Wedding | An Architectural & Artistic Elopement for KC Creatives

This keeps sitting in my queue because I can’t seem to find the words to best describe Cydney and Daniel’s courthouse elopement. Their elopement took place at Jackson County Courthouse on a Monday afternoon on their seven year anniversary. (I think?) They surrounded themselves with close friends, family, former professors, and a really awesome crepe cake. All I can say is that it was utterly, authentically “them “ which feels fairly contrived to put it as such.

I’ve only been friends with these two for a short time, but have know of Cydney for a several years. I’m not really sure when our paths first crossed, but we attended the same college and the same business seminar post grad. I photographed their sweet cat family back in December and have collaborated with Cydney (who is a kick ass porcelain artist) several times since. I still don’t know Daniel very well, but I’m sure he’s as kind and creative as his counterpart. They seem to be the type of couple that I could easily just grab a drink with. Super laid back and fun to talk to. Michael and I were even invited to their pre-wedding party. Unfortunately, Michael has a distinct fear of Funkytown so that didn’t quite work out.

All aside, I was so happy they allowed me to be a part of their day! Since courthouse weddings are no longer a thing in Jackson County I never thought I’d be able to shoot inside. You have to have an “in” to get married in the building. Cydney’s father being a lawyer allowed them to find a judge, and in turn, all the gorgeous marble was mine to capture. Muahaha! Seriously, they couldn’t have picked more beautiful locations. First the ceremony inside the courthouse and a short reception followed at a near perfectly lit art gallery. This was dream elopement status for me; these are my people.

V E N D O R S
cake: Seven Swans Creperie
floral: Crestwood Flowers

Wedding | A Winter Wedding and Rocking Reception

Alisa and Andy were such a pleasure to work with from the first time I met them at a little coffee shop over a year ago, to the hugs we exchanged as I departed their wedding. They were so much fun and great to get to know! I loved their unexpected interest in minimal industrial spaces, and no I don’t mean picturesque urban backdrops interspersed throughout work sites and train tracks and dilapidated buildings; I mean literal plants and machinery, blank walls and parking lots. I shot their engagement session inside The Roasterie plant last year, and their bride and groom portraits over looking the Boulevard Brewing plant and outside at night in the parking lot. I loved how each shoot really lent a hand to the other.

The entire wedding day start to end was incredibly elegant and well executed, as was to be expected; they had an insane team of vendors on board to bring this day to life and boy, did they. They also choose two of the most beautiful spots to celebrate, their own church (which, I mean, look at it.) and Boulevard Brewing Co.’s event space which was beautiful and provided an absolute epic few of the city at night. It was the perfect blend of traditional and modern. They also hired a live cover band and apparently have great taste in music. At first I thought the band just had a thing for 70s and 80s classics (intermixed with a few modern gems) but then at the end of the night I overheard the band thanking the couple for picking such a unique set for them to play. My one regret is not getting one of their favors. They had one of the engagement photos I took vectorized and engraved onto the side of beer glasses. (Pictures below.) It was maybe my favorite favor I’ve ever seen.

VENDORS:
ceremony site: St Andrew’s Episcopal Church
reception venue: Boulevard Brewing Co. - Heim Room
planning: 11 Events and Planning
florals: Daylight Mind Design
cake: Blue Thistle
catering: Deco Catering
entertainment: Wonderfuzz
hair design: Beauty by Britt
makeup artistry: Dani Jo Bell Makeup Artistry

photo by lexie penichet

photo by lexie penichet

photo by lexie penichet

photo by lexie penichet

photo by lexie penichet

photo by lexie penichet

Their wedding favor and the photo they engraved:

Wedding | Late Summer Celebration at Rustic, Winery + Vinyard

Emily & Aaron’s wedding couldn’t have been on a more beautiful day. Held at the brand new, and utterly gorgeous Bourgmont Vineyard and Winery, this wedding was elegant, moving, and playful.

Created from a converted horse stable, Bourgmont Vineyard’s rustic reception hall was filled with the most beautiful light throughout the entire day. It was a true photographer’s dream space. I was also able to take a few bride and groom portraits in the huge neighboring guest house, which included a ginormous living room picture window overlooking the Kansas hills, a beautiful staircase overlook, and moody library for some serious Wes Anderson vibes. The couple embraced their wine-centric surroundings and created their center pieces and cake stand from recycled wine bottles. They also incorporated their love of sports into the day, with a volley ball shaped wedding cake and a short game of one on one after the ceremony. Because naturally this place would also have a basket ball court.

This wedding was one of the more moving weddings I’ve attended. I’m not a crier, or one to gush over romantic gestures. Call me a cynic; call me cold. It’s fine. However, Emily and Aaron’s love for each other really resonated with me in way that felt so genuine and touching. During their first dance I nearly teared up, and that’s something I didn’t even do at my own wedding.

Couples | Symmetry, Secrets, & The City

Brooke and Kyle let me have a lot of free reign in relation to the location of their engagement shoot. They choose the River District as a starting point, and wanted to incorporate the city skyline into their images in a different way. Being a professional photographer there is one skyline view of Kansas City that rises above all others, Liberty Memorial. Obviously I wasn’t taking them anywhere near there. Instead I choose two of my favorite views of the city; the first near City Market, and the other tucked in the midst of downtown where the high rises surround you on all sides. These are two of my favorite “secret” spots. I have a few of them throughout Kansas City, and they are hidden in plain site and totally public, yet almost always deserted.

Throughout the shoot Brooke and Kyle were super fun to work with. They were laid back, posed themselves easily, and were just generally friendly and warm. I always love laid back engagement shoots because they are usually the day after a wedding, and are a great way to end my “work week.” This shoot in particular really allowed me to focus on the basics of what I love to capture; effortlessness, subtly, the lesser examined views of Kansas City. I wanted to shoot these images in a way that embraced the romance between my clients, but also allowed the city to become an active part of the images themselves, rather than serve as a mere backdrop to a pretty portrait.