Union Station Wedding - Leslie + Darrin

 

 

 

 

 

While Leslie was focused on bettering athletes she was coaching, Darrin was focused on Leslie!  Both have a passion for basketball and are rather good players themselves.

 

 

 

 

When I arrived at the Jarvis Room at Union Station, I was instantly greeted by the sounds of laughter by Leslie and her bridesmaids.  The girls were getting their hair done by +++ and makeup done by Shanna Brown and Angela Oelke.

 

 

 

 

 

Leslie donned a gorgeous Lazaro wedding dress from the Gown Gallery and had it shortened to match the old-Hollywood glamour that emits from Union Station.  The dress was an ivory organza tufted ball gown with a sweetheart neckline and a sheer jeweled bodice.  She paired this dress with a pair of Badgley Mischka satin wedge heels and a crystal-encrusted birdcage veil.  We arranged to meet a couple weeks prior to her wedding for a fun and relaxed bridal portrait session at 2016 Main.  What an amazing event space for this dress…and this bride.

 

 

 

 

Leslie walked down the aisle with a bouquet filled with roses, hydrangea, gerbera, and a bar pin that was worn by her grandmother and mother at their weddings.

 

 

 

Her bridesmaids came from many different avenues to find their way to Union Station—some were family, some were basketball teammates, some were college friends.   Each one was fantastically sweet, beautiful, and TALENTED—from photography to singing, these girls were amazing. 

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It was an honor getting to know Leslie and her Mom, Margaret, on a personal level and seeing their bond was beautiful.

 

 

 

 

The boys gathered at in the Union Station Town Hall room.  These guys were the tallest set of groomsmen that I have ever met (good thing I brought a step stool)!  After moments with these guys, however, their most prominent feature was their awesome personalities and smiles.

 

 

 

Prior to the ceremony, Darrin and Leslie met each other for their first look…needless to say, Darrin was smitten.  We roamed Union Station for wedding photos and did our best to stay indoors (due to the sweltering 100+ degree day).  Luckily, Union Station is the best place for indoor photographs…although we did venture quickly for some outdoor pictures J  Thanks Leslie and Darrin for humoring me!

 

 

 

 

Darrin and his 13 groomsmen looked extra dapper…

 

 

 

…but the beautiful bridesmaids were certain not be surpassed.

 

 

 

 

 

The wedding ceremony took place at Union Station in the Sprint Festival Plaza shortly after the ketubah was signed.  The guests were dazzled by the incredible chuppah, which featured Lucite columns, crystals, and adorned with white flowers.  Eden Floral and Events truly outdid themselves with this show-stopping feature! 

 

 

 

 

 

After prayers, exchanging vows and rings, and the breaking of the most-resilient-glass-ever, the happy couple left the chuppah to start their new lives together.

 

 

 

 

 

Many, many thanks to the efficient and gracious Laura Allen of Creative Media Concepts for planning a most perfect wedding day….

 

 

 

 

 

All Seasons Event Rental and Eden Florals really really knocked the décor out of the park!

 

 

 

 

Traditional first dance in her wedding dress?  Please!  Not for Darrin and Leslie!  Darrin and Leslie changed their shoes and attire to get the party started.  They rocked out with a choreographed hip-hop routine that brought every guest to their feet!

 

 

 

Soon followed the parents’ dances with their beloved children.  Can’t you just feel the love?

 

 

 

 

After a delicious meal from Jack Stack, the dancing began.  First there was the scary/exciting hora…

 

 

 

 

…then the band, XParte, kept the dance floor packed! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To see more of Leslie and Darrin’s wedding photos, feel free to click HERE.  Many thanks to this amazing team for bringing the wedding day together…

 

 

 

 

 

Venue:  http://www.unionstation.org/

Bridal Portrait venue:  2016 Main http://www.2016mainkc.com/

Floral and Design: 

Coordination:

Food:  Jack Stack https://www.facebook.com/jackstackbbq

Hair:

Makeup: Angela Oekle and Shanna Brown

Band: XParte http://avelasq.wix.com/xpartebandkc

Video: Derek http://www.beauvaughnphotography.com/

Photographer:  LRG Photography lrgphoto.net

 

 

 

    

Samantha's Best Friends Shoot

Samantha and her fellow supermodel friends met up with me at the West Bottoms for a fun best-friends session!  What is amazing about these girls is that they are as beautiful inside as they are out.  Each is a super star - whether it is a German exchange student, dance team member, or swimmer, they each bring something unique and fun to the table.  

Click here to view more from this awesome BFF shoot!

Griffith Family - Summer 2015

I met up with the Griffiths at Black Hoof Park, in Lenexa, a place that is special to them because this is where they go to play with their Nana. This was the third session with this growing family but only the FIRST with decent weather!  They were total troopers for the first two (blizzard & rain storm) but their commitment paid off!  It was a great day with a really fun family!

Click here to view more photos from their session.

Jess & Mike's Engagement Shoot

Look at this gorgeous couple! She is a media specialist and he is an engineer -- a couple after my own heart! People often ask me what makes for a great picture. The answer? Just look at these two. Their happiness radiated throughout downtown KC!

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Click here to view more from Jess and Mike's engagement session!

Griffith Holiday Session -- 2014

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This year I met with the Griffith family for a photo session like no other! (Click here to view last year's session!) Due to weather, we were forced to head indoors -- to the library! In the past year, this family added a new member, Lauren, who big brother Conner adores! What a great day with a wonderful family!

Click here to view more from the Griffith Family's session!

Leslie & Darrin's Engagement Session

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Leslie and Darrin met at basketball camp and have been inseparable ever since! I had a great session with these two -- their love and happiness is infectious! We were able to have the session at Leslie's parents' amazing home, which turned out to be the autumn backdrop.

 

Click here to view more from Leslie and Darrin's engagement session!

Naz - Baby Shower

I always say that you can tell how wonderful a person is by how amazing their friends are! In Naz's case, just take a look at this beautiful baby shower! She has the greatest friends who outdid themselves throwing her this amazing shower. Every detail was perfect, but the best part of the shower was all the love -- the laughs, smiles, hugs, and well-wishes -- from Naz's family and friends! I'm so excited for Baby Shabbir!

 

Click here to view more photos from Naz's baby shower!

Megan & Ben in Vail, Colorado

I don't know if there is anything more beautiful than an outdoor Colorado wedding! What an amazing setting for a perfect day with a beautiful bride and handsome groo, picture-perfect bridesmaids, and boys in bow ties! Thank you so much for including me in your special day! 

Click here to view more of Megan and Ben's special day!