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When Cody approached me about taking photos of his surprise Christmas lights proposal, I knew it was going to be special! Katherine had NO idea and so surprised!
Cody & Kathering were walking around together at the Powell Gardens Festival of Lights here in Kansas City, and in the middle of looking at lights together, Cody got down on one knee and Katherine was totally caught off guard. She was SO excited.
We wandered around afterwards together, capturing this special moment so they can remember it forever. Later, Katherine made a TikTok about the moment and it went viral, which is always fun!
All I gotta say is, if you’re looking for a place to propose around Christmas in Kansas City, I highly recommend the Festival of Lights. The Christmas lights just make the perfect backdrop for a holiday proposal.
Thinking of hiring a photographer for your surprise proposal? I’ve got you. Inquire HERE.
Jessica & John chose Shawnee Mission Park for their engagement session in the snow and I couldn’t have been happier.
These two were so cute and in love. We walked around the park together, snapping photos in the snow and laughing the whole time. They looked so classy in their all black outfits. Their look contrasted so well with the snow, and really made them pop from the background.
I also loved their more casual outfits they picked. We got to play in the snow, and get some great photos in a less formal setting as well.
I love working with authentic couples, and helping you document your relationship in it’s truest form.
Jessica and John, thank you for choosing me for your engagement session in the snow!
Looking for a photographer for your Kansas City wedding? Inquire with me HERE.
I met up with Katie & Ryan for their couples rooftop session in Kansas City near the Crown Center. As you’ll see these two are just FUN.
Their session was full of laughter and goofy faces and intimate moments between the two of them. Their love is very evident and authentic.
And let’s not even mention their STYLE. I mean, checkered pants and a black jumpsuit?! These two are classics.
I loved every second of this session, and highly recommend this location to any of my clients looking to get this couples rooftop session vibe.
Looking for a photographer for your Kansas City wedding? Inquire with me HERE.
Morgan and Chris had their engagement session at the Museum of Prairiefire, here in Kansas City. I love this location for photo sessions because it allows for so much versatility.
The colorful windows add some color to the background especially in the Winter & early Spring before things are blooming. And they give you a wide range of outfit options! You can choose to wear warm or cool colors, either looks great.
And bonus: there’s so many great restaurants nearby – I always encourage my couples to make a date night out of their engagement session since they’re already all dressed up already!
Looking to hire a Kansas City Wedding Photographer? Inquire HERE.
Kansas City is one of the prettiest places in the fall. The crisp wind paired with the warm sun makes outside activities so much more enjoyable. The leaves stay bright fall colors for weeks (my favorite to photograph!) and everyone is soaking up time with their loved ones before the busyness of the holiday season. If you’re a fan of fall, you’ll love these Seven Kansas City Fall Date Ideas. From First Fridays to fruit-picking, we’ve covered it all! Grab your significant other for some quality time. Let’s make some memories!
Louisburg Cider Mill
Is anyone surprised this is first on my list of date ideas? With a 10-acre corn maze and a 10-acre pumpkin patch, this is one of Kansas City’s favorite fall date activities.
The drive down south to Louisburg Cider Mill is beautiful, and the journey is beyond worth it! Their corn maze is always a unique theme, and the cider donuts are *chefs kiss.* Look into their upcoming events to find a day with local vendors, live music, hay wagon rides, and farm animals.
Kansas City Apple + Pumpkin Picking
Kansas City, Kansas
Cider Hill Family Orchard offers tons of delish apple treats to enjoy before you head out into the orchard to pick apples! There are other activities too: pumpkin picking, hayrides, fishing, and lots of photo opportunities. Bonus: leashed dogs are allowed!
Platte City, Missouri
Open Saturdays and Sundays, Alldredge Orchards is the perfect pumpkin picking place! They have a hayride, barnyard, and lots of goodies in their rustic barn store. Don’t worry, your leashed dog is allowed here too!
First Fridays
Downtown is always fun on Friday nights but the Crossroads are the place to be for you + your boo on First Fridays. Grab an adult Capri sun from Mean Mule, stop in Parlor for some live music, and peruse through dozens of art galleries. There are always booths to shop unique, local trinkets, and don’t forget about the food trucks!
First Fridays is a classic Kansas City date night! This Fall, the dates are September 3, October 1, and November 5th. Mark your calendars!
Farmers Market in the River Market
If you’ve been in Kansas City for any length of time, chances are you’ve been to the River Market! Every Saturday dozens of vendors gather to showcase their fresh fruits & veggies, homemade bread, specialty salsa, & beautiful bouquets of flowers.
This is a fun Kansas City date if you’re a fan of supporting local businesses and shopping small! After shopping, grab lunch at The Opera House Coffee & Emporium, or take the free street car downtown.
