The Elms Hotel & Spa Wedding Day | Brittany & Clay
The entire day was calm. The winds were calm. The mood was calm. And above all, the bride and groom were calm.
August 22, 2015. The entire day was calm. The winds were calm. The mood was calm. And above all, the bride and groom were calm. When the boutonniere's arrived, Brittany insisted she'd take them to the guys herself - "We've already seen each other earlier" she said. These two were so completely laid back and just ready to slip on those rings and get forever together started.
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A beautiful wedding gown hung, just waiting. Brittany saved this detail, that dress and that moment were meant to be seen by Clay in private.
The blush and sequined bridesmaid dresses all handmade by Brittany's Mom & Grandmother were absolutely perfect.
They may have seen each other earlier that morning - but this moment saved. Clay hadn't seen Brittany in a veil, or that gorgeous dress, and his smile stretched from ear to ear.
The Elm's never disappoints. The gazebo they offer for wedding ceremonies is gorgeous - and for Brittany and Clay, it was hands down the most magical I've ever seen it look. Maybe it was that overall calm mood, maybe it was how the setting sun created a glow, or how the very light breeze barely moved the sheer white curtain they stood before. Whatever it was, it was magic.
Calm as a cucumber, with her Dad by her side, she came down the aisle
When the officiant spoke of loving forever - Brittany playfully shrugged her shoulders in an "Eh, I guess" fashion - sending everyone into deep belly laughs. That's just who these guys are - playful, but deeply rooted in love.
Their black & gold and very elegant reception began
Brittany & Clay had a little sweetheart table, flanked on either side by their fun wedding party and their spouses - it was perfect!
They came in to celebrate - and began with their first dance
You might recognize that one of the band members was in fact Brittany's Dad :) - and this guy's laugh, oh I was obsessed with his perfectly genuine, mouth-open-head-back laugh.
A special thanks to the amazing team behind this perfect day!
Ceremony & Reception Venue | The Elm's
Cake | Liberty North Price Chopper
Flowers | Liberty North Price Chopper
Dress | David's Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses | Handmade :)
Groomsmen Attire | David's Bridal
Invitations | David's Bridal
Band | Big D Entertainment & Events
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Photography | Elizabeth Ladean Photography | Instagram | Facebook
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Go see Brittany + Clay's engagement session!
Check out more ELP weddings!
Kansas City Engagement Photography | Kelsey & Andrew
Panzon's. Creating authentic Mexican Food - and also, creating beautiful love stories, like the one Kelsey and Andrew share.
Panzon's. Creating authentic Mexican Food - and also, creating beautiful love stories, like the one Kelsey and Andrew share. These guys both were working at a Panzon's in Kansas and their paths crossed as their schedules bounced around the hours of the days. They definitely noticed each other. Both of them full of charming smiles, and really fantastic personalities.
At some point through their story, Andrew's identical twin brother began dating one of Kelsey's best friends. Which, resulted in these group hang-outs and get-together's where Kelsey and Andrew were able to really get to know one another. Getting to know each other led to their first date, and many dates thereafter.
The day that Andrew proposed was a total surprise to Kelsey, and admittedly she hates surprises, but notes this was the best surprise of her life. Andrew was able to get a few of Kelsey's girlfriends involved, and they led her to the Intercontinental on the Plaza - to what was supposed to be another work party of her Dad's.
However, when they approached those doors to a room on the second floor - there wasn't a large group of people mingling on the other side, cocktails in hands. No, not quite. On the other side was Andrew, and flowers all over, at every corner, every nook and cranny. Those dedicated girlfriends of hers stepped back and let Andrew take Kelsey's hand, where he led her out to the balcony. And there, he knelt to one knee and asked her to be his forever. Oh, and about 30 of her closest friends and family were just below the balcony all cheering them on. Talk about a way to surprise a girl!! :)
Soon after our time for K&A's engagement session at The Nelson, these two lovebirds took off on another adventure together of many to come - a year of living in Hawaii!! They'll be back next October for their wedding, and I absolutely can't wait to see these two again!
Kelsey & Andrew - Thank you guys SO much for being the awesome, laid-back and fun individuals that you are! Spending the evening with you was just like hanging out with friends, and I love when that happens! I can't wait for y'all's wedding next year - I know without a doubt, it's going to be epic!
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3-Month Lifestyle Session | Baby Sam
Baby Sam is back! 3-months old!!
