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Winter in Kansas City can be unpredictable and chilly. An indoor location like John’s Greenhouse provides a perfect setting for engagement sessions. I had the pleasure of capturing a greenhouse engagement session at John’s and despite the cold weather outside, the greenhouse was warm and inviting.
Indoor locations offer consistent lighting and controlled temperatures, ensuring comfort for everyone. John’s Greenhouse, with its lush greenery, and vibrant backdrop, made this couple’s engagement session feel like a tropical escape!
The couple chose outfits that perfectly complemented the greenhouse’s aesthetic. They opted for simple yet bold colors, which stood out beautifully against the greenery. The bride-to-be wore a stunning deep orange dress, adding a pop of color to the photos. The groom-to-be chose a classic cream colored shirt, offering a sharp contrast to the green foliage. The greenhouse’s natural light highlighted their features and the details of their clothing.
Using an indoor location like John’s Greenhouse has several benefits. It provides a unique and picturesque environment, perfect for capturing special moments. The controlled setting eliminates the stress of weather-related issues. The greenhouse’s lush plants and flowers create a vibrant, natural background for photos.
In winter, outdoor sessions can be challenging due to the cold and unpredictable weather. An indoor location ensures that the session can proceed without any weather-related interruptions. John’s Greenhouse offers a warm, comfortable space for couples to relax and enjoy their session!
In February of 2020, Blake Harris took the chance on 40-acres of unused farmland in rural Louisburg, Kansas to turn it into The Haven, a premier event space for weddings, parties, and corporate events.
Due to issues during the pandemic, construction did not begin until 2021 with the official opening taking place in October of 2021. All this time, Blake still maintained his corporate job while booking dates for weddings at his then under-construction venue. Attributing to the initial success of the venue, the attention to detail and passion for these events was evident and foremost in the actions of everyone involved. Since its grand opening, the venue has held events consistently.
The Haven’s Features
Since construction was completed, the Haven has never stopped receiving upgrades and evolving. The venue rental includes all furniture and access to all of the 40-acre property with the only add-ons being bar packages. Some of the key features include:
- A 9am to 11pm rental time
- Reception accommodations for up to 260 guests
- Event staff included for assistance in day-of venue needs
- Private caterer’s kitchen (as part of their open vendor policy)
- Private Bridal suite with an in-suite restroom and rooftop deck
- Large Groom’s suite
- Two indoor ceremony setup options
- Free access to The Haven’s house décor
- Outdoor ceremony location
- Custom-built indoor bar in the Main Hall
- Glass Mirror photo booth with unlimited prints included in the rental package
- Touchscreen game tables in the loft areas for guests
- State-of-the-art indoor and outdoor sound system
- Golf cart access to the rest of the property for videos and photographs
- Large, gated entrance and convenient paved parking lot
Getting Ready
The Private Bridal suite includes an oversized space featuring:
- Dedicated Thermostat control
- A wall-length bar with a buffet top
- 7 LED makeup stations
- In-suite changing rooms and floor-to-ceiling windows
- A massive bridal deck that overlooks the property
- Complimentary mimosa cart
- Sound system with Bluetooth capabilities
- Private key code access
- Coffee station
- And a Vintage Gold Mirror for beautiful bridal shots
The Groom’s Lounge includes:
- Dedicated Thermostat control
- A custom, black felt pool table
- Two 75” TVs with Xbox and streaming
- Custom bar with a fully stocked fridge
- Sound system with Bluetooth capabilities
- Iconic photo wall with a neon sign
- Private key code access
- And the room is Soundproof!
The Haven has a modern farmhouse aesthetic which beautifully compliments the joyous occasions which are held there. The large, overarching ceilings provide a sense of space, and, with a wooden finish, they provide a certain warmth and comfort for all in attendance. The venue can accommodate up to 260 seated guests or 500 standing.
When asked what their favorite part of the wedding industry was, they replied: “Our favorite part of working in the industry is the close relationships we have been able to develop with our clients and vendors! We are impacted by all of the people that have an opportunity to visit and work in our space. We believe that relationships are the building blocks of our venue!”
Anyone interested in booking a tour should visit their website. They look forward to being a part of your special day!
Sally and Jacob tied the knot at the Weston Red Barn Farm, surrounded by Kansas City’s Fall beauty. I had the pleasure of capturing their laid-back, rustic celebration filled with heartfelt moments and charm.
Sally’s favorite part of the day was their first look, hands down. She swears by it, saying it brought a calming vibe to the chaos. Seeing your partner before the madness begins? Essential.
I loved their wedding day vibe. They went in with a “whatever happens, happens” attitude, focusing on the fact that they were marrying their favorite person. Simple and sweet.
The Weston Red Barn Farm was a beautiful venue for their wedding day! The cozy, farm feel and those giant barn doors decked out with twinkling lights. Picture-perfect and oh-so-romantic.
