If I could pick just one word to describe Nathalie & Josh’s wedding day, it’d be “balance.” At our very first meeting, Nathalie & Josh told me that they wanted their wedding to feel like a grand affair. They explained that these days, especially when you work from home, we have so few opportunities to dress up and truly feel fancy. (I can’t help but agree as I type this wearing workout clothes with unwashed hair and no makeup.) A wedding is the perfect excuse for such excess. And that’s exactly the celebration they created!

Nathalie & Josh filled their day with grand details, beautiful spaces, and personal touches. But they left any stiffness or stuffiness at the door. (See what I mean about balance?)

Nathalie spent the morning getting ready at her mother’s home. When I arrived spirits were high and everything felt relaxed. It was the perfect way to start the day 🙂 Finally, it was time for Nathalie to slip into her stunning Phillipa Lepley gown. As she was laced in, her mother Demi helped Nathalie buckle her shoes. This might seem like such a small part to the day, but it was one of my favorite moments to capture. To me, it sums up Nathalie so well: She’s simultaneously so poised and elegant, and so carefree and easygoing.

Josh spent the morning getting ready at Nathalie’s father’s home. Prior to the ceremony, he and his crew carved out a little extra quality time at the nearby Verona Columns Park where they captured their groomsmen portraits.

Nathalie & Josh made their ways separately to the Cathedral for their wedding ceremony. After a touching first look down the aisle, they exchanged their vows, and walked out into the sunshine as husband and wife.

After the ceremony, it was time to capture portraits with Nathalie & Josh’s immediate family and wedding party. But who took priority over all of these important individuals? Their dog Penny of course! The newlyweds’ sweet pup got to make a special appearance at the Nelson in her own adorable floral crown!

After group portraits, Nathalie & Josh were able to spend the rest of their portrait time together in privacy while their guests enjoyed cocktail hour. And then it was time for the grand entrance! Nathalie slipped into her second gown of the day and walked hand in hand with her husband into the wedding reception of their dreams.

Nathalie & Josh’s reception dinner may as well have been in an Italian courtyard. It felt romantic, intimate, timeless, gorgeous… and above all: welcoming. It truly was the perfect balance of effortless elegance. And once guests were welcomed back into Kirkwood Hall for dancing, the Ron Bedal Orchestra kept the dance floor packed all night until Nathalie & Josh’s sparkler exit.

Thank you, Nathalie & Josh, for letting me capture this beautiful day! You two are magnificent inside and out, and it was an honor to tell the story of your wedding day.

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A huge thank you to the team that made this day spectacular:

venue The Nelson-Atkins Museum
coordination Kindra with Simple Elegance
beauty Bronzed & Blushed
floral design Sidelines Floral
stationery Yellow Brick Graphics
ceremony gown Vienna Décolleté Bow by Phillipa Lepley
reception gown Rey by Lazaro from Kleinfeld
menswear Alan David Custom
desserts Sheridan’s Frozen Custard | Take the Cake
entertainment Ron Bedal Orchestra
staging Paradise Productions
transportation Showtime Transportation
videography Ribbons and Reels
2nd photographer Espy Dunning

CHEERS TO NATHALIE & JOSH!!