Amy and Matt put together an ideal wedding day.  A long leisurely pre-ceremony period where no one was in any hurry to get ready, then a private meeting that Nita and I arranged for the two of them to see each other, and then off to the Pilgram Chapel for an intimate wedding with just a few friends and family.  Finally, over to the Carriage Club for an incredible evening will all their friends.

The day was easy, fun and no-rush.  And even in the June heat – Matt still looked like he walked off the cover of GQ.  How does he do that?

To see more pictures from Amy and Matt’s wedding day, check out the slideshow:  Riscoe

Sometimes we enter a wedding day completely blind.  We’ve never met the bride, we’ve never met the groom and we just have to hit the ground running.  Well, so it was just a few weeks ago and what could easily have been a difficult situation turned into an extremely entertaining evening.  They already got married on the beach and returned to Kansas City to party with a few friends and family to celebrate their marriage.

The couple lives in California and the groom is a designer of fine shoes.  Probably one of the most colorful and entertaining guys you’d ever want to meet.  We met at the bride’s home for a few family shots and then off to Renee’ Kelly’s for an evening of toasts, spirits and dancing.  It was a fantastic evening.

Check out the full slideshow: Swink

Engagement shoots are always a fun project for us.  We like to ask the couple, what do you like to do?    Where did you meet?  What’s your favorite hangout?  Sometimes the answer catches us off guard - but then opens an entire new world of possibilites.  For instance, who would of guessed that my daughter’s former math teacher was a Harley Davidson Rider.  What a blast!!!

To view more pictures, check out the slideshow:  Harley Davidson

Nita and I have been in a couple of wedding shows this year and I always seem to get the question, “What is my favorite reception location?”  When I recommend reception spots, I always think through a quick profile of issues:  close to the church,  easy access for all ages, great environment, good food, and plenty of room to accommodate the guests.  

But my truly favorite reception location of all time is typically the BACKYARD!  I love it when couples return to a house and have a reception at the parents or friends house.  I realize not everyone has a backyard that can accomodate a big party but you’d be surprised how many couples I’ve booked this year that are having backyard receptions. 

There are lots of advantages:  cut costs, more personal, you have total control over the catering service, a little landscaping and a tent and you’re up and running. I was talking to a mom and daughter about this and suggested the idea and the mom informed me that her backyard had been on the Prairie Village Garden tour.  They loved the idea!!!  

For a few ideas check out one of my favorite backyard ceremony and receptions:

Even after fifteen years in the business, I still get my socks blown off occasionally.  Andrea Reed contacted super coordinator Holly Davidson with Simple Elegance who helped organize a truly jaw-dropping day.  Gale Goodheart joined forces with Santee Floral Designs and together they designed a Spring-Time oasis that enveloped you as soon as you entered the reception room. 

Anchoring the center of the floor was a beautiful gazebo covering the entire dance floor and the magnificent cake.  Along all the walls were handpainted murals, and to top it off…an entire bar carved completely out of ice.

See it to believe it.  http://imagevideomedia.com/simple%20elegance.htm

Another one of our favorite reception locations is Berg Studio.  We had a fantastic bride and groom that seemed to fit right in to the  downtown experience.  Here’s a quick look at a very unique and beautiful bride.

Berg Studio

Our good friends at Event-Studio contacted us to videotape a wedding that ended up at one of our favorite locations, Pearl Art Gallery.  The day concluded with the groom singing to his bride.  Turns out he’s some kind of rock star out of Boston.  I had no idea!  He did a fantastic job, so I put this together as a special tribute.

Purple Rain Video