One very special feature of the day was the incorporation of Sally’s grandma’s star brooch and Jacob’s grandparents’ wedding necklace. Sentimental touches that made their day even more special!
Their advice for couples that are in the wedding planning process is to talk it out with your partner. Figure out what’s most important to you both. For Sally and Jacob, it was all about photography and food – the good stuff!
Sally and Jacob’s wedding was a cozy, love-filled affair that perfectly captured the essence of fall in Kansas City. It was an absolute joy to be part of their special day, snapping away and soaking in all the warmth and happiness. Here’s to many more love stories like theirs in the KC!
On a picturesque fall day Bridget and Peter tied the knot at The Otten on Main. The vibrant colors of Fall set the stage, creating a magical atmosphere that perfectly reflected the couple’s love story. I’ve had the pleasure of capturing moments for Bridget and Peter since the beginning of their engagement! It has been a pleasure to be apart of their story.
Memorable Moments
One of the most memorable aspects of Bridget and Peter’s wedding was their commitment to cherishing private moments together! The day was sprinkled with special moments – a breathtaking first look, shared vows in seclusion before the ceremony, a quiet elevator ride post-ceremony, a moment to savor dinner amid their guests, a private last dance, and a nightcap at the hotel bar after their grand exit. These cherished moments allowed them to fully immerse themselves in the joy of the occasion.
The wedding felt surreal for Bridget and Peter, a culmination of months of planning and excitement. The sheer joy and love surrounding them made the day feel electric. The rooftop view of the Kansas City skyline, adorned with string lights and a spacious dance floor, added a unique touch to the celebration. The Crossroads location facilitated easy access for guests, enhancing the overall experience.
Special Sentiments
Bridget cherished her bouquet, a personalized creation from the City Market Farmer’s Market flowers, crafted with the help of her bridesmaids. Peter appreciated the sentimental touch of using champagne coupes during dinner, a tradition passed down from both sets of parents.
Bridget and Peter’s wedding at The Otten on Main was a beautiful celebration of love, autumn, and the unique bond they share. As a wedding photographer, capturing such heartfelt moments is a privilege.
Kansas City has so many wonderful options when it comes to wedding venues! One of the things I love about this area is that you can find a location in the heart of downtown, or you can drive 15 minutes and find yourself a little slice of solitude. The Barn at Riverbend is a quaint and classic outdoor venue right outside of KC that offers wonderful amenities and picturesque landscapes.
I loved that Natalie choose two dresses that perfectly captured her personality. One very classic and beautiful white gown for the ceremony and one very colorful floral gown for the reception. Her colors of her reception gown perfectly complimented the colors of her bridesmaid’s dresses and the florals for the wedding and reception.
I had the opportunity to meet Natalie and Colin’s dog, Huckleberry, during their engagement session. I was so happy to be able to photograph him again at the wedding! He showed up dressed to the nines in his very best tie, it was adorable.
The Barn at Riverbend has a unique ceremony area. It is located at the bottom of a ravine, and there is a tiered wooden walkway to get down to the seated ceremony area. Shaded with large trees and overlooking a beautiful field, it makes for a perfectly picturesque moment!
I feel very blessed to have been apart of Natalie and Colin’s journey. From capturing their engagement session, to photographing their wedding – I hope to be apart of many more of their big moments in the future!
Vendors
Planner: @truelovecoordingatinganddesign
Photo: @natalie.nichole.photos
Video: @a.r.c.media
DJ: @platinumdjkc
Catering: @brancatoscatering
Florist: @beyondthebloom_kc
Hair: @hairsalonkc and @shelbydoesmyhair_
Makeup: @olivia.taylor.makeup
Dress: @truesociety_bybellevogue @essenseofaustralia
Dog Service: @katies.kennel
Shuttle: @showtime_transportation
Venue: @thebarnatriverbend
As 2023 comes to a close and 2024 begins I wanted to hop on and recap my busiest year yet! A letter from Nat, if you will.
Over the past 12 months I captured a total of 101 sessions, 23 of those being weddings. That averages to almost 2 weddings a month!! I had a total of 40 Lightroom catalogs for the year, each with lots of time spent editing. I also filled 5 hard drives and 28 SD cards!
Just to give you a glimpse into what an average year in photos looks like – I took 159,944 photos total. I edited 39,488 of those photos and delivered 124 total galleries!
The most popular sessions on my schedule were couples, families, and maternity. But I captured so many different sessions and had a BLAST!
It may vary from month to month, but overall, my most used apps this year were Honeybook (client and project management), Google Docs, Instagram, and Gmail.
It was the busiest and BEST year yet. I feel so incredibly blessed to serve Kansas City and surrounding areas because I truly have the best clients! I look forward to many more great years ahead. Cheers to 2023; let’s see what you’ve got in store 2024!
