was a whirlwind of love, laughter, and beautiful fall colors.
Lisa & Tyler's Intimate Fall Wedding at Stonegate Chapel
Lisa and Tyler’s wedding was such a special occasion, and I’m so grateful I was there to document all those beautiful moments. The love, the laughs, and the heartwarming family connections made it an unforgettable day, and I can’t wait to share more from their gallery!
Love Conquers All: Briza & Daniel's Vibrant Wedding Journey
Of course, no wedding is complete without a little chaos, right? The ceremony started 45 minutes late because the officiant had to go on a last-minute search for someone’s shoes! Despite the timeline going out the window, Briza handled it all with the calmest, go-with-the-flow attitude. Nothing phased her, and I was so impressed by how she took it all in stride.
Alyssa & Christopher's Intimate Family Wedding in Branson, MO
The weather was absolutely perfect, setting the tone for an intimate celebration with just family and close friends. Alyssa and Christopher opted for a small, heartfelt gathering that felt incredibly personal and meaningful.
Amelia & Sam's Elegant Summer Wedding at Stonegate
Family photos were incredibly important to Amelia and Sam, so we made sure to set aside plenty of time to capture these cherished memories. The love and connection between their families were evident in every shot, creating beautiful keepsakes for years to come.
Greg & Kelly's 25th Anniversary Vow Renewal at Stonegate
Greg and Kelly are such a sweet couple, their marriage deeply rooted in their faith and commitment to each other. Their ceremony was set on a foundation of love and trust in the Lord, which shone brightly throughout our time together.
Sunrise Vows & Cat Ring Bearer: Kaley & Austin's Day
One of the highlights of the day was the unique and adorable ring bearer, Effie – Kaley's beloved cat. Effie was an absolute star, performing her duties with more grace and composure than some human ring bearers I’ve seen over the years, thanks to a few well-timed cat treats.