Kansas City and St. Louis Couple - Weekend Wedding at Emerson Fields | Valerie + Tyler, Kansas City, MO
Imagine a weekend getaway where the heart of Kansas City meets the tranquil countryside at Emerson Fields Wedding Venue. Valerie and Tyler, a dynamic couple navigating Tyler’s medical school schedule, decided to turn their wedding into the ultimate family-friendly weekend destination. They desired to escape Kansas City’s hustle and bustle, yet they couldn't bear to leave behind their Kansas City and St. Louis friends and family. So, they invited everyone to a countryside wedding venue that was equal parts fun, family-focused, and utterly unforgettable. We want to share all about this dreamy wedding weekend where laughter, love, and the bonds of family took center stage.
A little about Valerie and Tyler to get us started. The couple began dating in St. Louis where Valerie was working and Tyler was living at the time. Little did Valerie know, Tyler was moving to Kansas City for medical school in less than a month after that first date. Fast forward two years and Valerie had moved to Kansas City and the couple was ready to get engaged. Valerie had no idea the proposal was coming and Tyler had one of her best friends there to capture the moment. Soon after, the reality of wedding planning hit. It was a daunting task, and they were both feeling overwhelmed with all the decisions that needed to be made.
“We chose Emerson Fields because it was a central location for us and our guests. Valerie grew up in Macon, Tyler is from St. Charles, and we now live in Kansas City. We also enjoyed the open vendor policy, multiple ceremony sites, and having access to the venue for 48 hours.”
The wedding weekend kicked off with a delightful rehearsal dinner catered by Raspberry's BBQ of Macon. The atmosphere that evening, mirroring Valerie and Tyler's playful personalities, was made even more joyous by their adorable nieces and nephews. Valerie's thoughtfulness shone through as she created a custom tabletop coloring page and gifted fidget toys to keep the little ones entertained during the dinner.
In a playful twist, the wedding party donned Hawaiian shirts and dresses, setting the tone for a relaxed and enjoyable weekend. The flexible indoor and outdoor setup of Emerson Fields provided the perfect backdrop for this memorable evening.
“We personalized our wedding starting with our rehearsal. We asked our wedding party, family, and friends to wear their favorite Hawaiian attire. Tyler wore a Hawaiian shirt to our first few dates (and hasn’t stopped wearing them since). We also went to Hawaii for our honeymoon!” - Valerie
On Saturday morning, the wedding day began with the pavilion being transformed into a stunning outdoor ceremony space. The D-Zines Weddings floral team created a grounded floral arch of blush and white flowers including quicksand roses, Eskimo roses, white ranunculus, scabiosis, and fresh, dark greenery. A mirrored welcome sign and an alphabetized seating chart added a touch of elegance and organization to the reception space. The style was defined by glass and vintage bud vases, with a subdued color palette of lavender, mauve, grey, and white.
As the venue came to life, anticipation filled the air.
Before the first look, Tyler and his groomsmen took some photos together while the ladies finished getting ready. We always love it when Laken McDonald of McDonald Video and Photography is at Emerson Fields! She makes great use of our property no matter the weather or wedding style. Valerie was led out to the wooded clearing at Emerson Fields for their semi-private first look. Many family members and bridesmaids watched from the pavilion, eager to witness the moment. It was a testament to how family-focused this wedding weekend was with family and friends always surrounding and cheering on this lovely couple.
Before the ceremony began, Valerie’s father met her in the bridal suite. Valerie shared a touching first look with her father, resulting in heartfelt tears. Everyone grabbed a tissue and made their way to the pavilion for the ceremony to begin. The wedding party went first walking over to the pavilion with Valerie and the flower girls and ring bearers walking hand in hand. Valerie and Tyler's commitment to family was evident with five flower girls and four ring bearers, making the ceremony a truly family-focused affair.
“What I love about shooting a wedding at Emerson Fields is the amazing versatility of the venue and undeniable hospitality from Steve, Amelia and their team. The white aesthetic, numerous backdrop options and sunset views are picture perfect! I always feel welcomed here and know my couples are going to have a DREAM wedding day and beautiful photos to enjoy for years to come!”
As Valerie gracefully walked down the aisle, her father's emotions welled up, creating a poignant moment that touched the hearts of family and friends alike. The intimate ceremony was beautifully officiated by their dear friend, Alison, who infused the ceremony with a heartfelt, personal touch. Their love was on full display as they exchanged personal vows inside a grounded arch of flowers, with fresh greenery adorning the chairs lining the aisle. Valerie and Tyler committed to writing their own vows making these words even more special. Guests couldn't help but laugh when they learned that Tyler had invited himself to the annual family float trip, a testament to his easygoing spirit and pursuit of Valerie from the beginning.
Before Valerie and Tyler sealed their love with a kiss, she playfully fixed his tie, adding a lighthearted touch to the recessional. Their guests cheered for the couple as Tyler dipped Valerie halfway down the aisle for an extra kiss!
“One of our favorite parts was the ceremony. This was a portion of our day where we could truly focus on each other. There are all the pictures before the ceremony and talking to family and friends after the ceremony. The ceremony was the only time that we could be 100% present with each other. It was a nervous time, but after it got started, the ceremony became a very calming time and enjoyable moment in our day.”