Plaza Art Fair
There’s nothing more “Kansas City” than the plaza! The 2021 Plaza Art Fair is held September 24-26th and if you haven’t been before, this is your shot. This year is the 90th anniversary of the art fair! With live music, food stands, art exhibits, and different activities, you and your date won’t be bored.
Spend the afternoon shopping, trying drinks, & supporting small businesses. Pick up dinner from a food stand and eat it while you enjoy a live band. Grab ice cream from Ice Cream BAE in the Made in KC Marketplace to end your evening on a sweet note! This is a Kansas City fall date that you’ll remember for years.
Kansas City Fall Photo Shoot
Everyone knows Kansas City is beautiful in the fall. The trees stay yellow and orange for weeks and the weather is perfect. It’s definitely my favorite time for a couples photoshoot!
A photo session is such a cute way to top off your date. I can meet you at any of the places listed above to capture the sweet memories of your fall date! Or do you have another location in mind? Let’s chat about it and make alllll your Kansas City fall date dreams come true.
Follow along on Instagram where I’ll soon release my dates for mini-sessions! These are totally a fan-favorite so I don’t want you to miss them.
These Kansas City fall date ideas are perfect to spend some time with your boo, check out some photo inspo from last season here and here.
This colorful day celebrating Kala + Cooper was amazing. I know a lot of couples might be nervous about planning an outdoor wedding in Kansas City, because our weather can be a little unpredictable! But Kala + Cooper proved that with the right venue, a few umbrellas, and a whole lotta love, nothing can stop a wedding that’s meant to be. This blog post will feature all my favorite parts of their outdoor wedding at Bliss Plaza.
As a Kansas City wedding photographer, I LOVE when my couples know how to party! These two planned a day that honestly felt so unique to them.
From the bright color palette, to the fun socks, all the way to Kala killing it on the dance floor… These two were clearly sooooo happy to get married. They’re head over heels for each other, and we had a wonderful time celebrating that!
Pre-Ceremony Celebrations
Everyone got ready on-site at The Bliss Plaza Event Venue. Their bridal suite was perfect for pre-wedding drinks + dancing! Kala and her girls rocked their Harry Potter themed shirts.
Cooper grabbed a drink with his guys. They were such a fun group!
Kala told me that the moment this felt real, the moment it really kicked in, was reading the letter that Cooper wrote her. She said this was one of, if not THE, best part of her day.
Something unique I looooved was the first look Kala did with her grandmas. This was such a special moment and I hope she cherishes these pictures forever.
Their Wedding Outfits
Kala was absolutely glowing in her Morilee/Wedding Expressions by Geri dress! My favorite part is this detail on her bodice.
The coolest part about Kala’s wedding OOTD was her shoes. She decorated them herself! Seriously so impressive.
The bridesmaids were gushing over her – It’s so fun to do a first look with your girls! Their dresses were so fun and really helped elevate the colorful theme of the day. All the girls looked bomb, and their dresses were from Azazie.
Cooper KNOWS that his bride is stunning. These two crack me up.
I love a navy blue suit, and Cooper was killing it in his. All the guys’ outfits were Calvin Klein at Men’s Wearhouse. Their pink ties matched the ceremony decor and coordinated with the girls’ dresses. These colors just make me so happy!!
And we can’t forget about the socks. Super cute, boys!
Kansas City Outdoor Ceremony
I love outdoor ceremonies because the lighting is natural and the scenery is beautiful.
The Hamiltons got married at The Bliss Plaza Event Venue, with a beautiful landscape surrounding their outdoor ceremony space. Guests were able to keep dry under this cute gazebo!
Kala + Cooper wrote their own vows. It always impresses me so much when couples do this!! I love hearing what you love about your favorite person. The Hamiltons did a beautiful job of speaking from their hearts. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Despite the rain, everyone was so happy to see these two finally tie the knot.
But nobody was happier than Kala + Cooper!
Indoor Wedding Reception
Kala + Cooper told me the best part of their day was having all their favorite people in one place. As I looked around their reception, I could tell their favorite people were over-the-moon happy for the beautiful couple!!
The Bliss Plaza was the perfect space for their indoor wedding reception in Kansas City. It’s a blank slate with the ideal balance of rustic and elegance! The neutral aesthetic makes it easy to customize, especially with the bright colors that Kala + Cooper picked.
I loved this H that all their guests signed. This is a unique way to display all the support from their family + friends!
The cupcake bar was an easy and DELICIOUS way to feed a crowd, plus the colors matched their theme perfectly! All their food was done by Katie’s Catering.
As Disney fans, their first dance song choice was obvious. Can You Feel The Love Tonight was the perfect pick, and honestly, yeah, I could feel the love! These two practically have heart eye emojis when they look at each other!
