Sadie and Tyler picked black, dark red, gold and creme for their colors. Then Sadie wrote MY LEGO CAKE TOPPERS in all caps on her must-capture list. I knew where this day was headed before I ever showed up.

Window Light and a Red Veil

Black gown, lace-up corset back and a dark red cathedral veil. Sadie showed up knowing exactly who she was, and my job was to find the light that matched. One big window and some long curtains did the rest. This is where my fashion work shows up on a wedding day. I place you in the light, I direct, and then I get out of the way so the real moment can happen.

The woman lacing her into that gown is Gaby. Most days Gaby is my assistant. On this day she was Sadie’s maid of honor, which put someone I trust completely right next to the bride all morning. Sadie’s friends in California joined by FaceTime, and Gaby squeezed in next to her for the reveal.

Private Vows Before the Crowd

Sadie and Tyler saw each other for the first time in private and read their vows to each other with nobody else listening. I recommend a first look to almost every couple I work with. You get a few quiet minutes together before the day picks up speed, the rest of the afternoon opens up for portraits, and you walk into your own party on time.

Rain on Your Wedding Day

The best rain plan gets decided before the wedding, so on the day it takes one call and everyone moves. Sadie and Tyler’s plan was simple: bring everything inside. When the rain showed up, that is exactly what we did. The ceremony happened in front of a greenery wall with their last name in neon across the top. Later I took them out on the wet street, and Sadie laughed the whole walk.

A Front Row Seat

Sadie’s dad got a front row seat. His photo sat on the chair with white calla lilies, and his ashes sat right there with him for the whole ceremony. He was a big part of her day, so he is a big part of her photos. Making sure the people who matter most end up in the story is part of the job, even when they are there in a different way.

Cameras at the Altar

During the ceremony, Sadie and Tyler pulled out instant cameras and took photos of each other. My job is to read the room well enough to be in the right spot when something like that happens.

The Lego

Sadie wrote MY LEGO CAKE TOPPERS in all caps for a reason. When they cut the cake, the Lego minifigures showed up right in the middle of the slice. If something about your day is completely you, put it on the list, in all caps if you have to, and I will give it real time and real light. Years from now the Lego and the cameras at the altar are the frames that make you laugh at your own wedding.

Your Photographer,
Matt

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Planning Your Own Wedding?

Cinder & Ivory is a Kansas City wedding photography team for couples who want their photos to look exactly like them. If you are just looking for someone to document the timeline, we may not be a good fit. If you want to look back years from now and recognize yourselves in every frame, let’s chat.

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Vendor Credits

• Venue: Ellie B’s Event Space
• Photography: Cinder & Ivory | @cinderandivoryweddings
• Florals: Heavy Petal | @heavypetaljordy
• DJ: DJ Connection | @dj.connection
• Catering: Hy-Vee | @hyvee
• Dress: Windsor | @windsorstore
• Hair: Kimberly Trieb