After the ceremony, guests were greeted at the venue with candles aglow, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. A modern seating chart, adorned with wax seals, and the team from D-Zines weddings, helped to guide guests to their seats. Our white farmhouse tables exuded classic elegance. D-Zines wedding florist transformed the space into a visual delight with bud vases of white flowers and classic touches. The gauze fabric table runners in a greyish mauve tone added an extra pop of color and texture to the tables. The bartenders served a signature cocktail, KC Ice Water, which is a Kansas City hidden gem.
During the reception, one of Valerie's sisters gave a heartfelt toast, playfully reminding everyone of Tyler's invitation to the family float trip. Laughter and tears filled the room as guests celebrated the couple's journey together.
“We enjoyed the idea of having the venue for the whole weekend. That lowered a lot of stress regarding set up and break down. We also enjoyed the open bar option which allowed us to save money and tailor our bar experience exactly how we wanted it. We loved the options for ceremony locations and the versatility for pictures on the property.”
The evening continued with Valerie and Tyler's enchanting first dance, followed by the DJ opening the dance floor with Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody." The joyous atmosphere took over as guests joined the newlyweds on the dance floor, everyone singing aloud and creating lasting memories.
Valerie and Tyler stole away for evening photos during golden hour, capturing the magic of their special day. The serene backdrop of Emerson Fields provided the perfect canvas for their love story. The wedding guests enjoyed the scenic beauty of the lake and dock as they caught up with friends and family. With the beautiful evening, Valerie’s mom took the opportunity to get a family picture with her mother and all of her siblings.
Tanya, mother of the bride, shared this sentiment in a Google review, “Emerson Fields, located in Macon County, may be one of the best kept secrets! If you are looking for a wedding and reception location with options, this is the place for you. The owners Steve and Amelia truly go above and beyond to help make your, ‘wedding weekend’, an experience you and your guest will remember for a lifetime.”
We replied to this heartwarming review by saying, “Valerie & Tyler had such a beautiful day here and what made it even more beautiful was the family and friends that surrounded them the entire weekend. They felt the love! We could clearly see that their families were very important to them and we were honored to be the place that hosted such a treasured experience! Congrats to the newlyweds!”
Noland's Catering of Macon, who are also friends of the family and of Emerson Fields, catered the reception dinner, and their culinary expertise was appreciated by all. As the caterers bid their farewell and departed for the evening, they couldn't resist shouting their heartfelt well-wishes to the couple, who were sharing a sweet, romantic kiss in the open meadow across the parking lot. The dance floor came alive again later in the evening with glow wands, adding to the festive party atmosphere. Everyone - young and old - joined in, dancing the night away. It was a true party, celebrating Valerie and Tyler’s marriage!
We asked Valerie, “What was it like planning your wedding at Emerson Fields?”
She said, “EASY! Every vendor’s first question is when and where is your wedding. When we would tell them Emerson Fields, they all raved about how beautiful Emerson Fields is and how great it is working with Amelia and Steve. It meant a lot to us that vendors, guests, and past couples all had good things to say about their experience.”
Valerie and Tyler's Kansas City friends and family came together to celebrate this dynamic couple, making their wedding weekend at Emerson Fields a night to remember. The love, laughter, and surprises of the day reflected the beautiful journey that Valerie and Tyler were embarking on together. This couple's dream wedding at Emerson Fields stood as a beautiful testament to their profound love and the immense significance of family and friends in their lives. In fact, the couple addressed their guests at the beginning of their reception by telling them that “everyone here tonight has been part of our lives in the past, and present and will be part of our journey in the future. We are appreciative of all of you!”
Our charming, countryside estate provided a natural setting for all of these heartfelt moments and celebrations. As the couple looked forward to their honeymoon in Hawaii, they left Emerson Fields with hearts full of love and memories to last a lifetime.
If you’re thinking of the perfect “meet in the middle” wedding venue between St. Louis and Kansas City, come take a tour of Emerson Fields Wedding Venue! We would love to help you create a beautiful wedding tailored to your needs and wishes.
Check out these other Kansas City couples who hosted their wedding weekend at Emerson Fields!
Vendors
Guest Count | 190
Wedding Venue | Emerson Fields
Wedding Photographer | McDonald Video and Photography
Wedding Coordinator | D-Zines Weddings, Tyena
Wedding Videographer | Melissa Jae Films
Florist | D-Zines Weddings
Reception Catering | Noland’s Catering
Bartender | Case N’ Keg
Rehearsal Dinner Catering | Raspberry’s BBQ
DJ | DJ Shark Attack
Wedding Gown Boutique and Gown Designer | Bridal Extraordinaire, Lillian West
Bridesmaids Gowns | Azazie and Birdy Grey
Menswear Rentals | C.A. Shoush
Makeup Artist | Ciera Butler Beauty
Transportation | Good Guys Shuttle
Table Linens | A.B. Heltons Fine Linen Rentals
Gabrielle Isom - 10/03/2023