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Nestled in the heart of Kansas City’s Crossroads area, The Everly was born from a mother-daughter team’s personal journey through wedding planning. Their mission was to create a venue that goes beyond aesthetics, offering a space where every event becomes a cherished memory. With over 320 weddings hosted, The Everly combines modern elegance with top-tier service to deliver a truly personalized experience. From the first consultation to the event day, their staff ensures every detail aligns with your vision, making your celebration unforgettable!
The Main Stage: Elegance and Versatility
The Everly’s main event space offers a bright, airy atmosphere. It’s ideal for both ceremonies and receptions, with enough space for all your guests. Large windows fill the room with natural light, offering a view of the surrounding cityscape. The neutral tones allow couples to add their own decorations.
The space also features a built-in bar area for guests to enjoy. Whether you prefer a formal dinner or a cocktail-style reception, The Everly adapts to your needs.
Bridal and Groom Suites: Ready in Style
On your wedding day, The Everly provides luxurious Bridal and Groom Suites. The Bridal Suite is elegant and comfortable, with full-length mirrors and plenty of natural light. It’s a great place for capturing those beautiful pre-wedding photographs. The Groom Suite offers a relaxing space with comfortable seating, a television, and a bar area.
Exceptional Service for Every Detail
What truly sets The Everly apart is its exceptional service! Their experienced staff is there to support you from start to finish. They handle every detail of your wedding with care and professionalism, making sure your day is stress-free.
Catering and Customization
The Everly partners with top Kansas City caterers to provide a range of delicious options. Whether you want a sit-down dinner or a buffet, their Preferred Catering List ensures you get the best service within your budget.
In addition to catering, The Everly encourages couples to bring their own décor. With its neutral palette and versatile spaces, it’s easy to personalize your wedding and create a day that feels uniquely yours.
Book a Tour and Start Planning
For couples seeking a venue that blends urban sophistication with excellent service, The Everly is the perfect choice. Visit their website today to book a tour and start planning your dream wedding at The Everly!
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!
Natalie and Tanner’s wedding was on a beautiful Spring day at The Everly in Kansas City. A little bit of rain always sets people in a tizzy, but it can make for some very special photographs! I had so much fun capturing this day. The love these two share was so evident throughout the entire day!
Thoughts From Natalie + Tanner
The first look was their favorite part if the day because it was an intimate moment between just the two of them and it was their first time seeing each other on the wedding day!
When asked how they felt on their wedding day, they said, “we were surprising calm because we had done so much planning for all the little details and our amazing vendors were able to execute those details. Plus our wedding party was a huge help in making sure we didn’t have anything to worry about.”
They decided on The Everly because they loved the style and location. The style fit their personalities perfectly and was exactly what they wanted the vibe of the wedding to be. The location was central to hotels and was easy to get to for all their family and friends!
When I asked them what one of their favorite details of the day was, they said, “having our former teacher from high school officiate our ceremony was our favorite detail. He saw our relationship start and was able to tell our story with a very personal touch.”
I asked them when it really sunk in that it was their wedding day and they were getting married. Natalie said, “it felt real for me when we got back from taking wedding party photos at the Kaufman. It finally sunk it that I was able to commit to the love of my life for the rest of my life in front of family and friends.” Tanner said, “it felt real when Natalie walked down the aisle.”
Natalie thinks some good advice for couples planning a wedding is to find what works best for you and fight for what want. She said, “if a detail is very important to you, make sure it is included and don’t settle for anything less than how you want it. Do your research on vendors! Great vendors make wedding planning and the wedding day less stressful.” This incredible wedding day had a rockstar list of vendors!
Vendors
Vendors
Venue
@theeverlykc
Paper Goods
@zola
Florist
@craigsoledesigns
Caterer
@plazacatering
Cake
@mclainscakery
Cookies
@sissweets
Photographer
@natalie.nichole.photos
DJ
@djtonytonekc
Hair Stylist
@lilacrootssalon, @Megan.lilacroots
Dress
@hart_byemilyhart
Suits
@slabotskysmens
Rings
@bluenilediamond @manlybands
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!
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 know it’s hard to imagine now (in the heat of July!) but Kansas City winters are COLD. As a Kansas City photographer I’m shooting weddings year round, so I’ve seen my fair share of winter weddings. If you’re planning a winter wedding this blog is for YOU.
If your dream is to have a wedding ceremony with white snowflakes floating through the air, wearing the ice queen dress of your dreams, with snow frosting the trees, as your guests bask in the beautiful oasis of your love, I get it.
Here are 5 tips to planning a winter wonderland wedding sucessfully.
1. Provide warmth for your guests
Be crystal clear on your wedding invites that the ceremony will be outside so that everyone can dress accordingly. I’ve seen some couples offer blankets as wedding favors. I’ve also been to a couple weddings where they set out space heaters! I promise your guests will appreciate the forethought.
2. Plan a short wedding ceremony
Work with your officiant to plan a wedding ceremony that doesn’t last more than 30 minutes or so. Everyone is excited about your big day and wants to focus on that without the distraction of numb fingers or toes!!
3. Rent a tent
This is a cute way to get the outside vibe while providing coverage from any inclement Kansas City weather. Make sure to ask if the tent rental company needs insurance! Also ask if they’ll set it up for you. If not, plan accordingly to have some friends set it up the morning of or the day before. You can use cute lights to decorate the ceiling, or hang lanterns around to add to the ambiance.
