It’s official—you’re engaged! Chances are you’ve already got the ‘vision’ part down, and now it is time for the real wedding planning to begin. The challenge lies ahead is making that vision a reality. It honestly all starts with where you have it, but finding the perfect venue is easier said than done. If you’re looking at wedding venues in Kansas City – or in any city for that matter – keep these four things in mind during your search.

Finding the Perfect Kansas City Wedding Venue

One tip, not included on the list below, is to start your search early, tons of weddings happen every weekend in this town so set your date and book quickly.

1. Plan for the Elements

When planning a wedding, one of the first things you need to decide is if you want it to be indoors or outdoors. Weather is an important factor to consider, especially if your heart is set on an outdoor wedding in a place where the weather changes every 30 minutes.

When shopping around, consider the time of year and what elemental factors might come into play. This doesn’t just pertain to rainy days. If you’re planning to tie the knot during some of the warmer months, outdoor wedding venues with indoor event spaces can be crucial for your guests’ comfort.

2.  Make Sure Guests Have Plenty of Room

Figure out a ballpark number for your guest list before you start shopping around, then look for venues that can accommodate that number.

Ultimately, you want to make sure you’re not stressed out over getting close to capacity. If you know you’re going to have a larger number of guests, avoid choosing a venue that will put them at or below capacity, but still ‘feel’ crowded. Find out how many people the space can hold comfortably. You don’t want everyone bumping into each other at your wedding reception unless they are dancing like crazy of course.

3. Envision Your Decor

When you’re looking through your favorite wedding pins and posts, what aesthetics do they have in common? If you’re aiming for a rustic or vintage feel, a modern indoor venue might clash with your decor.

Look for spaces that are designed to will pair well with your overall vision. If you can find a place that accommodates your style without a lot of work on your part, that’s a great sign.

4. Have a Mental Photoshoot

You only get to live this day once (unfortunately). But you’ll be reliving it through the photographs for years, so ask yourself what you want them to look like. While looking at different venues in KC, ask yourself these questions.

• Does the scenery accommodate your picture-perfect vision?
• What is the lighting like in areas where you would likely be taking photos?
• If you’re planning on hiring a videographer, will the space accommodate that?

When in doubt, always ask the venue. Have them show you some examples of previous client photos. Click here to view our photo gallery.

5. Ask Around

On the hunt for the perfect place to host your big day in the Heart of the Heartland, never be afraid to ask for help. Ask others for suggestions and experiences, and check out social media accounts for your favorite locations as well.

Above all, always have a plan. As soon as you’ve narrowed down your attendees, determine what you need from your wedding venue — and start planning!

Of course, if you’re considering The Bowery, don’t hesitate to contact us today! We would be honored to help you navigate this journey.

You are planning to have your wedding in Kansas City because that is where your friends and family are and it is a beautiful place to say your I dos. But one of the biggest things you will have to tackle when planning your KC wedding is finding the right venue. Your venue sets the tone for the entire day and choosing the right one can be a little stressful. We get it, that is why we wanted to give you a guide to finding the best place to get married in Kansas City.

Know Your Budget

This is the first thing you will want to think about when you start shopping around for venues. We suggest making a list of what you will provide and what you want the venue to provide. For example, will you be renting chairs and tables? Or would you like chairs and to be provided by the venue? Will you be having your wedding ceremony and reception in the same place or will you have to transport guests from the ceremony to the reception? After you figure out what you want from your venue, you can start making a spreadsheet with venue names and corresponding expenses. Note that normally all-inclusive venues will be more cost-effective. 

Will the Venue Accommodate All of Your Guests?

Have an estimate of how many guests will be at your wedding and make sure the venue can comfortably hold all of them comfortably. We actually suggest overestimating your guest list by at least 50 people for two reasons.

1. You want everyone to have a little extra room to mingle and move around.
2. Someone is bound to bring an extra guest that they did not RSVP.

Does the Location Suit Your Needs?

There are several things you want to look at when choosing the location of your venue.

Theme: Does the location fit your wedding theme and desired aesthetic? If you want a laid back, rustic wedding, picking a trendy, modern venue might clash with your theme. Kansas City offers a wide variety of venues so with a little bit of research you can find one that fits your style perfectly

Parking and Transportation: If you are having your guests drive themselves to the venue, make sure there is ample parking. As we stated above, if guests will be shuttled from one location to another, make sure to consider the extra costs associated with that and add them into your budget.

Obstructed views: You want everybody to see that awesome entrance that you and your wedding party have been planning for months so, make sure that large pillars and columns do not obstruct anybody’s view

Is the Time and Date That You Want Available?

Make sure the venue you want is available on your wedding day. We suggest locking down a date with your venue before you send out save the dates. Some people send out their save the dates before they put down their venue deposit and are disappointed when the place they had their heart set on is not available on that day. Don’t let this happen to you.

The Bowery is a great choice for those looking to get married in the Kansas City area. Click here to view our space located in Spring Hill, Kansas.

For booking information, contact us today!

Food should be at the top of your list when it comes to what you should focus on while planning your reception. The food you provide guests could make or break your celebration…and your budget. Luckily, there is a new trend on the rise that is breaking the tradition of three-course stuffy dinners and over the top buffets; that trend is grazing menus.

