White-Brocato

We first heard from the bride, Bridget, after the January Bridal Fair and viewing our demo. She lives in Kansas City and first contacted us via phone and email asking about what we had to offer for her day. She was going to be getting married in her hometown of Salina. We talked quite a bit and finalized everything by phone, or online or in the mail. We had hoped to meet her a few weeks prior to the wedding, as we really enjoy meeting our brides and grooms prior to the day; it just helps everyone be more relaxed on the wedding day. Well, Bridget and I could never get our schedules to synch up and we officially got to meet the moment she strolled through the door at the salon on the wedding day! No worries though, Bridget is the type of person who you just feel like you've known for a long time. She was so realxed on her day even though the excitement was building. She and her bridesmaids met at Hair Affair in Salina for hair and make up. Bridget had chosen to put her hair all up in curls and in the back placed a unique hair clip adorned with gold and jewels that was simply gorgeous. She found it at a KC bridal shop. She waited until it was time for photos to put on her veil.

The groom had started getting ready at the Ramada with his groomsmen, both his brothers, prior to seeing his bride for the first time. Barry grabbed a few shots there prior to the big moment!

The bride snuck into her suite at the hotel as well to get dressed herself, adorning a gorgeous gown she also found in KC. Light weight material blew in the breeze and covered with a layer of champagne colored lace and a very elegant sweeping train. A strand of pearls from her new in-laws-to-be completed her look!

The photogaphers, Gary and Amanda McCool (also from Wichita), set up the first meeting near a fountain in the commons area of the hotel. One of the couples nephews, a candlelighter covered Ryan's eyes until it was time to see his bride for the first time. From my vantage point, Bridget sure had a huge grin across her face! They exchanged cards for one another and posed for a few photos before grabbing a quick bite to eat and off to the park for more photos.

Then the bridal party headed to the church, Sacred Heart Cathedral in downtown Salina. It was a very uniquely designed church. Concrete walls were engraved with the stations of the cross and huge stained glass windown towered to the ceilings. The ceremony started at about 2:30 pm and the newlyweds took part in the full Catholic Mass sharing communion together. After they were announced as husband and wife, they were congratulated by their guests who were outside lining the steps blowing bubbles as they headed to the limo to take them to the reception. Artisitc limousine came from Wichita to help the newlyweds celebrate in style!

The reception was back at the Ramada hotel so it was convenient for guests who had come from Kansas City and other parts of the country. Bridget had the entire hall decorated beautifully in brown, black, white and pink. DJ Rick Raynes introduced them to the room where they had a receiving line to personally say thank you to all the guests!

After dinner, the couple cut the cake, had their first toast and guests dove into dessert- wedding cake and the biggest assortment of cookies I had ever seen in my life. It spanned two 8-foot banquet tables and a large round banquet table. As I snuck a few to indulge in, I asked one of the guests if they knew anything about the cookies, were they homemeade or storebought? I was surprised to hear that a few people in the family made every last one. She stated it took about 35 pounds of flour to get the feat accomplished! All varieties except for two I believe were all Italian in tradition, from the groom's side of the family! They even had pink take home bags for you to fill up with goodies and enjoy for later!

Once everyone got plenty to eat for dinner and dessert, the couple shared their first dance and the party had begun! The DJ had plenty of fun planned for the evening and kept everyone on the dance floor and entertained, even a great dance contest!

The newlyweds are excited to head to SanFrancisco for their honeymoon this week and we wish them well in their future lives together.

Bridget and Ryan, thank you again for your hospitality throughout the day, we appreciate it very much- you had a wonderful day and we enjoyed ourselves! You are a wonderful couple with great families, please keep in touch! Good luck to you- have a blast in California!

Stay tuned for the wedding day prequel in the coming weeks! SG