Article Katherine Bontrager | Photography Christina Sandburg
Among the many wives’ tales and superstitions about the institution of marriage is the old rhyme, “Married in month of roses June, life will be one long honeymoon.” June has long been a favorite month of brides, when the bloom of spring has not yet been sapped by the heat of summer. But while brides still flock to June to say, “I do,” the weddings they’re planning are anything but staid and dull.
New Twists on Traditional Attire As owner of Bridal Extraordinaire in Shawnee, Marilyn Morman has seen some 20 years of June brides, and she says that for 2011 the big trend is to—thankfully—dress bridesmaids according to body type. “Although they may all be in the same fabric and color, brides are choosing different dress shapes according to what looks best on their friends’ body types.”
That’
s not to say the guys are regulated to the same-old, same-old, either. “The men are beginning to venture beyond from the classic black tux,” Morman says. “We are seeing a lot of color in the tuxedoes and suits such as camel browns and grays.”
And while brides are letting their girlfriends and spouses-to-be experiment with color and styles, they, too, are branching out. “It’s all about the fabric this season,” Morman says. “We are seeing that a lot of brides are drawn to simplicity but with lots of unique details in the fabric such as folds, textured flowers, layers in the skirt and even feathers. Fitted silhouettes are also everywhere right now.” Understandably, brides want their weddings tobe unique—the standout occasion of the season— so Morman says couples are going out of their way to make things distinctive, a thoughtful reflection of their own personalities.
The most outside-of-the-box union Morman has witnessed? “For the ladies, we’ve had an entire group of bridesmaids in gauntlet sleeves for a renaissance-themed wedding. For the men it would be camouflage tuxedos!”
Perfect Spots To Toast The Couple Accordingly, couples are searching for a venue that speaks to them—and can host a festive reception for their friends and family. Kansas City doesn’t disappoint, with locales ideal for art aficionados, history buffs, nature lovers and more.
Every bride hopes her union will be a work of art, so why not host the wedding reception at a local art museum? The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is a popular venue for receptions, as it can host seated groups from 40 to 500 in a number of distinctive settings. And as an added bonus, select galleries,featured exhibitions, and docent tours can be used to complement your big day.
The Bloch Building Lobby, a dramatic space with towering walls of white glass and view of the Plaza, can comfortably entertain 1,000. If small and intimate is more the preferred style, the Café on the north end of the Bloch Building offers access to the Museum plaza and can seat 40 for a cozy gathering. And the museum also offers the Rozzelle Court, majestically surrounded by a two-story arcade, and Kirkwood Hall at the heart of the building flanked by 12 massive columns of black and white marble, limestone walls, and original tapestries.
Still, what couple doesn’t envision their love being one for the ages? And what a more auspicious choice than to opt for one of the many beautiful K.C. venues steeped in history? Loose Mansion and its Carriage House, located just one mile from The Plaza, have undergone a makeover, bringing back all the luster to the hand-carved mahogany woodwork, tile-work, and fireplaces. The mansion, one of city’s most elegant homes in the early 1900s, offers space for some 170 guests on the main floor for fully plated dinners or more than 300 for a buffet reception.
Nestled in acres of lush trees and manicured lawns and set behind a sunken fountain garden, Longview Mansion is another historical gem offering a double grand staircase, elegant fireplaces and richly paneled rooms. There’s even an all-weather Pavilion that brings the June beauty inside while boasting massive chandeliers, carpeting, and a wood dance floor.
Or why not kick-start happily-ever-after at a real castle? Caenen Castle, built in 1907, has been meticulously restored—from the grand staircase for dramatic entrances to the rich tapestries that drape the 22-foot-tall limestone walls. There are even three hand-carved European fireplaces that impressively flank a 100-seat main hall.
Yet man
y a girl grew up dreaming about a party under the stars, and June is a great month for outdoor festivities. The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is slated to have an outdoor space with impressive views of downtown, but until its grand opening in September, brides still have plenty of other open-air options.
On the rolling 11 acres of Hawthorne House in Parkville, couples can say “I do” in the idyllic gazebo (or the non-denominational chapel), before enjoying cocktails on the emerald front lawn or taking advantage of the Emerson Room, which seats up to 300.
There’s also Mildale Farm in Edgerton, Johnson County Park and Recreation’s premier event facility. The farm is situated on 22 acres (and surrounded by another 600 acres of scenic natural beauty) with several on-site buildings to accommodate a variety of indooroutdoor gatherings.
Personal Touches Make the Day In addition to unique attire and carefully selected party space, June brides have countless other ways to make their wedding and reception a highly personal affair.
“There are many things couples can do toincorporate themselves into the wedding and reception,” says Kindra Browne, CEO and owner of Simple Elegance with 15 years of experience planning one-of-a-kind weddings. “It can be
as simple as the color scheme or the addition of items that are more specific to them. The groom’s cake can be a reflection of his college, hobbies or personality. The wedding cake can match the design of the wedding gown.”
Browne says many couples reflect their passions— and good hearts—by offering parting favors in the form of donations to their favorite charity. Or it can be something delightfully quirky and simply scrumptious. “One of my couples both had names that began with‘M’ so they had an M&M bar,” Browne says. “One of my other favorites was when the parents of the bride hired a mariachi band to serenade the bride and groom during dinner. They couple was so surprised, and it was
fabulous. There are so many ways to add unique, personal touches!”
Whether it’s showcasing framed photos of generations of family weddings at a table at the reception, hiding family heirlooms in the bride’s bouquet, incorporating music that’s meaningful or just bucking tradition in favor of something that reflects the bride and groom, couples need know they’re only limited by their creativity.
While an old wives’ tales promised that, “life will be one long honeymoon,” modern June brides can at least be confident that their big day will be unique and truly meaningful. And, just maybe, reveling in the little things will help the honeymoon continue for years to come.
