You’ve found the perfect wedding venue for your ceremony and reception but don’t forget about the morning of your wedding! The getting ready space for the morning of your wedding is a fun place to spend your last moments as a single gal preparing for the day of your dreams. Choosing your getting ready space is easy once you know what to look for.

You want cute pictures with your best friends PLUS you need a practical space to do your hair and make-up. Don’t stress or wonder about what to look for. Here’s a simple guide on choosing the PERFECT getting ready space for the morning of your wedding.

Features in a Perfect Getting Ready Space

Look for a space with natural light: big windows & lots of open space for the inevitable pre-ceremony dance party with your girls. A good photographer can shoot in any light but natural is always best!

Look for a house that has big counter space, lots of plugs, and lots of mirrors. You might need to bring some mirrors from home, depending on how big your party is! Bonus points if there’s a full-length mirror.

My brides always love to find a big couch or bed to take cute pictures on with them and their bridesmaids in their robes or matching shirts. Plus this is a cozy place to relax if someone needs a minute to sit down.

A space with plenty of chairs or tables to sit down at is helpful if you have any moms or grandmas getting ready with you – and for a sweet spot to write your vows or a letter to the love of your life. This is also helpful to sit down and put your shoes on.

For an iconic wedding dress picture, find a place to hang your wedding dress. Some brides find a place outside, in a closet, or in a room somewhere. While this makes for a gorgeous and memorable photo, it’s also important to have a designated spot for your dress so it doesn’t get in the way.

Choose a place with neutral backgrounds – no tacky art on the walls, nothing distracting, and no crazy or bright wallpaper. We don’t want anything in the back of your photos to take away from the moment.

Wedding Morning Tips From a Kansas City Wedding Photographer

Another way to prevent distracting photos is to keep your area clean. I always suggest keeping all your stuff on one side of the room so there’s space for everyone to move around. Doing this also means there’s less clutter in the back of your photos.

If the weather is nice, take the party outside for a few shots with a different background.

Find a place that is close to your wedding venue to save time and gas money.

Look on Air BNB or VRBO for houses that have the features you want. If your wedding party needs a place to stay for the weekend, book the house for an extra night!

It’s actually pretty common for venues to have a bridal suite for getting ready the morning of your wedding. Check with your Kansas City venue to see if their space works for your group and unique needs!

You don’t need to spend more money than you need to. If any of your friends offer, get ready at their house!

These are just some tips to choosing your getting-ready space for the morning of your wedding. As a Kansas City wedding photographer, I’ve seen it all. Feel free to DM me on Instagram or shoot me an email if you have any questions!

At the end of the day, you’ll be married to your best friend and the love of your life, so don’t sweat the small stuff. Enjoy your morning preparing for the most romantic day ever. Let yourself be spoiled by your loved ones! The photos from the morning of your wedding will be authentic and take you right back to the moment before the best day of your life.

Check out these blog posts for more inspo on great getting ready spaces: Summer Wedding at The Hawthorne House, How to Elope in Kansas City -Advice from a Real Couple, and Wedding Photos at the Museum at Prairie Fire Overland Park, Kansas.

The plan originally started with a big wedding in downtown Kansas City on the most popular wedding date of the year; October 10, 2020 (10/10/2020). As the coronavirus quickly made its way around the world Dakota and Jake decided to change plans; they went from a large wedding to an intimate elopement in their neighborhood.

The uncertainty of the pandemic definitely made for an interesting challenge when it came to trying to make wedding plans. On top of that Dakota and Jake found out they were pregnant with a beautiful baby girl due close to the end of the year.

They thought about keep all of their original plans of a big wedding the same but moving the date up earlier in the summer, but because COVID effected rates were starting to skyrocket they thought it would best to keep their original date but downsize their wedding as much as they could.

Dakota, Jake, and their boys moved into a new house in the most beautiful neighborhood surrounding a gorgeous lake. They knew outside by the water would be the perfect spot for their intimate fall elopement.

They downsized their wedding by cutting their guest list, only hiring the necessary vendors (me their wedding photographer, a videographer, and catering from Jack Stack BBQ). Everything else they did completely on their own. Their families helped with decor, ceremony seating, a beautiful cross as their backdrop, Dakota even made her own bouquet with flowers from Trader Joes.

