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.