You’ve just said “yes.” Now it’s time to plan.
We’ve scoured Vogue, Hitched, Martha Stewart, and other wedding influencers for the Big Day’s Big Picture. How do these trends play out in Kansas City?
Creative Wedding Attire
Brides in major metros might opt for a “wearable art” gown or indulge in Halloween cosplay. Bridesmaids may wear different dress styles, but in a selected palette. The same in KC. “Brides don’t feel constrained by tradition,” says Lisa Carson of Natalie M. Studio. “They may want a color, such as blue or black. Or they may want a shorter dress or even pants.” Carson advises to wear whatever makes you feel beautiful and brings you joy.
“The groom should be the best-dressed guy in the room,” adds Chad Denham, owner of the fine menswear store Newton James. “It’s his day as well. And the groom’s tuxedo or suit should be complementary to the bride and bridesmaids’ dresses. Fit is key.”
Fun Florals
Trend forecasters show bridesmaids carrying bouquets in handbags or holding minimalist parasols; fall tables strewn with fresh figs, artichokes, and pomegranates; a meadow of baby’s breath surrounding the wedding cake. Anything you envision, Kansas City florists can probably achieve. The florists at The Little Flower Shop, Trapp and Company, and Studio Dan Meiners, among many, bring their considerable expertise to your celebration.
Captivating Town and Country Venues
The destination wedding now moves closer to home but with that “somewhere else” vibe. Happily, the Kansas City area has many options. Powell Gardens is available for weddings 365 days a year, says the team of Emma Robertson, Destiny Valluzzi, and Kristen Blodgett. Their “thorncrown” chapel is one of only 13 in the country. The gardens provide a scenic background for wedding photos and strolling guests.
Unity Village in Lee’s Summit, with its serene chapel, “Offers the perfect blend of elegance and natural beauty with versatile indoor and outdoor venues, on-site lodging, and free parking surrounded by picturesque fountains and gardens,” says Unity’s Sandy Eastwood.
At the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, the new LongHouse Visitor Center showcases 21,000 square feet of event space, “a perfect blend of natural elements and indoor comfort for a picturesque and unforgettable wedding day,” says Desiree Pickert, the marketing specialist.
The new chapel in Shawnee Town 1929 Museum, with antique stained glass windows, is a lovely place for a wedding ceremony, says Tonya Lecuru of the City of Shawnee. “The museum itself is a jewel, but the chapel expands our offerings for a truly unique celebration,” she says.
If you’ve ever been to a Farm Table Dinner at Green Dirt in Weston, you know it’s a wonderful setting amidst rolling pastures of grazing sheep. Imagine being married in such a picturesque setting, a perfect blend of rustic charm and modern elegance. The new Green Dirt on Oak in downtown Kansas City can also host smaller weddings indoors.
And for those who prefer a more urban vibe, “Make your wedding day part of Kansas City history. Come celebrate with us at the iconic Hilton President Kansas City,” says Danica Tolen of the Hilton President KC.
Bye-bye Buffet, Hello Late-Night Nosh and Cake Vignettes
As for food and drink, buffet style is on the wane everywhere. “The trend since the pandemic is more plated food,” says Brian Ingalls of Brancato’s Catering. “People still like special stations for more multi-faceted cuisine and more personalization in bar set-up.” Adds Andrea Burkhart, “I see a lot of extending services, such as the cocktail hour or after-hours food trucks, ice cream trucks, or a tater-tot bar.”
The wedding cake never goes out of style. Now the trend is to enhance it with colorful macaron towers and individual desserts of varying flavors, hues, and textures, arranged at different heights. Happily, these dessert vignettes are a specialty of Kate Smith Soirée.
Relax. . .relax
The last trend is keeping the wedding as relaxed as possible. Spa days beforehand, an intimate wedding ceremony at home before the larger reception elsewhere, ditching traditions such as the “first look” if the bride and groom don’t want them. It’s all about making things meaningful yet no-fuss. Whether for fun or mobility, golf cart rentals are becoming more popular for weddings, says Bob Peel, owner of Outlaw Golf Carts. “Moving people around on golf carts is less expensive than a bus,” he says. “Anyone with a driver’s license can drive them.”
From “Marry me” to “I do,” Kansas City is a great place to celebrate.