They invited only their dearest friends and family to witness their sunset ceremony right by the water. Dakota and Jake promised to love each other, their boys, and their, soon to arrive, baby girl for all the years to come as the sun cast a golden light across the lake.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd as they read their vows to each other. The joy was contagious as they shared stories of their favorite memories and joked with one another.

Their day was everything they hoped for; full of love, great weather, and an abundance of happiness. Dakota and Jack loved their decision of switching from a large wedding to an intimate elopement. It gave them the chance to focus on what was most important to them, their family.

Check out Dakota + Jake’s engagement photos with the Kansas City Skyline here.

Other tips on how to downsize you wedding here.

Destiny and Ross were planning their wedding during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. They opted for a Kansas City wedding with a backyard reception. Celebrating with their friends and family while also keeping everyone safe and comfortable was their main priority.

When I first spoke with Destiny I was eager to hear all about their wedding day plans. She told me how excited they were to just be married already. They wanted to keep their wedding on the smaller side but still throw an awesome party. Destiny and I connected instantly. She told me they wanted their photographer to be someone that was easy to talk to, shared their vision, and that they could trust to capture all of their most important memories from their day.

After our first conversation Destiny was sure I was the photographer for them. I always stay well connected to my couples in the months leading up to their wedding, especially during such an uncertain year of 2020. I kept them informed on any new guidelines or restrictions that were put in place for Kansas City and the Independence Area. My couples know they have my support 100% and that I am here to help make their experience stress free from the minute they inquire to the end of wedding day, gallery delivery day, and beyond.

Finally wedding day was here!! It was a beautiful summer day in early September. Destiny and Ross had their ceremony outdoors at Stoney Creek Hotel in Independence Missouri. The lush trees and pond were a gorgeous setting for their intimate ceremony.

We then headed to their family backyard for their reception. Great weather, good drinks, and upbeat music was all this couple needed celebrate their new marriage with their friends and family.

I was so happy I was able to be a part of Destiny and Ross’ big day. They were able to completely be themselves while I was there to capture photos that were authentic to them. Photographing important moments form their Kansas City wedding with a backyard reception that they’ll remember for years to come.

Interested in having a summer wedding? find more inspiration from Anna and James’ wedding at The Hawthorne House, Mckenna and Micah’s wedding at Mildale Farm, and more all on the blog.

Choosing to elope instead of having a big wedding is completely a personal preference. Once you and your partner have decided an elopement is the perfect fit for your relationship, how do you even go about planning one? In this post I’m going to share advice from one of my real couples, Loren and Dimitri, on how to elope in Kansas City.

Loren and Dimitri originally started to plan a traditional wedding, but COVID made them change plans. During the pandemic Loren and Dimitri realized what was truly most important to them; spending their lives together, even when the world gets crazy. They didn’t want to wait until the pandemic was over because there really didn’t seem to be an end in sight. They also didn’t want to put any of their family or friends at risk of getting sick. After consideration they realized an elopement was the perfect fit for them, their relationship, and their future together.

Planning an elopement gave them the opportunity to truly focus on themselves and their union instead of being distracted by the other stressors that come along with planning a large traditional wedding.

Loren and Dimitri wanted to keep their elopement as simple as possible. The chose a naturally beautiful location The National WWI museum and Liberty Memorial it was the perfect spot for them because they wanted a clear view of the Kansas City skyline. Once they chose their elopement location the booked two separate rooms at the Weston Hotel, right across the street from the memorial, to get ready in. The only outside help they needed was a professional makeup artist to pamper Loren the day of, their officiant (Loren’s pastor growing up), Me as their photographer (first witness), and a second witness (Their officiant’s wife).

It was simply beautiful. The day of the sun was shinning just before it started to set. Lorena and Dimitri got ready and didn’t see each other until the ceremony began at the base of Liberty Memorial. Their ceremony was heartfelt and personal, as they exchanged rings you could feel the love between them.

After their ceremony we took photos around the memorial to take in the amazing view and document their special day. Just before the sun fully set they called their family and friends to announce their new marriage, (they had kept their elopement a total secret).

Photographing elopements is always such an honor to me, to be able to be there for you on such a special day even when your family isn’t there to witness it. I am so thankful I am able to document these ceremonies, these unions, and be there for my couples as a witness to their marriage.

