Lauren & Luke are now Mr. & Mrs.! Cheers to these newest of newlyweds.⠀

The road to Saturday’s celebration was long and arduous – and I’m not just talking about the wedding planning. They’re both DC lawyers, you see 🙂

But Saturday’s celebration was well worth the months of effort, replanning, and waiting. This weekend, at long last, Lauren & Luke finally got to say “I do” in front of their closest friends and family. ⠀

Lauren & Luke’s wedding was not their original plan (as is so often the story this year). But in every way that COVID turned over their plans, Lauren & Luke found ways to shift the focus of their celebration towards meaningful connections to their past, present and future.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The couple changed their wedding location to Lauren’s hometown of Kansas City, and then selected venues that were quintessentially KC. They were married in Lauren’s childhood church by her childhood pastor (and dear family friend). They took their wedding portraits at the Raphael Hotel and Nelson-Atkins Museum. Luke’s closest friends & family traveled to KC to witness the celebration. Luke’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner complete with KC’s finest BBQ.

The couple turned their reception into an intimate dinner party. Their guests comprised of a sampling of dear friends from every moment of Lauren & Luke’s past – from family members to childhood best friends to school mates to coworkers.

Above all, these changes brought on by COVID gave Lauren & Luke the space to spend meaningful time with each of their guests. And they created everlasting memories that they’ll carry forward in their lives together.

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special thanks to the team that made this day extra elegant!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
venue: La Villa⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
catering & coordination: Olive Events⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
bar: Top Shelf⠀⠀⠀⠀
floral: Lime Design⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
gown: Bridal Extraordinaire⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
tux: Hall Madden⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
rentals: Ultrapom⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
getting ready: The Raphael Hotel⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
makeup: Ashley Rodden⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
hair: Bobbi Kay⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
transportation: Showtime Transportation

All ready to see her soon-to-be husband 🙂

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the nelson-atkins museum

We captured all of the formal portraits before the ceremony in the Nelson-Atkins Museum’s gorgeous sculpture garden.

We had some chilly temps on Saturday, but thankfully Lauren’s mother made a last-minute purchase of shawls that kept the girls warm(er) during portrait time.

And if you can believe it, Saturday’s temperatures were a whole 20 degrees warmer than Lauren & Luke’s engagement session last November!

Lauren’s two younger sisters were bridesmaids, along with two of her childhood friends!

FOUR of Luke’s groomsmen were childhood friends (and former coworkers). I love the deep connections these two create and keep with their friends and family.

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village presbyterian church

I loved that Lauren & Luke got to exchange their vows in a sanctuary so meaningful to Lauren.

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la villa

This beautiful venue in the heart of Kansas City was the perfect space to set the scene for Lauren & Luke’s intimate dinner party reception.

Luke gave the most moving speech to his new wife at the end of his toast!