A grazing menu is a series of small bites (similar tapas) that are available to guests throughout the reception. It is a fantastic way to cater to different tastes, dietary restrictions, and allows your guests to eat at their own pace.

Creating Your Grazing Menu

Here are the steps you can take to put together a fantastic grazing menu at your reception:

Divide and Conquer

If you can afford to have, people walk around with silver trays and stagger what small bites are available at certain points of the night, awesome! Your caterer and wedding planner can plan when each tray should be sent out to your guests. If you do not have this luxury, we suggest setting up individual tables with similar types of food. For example:

Table 1: Hors d Oeuvres

Table 2: Vegetable Dishes

Table 3: Heavier Meat and Starchy Bites

Table 4: Desserts

Plan Your Menu by Table

After getting a sense of organization, so you aren’t just randomly throwing things onto your wedding food Pinterest board, you have two options here you can find a caterer to help you put your menu together, or if you plan correctly, you can make everything yourself with the help of friends and family. This is a great time to let your personality shine. You can have mini versions of your favorite foods or go a little out of the box with exotic cuisine. Here are some of the most popular grazing menu items based on the table organization mentioned above.

1. Charcuterie, fruits, bruschetta, one-bite Caprese salads, spinach artichoke dip, mushroom crostinis
   
2. Flatbread pizza with seasonal vegetables, prosciutto wrapped asparagus, cream cheese cucumber roll-ups, a large veggie platter with various dips and hummus
3. Garlic pesto skewered shrimp, crispy garlic smashed potato bites, savory meatballs with chimichurri sauce, cheese and potato croquettes
4.  Mini pies and cakes, small fruit tarts, tiramisu trifles in shot glasses, truffles, mini gourmet donuts

Preparation

Order Enough Food: The most important factor in creating a great grazing menu is knowing how much food you will need to purchase. One of the biggest mistakes with any wedding menu is not having enough food for everyone-especially if alcohol is being served. We suggest ordering double the amount of food you think you need-if your budget allows-or at least doubling down on the less expensive bites. There is always that person that didn’t RSVP their plus one, or that relative that shows up unannounced, so having extra is better than not having enough to go around. On the same note, make sure you have plenty of plates and napkins for all of your guests

Have a Plan for Hot and Cold Foods: A grazing menu means that guests will be eating throughout your reception. If you have hired a caterer, this will probably just have to be a quick conversation between you two. Make sure they have a plan in place to keep hot food hot and cold food cold through the entire night.

If you are preparing your own reception menu, this could be a bit more complicated. You can use chafing dishes with warm water and burners to keep food warm (leaf has a great step by step guide here). For cold food, fill chafing dishes with ice water to keep the food from spoiling. Make sure you designate somebody to periodically check food temps, replace ice, and manage the burners.

A grazing menu is an extremely popular choice when it comes to wedding food right now. We hope that this guide has helped you get a better idea of how to create a great menu for your guests!

For booking information, contact us today!

No one wants a cookie cutter wedding reception because let’s be honest we have all been to a reception that had zero originality and the couple’s personality was nowhere to be found in the decor. You want your reception to be memorable for your friends and family and as unique as you are. Here are five wedding reception ideas that will set you apart from everyone else.

1. Gold Flatware Adds a Wow Factor to Reception Tables

Using gold flatware might sound tacky, but if done correctly, this is a unique way to spice up your decor and add a little bit of a ‘wow factor’ to the tables at your reception. This can be a bit pricey, but for smaller, more intimate weddings it is a great alternative to traditional silver flatware.

2. Simple Table Settings that Compliment Your Wedding Decor

Minimalism is in right now, gone are the days of large over the top centerpieces. Simple, beautiful centerpieces are a great, inexpensive way to add visual interest to your reception tables and guests will be able to actually talk to each other. Head over to your local dollar store or craft shop and find small glass vases put a little water in the bottom and add fresh cut fauna in the color of your choice. Feel free to add some candles and voila you have cost-effective, simple table settings.

3. Hanging Plants Add a Unique Aesthetic

An interesting way to add a natural decor touch to your wedding reception venue is with hanging plants. A lot of indoor wedding venues have high ceilings which means you have to get a little bit creative. You will want to talk to your wedding planner or have some willing members of your wedding party install cables or pulls so that plants don’t have to descend 20+ feet. If your reception is outside you can suspend plants from trees or install extra poles in your wedding tent.

4. Create a Lounge Area for Your Reception Guests

The idea of a lounge area at a wedding reception is one of our favorites so far! Find a neat, inexpensive couch or borrow one from a friend add a small coffee table to hold drinks and create a fun center piece. Keep the couch small to attain an intimate feel and Boom! You have successfully added a cozy element to your reception.

5. Opt for a Grazing Menu

Instead of making your guests sit through a stuffy four-course dinner, have a grazing menu with small plates that people can eat throughout the night! This is not only cost-effective, but it is also more fun, and people aren’t forced to stay in their seats and eat food they may or may not like. Choosing a grazing menu instead of a large dinner gives your reception a more laid back and comfortable vibe that everyone will appreciate. Take a look at our guide on how to create a grazing menu.

Get in touch with us today to start planning the reception of your dreams!