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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!
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.
Spring in Kansas City is the perfect season for a wedding, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art provided an idyllic setting for this intimate spring wedding. The couple chose a shaded tree as their ceremony spot, where the sunlight filtered through the branches, creating a soft, natural glow. The lush greenery and vibrant surroundings added to the beauty of their special day.
During the ceremony, the couple planted a small bonsai tree together, symbolizing the growth and beginning of their marriage. Family members attended the intimate ceremony, their outfits complemented the bride’s bouquet. The vibrant colors made the photographs even more personalized and beautiful!
The groom wore a black tuxedo paired with a forest green tie and pocket square. The bride was breathtaking in her A-line gown, featuring a hidden corset that added an elegant touch. The dress flowed gracefully as she moved, making the photographs even more enchanting.
After the ceremony, the couple and their guests enjoyed a small Nothing Bundt Cake. The simplicity of the cake mirrored the day’s focus on quality and intimacy. Every detail of the day, from the ceremony to the reception, was thoughtfully planned and beautifully executed.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum, with its stunning architecture and beautiful surroundings, provided the perfect backdrop for this intimate spring wedding. I had so much fun capturing this day for the happy couple, creating memories that will last a lifetime!
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!
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.
This week I caught up with Lexi Nardini, the Owner and Director of Floral and Design at Love, Lilacs! I love collaborating with other talented wedding vendors in the KC area. Having photographed multiple weddings that have featured Lexi’s beautiful floral designs, I know how talented she it. I asked if I could pick her brain about all things wedding floral and as always, she didn’t disappoint!
When did you start your business and what drew you to becoming a florist and business owner?
I went to college at the University of Missouri for a degree in event planning! The dream was to be a wedding planner- I just love all things weddings! During my junior year, I took the intro to floral design class as a fun elective, and fell in love with it. I went on to get my minor in floral design, and along the way decided to switch career paths and become a wedding florist instead! I used my knowledge of floral, along with my events/business degree as a perfect combination to start my business after college. The rest is history!
What are some of your favorite current wedding floral trends?
As my business name may hint, I loveeeeee springy florals. My favorite weddings are the classic springy pastels- a trend I don’t think will ever go out of style!
How far in advance do you recommend couples reach out to you about wedding floral planning?
I usually recommend around 12 months out, and I would say that is the standard I see. But with that being said, I get a whole range! Some two years in advance, and some a couple months away. There is never a wrong time to reach out to me, I am always happy to help! You never know when your favorite vendor could be available, so always check just to be sure. Maybe your date will still be open and maybe not, but always worth the ask in my opinion!
How do you balance creating pieces that look current and also stand the test of time?
Balance is the key with designing! This pertains to lots of different elements in the design process, including symmetry, negative space, bloom size, etc. I always work with the couple to make sure they know what to expect with our florals, and explain to them how we can make sure they are timeless while following the trends at the same time. This all happens during our design meetings, and if the couple is unsure on how to go about this, I am always happy to lead the way with questions to help us get there!
How to you help couples determine what style of florals they are looking for?
If I have a couple that is having trouble deciding on their aesthetic, a great place to start is talking about the season of their wedding. This really gets the conversation going and helps me determine what they like and don’t. Another element is my look-books! I create a custom look-book for each couple, full of ideas, inspiration photos, pricing, descriptions, etc. This look-book is what we refer to at our first meeting/consult, and having that visual really helps us dream up the perfect florals for them!
If you could give couples planning their wedding one piece of advice pertaining to florals, what would it be?
My go-to advice for couples is to repurpose those ceremony florals to the reception! I know this is kind of obvious for vendors, but some newly weds aren’t aware of this and it’s such a money saver! The ceremony tends to be a short period of time, so might as well use those florals throughout the entire event. An example of this is grounded aisle markers (lining the aisle) being moved to tables as centerpieces, or moving the floral arch at the altar to frame the couple behind the sweetheart table. There are tons of possibilities!
What are you most looking forward to within your business in 2024?
I am looking forward to growing our Love, Lilacs team! I absolutely love wedding florals, so bringing more girlies to the LL team will allow us to take on even more, which is the dream!
If you are in the process of planning your wedding, I highly recommend saving this post to come back to as you dive into floral planning. And if you haven’t picked out a florist yet, give Lexi and call to see if working with her would be a good fit for you. She is truly wonderful at what she does!
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
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!
