This bride and groom met 10 years ago through a mutual friend who ultimately became their wedding officiant when they tied the knot years later. For their next-level museum wedding captured by Laura Foote, the bride’s vision was clear – she wanted a classic and timeless wedding that wasn’t overly themed but screamed formal elegance regardless. Just by selecting Nelson Atkins Museum, the couple already had an incredible canvas to which they then added chandeliers, vines, florals, chairs, and linens to really take it over the top. With the help of Composure Events and Pure Lavish Events, this event did this so perfectly that the museum even kept the chandeliers using during the reception!
Getting-ready style: feathered slip dress
The bride slipped into a feather-trimmed silk slip dress with a thigh-high slit to prepare for the day.
Featured venue: Nelson Atkins Museum
The couple knew that the Nelson Atkins Museum was the perfect venue for them as soon as they walked in. Everything about the architecture and elements in Kirkwood were things they couldn’t get anywhere else – it had good bones that the bride and groom could over decorate, incorporate the art from the museum into everything.
Custom French Chantilly lace
After trying on over 100 dresses, the bride happened upon a beautiful French Chantilly beaded lace gown that was exactly what she was looking for. The shop was able to raise the height of the front neckline and sleeve, lower the back line and add a soft curve, add a delicate lining, and create a custom overskirt. The bride even paid extra to ensure that the lace of the veil matched the lace of the veil precisely.
Black-tie meets white-tie style
The groom and his groomsmen were the epitome of black-tie meets white-tie excellence in classic suits with elegant dress shoes and the perfect complementary white boutonnieres.
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Pro-tip: create an elevated guest experience
The newlyweds cared very much about guest experience and thought about it every step of the way from weather, cuisine, and music, all the way to bathrooms. They wanted everyone to feel comfortable and entertained, but they also wanted to create a very unique elevated environment that maybe most people had not yet experienced in their lives.
Pro tip: mood boards
The bride planned every single detail and was incredibly involved with her vendors from start to finish. She made illustrator collages and mood boards for everything, from the wedding day itself to the Friday and Sunday before and after and was even involved in the renderings for the custom truss made for the chandeliers.
Archived art inspiration
Throughout the event, the couple pulled inspiration from the art in the Nelson-Atkins Museum. The menus took inspiration from the cameo art the bride had seen in the archives, and the art gallery seating chart used art from the Nelson Museum and another archive.
On trend: constant customizations
Customizations were an important part of the event. The couple had monogrammed ice cube molds sent to the venue, custom flags to go on their late-night snacks, gold flake burgers, chicken and waffles, and embroidered napkins for the head table.
Floral applique-inspired cake
The newlyweds cut into a four-tier off-white cake accented with floral applique-inspired detailing and a custom monogram.
