Emily and Josh got married on a Sunday in August, and their dance floor is still the liveliest one I have ever seen. Bare feet, a flower girl doing full spins, and a packed floor long after I figured a Sunday crowd would start fading. Their wedding at The Guild in Kansas City was calm and easy all afternoon, right up until the music started.
Why I Love The Guild
I’ll just say it: The Guild is one of my favorite venues in Kansas City. It’s a big industrial space in the Crossroads with a steel staircase, a mezzanine, a loft under a wood ceiling, barrel trusses, brick everywhere, and a chandelier so big it sort of runs the room. Then you walk outside to a cedar ceremony stage under a huge old tree, with brick paths and string lights running through the branches. I notice lines and architecture first, and this place has good bones in every direction. Getting ready, the ceremony, portraits and the party all happen on the same property, which makes for a very relaxed day.
The Gown and the Veil
Emily’s gown from True Society was impeccable. It was an ivory hue with the most gorgeous texture, and getting that ivory to look exactly the way it did in person is the part of the job I care about most. Her embroidered cathedral veil got more use than most. Her bridesmaids spread it across the room while her mom fixed her hair, she tossed it up against the slat wall for no reason at all, and then she let it pool across the concrete at the bottom of that steel staircase. Hair and makeup were by Naturally You Artistry.
Her bouquet came from Garden Gate in deep jewel tones, with amaranth dripping right down over the lace. Over on Josh’s side, his dad got the last word on his tie in a round wood mirror, and Josh gave me one very cheeky half smile while he worked his cuffs. Suits were from Leibowitz Menswear.
A First Look From the Balcony
Emily is a sweetheart, calm and easy to be around, and Josh is her extroverted sunshine partner. They balance each other out, and it set the tone for the whole afternoon. For the first look, Josh waited on the main floor while Emily stepped out onto the balcony above him. When she finally made it down to him, his face did exactly what you hope it will.
Afterward we headed up to the loft, sat them on a velvet couch under that wood ceiling, and mostly let them laugh. A few minutes on the rusty stairs, one more round of Emily playing under her veil like it was a blanket fort, and we were done.
A Ceremony on the Cedar Stage
The ceremony was outside on the cedar stage, with two orange arrangements from Garden Gate and the late August light coming straight through the branches. The rings waited in green velvet next to protea, ranunculus and a dahlia. Josh walked his mom in under the string lights, and Emily walked in on her dad’s arm in all that gold, both of them smiling and a little emotional. Then on the way back out, Josh laughed through the entire recessional. Married, and he could not keep a straight face. Neither could anyone else.
Before golden hour I ducked into the reception room while it was still empty. A berry naked cake, pink and orange florals with amber candlesticks along the head table, and old brick behind all of it. And yes, I always photograph the painted eye on the glass door. If you know that door, you know exactly where we are.
Golden Hour in the Trees
Then the sun dropped into the trees right on cue. We had brick paths, string lights and a sunburst through the branches, and these two kicked their shoes off the first chance they got. That gown got a full length frame by the birch trees, because it earned one. We finished back on the cedar stage where they said their vows, just the two of them under that big tree.
A Sunday Dance Floor
Dinner had my favorite light of the day. Golden hour came in through the bay doors and hit that chandelier, and I may have abandoned my plate for it. They cut the cake beside the green velvet and subway tile, then had their first dance under the chandelier with the whole room watching.
Then Beau Vaughn started the music, and this Sunday crowd went for it. Shoes came off all over the floor, and the flower girl, in green tulle, did full spins right in the middle. My favorite part of the night was watching Josh dance with her. It was well past the point where I figured a Sunday crowd would start fading, and the floor was still full.
Why a Sunday Works
If you’re planning right now, here’s what I want you to hear. A Sunday, a Friday or a quieter month is every bit as valid as a classic spring or fall Saturday. Emily and Josh got the full day here: a ceremony under the tree, golden hour on the brick paths, the chandelier, and a dance floor I still bring up two years later. Nobody on that floor cared what day of the week it was, and you might just save a ton of money. If you’re still picking a date, my wedding planning guide is a good place to start.
Emily and Josh, thank you for the calmest afternoon and the loudest Sunday night. If you missed it, their engagement session is worth a look too.
Planning a wedding at The Guild, or any day of the week around Kansas City? Take a look at pricing, build your own quote in a couple of minutes, or get in touch.
The Team
- Venue: The Guild
- Florals: Garden Gate
- Gown: True Society
- Suits: Leibowitz Menswear
- Hair + Makeup: Naturally You Artistry
- DJ: Beau Vaughn