How to Elope in Kansas City- Advice from the Bride

Do what you want and do not plan too much! You should have a simple idea and schedule of the day, but planning it to the T takes away the fun of it! What worked for us was the simplicity of it all. We stayed at our hotel to prepare, the hotel was extremely close to the Liberty Memorial, we allowed the scenery and skyline to be our decorations, trusted in our pastor for the vows and ceremony, and focused on us. This was a decision that we would absolutely choose again and would recommend others to do as well!

For more elopement and micro wedding inspiration check out Amanda and Joe’s wedding. For more pics including the Kansas City Skyline look through Dakota and Jake’s engagement session.

Hannah and Greg got married at the Overland Park Ballroom, but wanted to get some photos of them and their wedding party outside in the gorgeous summer weather. I suggested we take their wedding photos at The Museum at Prairie Fire. As a wedding photographer in the Kansas City metro area I strive to find different locations that’ll fit my couples personal needs. Hannah and Greg didn’t want to waste time on their wedding day having to travel super long distances or needing to do to multiple locations. Prairie Fire was the perfect option for them.

Before we got into photo-mode the afternoon started off with popping some bubbles and toasting mimosas as the ladies got ready. The Hannah put on her dress and took her bridesmaids breath away before she got to see Greg.

Hannah and Greg had their first look when we arrived at Prairie Fire. Greg was speechless and Hannah’s smile was radiating with joy and excitement. We had so much fun taking all of the wedding photos at the Museum at Prairie Fire in Overland Park. Hannah and Greg were extremely happy with how fast the photos took us, we got every photo they were wanting with their wedding party, all their couples photos, and a few extra fun shots with plenty of time to spare. With our extra time we got to be silly and do tons of funny photos, laughing with their friends on their friends on their wedding day are moments they’ll always remember.

“Natalie knew exactly how to organize us and get us ready for the picture she wanted and I felt like the process was SO easy.” “Her attention to detail, pace, and personality was the most perfect fit ever for our photographer!”

When we got back to the Overland Park Ballroom Hannah’s dad got to see her for the first time that day. It was an emotional moment for the two of them, they have been best friends ever since Hannah was a little girl and today was the day her dad got to walk her down the aisle and into this next part of her life.

There will be a moment on your wedding day that everything finally soaks in and it actually feels real that you’re about to marry the love of your life. For Hannah, that moment was right before the ceremony while she was standing next to her dad.

“He looked at me and did the thing he always does when we are in an exciting situation, he grabbed my arm and shook me a little. He said “are you excited?” and I was like oh my gosh this is happening. My dad has been my best friend forever, and standing there before we walked made it so real.”

Hannah and Greg were announced Mr. and Mrs. Hegner and excitment filled the room. It was now…. PARTY TIME!!!

All of their guests know how to have a good time so their reception was a blast! After they ate dinner and cut the cake the DJ organized some fun games to kick off the party – the shoe game and the anniversary dance. Then the officially opened the dance floor.

WHAT A NIGHT! The dance floor was POPPIN and there was a smile on every face in that room. Everyone was so excited to get to celebrate Hannah and Greg and their new marriage.

Every wedding I photography I’m reminded why I do what I do. Capturing all the little details through out the day that my couple would typically miss. Photographing moments so they can be remembered and shared for years to come. After I delivered their final gallery I asked Hannah how she felt when her and Greg looked back through the photos,

she said, “The first time Greg and I went through the gallery, we cried and laughed and couldn’t stop smiling. I loved that it captured moments I missed, like people outside and dancing and having a blast. One picture that made me cry, and that I did not expect at all, was the one where my aunt has her hand on my uncles shoulder. My uncle in the picture has recently had a lot of health issues, We didn’t think he was going to be healthy enough to come. I was so glad to see such a tender moment captured, and I will cherish that picture forever.”

As a wedding photographer it’s not about how big or grand or expensive a wedding is. It’s about the people. The couple, their friends, and their family all having an amazing day together. The laughs, the tears, and the hugs. It’s the moments between the people they love that’ll want to remember forever.

Wedding Vendors:

Hair: Melissa Fuller
Make-up: Kelsey Shannon – Radiate beauty
Bride’s Dress: Emily Hart Bridal
Grooms Attire: Tip Top Tux
Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie
Florals: Rosemary with Final Touch Studios
DJ: Robert Kinnard with Soundworx

Check out another amazing wedding; Liz and Scott even had an ice cream truck!