XOXO,
Nat
I have photographed many moments between Katherine and Cody. Their wedding day at UNION Event Space was no different than the other fun, unique, and whimsical moments I’ve captured with them.
They decided on such vibrant and trendy decorations and colors. Most with bright pinks, oranges, and lots of mirrored and metallic pieces. Their flat-lays for their day-of detail photographs were stunning!
After getting ready they decided to share their vows in private, just the two of them, rather than at the ceremony. It was a very special and intimate moment before the wedding. If you aren’t the kind of person to publicly share, having time set aside on the day of your wedding to privately share vows with your spouse before the ceremony is a great idea!
One great thing about UNION Event Space was how large the venue was. It offered plenty of space to break up the day into different areas. This provided multiple backdrops for photographs and a lot of room for creativity with decorating!
Katherine DIY-ed a lot of the decorations for the wedding, but one of her favorite pieces of decor was the fringe she made to hang over the dance floor. It truly made the space feel magical and serene!
I asked Katherine if she had any advice to share with couples that are planning their wedding day. She said, “Spend time on your wedding day focusing on just your significant other. We took 20 minutes for ourselves to have dinner together in the bridal suite and it was so nice.”
I had a BLAST capturing this special day! I hope to continue to capture big and small moments for Katherine and Cody in the future. Cheers to the Fiola’s!
Along with winter comes proposal season! Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year are great times to pop the question because family and friends are already gathering. I had the opportunity to capture a special backyard proposal this past proposal season.
Kristian set up twinkly Christmas lights in Catelyn’s Parent’s backyard for a very romantic proposal. It was a cold evening, but that didn’t stop anyone from coming out to celebrate the newly engaged couple! After he led her to the backyard and popped the question, their family and friends came out of the house to congratulate them. They celebrated with a champagne pop, treats, and toasts.
Kansas City has a lot to offer when it comes to venues and locations for proposals, but nothing is as special as popping the question in a place that is special to the couple. I always recommend choosing a spot that has special sentiment for the proposal and then having a small celebration after! It could be at someone’s house, a restaurant the couple loves, a coffee shop they frequent, or a park they love to go to. Regardless of where they decided to pop the question, this next step into their relationship will be remembered forever.
There are so many special moments to be captured on your wedding day! Family portraits are a great way to remember what loved one’s were there to celebrate with you. Depending on the size of your family, this process may be quick or take a little while. The best way to ensure it goes by smoothly and everyone gets a photography is to be prepared! I’ve put together some tips for how to prepare for fast and organized family portraits.
Make The List
Once your RSPV’s have come back and you know who will be attending the wedding start by making a list of everyone who will be attending the “family portrait” portion of the wedding. This typically takes place right after the ceremony. It is important to make a list because sometimes it is more than just family who needs to stay. It is also important to let anyone who should be staying that they are on the list, so they don’t leave!
Organize The List
After you’ve made you list it’s time to start organizing it! I recommend starting with one partner’s side of the family and then work your way to the other’s. Write down all the different groupings you’d like photographed. Parents, siblings, grandparents, etc. Narrow your groupings down to the exact photographs you want. What I mean by this is if you want photographs with each grandparent, write them down individually (ie. picture with Grandma, picture with Grandpa, and picture with Grandma AND Grandpa). This way there is no confusion between you and your photographer. There will be so much going on that you may not remember that you wanted individual pictures with them and if you don’t write it down you will likely just get a group photo.
Share The List
When you are done creating all your groupings it is important to share the list with your photographer! If you have a wedding planner or a day of coordinator it is important to share with them, as well. If you want everyone to be informed, you can also share it with anyone who is on your list so they know they need to stay back after the ceremony. When they ceremony is over, have the Officiant make an announcement reminding anyone who is taking family portraits to stay back instead of leaving.
List, or no list, you’re wedding day is going to be perfect! Family members will hang back so they can be photographed with the Newlyweds and then head to the reception. Being prepared just helps move the process along quickly!
I had the opportunity to capture at fall engagement session on a gorgeous day at The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. It was the beginning of November, but the colors on the leaves were still out to play! We were not complaining. The weather was absolutely perfect and the colors added so much warmth and depth to the photographs. They also complimented Kristen and Chris’s outfits wonderfully!
There’s not much that’s better than a fall golden hour engagement session at The Nelson. Catching the sun as it peaks through the trees creates the dreamiest photographs. It is an easy way to romanticize the session!
The Nelson also offers a wide variety of locations to take pictures, which helps create the feeling of a multi-location session. But you only have to do a little walking, instead of taking a drive! As a location, it also offers a good variety of both earthy and industrial/modern backdrops. Multiple areas with trees, plants, and greenery compliment the beautiful structure.
If you are trying to decided where to go for an upcoming session, the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art is always a safe choice! Whether it’s a family session, an engagement session, or a senior session. The Nelson has plenty to offer!
