An Elegant Winter Celebration at Hotel Kansas City

Winter weddings are romantic and beautiful in their own way. At no other time of year do we spend as much time reflecting and celebrating with our closest friends and family. So, what better season to incorporate a wedding into all the fun?

On Saturday, Gretchen & Tyler did just that! Their intimate celebration was filled with their very closest friends and family. And it was a celebration from start to finish!

This day has been a long time coming for Gretchen and Tyler. In fact, these two high school sweethearts have been together for over 13 years! As Gretchen’s father so accurately put it during his toast, these two have been together longer than most people celebrating their 10 year wedding anniversary. (Vince and I are definitely in this category!) And it’s easy to see the foundation of love and comfort that all of those have built for Gretchen & Tyler. They are so easily tuned into each other, even when they’re on opposite sides of the room.

Their wedding day began with Gretchen & Tyler getting ready with their respective wedding parties at Hotel Kansas City. I genuinely love when I get to photograph celebrations at this iconic KC landmark. Not only is it beautiful inside and out, but the staff is so accommodating and fun to work with. What more could you ask for?

But okay, we need to take a quick pause to talk about Gretchen & Tyler’s fashion sense. Simply put, it slaps. Gretchen’s gown was stunning on her, and full of surprises! Her pearl-and-tulle sleeves and cape were detachable, which meant she could change into an elegant bandeau for the dance floor. And let’s not forget about Tyler’s custom emerald green tuxedo! I seriously couldn’t get enough of these two and their impeccable style!

Okay, fashion appreciation moment over 🙂

The day was, we’ll say, brisk, but Gretchen & Tyler and their wedding party were such troopers! G&T got their first taste of the chill when they shared a private first look on Hotel Kansas City’s rooftop terrace. Then they headed off to St. Peter’s Parish for their wedding ceremony. This particular church is near and dear to Gretchen’s family: Gretchen’s grandmother still attends Sunday mass here, and her father even attended school here. Plus, every single granddaughter in Gretchen’s family has gotten married in this church.

After the ceremony, Gretchen & Tyler and their wedding party rode to the National WWI Memorial for their portraits. A robust chill was in the air, so I tried my best to keep them moving and in the sun. And this crew smiled through it all!

After the wedding party warmed back up at Hotel Kansas City, we captured family formal portraits in the Presidents Ballroom before cocktail hour. And while G&T were upstairs enjoying this extra time with their guests, Espy and I were downstairs capturing the reception space so beautifully decorated before guests saw it. My favorite detail? The couple’s vintage phone guest book!

Gretchen & Tyler’s reception was filled with heartfelt (and hilarious) toasts, a delicious dinner, and tons of dancing. It truly was the perfect evening over a decade in the making 🙂

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A HUGE thank you to the team that made this day spectacular!!

venue | Hotel Kansas City
planning | Fiore Events
beauty | Bronzed + Blushed
bridesmaids | Birdy Grey
cake | Sugar Beats Bake Shop
church | St. Peters Parish
entertainment | Elite Sounds
floral | Clara’s Flowers
gown | Bridal Extraordinaire
rentals | Have Guns Costumes (phonebooth) | Ultrapom
transportation | Showtime Transportation
2nd photographer | Espy’s Photography

CHEERS TO GRETCHEN & TYLER!!

Can’t get enough of these lovebirds? Check out their engagement session!