McRoberts-Woodruff wed in 3-day event on grounds of Renwick Mansion

In keeping with the elegance of the historic mansion in which the bride and groom were wed, the following account is written in the style of the Bride’s grandmother’s 1947 wedding announcement.
On November 23, 2019, Miss Lea McRoberts, daughter of Connie and Jim McRoberts, Oxford, Iowa, became the bride of Mr. David Woodruff, son of Kay and Frank Woodruff, Gallatin, Missouri, on the grounds of the Renwick Mansion in Davenport, Iowa, overlooking the Mississippi River.
Pastor Sean McRoberts, also first cousin to the bride, officiated the traditional ceremony, attended by immediate family and dear friends, ranging from Lea’s maternal grandmother, Marion Knowling (aged 94 years) and David’s nephew Brady LaBrie (aged six months). A brass quintet welcomed guests and celebrated the recessional.
The bride, who was given in marriage by her father and mother, wore a timeless mermaid cut gown in almond mikado with a strapless fold over neckline and matching silk buttons down the back to the end of the train, complemented by the cathedral-length veil, and a bouquet of fresh flowers in shades of champagne, blush, and crimson.
Sarah McRoberts and Tessa McRoberts, sisters to the bride, stood with her, in blush colored dresses, with hair curled, and up. Their beauty was later matched by their charming wit, as they offered a memorable toast at the reception which followed – in support of the bride, at the peril of the groom, and to the amusement of all those gathered.
Amy and Keith LaBrie, sister and brother-in-law to the groom, stood with him. Amy in a long slate gown which paired perfectly with the men’s American manufactured suits and blush ties. The LaBrie’s darling daughter Sara (aged two and a half years) the flower girl, and their son Brady, the ring bearer, rounded out the wedding party.
The bride’s handsome blue merle Australian Shepherd, Rigsby, (aged two – that’s 14 in dog years) adorned in a bow of ribbon, assisted the wedding party.
The three-day event introduced the bride and groom’s families to one another. Included was a Friday evening cocktail party, the Saturday afternoon wedding followed by a reception, and a Sunday morning thank-you brunch, all at the Renwick. The two families became friends and joy filled the weekend.
Following the celebration, the couple retreated for two days to the BlackHawk Hotel in downtown Davenport, and then proceeded to family Thanksgiving festivities in Missouri and Iowa. The couple’s spring honeymoon plans have been interrupted by the current coronavirus pandemic.
Lea is the Director of Interiors at Ittner Architects, and David is a political strategist and CEO of Blue Pear Media.
Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff now together reside in Lea’s second empire Victorian home with mansard roof in the Historic Benton Park Neighborhood of St. Louis.