Rainy Springtime Elopement at Unity Temple in Kansas City
Kaylee and Nick had to pivot and make changes to their 2020 wedding plans when COVID hit and uncertainty loomed over everything. These two took their original plans for a stunning indoor/outdoor October gathering at La Villa, meant to include all their favorite people, and opted for a simple Kansas City elopement with just their parents (and cats!) instead. Kansas City is where they made a home together, explored and shared new adventures, sheltered in-place, attended protests, and fell deeper in love, so for their elopement day, they thoughtfully curated a list of their favorite places for us to visit and celebrate the experiences they’ve shared here.
First stop was their ceremony at the Unity Temple on the Plaza. I don’t have words, this place is drop-dead gorgeous, a vintage-lover’s paradise. I was obsessed with the velvet seats and floor to ceiling curtains on the old stage, the perfect art deco accents, and the small chapel where they said their vows. I hope I get to shoot there again, I really do. {WINK WINK, FUTURE COUPLES}.
It rained, or threatened to rain, pretty much all day long, but we all agreed it had to be a lucky omen and we decided to embrace it. I’ll be honest, I tell all my couples rain is lucky and to appreciate it and go with it no matter how much or little you get on your wedding day - it ALWAYS transforms the day into something more special and meaningful, even if it can end up being a little inconvenient. The snuggles are warmer and cozier, the umbrellas get to come out to play, and EVERYONE looks elegant and romantic standing in their wedding getup in the drizzle. I’m the one with the camera, so you just gotta trust me on this. You look great in the rain.
Next stop after their ceremony was Kaylee + Nick’s own home–we needed to dry off but most importantly visit their kitties. Their house looked like something from a magazine or a movie set, because Kaylee’s eye for style is amazing. The fireplace filled with books, the gallery wall of vintage pieces that each held a special story for them, the CATS Y’ALL. I’m sorry I can’t take you there for your photos, but fear not, you CAN bring a little tiny piece of her style into your own life by shopping her curated vintage shop, Jive Finds!
Once we were warmed up and dried off, we made our way over to the West Bottoms, which is an industrial neighborhood (home to the beloved Blip Roasters). This area offers a lot of fun nooks and textures to play with, and right away we found a beautiful green warehouse and even a vintage VW Westfalia, just BEGGING to be in our photos. We obliged. And how could I almost forget the incredible graffiti alleyway that graced our eyeballs on our way out.
Our last stop took us to the Crossroads neighborhood. We only had time for one last stop, but a flower warehouse with pink walls funky neon lighting (and a shelter from the rain) was just the ticket for us. The shopkeeper told Kaylee and Nick to come inside to warm up and take some photos with the plants, and they shared a sweet first dance moment when one of their favorite songs came on in the shop. We wrapped the day with some snuggles and food recommendations under a nearby stoop and said our goodbyes, and Kaylee and Nick went home to get ready for a celebratory dinner with family that night. Thank you, Kaylee and Nick, for letting me tag along on the most fun elopement ever, I loved romping around Kansas City with y’all.
I would totally elope like this, I think it’s such a special way to tie favorite places and memories into such a deeply significant and meaningful day. My city of choice? New York, baby! If you’re dreaming up your own elopement hopping around your favorite city, get in touch with me to talk photography!
