Handmade Kansas City Wedding: Cristin + Chris

bride and groom

Chris is from Chicago and Cristin is from Tulsa, but they live (and met) in Kansas City, Missouri, so they wanted to share their love of Kansas City with their guests. Their goal was to incorporate the very aesthetics that comprise their relationship: craft cocktails, delicious foods, handmade designs, and classic Kansas City! A bit more about their wedding from the Cristen + Chris:

We first met at what was once R Bar in the West Bottoms (Stockyards District). That being said, we wanted our theme to reflect the raw nature of the area. The rehearsal dinner was held at one of our favorite restaurants – Genessee Royal Bistro. The wedding reception was in the landmark Hobbs Building and catered by resident food troupe Feasts Of Fancy and the women all got ready in Cristin’s studio (Owl + Mouse Textile Designs) located on the main floor of the Livestock Exchange Building. The area is gaining popularity, but it is still under most peoples’ radar and is a special place for us! Lastly, our wedding happened upon the same weekend as the American Royal BBQ Festival, which definitely jived with our theme and really gave our guest a taste of the true Kansas City!

Cristin graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute and was always fascinated by the Vanitas Paintings from the 1600’s. Although one particular theme was not highlighted, we loosely based our wedding around this idea of the transience of life and the passing of time. We achieved this by using items that reflected our personal style, many pieces that had a past life and history. Incorportating animal skulls, family heirlooms (including our wedding rings), and various antique mall finds (our favorite place being the river market antique mall), we crafted a wedding that was unique and true to our aesthetic. Our goal was to have an event that displayed our passions (including Kansas City, Chicago and Tulsa), to incorporate local or handmade items for everything we couldn’t make ourselves, and to recruit as many members of our friends and family to help our wedding day be cohesive!

Big thanks to Alec Vanderboom for the photos and congrats to Cristin + Chris!

brooch bouquet

flower girl

heels

rings

bride

bride


The bridesmaids picked out their own dresses. I asked for texture, tights and gold accents with colors in brown, navy, cream or gray. I had my nieces dress handmade by Fox’n Lily. I made my brooch bouquet from brooches given to me by family and friends.

bridal party

boutonnieres

boutonnieres

bride and groom

groom

bride

bride and groom

antlers

ceremony


Cristin’s Aunt, Barbara Dinehart, and one of our close friends, Timothy Honse, officiated our wedding. They were kind enough to speak about their experiences with us throughout the course of our relationship. We drafted our own vows and included readings and songs that spoke to our friendship and love for one another.

ceremony

ceremony

ceremony

Our Musical Choices

Processional: Offering + Swept Away – Avet Brothers

Recessional: This Will Be Our Year – The Zombies

First Dance: Magic Marker – Monsters of Folk

reception

vintage tablescape


Many of our friends/family lent their services as our wedding gifts! Also, we wanted to use decorations that would be used again in our home, and flowers/centerpieces that would not be disposed of after the fact. Terrarium centerpieces were made at the bridal showers, and we created succulent bouquets and boutonnieres that could be replanted. 

telegram

hot dog station


A taste of Chicago with the Hot Dog Bar!

hot dog station

potted plants

gold cake

animal masks

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

Cristin: Our wedding was the first weekend of October, and the weather ranged from 75 degrees and sunny to 50 degrees and blustery! We were set on having the ceremony outside; it was so cold. Our hands went numb within the first five minutes, and we could barely hold onto the rings. The weather notwithstanding, we were 100% focused on each other throughout the entirety of the ceremony, and Chris tried his hardest to keep me warm...it was the sweetest! My second favorite was the moment Bully In The Hallway hit the stage and began playing “Kansas City” by the Beatles, everyone was on their feet! The music they played was perfect, and a complete surprise.

Chris: Aside from getting married to my best friend, I would have to agree with Cristin that one of my favorite moments was when Bully In The Hallway opened with “Kansas City.” My good friend Billy Kenefick (guitars, vocals) screamed with reminiscence of Paul McCartney, and the band was more energetic than any live rock show I have ever paid to see! What's more is that not one person was sitting in their chairs during this time. Everyone was so blown away by the sounds coming from the stage. They defintiely captured our love for our transplant city, and they set the tone for the remainder of the evening!

first dance

night

giant letter

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

Do whatever you want; it’s YOUR day! Also, know that the week or two before the wedding are going to be complete chaos and you’re going to be stressed. Breathe; focus on the end result; and make sure to enjoy your wedding day. Everything will be SO worth it.

photography: Alec Vanderboom // venue name: Feast of Fancy // florals: Cristin with the help of friends & mother // wedding dress: Handmade and designed as a gift by Bridesmaid, friend & St. Louis costume designer and Alexandra Scibetta-Quigley // bride's shoes: Jeffery Campbell // hair stylist: Jen Mitchell at Hairpins Salon // paper goods: Bridesmaid & sister Bronwen Llewellyn-Towell // catering: Feast of Fancy

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