When I asked Kala to describe how they felt on their wedding day, she said, “Pure bliss. The whole day felt perfect and wonderful.”
These two are both vets, so now they’re BOTH Dr. Hamilton!!
I asked them…. What’s some advice you’d share with someone who’s planning their wedding day?
“Weddings are stressful, expensive, and time-consuming to plan. Lean on the people who ask to help, and lean on each other through the process. Enjoy the process and the day, it goes so quick!”
For more advice from real couples check out this blog post: Advice from Real Brides
Congrats BIG TIME to Dr. + Dr. Hamilton!!
To plan your own outdoor wedding at Bliss Plaza check out these amazing vendors!
KC Wedding Vendor Credit:
- Venue – The Bliss Plaza Event Venue
- Stationery – Zazzle
- Florist – Blooms by Breck
- Caterering + Cake – Katie’s Catering
- DJ – DJ Fernando at Fernando Productions
- HMUA – Hyde Salon
- Bride’s Dress – Morilee/Wedding Expressions by Geri
- Rings – House of Diamonds
- Groom’s + Groomsmen Attire – Calvin Klein at Men’s Wearhouse
- Bridesmaid Dresses – Azazie
One of the best locations in Kansas City for couples sessions is The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The grand stairs, the tall pillars, the quiet gardens, and the beautiful green lawns make for beautiful backdrops that compliment every fun and intimate moment.
Christina and Nick have been dating since February of 2019 so they decided it was time for some professional pics. They’ve captured their relationship through iphone photos and instagram stories but this session was way more than just pictures. It was an afternoon dedicated to spending quality time with each other and capturing their dating stage as their relationship keeps growing.
When Christina was a freshman and Nick was a sophomore they met for the very first time at Missouri State University. Their mutual friends introduced them and as their friendship grew they both started to catch feelings. A ton of Chick-fil-a dates later and they knew this was the real deal.
The minute I met Christina and Nick I could tell how much they love each other. It was obvious through the in between moments that they are the perfect pair. From the subtle glances, to the way Christina’s head fits into Nick’s shoulder – it was a match made in heaven.
Last summer these cuties both spent their break in Orlando, FL. One evening, as the golden sun set in the sky, Nick and Christina shared a meal together overlooking the gorgeous view of the ocean. After dinner they walked hand and hand along the beach. Christina watched the waves crash on the shore and then looked up at Nick’s smiling face, it was in that moment she knew they were meant to spend the rest of their lives together. Thinking about that night still takes Christina’s breath away.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum was the perfect spot for Nick and Christina’s couples session. We had a ton of variety for different backgrounds and the grounds are so big that the creative options are truly endless. I could photograph a couple here every weekend and each session would be unique to the rest. What makes couples sessions so special is giving yourself a moment, or an afternoon, to really spend some quality time together in a new way.
“We may have been out in public in front of lots of people, but it honestly felt like it was just the two of us in that moment” -Christina
Christina and Nick’s advice to you:
“{After seeing the final gallery} Each picture I looked at, I just fell in love with it. It was so sweet to see the both of us together & the way we look at one another. The pictures were truly worth a thousand words. Don’t wait forever to get pictures done – moments fly by SO quick! I’m so glad Natalie was able to capture our dating stage of life as things continue to move forward”
Check out The Nelson here and schedule your next photo session with me here or fill out the brief contact form down below.
If you opt in for a elopement at the courthouse this blog post is for you! Plan with these Kansas City courthouse wedding pro-tips in mind.
Make Your Appointment
Be sure to call your local courthouse to make your appointment. My KC people; I went ahead and found the phone numbers for you for both sides of the state line – Jackson County (MO) (816-881-3191) and Johnson County (KS) (913-715-3428).
Get Your Marriage License
Depending on which courthouse you go to you might need to apply for your marriage license ahead of time. Double check all the requirments on the county government websites – Jackson County (MO) and Johnson County (KS)
Decide Who Will Officiate
When getting married at a courthouse you have the option of having a Justice of the Peace or a Judge preform the ceremony, but you also have the option of bringing in your own private officiant.
Pro-Tip: If you bring in your own private officiant choose someone that is special to you and your soon to be spouse. Possibly an official from your church or a close friend that can become an officiant for the day.
Hire Your Photographer
Even if your wedding will be on the more simple side your photos can still be EPIC.
PRO-TIP: You don’t have to only stick around the courthouse for your photos! There might be some hidden gems a couple blocks away or hire your photographer for some additional hours and somewhere with a breathtaking view.
to hire Natalie Nichole Photography please fill out my contact form here or at the bottom of this page.
Week Day ceremonies = $500
-an hour of coverage
-sneak peek photos the same day
-50+ final images delivered 3-5 weeks after your wedding
Weekend ceremonies (Nov-Feb) =$700
-two hours of coverage
-sneak peek photos the same day
-50+ final images delivered 3-5 weeks after your wedding
additional hours can be added on to any package.