4. Work with your wedding vendor team on a backup plan
I definitely recommend an indoor wedding reception venue so your guests can be comfortable while they eat, mingle, dance, & hang out. If your dream has always been a beautiful outdoor ceremony, ask your wedding venue what their backup plan is in case of inclement weather.
Last minute weather situations are why I always suggest hiring a wedding planner as well! They can work with the staff & the team of vendors on the backup plan. Planning ahead and delegating jobs means you can enjoy your winter wonderland wedding day worry free.
5. Hot chocolate bar
You could even have this available before the wedding ceremony! This is a fun way to keep everyone warm and to really make it a winter themed wedding. Offer toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, or candy canes. It’s a cozy and memorable treat everyone will love.
You deserve to have the wedding of your dreams. No matter the season, your wedding will be beautiful and your love will be everlasting. For more wedding planning tips check out these blogs; How to Prepare for Rain on your wedding day, How to choose your wedding photographer, Wedding Planning Advice from real brides, and much more!
After months, or maybe even years of planning, there’s always one thing we can’t plan ourselves; the weather. But!! We can prepare ourselves for rain on your wedding day. My biggest wish as a wedding photographer in Kansas City is that I could have magical powers to control the weather.
Do you know rain on your wedding day is actually good luck?? 🌧
You know the saying “tying the knot” well, rain on a knot is only going to make it tighter and harder to undo. Rain on your wedding day symbolizes adding strength to your marriage.
This saying might have only come around to help keep couples calm when the weather isn’t ideal on their day, but the sentiment is cute☔️
And as a Kansas City wedding photographer, I have a few real tips to actually help you if it rains on your day:
1. Have a back up plan
If you’re planning for an outdoor ceremony have a way to prevent your guests from getting soaked. This could be moving your ceremony indoors or a big tent on hand you can set up if needed.
2. Buy some clear umbrellas
Clear umbrellas are great for your wedding party to use during photos, this will add to the aesthetic of the day and you’ll still be able to have photos outside! Check these out from amazon.
3. Embrace it!!
I know rain on your wedding probably isn’t what you were dreaming about since you were little, but remember when you were a kid and you begged your parents to let you go play in the rain? Bring that energy into your wedding day!
And besides; who doesn’t love a romantic kiss in the rain? Your whole wedding day will be like a movie.
Always remember; even on the rainiest of days the storm will always clear. You might even get a few precious moments of you and your love outside with the cloudy skies or maybe even a little sunshine.
For more wedding planning tips by a Kansas City wedding photographer check out a few more of my blogs.
like How to Choose your getting ready space or how to downsize your wedding.
Planning a COVID-safe wedding reception might look different, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be difficult or any less fun. You can still have the day of your dreams with all the people you love! Keep reading to see ideas on how to entertain your guests while still keeping them safe.
Outdoor Wedding Reception Games
For crowds that aren’t big into dancing, or to follow COVID-19 safety protocols, yard games are super popular. You can get cornhole, ladder toss, or giant Jenga to set outside for your guests to play. I’ve even seen some couples use trash cans or buckets to make giant beer pong!
If you anticipate bad weather, or if you don’t want to risk it, you can plan to set up the games inside. If you want people to stay at their assigned tables but want entertainment, here’s an idea that is sure to blow your guests away.
Dueling pianos.
I seriously recommend Felix and Fingers. Your wedding will be the talk of the town for years, if not DECADES to come. They took song suggestions from the crowd, sang things from all genres, and even brought their own colored lights. They encouraged people to sing along, so it was not only a great show, but super interactive! This is perfect for a socially distanced wedding.
Alicen & Brenton got married in November at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, so their guests’ safety was their number one priority. The dueling pianos entertained the guests after dinner at the Arterra Event Gallery in Lawrence.
Serving Food at a Socially-Distanced Wedding
Instead of the traditional buffet-style dinner, consider having pre-portioned food at various stations throughout the room. This prevents people from all touching the same serving utensils, and your ushers can direct a couple of tables at a time to prevent crowding.
Ask your caterer if they have servers that will bring plates to each guest at their tables.
Food trucks are gaining popularity in the wedding industry as well! This makes it easier for the caterer to distance from the guests.
If your venue has an outdoor option, see if you can make a few campfires. Set out a table with marshmallows, chocolate bars, & graham crackers. I’ve seen S’mores at a couple of weddings and they’re always a big hit.
At the Table of a COVID-Safe Wedding Reception
You’ll definitely want assigned seats at a COVID-safe wedding reception. To avoid awkward silences or restlessness, offer some table games! I’ve seen tic-tac-toe, decks of cards or even question starters to spark conversation. If you’ll have lots of kids at your wedding, print out coloring pages!
Include These in Your COVID-Safe Wedding Reception
- Get personalized masks for your guests as party favors – you could even make them themed to match the decor!
- Set up hand sanitizer stations throughout the area.
- Make cute signs that encourage social distancing.
COVID-Safe Wedding Ceremony
Congrats to the Hilbigs!
Check out more Covid safe weddings here on the blog Dakota + Jake; How They Went From a Large Wedding to Intimate an Elopement or How to Downsize Your Wedding
