STEPH & MATT
Guadalupe Centers Wedding | Kansas City
Some love stories just feel like home. That's exactly how we'd describe Steph and Matt's wedding day at the Guadalupe Centers - a perfect blend of meaningful spaces, cherished relationships, and moments that reminded us why we love what we do.
The October day began in Steph and Matt's home, where their pup provided the perfect company as Steph shared quiet moments with her closest friends. Having photographed these two nearly a decade ago when we were just starting out, getting to document Steph getting ready in their newly renovated bathroom felt like the most beautiful full-circle moment. Every corner of their home holds memories of their life together, and now we were adding one more chapter to their story.
The Guadalupe Centers provided the perfect backdrop for one of our favorite moments - Steph's first look with her dad. These father-daughter moments always tug at our heartstrings, but watching Doug see his daughter as a bride for the first time was pure magic. And then came Matt's turn - their first look was filled with that beautiful mix of tears and laughter that tells you these two are truly best friends.
With their wedding party in tow, we headed to the Nelson-Atkins Museum for portraits. The autumn gardens provided the perfect setting for photos with their families and wedding party - a group that clearly shares years of inside jokes and genuine love for this couple.
Back at the Guadalupe Centers, their ceremony perfectly balanced emotion with their laid-back style. The way Matt looked at Steph as she walked down the aisle with Doug - that's the kind of moment we live to capture. Their families beamed from the front rows, and you could feel the love radiating from every guest in attendance.
The reception space was transformed into a celebration as unique as their love story. From heartfelt toasts that had everyone reaching for tissues to the moment Doug said grace before dinner, every detail felt thoughtfully chosen to honor their relationships. While their families kept the dance floor warm, Steph and Matt spent the evening exactly as they wanted - gathered around tables playing card games with their college friends, catching up and creating new memories with the people who've been there since the beginning.
Throughout the day, we had the joy of capturing their story not just through our digital cameras, but also on Super 8 film and two rolls of 35mm. There's something magical about the way film captures moments - a timeless quality that perfectly matched the authentic joy of their celebration. When Steph told us after the wedding that she would trust us to shoot an entirely film wedding, it meant the world to us.
What struck us most about Steph and Matt's day wasn't just the beautiful details or the perfect fall weather - it was how perfectly it reflected who they are as a couple. Having known Steph since high school and watching these two grow together over the years (with Ty joining in on the friendship seven years ago), documenting this next chapter felt like an absolute privilege.
To Steph and Matt - thank you for trusting us to document this next chapter in your love story. Your wedding day was, like you both, full of joy, authenticity, and so much love. Here's to many more years of building your home together - and maybe a few more card games along the way!