Hire Professional Hair and Make Up
Hiring professional hair and makeup is a great way to pamper yourself before your ceremony. You’ll be able to look your best without all the stress of having to do it yourself.
Pro-Tip: Make sure you have a hair and make up trial with your beauty team, you want to make sure the look still feels like you and sometimes the best way to know is to take it for a test run!
Flowers are Always a Good Idea
If you love flowers don’t forget to bring some for your special day! You can get a gorgeous bouquet from a local florist with all your favorites.
Pro-Tip: If you don’t feel like carrying around a bouquet as a florist for some little blooms to add to your hair. All the flowers with less hassle.
Add a Personal Touch to the Day
Add a little something that truly reflects you two as a couple. Some ideas; bring a special getaway car or motorcycle for after the ceremony, grab something to eat afterwards at your favorite restaurant, or have your closest friends and family waiting at the next location ready to celebrate your new marriage with you!
Pro-Tip: Keep your photographer around for the special events- you’ll want to look back on those memories.
Keep these Kansas City courthouse wedding pro-tips in the back of your mind while you plan your special day.
Not wanting to elope at the courthouse but still want to keep it low key? – here’s how to plan a simple wedding
If a big wedding ceremony isn’t your thing, you might consider having a smaller ceremony or an intimate elopement. Here is how to have a simple wedding in Kansas City.
The key to making your marriage legal – Your Marriage License
In the state of Kansas (Johnson County)
You’ll have to go to the County Clerk’s office twice. Remember your IDs
Clerk of the District Court:
100 N Kansas Ave
Olathe, KS 66061
Hours: Monday- Friday 8am-5pm
-Apply for your marriage license
The application portion is a sworn affidavit. You’ll give basic info about both of you; name, age, city you live in. Then you’ll go under oath that you’re not related to each other, neither of you are currently already married, and that you don’t know of any other reason you shouldn’t get married.
-Wait three days
The state of Kansas requires applicants to wait three days for their marriage license to be processed.
-Return to pick up your license
Hot Tip: Technically only one of you needs to go to the Clerk’s office to apply, but going to get your marriage license together is a memorable moment I recommend you share together.
In the state of Missouri (Jackson County)
You can go to the Jackson County Courthouse, Historic Truman Courthouse, or you can apply online. If you go in person be sure to remember your IDs.
Jackson County Courthouse- Recorder of Deeds Department
415 East 12th Street
Room 104
Kansas City, Missouri 64106
Historic Truman Courthouse
112 W Lexington
Suite 30
Independence, Missouri 64050
–apply for your marriage license
You’ll give basic info about both of you; name, age, city you live in.
-Pick up your marriage license
If you apply in person you can get it right then but if you apply online you’ll need to both go to pick it up.
The Fun Part -Your Ceremony
Both Johnson County and Jackson County will happily give you a list of judges that can perform your ceremony, you will need to reach out them and decide on a location. Your officiant can also be a religious official; a minister, a priest, a rabbi, etc. Nowadays you can have a friend or relative become a temporary officiant or become ordained which can add a personal touch to your ceremony.
Location Ideas:
Possibly in the court house (they don’t seem to be offering this very much)
Your backyard
A local park (check with each park about their fees and required permits)
Kansas (Johnson County)
Your ceremony will have to take place within 6 months after you receive your marriage license. All you will need for a ceremony is someone to officiant and two witnesses. Your officiant must turn in the license within 10 days of the ceremony.
Missouri (Jackson County)
Your ceremony will have to take place within 30 days. You’ll need an officiant and two witnesses. Your officiant must turn in the license to the Jackson County Recorder of Deeds Department within 15 days of the ceremony.
Hot Tip: Your wedding ceremony must take place in the State that you got your marriage license.
How much will it cost to have a simple wedding in Kansas City?
-License
Kansas $85.50 (additional $4.95 if you pay with a card)
Missouri $50.00
-officiant most likely between $100-200 (maybe free if your friend or relative is offering!)
-Venue will depend on where you choose! There are plenty of free options
How much will it cost to have a photographer at our simple wedding?
*quotes for Natalie Nichole Photography for a simple ceremony within 20 miles of Kansas City*
Week Day ceremonies = $500
-an hour of coverage
-sneak peek photos the same day
-50+ final images delivered 3-5 weeks after your wedding
Weekend ceremonies (Nov-Feb) =$700
-two hours of coverage
-sneak peek photos the same day
-50+ final images delivered 3-5 weeks after your wedding
Additional hours can be added to packages
Love KC? Have a simple wedding in Kansas City on a rooftop. The skyline makes for the perfect backdrop.