Baby Sam!! You guys might remember this little booger, but look at how much he has changed!! Beth and Evan invited me back into their home to continue in our first year photo sessions of Baby Sam, and this time, he's a whopping 3 months old!
We really did start with him fully clothed, but none of us can resist him in a diaper only! Those rolls! That precious baby chunk! :)
Beth and Evan have a pretty cool striped chair in their living room which serves as a great spot for photos with perfect lighting! I think we'll have to use that each time to show how much bigger Sam keeps getting!
At 3-months Sam nailed the quizzical looks, the curious stares, and I even got a smile! Definitely can't wait to see how much he continues to change!!
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Staring up at hims Mama :)
College Hill Park Engagement | Katelyn & Andrew
And then.....Andrew presented Katelyn with the biggest things of all - His devotion. His heart forever. A promise as big as the world. And a beautiful ring.
When I first sat down with Katelyn and Andrew months ago, I had two thoughts at the forefront of my mind. 1. Jeez these guys are tall! and 2. Jeez these guys are AWESOME. They're still tall - like, bring my step-ladder kind of tall. But their awesome factor? Oh it's not only still there, but it has grown so, so much.
I learned at our initial meeting that Andrew proposed to Katelyn at the same park where Andrew's Dad proposed to his Mom many moons ago. College Hill Park in Wichita Kansas seemed like the only place to do K&A's engagement session - and so it was!
The story goes a little deeper than that though, and it's so precious, I have to share it. This park is a place K&A have spent a lot of time together. Walks, picnics, park-bench talks about their happiness and future. The day Andrew planned to propose, Katelyn actually had an out-of-town trip with her sorority later on. Little did she know, but Andrew had wiggled her out of that trip. He picked her up and they went to the zoo, just for a little fun together before Katelyn went out of town. But then Katelyn was given something unexpected. A box - with a new dress, a bottle of wine, and a note.
They went to the park and Andrew presented Katelyn with something else - a new Bible, in which he had had her first name, and future last name embossed on the front. Because as if these two can't get anymore awesome, they also have a fierce love for God that is present in most everything they do and say.
Then, Andrew presented Katelyn with the biggest things of all - His devotion. His heart forever. A promise as big as the world. And a beautiful ring.
Oh, and did I mention he had also gotten tons of her friends and family to be there, - hidden behind the bridge to watch it all unfold?
These two incredible people are going to be saying their vows in front of friends and family in what I can only guess will be a magical ceremony on New Year's Eve, and I absolutely cannot wait to document it all.
Katelyn & Andrew - I can't thank you guys enough for making me the lucky girl with the camera who gets the honor of documenting your story. It's already been so wonderful, I know NYE is going to be out of this world amazing! And I can't wait!
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Under the very tree where Andrew proposed!!
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Kansas City Engagement Photography | Thao & Khoa
These two have such a bright future ahead of them, both individually and together. The type of personalities they both have is infectious - you can't help but smile around them, they radiate happiness and are always so positive!
Sometimes, nay - often, - often in this lovely photography career of mine, I can't even believe my good fortune. That is exactly how I felt the moment I first sat down with Thao and Khoa. Two bubbly, happy, wonderful and friendly medical school students who were married in a traditional Vietnamese wedding ceremony earlier this year. They wanted me to be the lucky photographer behind their formal engagement-style photos.
We found out at our initial meeting that we live less than 5 minutes apart! And as I struggled to pronounce Khoa's name, Thao said to me "It's like a Koala Bear, Khoa" - I laughed so hard and knew immediately, it was something I would never forget, just like I won't ever forget these two awesome people!
We ended up with a ridiculously muggy July evening for their session - but these two came well prepared with two friends who helped out so much, and also kept their sweet doggy, Pepper, well hydrated! We started our time at The Nelson Atkins where Thao wore a traditional Vietnamese dress, and Khoa donned a sleek tux. These two are SO cute together it's downright absurd. They love to laugh and laugh together!
We finished up at Loose Park where Thao had then changed into another beautiful gown! Gotta love when clothing changes mean two exquisite dresses!!
These two have such a bright future ahead of them, both individually and together. The type of personalities they both have is infectious - you can't help but smile around them, they radiate happiness and are always so positive!
Thao & Khoa - You two were and are dream clients, I absolutely loved working with you both! And Pepper too! I can't thank you enough for bringing such joy into our time together! And if I ever end up in the hospital, I hope to see your faces - because those wonderful personalities of yours can cure just about anything! :)
