Marisa and Robby's Kansas City Wedding

Marisa and Robby's wedding day in Kansas City was a chilly, cloudy early spring day -- but the mood was anything but dreary. All day, the excitement and anticipation was so evident. We loved how relationships were front and center throughout the day, and it was so obvious why: Marisa and Robby value people. From their nieces and nephews, to their friends, to their siblings and parents, to the family who traveled in to celebrate with them -- these are people who both love well and are loved well.

Marisa and the gals got ready at a lovely and historic Airbnb in midtown Kansas City. I loved the bay window and the soft light streaming through as she got ready. Then, she went to see Robby for the first time at the Nelson-Atkins Museum before heading to the church, Christ Community in Brookside. Their ceremony was officiated by their brothers-in-law -- one from each side of the family -- and it was so personal, special, and heartfelt. We loved watching them glance at each other all throughout the ceremony, and we loved hearing from people who know them so well (something we're so excited to bring to life in their video!). Their reception was a fun party -- full of kids and families! -- at The Beck Event Space. 

Marisa and Robby, thank you for trusting us with your wedding day story. We are so thrilled for you!

Summer and Peter's Rainy Kansas City Wedding Day

There are certain kinds of couples that have so much joy when they're together that nothing can dampen it. Summer and Peter are that kind of couple. When I met them, I instantly connected with their joy for life, the way they loved one another, how they spoke about their sons, and what they valued for their wedding day. They care about people. They care about recognizing the people who are part of their story. And they care about capturing authentic, real moments that help tell that story. So no amount of rain or chilly weather could affect their day, and I was so thankful to get to experience this with them.

I started the day with the ladies at the Ambassador Hotel downtown, which just so happens to have the same address (1111) as their wedding date (11/11). From the hotel, we walked -- in the rain! -- to the nearest streetcar stop and rode the streetcar to the River Market stop, which was just blocks from their venue, River Market Event Place. That walk in the rain will probably go down as one of the most memorable wedding experiences. Loved it (my hair, however, did not... ha ha).

They thought out all of their details so well and had the help of Events by Elle to pull off the coordination of the wedding. I loved the dictionary guestbook where guests searched for a word that described Summer and Peter and marked it in the book. I especially loved the time and thought that went into the couple writing every single guest at the wedding a note to explain why they were there and what they mean to them. It was one of the most thoughtful ways to show appreciation I've seen. And of course, I loved the energy and fun their sons brought to the wedding -- and enjoyed the challenge of watching for their personalities to shine through in candid moments throughout the day.

Summer and Peter, thank you for trusting me with your story. It's a beautiful one.

Jessica and Jake's Wedding

Jessica and Jake's wedding in her hometown on Manhattan, Kansas, was an overcast yet pretty fall day. Their ceremony at St. Thomas More Catholic Church was FULL of flowers by Steve's Floral. I'm not sure a church has ever smelled so beautiful! I loved the white flower backdrop to their vows. After the ceremony, we went to the Top of the World park -- Jessica said she wanted classic Kansas views, and that's what we got. :) Their cocktail hour and reception were at Colbert Hills and everyone enjoyed a really fun party! We loved the sweet family moments that happened all throughout the day. It is very apparent just how loved Jessica and Jake are! Congratulations!!

Sara and Ben

Sara and Ben's wedding at The Brass on Baltimore was such a great day. Although thunderstorms loomed all day, the rain held off until everyone was safely inside partying the night away! Sara and Ben had such an elegant day, surrounded by their family and friends. I loved how it was formal, but not too formal for people to enjoy themselves. Beautiful, yet fun. 

One of our favorite details was that Sara's dress was made by her friend and bridesmaid, Jovana Mirabile. We were actually able to film parts of the dress process and will feature that in their wedding video once it's ready! We were so excited to get to capture this day in photos and video.

Special thanks to my photography second shooter for the day, Jenny Shipley. Enjoy this sneak peek of Sara and Ben's big day!

Megan + Nate on the family farm

During his speech at the reception, Nate shared that he had looked around the room and leaned over to Megan during dinner, saying: "All of these people here love us." 

It was so true. And for good reason. Megan and Nate are both people who draw others to them. I'm not sure Nate has ever known a stranger, because to know him is to love him. I've had the privilege of knowing him since he was a 16-year-old, and watching him grow into who he is today has just been awesome. He's loyal, kind, wears his heart on his sleeve, and cares so deeply about those around him, especially Megan. Megan is warm, thoughtful, heartfelt, quick to smile, and fun-loving. Their wedding reflected all of those traits, from the thought they put into the tiny details (like making so many things themselves by hand! Or not forgetting the kids!) to the big things like where they'd say their vows, and the place they wanted to have everyone celebrate -- her family's farm just on the outskirts of Emporia, Kansas.

It was a perfect day for two people who deserved nothing less.

Big thank you to my second shooter Jamie Montalto (who, in a funny turn of events, was also a sorority sister of Megan's. Small world!).

Enjoy this peek into their wedding day.

Aleigh + Paul at Loose Mansion

This day was all about personal touches, historical details, and celebrating family. Aleigh and Paul thought of everything. Their one-year-old son, Joey (who is the cutest!) was wearing an outfit that belonged to Paul when he was a baby. They got married in the church where (I think) 7 other couples on Paul's side of the family have gotten married -- what a tradition! Their reception had a Beatles cover band, because Aleigh LOVES the Beatles! They served pie from Rye (the groom's side family favorite dessert) and Betty Rae's ice cream (a favorite of Aleigh's late grandfather). To honor their wedding location at Loose Mansion and the Kansas City history that comes with it, all of their guests were given "lucky pennies" (Loose made investments in copper) and Hydrox cookies at the end of the night (Loose invented them). 

Special thank you to my second shooter Jamie Montalto for her amazing work on this day. Some of her images are below. My favorites are the view from the back of the church as Aleigh, her mom, and Joey entered the ceremony!

Sarah + Trey

It all started with sandwiches, and a side of kindness. Sarah met Trey on her first day on the job at Jimmy John's, when Trey helped her feel at ease with a joke about socks and his easygoing nature. Six years later, they gathered with family and friends to celebrate in a very Sarah-and-Trey way: relaxed, yet beautiful. Sentimental, yet fun. Personal, yet partying. It was a happy happy day, made even more special by my own relationship with Sarah and her family (our parents are first cousins). 

Enjoy this window into Sarah and Trey's wedding at Brookside Gardens in Kansas City, Missouri. I am loving reliving this day through photos!

Lauren and Trevor's Farm Wedding

There's something to be said for a wedding day that allows the little moments, interactions, personal touches to just breathe. And there's something about a Kansas field that just makes everyone breathe a little easier, at least it does for me. Lauren and Trevor's wedding day was such a joy to photograph, because the setting was beautiful, the weather was lovely, the details were pretty, but most of all because Lauren and Trevor just stayed focused on what the day was all about. No stress. Just happy.

Thank you so much for trusting us with your story. Thank you for letting us join such a fun day and soak it all in with you. Enjoy the photos from their wedding at Stone Hill Barn below. :)