the blog
The Ramirez wedding at The Elms Hotel & Spa in Kansas City was the perfect blend of romance and chic springtime charm. Nestled in the heart of 16 lush acres, The Elms created a stunning setting for this beautiful celebration. On a bright spring day, the couple said their “I dos” and celebrated surrounded by pastel pink details and joyful loved ones!
The Ceremony
The ceremony and reception took place in the Regent Ballroom, which exudes rustic elegance. Its hardwood floors, exposed timbers, and stone fireplace created a warm and inviting atmosphere. The huge windows and French doors allowed natural light to flood the space, giving everything a fresh, springtime glow. The pastel pink decor complemented the space beautifully, adding a soft, romantic touch.
After the ceremony, the couple took advantage of The Elms’ gorgeous outdoor spaces for their wedding photographs. The garden and Gazebo, surrounded by blooming flowers and towering elm trees, provided the perfect backdrop. The golden sunlight filtering through the trees added a magical, timeless quality to every image.
Meanwhile, the reception was filled with joy, laughter, and so much fun. The wedding party brought an infectious energy that made the celebration unforgettable. Guests enjoyed the warm, cozy ambiance of the Regent Ballroom as they danced the night away and shared heartfelt toasts.
The Elms
One of the best things about The Elms Hotel is how effortlessly it combines history with modern elegance. The expert staff made every moment stress-free, allowing the couple to relax and enjoy their day. From the rustic charm of the Regent Ballroom to the vibrant beauty of the gardens, every detail felt thoughtfully curated.
Spring weddings at The Elms are truly special! Whether you’re drawn to the romantic outdoor spaces or the stunning ballrooms, this venue offers a magical experience. The Ramirez wedding was a perfect example of love, laughter, and lasting memories—everything a wedding day should be.
Your wedding day is filled with moments that you’ll want to remember forever. It is important to preserve and display your wedding photographs in meaningful ways to help you relive that joy for years to come! Here are some of the best ways to keep those memories alive, both as gifts for family and as beautiful displays in your home.
Preserving Wedding Photographs as Gifts
One of the most touching ways to share your wedding memories is by giving personalized gifts. A custom photo book for parents or grandparents is a timeless idea. Include their favorite moments, and use high-quality materials like archival paper for longevity. Alternatively, consider creating a set of framed prints. These can feature a mix of candid and posed photographs, each telling a piece of your story. Adding personalized engravings or handwritten notes makes these gifts even more special.
Creative Displays That Stand the Test of Time
When it comes to showcasing your wedding photographs at home, timeless displays are key. A gallery wall is a classic option that never goes out of style. Use a mix of frame sizes and finishes, but stick to neutral colors for a unified look. For a stunning focal point, consider a large canvas of your favorite moment. Placing this statement piece in your living room or bedroom can create a lasting tribute to your love.
If you prefer a modern touch, a digital frame might be the perfect choice. It rotates through your collection, giving every cherished photograph its moment to shine. This way, you can keep your memories fresh without needing to constantly reframe them.
Whether you preserve wedding photographs as thoughtful gifts or creating timeless displays in your home, choosing these classic methods ensures your memories remain vibrant. Through these creative approaches, you’ll celebrate your special day in ways that will be cherished for generations.
Note: I deliver final images through a personal online gallery. To make it easier, you can order prints and albums directly from the gallery link. It’s a one stop shop to make your photo session experience as easy as it can be. If you’d like help designing your album, I’d be more than happy to help!
Hannah and MK’s fall engagement session at Loose Park in Kansas City was nothing short of magical! As the sun dipped down, the golden hour light took over the entire park, creating a warm, glowing atmosphere. Their choice of neutral black and white outfits added a stunning focal point against the vibrant fall backdrop. The deep oranges, rich yellows, and golden hues of the leaves added a beautiful touch to each photograph.
The Magic of Golden Hour
Golden hour is a favorite time for photographers! During this brief period, the soft light creates a natural glow, adding a sense of warmth to each image. At Loose Park, the golden light filtered through the trees, highlighting the colorful leaves as they fell, giving Hannah and MK’s photographs a romantic, timeless feel.
