Allison and Emmett’s Stunning Villa Cetinale Wedding in Tuscany
Maddison and Sam’s Charming Kansas City Celebration | A Backyard Micro Wedding to Remember
At Bespoke Bride, we absolutely adore micro weddings. There’s something so special about their intimacy, their intentionality, and the way they let a couple’s personality shine through without the pressure of a massive guest list. And if you combine that with a beautiful backyard? Well, there’s nothing more perfect in our books.
So when we came across Maddison and Sam’s stunning Kansas City wedding, held in their friend’s backyard, we knew we had to feature it. From the cosy setup to the heartfelt moments, it had all the makings of a story worth sharing. We reached out to the incredibly talented Abby Bertram of Abby Ree Photography—the creative brain behind the lens—to get the full scoop.
Stick around to the end, where we’ll share our personal tips and fun ideas for planning your own Kansas City wedding!
Abby Ree Photography
Abby Ree Photography
Abby Ree Photography
Abby Ree Photography
“Maddison and Sam’s wedding day was the sweetest celebration of love, faith, and personality, nestled in the cozy, whimsical charm of a friend’s backyard in Kansas City. With dreamy tones of pink, red, blush, and warm neutrals, everything about this day whispered romance with a playful, boho touch.
These two first met online — an instant connection between Maddison’s quiet, introverted heart and Sam’s outgoing, joyful spirit. Despite the miles between them (Maddison in California and Sam in Kansas City), it didn’t take long for them to realize they were meant to be. Sam booked a trip to meet her in person, and the rest is history. Now, they’re building a beautiful life together in the heart of Kansas City with their pup, Indy.
Abby Ree Photography
Abby Ree Photography
Abby Ree Photography
Abby Ree Photography
Abby Ree Photography
Their wedding was as heartfelt as their story. A quiet, lakeside ceremony surrounded by their closest loved ones made the sacredness of the moment feel even more intimate. From Maddison’s soft, grace-filled presence to the way Sam looked at her with absolute joy, every second felt drenched in meaning. Between their pizza reception and ginger beer toasts, we snuck away for golden hour portraits while the September sun dipped low, capturing their gentle affection and playful connection in a way that felt both effortless and deeply intentional.
Maddison and Sam’s wedding was a perfect reflection of who they are — wildly in love, grounded in faith, and fully themselves. A day full of contrasts and connection, quiet moments and joyful celebration — and one I feel so honored to have documented.”
Abby Ree Photography
Abby Ree Photography
Abby Ree Photography
Abby Ree Photography
Abby Ree Photography
Tips and Ideas for Planning a Micro Kansas City Wedding (Even If You Don’t Have a Backyard)
After thirteen years of writing for Bespoke Bride, I’ve learned that some of the most meaningful weddings don’t come with fireworks, ballrooms, or Instagram-famous venues. They happen in gardens, cafes, tiny art galleries, or even living rooms where grandma’s floral sofa becomes part of the altar. There’s something inherently poetic about micro weddings—where the pressure shrinks, but the emotions dial up to eleven.
I’ve attended a handful of these gems in Kansas City, and I swear, they’ve stayed with me longer than the seven-tiered hotel weddings. One was inside a bookstore in Westport, with string lights across the aisles and vows whispered between the fiction and poetry sections. Another? A speakeasy-style cocktail bar, dimly lit, velvet banquettes, just 16 guests and one wildly inappropriate toast from the bride’s brother. Perfection.
You Don’t Need a Backyard to Make Magic
Let’s get this straight: just because you don’t have a charming backyard—or a mate with a Pinterest-worthy patio—doesn’t mean you can’t have the micro wedding of dreams. Kansas City is teeming with cosy, character-filled spaces that are practically begging for your vows.
Think:
– A private greenhouse like Verdant KC, where sunlight filters through trailing ivy.
– A quirky Airbnb with rooftop access and vintage décor.
– The courtyard at Café Cà Phê, Kansas City’s first Vietnamese coffee shop, which has hosted everything from poetry nights to pop-up weddings.
These venues are intimate, personal, and often more flexible than traditional spots. Plus, they come with built-in personality, so you don’t need to spend your budget hauling in 87 hanging lanterns and a neon sign that says “Til Death.”
If you’re looking for outdoor venues like parks, watch this video:
Cut the Crowd, Not the Vibe
Here’s the wild part: smaller weddings often feel bigger—emotionally, that is. With fewer guests, you get more time with the people who matter, and every detail feels more intentional. Your ceremony doesn’t echo across an empty banquet hall; it lives and breathes in real time, surrounded by actual tears and laughter you can hear.
That said, smaller doesn’t mean simpler. Planning a micro Kansas City wedding takes just as much thought—if not more—because every detail is front and centre. No one forgets the hors d’oeuvres when there are only 20 people eating them.
My Top Tips for Kansas City Micro Weddings
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Choose a Venue That Reflects You
Love books? Get married in a library. Obsessed with jazz? Try a venue near 18th & Vine and hire a live trio. Don’t settle for “affordable and available”—find a place that tells your story. -
Curate the Guest List Like a Dinner Party
Think of your wedding as the ultimate supper club. Only invite people you’d love to have a long, real conversation with over wine and cake. That weird uncle who yells at the waiter? Yeah, he’s off the list. -
Splurge Selectively
Since you’re not feeding 150 guests, go wild on that custom dress or hand-lettered vow book. One Kansas City couple I interviewed spent their entire decor budget on hand-painted place cards and a roaming Polaroid photographer. It was a vibe. -
Bring the Backyard Indoors
If you’re craving those backyard wedding feels, bring them into your chosen space. Use potted plants instead of cut flowers. Create a “lawn games” corner. Play acoustic covers and serve lemonades in mason jars. It’s less about geography and more about energy. -
Lean Into Local Flavour
Kansas City’s charm lies in its roots. Serve Boulevard beer. Hand out favours from Messenger Coffee. Use local calligraphers like Script by Sarah for signage. A micro wedding is your chance to showcase the city on a smaller scale—and people love that.
Lessons From the (Tiny) Aisle
Here’s what I’ve learned from all the micro Kansas City weddings I’ve attended: the smaller the guest list, the bigger the heart. There’s more eye contact, more spontaneity, more of that rare feeling that everyone in the room is in it with you. One bride told me her micro wedding felt like a “slow dance that never ended.” I couldn’t agree more.
And just to say it loud for the folks in the back: you don’t need a backyard, a ballroom, or a big fat budget to get married beautifully in Kansas City. You need intention. You need people who love you. And you need enough brisket to make your cousin cry.
Resources to Get You Started:
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For affordable Micro Wedding Venues – check Eventective.
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For intimate Kansas City Restaurants for Private Events – click here.
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The Knot: How to Plan a Micro Wedding
Planning a Kansas City wedding doesn’t mean doing what everyone else is doing. Especially when you’re going micro—it’s your excuse to go meaningful instead of massive. And if you ever need backup, ideas, or just someone to tell you that a donut tower is a wedding cake? You know where to find me.
Searching for more inspiration? Check out this backyard wedding in Richmond, or this Ukrainian wedding in New York.
