Emily & Hayden / A Modern and Colorful Kansas City Wedding

A Modern and Colorful Kansas City Wedding

Sometimes when I meet with a couple, even if it’s over Facetime, I can feel the love simply pouring off of them. With Emily and Hayden, the love seemed to come straight out of the computer screen. Between Emily’s radiant smile and Hayden’s upbeat personality, they are just downright wonderful to talk with! But what is most incredible about this pair is the strength they had to not only plan a wedding from out of state…but to plan a move two weeks prior to their modern wedding.

Before we get to that, let’s talk more about this couple.

Emily and Hayden met in 2020 when they connected via Instagram. They both shared an interest in the sport of wrestling, but after talking they also realized they had very similar music tastes. They started dating long distance, but when the 2021 NCAA Wrestling championships put them both in St. Louis, they were finally able to connect in person. 20 minutes after they met, who did Emily have the pleasure of meeting? Hayden’s family! As Emily says, it was a “high reward/low-risk situation meeting people who lived 1000+ miles away. 

After a little over a year into their relationship, Emily took a leap of faith (and a job position) that relocated her to North Carolina to be with Hayden. North Carolina is where Hayden started his coaching career, so it was only fitting that this place became a huge part of their love story.

Now to the proposal…

Planning a proposal that is intimate, romantic, and connective to your love story can be difficult – but not for Hayden. Hayden asked Emily to meet him at “The Tree” on NC State’s campus. There he spelled out with Dum Dum suckers “Em, will you marry me?” and proposed with the ring he had picked out with his younger brother that same morning. Of course, Emily said yes! I personally think that she would have said yes if it had been a ring pop! This woman is madly in love with this man, and it shows throughout everything they do.

Fast forward to wedding planning. These two started planning their wedding in the middle of a move to North Dakota. After a long, hard winter, these two were ready to finally celebrate when they had a surprise. Hayden was offered a position at Stanford University to be their assistant wrestling coach! Needless to say, they were ready to head to the beach. They packed up and made their move, then hopped on a flight to Kansas City to say “I do!”.

Their modern and colorful wedding day.

Emily and her best friends got ready at the stunning South Moreland on the Plaza. The venue is so large that her entire family was able to be there and relax during the prep time. Every room in this Kansas City venue was perfect for getting ready photos. Emily described her wedding as bright and springy. The bridesmaids wore a mix match style of gowns all in ice blue. The gowns paired perfectly next to Emily’s shoes that peeped out of her fitting, tulip train dress from Gown Gallery. Throwing in the incredible florals by Lily Flroal Design, and her springy wedding truly came to life.

Modern, city venues for every moment of their day.

From a first look at the Aida Hotel to a stunning downtown ceremony at The Harlow. The venues they chose were some of the best wedding venues in Kansas City. The locations helped make their modern downtown Kansas City wedding truly epic. (And it was flawlessly executed by the incredible True Love Coordinating and Design. One of the best wedding planners in Kansas City!!)

One of the truest joys of their day was not simply the ceremony or reception. But it came right after the family formals. The couple and the wedding party decided to sneak out and grab espresso martinis 20 minutes prior to the ceremony. Moments like these are the ones I can’t wait to photograph and never forget. Your day should reflect who you truly are, and sometimes that means sneaking away from the party to enjoy some friend time.

Their ceremony was heartwarming, the reception was full of life, and the food was outstanding. This couple has so much love surrounding them, and so much joy for each other. It’s truly an honor to preserve such incredible moments in couples’ love stories. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Hidlay! 

Planning a wedding celebration of your own? I’m always excited to get to know amazing new couples like you!
Get in touch today so we can start creating your dream wedding photography collection!

The incredible vendor team who made their wedding possible!
Venues: The Harlow, The Aida Hotel, South Moreland on the Plaza
Photographer: Lauren Benson Photography
Planner: True Love Coordinating and Design
Florist: Lily Floral Designs
HMUA: The Posh KC
DJ: Levity Events
Gown: Gown Gallery

Looking for more real weddings?
Be sure to check out Summer Wedding at Avent Orangery!