The sun’s lower angle in the sky during fall cast long, gentle shadows, enhancing depth in the portraits. This lighting is perfect for couples who want to capture genuine intimate moments! Golden hour brings out natural expressions while keeping the mood relaxed and joyful. For Hannah and MK, this meant their photographs were filled with both love and warmth. <3
Why Loose Park is the Perfect Fall Location
Jacob L. Loose Park, covering 75 acres of beautiful landscapes, is one of Kansas City’s top spots for wedding and engagement sessions! Its stunning rose garden features about 3,000 roses and nearly 130 varieties. In the fall, the park transforms into a palette of rich colors, creating the perfect backdrop for portraits!
The park’s open spaces, tree-lined paths, and serene ponds provide a variety of settings for beautiful compositions. During Hannah and MK’s session, the glowing sunset emphasized the landscape and their love for each other in a truly beautiful way.
Benefits of a Fall Golden Hour Session
Choosing a fall golden hour session captures both beautiful lighting and the season’s natural beauty. The combination of soft sunlight and the bright colors of the leaves creates a romantic and colorful atmosphere. It’s a perfect choice for couples who want timeless, elegant portraits that highlight their connection!
For any couple looking to celebrate their love in a stunning way, a fall session during golden hour is truly a wonderful choice!
Capturing beautiful photographs of large wedding parties can be a fun yet challenging task for photographers. With a bit of planning and creativity, these group shots can become stunning keepsakes. Here are some tips for posing large wedding parties and making sure their personalities and the wedding’s overall style shine through.
Tips for Posing Large Wedding Parties
When working with a large group, organization is key. Start by arranging everyone by height and positioning the couple in the center. This helps create balance and ensures no one gets lost in the crowd. Try staggering the group in multiple rows to add depth to the shot. Instead of lining everyone up stiffly, encourage natural poses. Ask the wedding party to relax their shoulders or hold hands to create a sense of connection.
Additionally, using different levels in your composition, such as placing people on steps or having some seated, can make the photograph more dynamic. For candid moments, give the group prompts, like sharing a fun memory with the couple or interacting with each other naturally. These moments often bring out genuine emotions and laughter, which translate beautifully in pictures.
How Color Schemes and Textures Affect Wedding Party Photographs
Color schemes and textures play a significant role in how large wedding parties photograph. Coordinated color palettes, whether matching or complementary, ensure a cohesive look in group portraits. Soft pastels or neutral tones are ideal for spring weddings, while bold colors like jewel tones add drama to fall or winter celebrations.
Pay attention to textures as well. Fabrics like lace, satin, or velvet can add depth and richness to group photographs, making the image visually interesting. Mixed textures can also enhance the feel of the photograph without overwhelming the shot. It’s important to make sure that the colors and textures reflect the couple’s overall wedding aesthetic.
The Benefits of Having a Large Wedding Party
A large wedding party brings energy, fun, and a sense of celebration to the day. More personalities mean more opportunities for laughter, inside jokes, and capturing a range of emotions. From formal portraits to candid moments, there’s never a dull moment with a big group. Having a large wedding party also allows the couple to include more close friends and family members, adding special significance to their day.
While photographing large wedding parties requires planning, it also offers a unique opportunity to capture the joy and togetherness of the day. By posing creatively and considering color and texture, photographers can create group shots that are both stylish and heartfelt.
Capturing authentic emotions in couples’ portraits can transform wedding photographs into truly unforgettable moments. Genuine expressions of love and joy add a personal touch, making each image feel more meaningful. Here are some tips for couples and photographers to help bring out that natural connection during the shoot.
Tips for Couples: How to Relax and Be Yourselves
For couples, staying relaxed is key to creating authentic wedding portraits. Start by focusing on each other, not the camera. Whisper something sweet or funny to your partner, share a private joke, or recall a favorite memory. These little moments often lead to the most genuine smiles and heartfelt expressions.
Another tip is to move naturally. Instead of stiff poses, try walking hand in hand or holding each other close. Movement helps ease nervousness and allows your true emotions to shine through. Trust your photographer’s guidance—they’re there to capture your best moments in the most beautiful light.
Tips for Photographers: Capturing the Real Connection
Photographers, to capture authentic emotion, focus on building rapport with the couple before the wedding day. Get to know them, ask about their love story, and understand what makes them laugh or feel comfortable. This personal connection goes a long way in helping them relax during the shoot.
During the session, give gentle prompts instead of strict instructions. Encourage the couple to interact naturally by asking them to share a funny memory or to look at each other with love. Patience is also essential; sometimes, the best moments happen when you wait for the couple to forget the camera is even there.
How Authentic Emotion Enhances Wedding Photographs
Photographs that capture genuine emotions tell a more compelling story. They hold power to transport the couple back to that moment, bringing those feelings to life every time they look at their images. Authentic expressions add depth and intimacy, making each wedding portrait unique and personal.
Wedding photographs filled with real emotion also resonate more with friends and family. When they see those candid smiles, laughter, or even happy tears, they feel the joy as if they were right there with you. This connection elevates the impact of your wedding album, turning it into a heartfelt keepsake.
In the end, authentic emotions are what turn a beautiful wedding portrait into a treasured memory. By staying present, being yourselves, and trusting your photographer, you’ll create images that tell the true story of your love. Let your wedding photographs capture not just how you look, but how you feel on this special day.
In the spring of 2024, Linzi and Jacob celebrated a beautiful traditional Jewish wedding, combining timeless customs with vibrant spring pastels. Soft shades of pink, yellow, and light blue filled the day, creating a romantic and unforgettable atmosphere.
The day began with the Tisch, where Jacob gathered with family and friends. They shared stories, sang songs, and toasted to his upcoming marriage. Meanwhile, Linzi prepared for the Bedeken. Jacob gently placed the veil over her face in a moving gesture, symbolizing his love for her inner beauty.
Linzi and Jacob then signed their Ketubah, a beautifully illustrated marriage contract. Close family members witnessed this moment, which outlined the couple’s mutual commitments.
At Congregation Beth Torah, Linzi and Jacob exchanged vows under the Chuppah, symbolizing their future home. With family and friends surrounding them, they broke the glass and shared a joyful kiss, sealing their union.
Afterward, guests traveled to Longview Mansion for a stunning reception. The pastel colors from the ceremony carried into the floral arrangements, adding a romantic touch to the historic venue. As the evening unfolded, guests enjoyed heartfelt speeches, delicious food, and the energetic Horah dance, where loved ones lifted Linzi and Jacob on chairs in celebration.
Throughout the day, tradition and elegance harmonized perfectly. From the meaningful Jewish wedding customs to the carefully chosen décor, every detail reflected Linzi and Jacob’s love and commitment. As the sun set over Longview Mansion, their wedding marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. Capturing these special moments was an honor!
Golden hour photography creates a magical and timeless look that enhances the beauty of your wedding day. This period, occurring shortly after sunrise or before sunset, offers soft, warm light that flatters both people and landscapes. Incorporating golden hour into your wedding schedule can elevate your wedding photographs to the next level.
The golden hour light is gentle, casting soft shadows and creating a romantic glow. This is particularly important during a wedding because harsh light can often wash out skin tones or create unflattering shadows. By planning your portrait session during this time, you’ll get photographs with a natural warmth and radiance.
Moreover, the golden hour provides beautiful backdrops for outdoor photographs. The warm light enhances the colors of the sky, the surroundings, and your wedding attire. As the sun lowers, it creates a dreamy ambiance that’s difficult to replicate at any other time of the day.
Additionally, golden hour photographs capture genuine moments with a natural feel. The soft lighting allows for more candid shots, as it reduces the need for artificial light sources or awkward poses. This leads to more relaxed and joyful expressions, perfectly capturing the emotions of your special day.
Planning golden hour into your wedding day schedule doesn’t have to be stressful. Work with your photographer and wedding coordinator to find the best time to step away for portraits. The session doesn’t have to be long; even 20 minutes can result in breathtaking images.
Finally, golden hour photographs offer a timeless quality that lasts for years to come. These images will capture the joy, warmth, and love of your wedding in the most flattering way possible.
In conclusion, golden hour photography adds a magical touch to your wedding day. The soft, romantic lighting creates timeless images that you’ll cherish forever. By planning for it in your schedule, you ensure stunning photographs that truly reflect the beauty of your celebration.
A beautiful spring day set the perfect stage for a stunning wedding at The Everly in Kansas City, Missouri. The venue’s industrial charm, with its exposed brick and modern touches, created a unique backdrop for this unforgettable celebration.
The bridesmaids wore elegant champagne satin dresses that beautifully complemented the bride’s lace gown. The soft, shimmering fabric added a touch of sophistication, perfectly matching the season’s warm tones. The groomsmen, dressed in traditional black tuxes, added a timeless, classic feel to the wedding party. The contrast between the light, airy dresses and the sharp black tuxedos made for striking, memorable photographs.
One of the bride’s favorite parts of the day was dancing at the reception with family and friends. After the ceremony, the couple felt a sense of relief and joy, knowing the formalities were over. The reception turned into a celebration, filled with laughter, dancing, and pure happiness. The couple’s first dance, to “Lover” by Taylor Swift, was a highlight. The song choice was meaningful, as both the bride and groom are big Taylor Swift fans. They felt completely at ease dancing to a song that held special significance for them.
The florals and candles at the reception were another favorite detail. The soft glow of the candles and the lush floral arrangements added a romantic atmosphere to the evening. As the night continued, the newlyweds took in the moment when it all felt real—on the party bus, realizing they were officially married.
The entire day felt surreal for the couple. Despite the typical wedding day stress, they felt remarkably relaxed and were able to fully enjoy each moment. When they look through their wedding gallery, they feel a rush of happiness, reliving the day through their favorite images. The sunset photos at The Everly stand out as a particularly cherished memory, capturing the love and joy of their special day.
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, especially when choosing the right vendors. However, the couple was thrilled with their choices, each contributing to making their day perfect. The Everly’s team was a joy to work with, helping to create a wedding that was as stress-free as it was beautiful. In the end, the day was everything they had hoped for and more, filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
An engagement session at Liberty Memorial in Kansas City is always a breathtaking experience, especially during golden hour. This magical time, just before sunset, bathes everything in a warm, bright glow, creating a romantic atmosphere!
I recently photographed James and Stacy, a couple whose fun personalities shown through during our session. James wore khakis with a crisp white short-sleeve button-up shirt, creating a classic, timeless look. Stacy’s stunning two-piece outfit, with white and cream lace, added an elegant touch to the session.
Their neutral outfits perfectly complemented the golden hour’s soft light. The warm tones played beautifully off their clothing, enhancing the overall mood. The neutral palette allowed the golden hues to take center stage, highlighting both the couple and the location.
At Liberty Memorial, the golden hour light adds warmth and depth to every photograph. The setting sun’s glow, combined with the city’s skyline, creates a captivating backdrop. Choosing this location during golden hour ensures timeless, breathtaking moments.
James and Stacy’s session is a perfect example of how thoughtful outfit choices and timing can make all the difference. Their session was not only about capturing their love but also about showcasing the beauty of Liberty Memorial.
The result was a series of stunning images that perfectly captured the essence of their relationship. Liberty Memorial, especially during golden hour, offers a unique blend of historical significance and natural beauty. It’s an ideal location for capturing an unforgettable engagement session.
I recently had the pleasure of capturing a beautiful spring proposal session at Loose Park. It was a bright, sunny spring day. Katie wore a lovely baby blue dress, while Zach looked sharp in dark slacks and a white button-up shirt. I hid in the trees as they arrived and I waited in place for Zach to lead Katie to the bridge where he popped the question!
The bridge provided a perfect, rustic backdrop for the proposal. Katie had no idea what was coming, making it even more special. Zach got down on one knee, and Katie’s reaction was priceless. I was thrilled to capture this heartfelt moment.
When they were done sharing their special moment, we moved to the park’s beautiful fountains. The fountains certainly added a touch of elegance to the session. Zach and Katie’s happiness was infectious, they both couldn’t stop smiling! The sound of the water from the fountains made everything feel even more magical. .
During the session we explored most of Loose Park. The blooming flowers and lush greenery were specifically perfect for springtime photographs. Katie and Zach’s love for each other shone through in every photograph. The chemistry between the two of them made my job easy! I loved how relaxed and natural they were together.
To finish the session, Katie and Zach had a little picnic. They brought a couple of their favorite drinks and relaxed on a cozy blanket. It was undoubtedly a perfect ending to a perfect day. They toasted to their future, and I captured the moment. The casual picnic style added a personal touch to their proposal story.
Overall, this spring proposal session at Loose Park was truly memorable. Katie and Zach were so much fun to work with! Their love and excitement made the session special. Capturing these moments is why I love being a wedding photographer. I can’t wait to see Katie and Zach’s journey continue. Congratulations to the happy couple!
