A Champagne- and Neon-Filled Wedding at Prairiewood Retreat and Preserve in Manhattan, Kansas

Ariel and Bryce's wedding at Prairiewood Retreat and Preserve in Manhattan, Kansas, was equal parts glam and moody. The couple's wedding included dramatic attire, neon signs, lots of champagne and endless dancing.  Although the glam-meets-moody wedding in Kansas came together beautifully, planning it took a bit of time for the couple. "When I first began planning, it was really overwhelming to choose any certain direction or style, because there were so many options that I liked, but wouldn't necessarily be cohesive," explains Ariel. "I made a mood board that combined items that I found inspiring from color stories to florals and fabric swatches. Once I was able to put it all together, I was able to find a mix of styles and looks that highlighted the vibe I was going for without looking disjointed or cluttered. We had a fall wedding so I wanted it to feel moody and a bit glamorous with lots of textural elements that would be in season and photograph well. The end result was a really unique combination that really represented my style."

Glamorous fashion played a big role in bringing Ariel and Bryce's wedding dream to life for their celebration at Prairiewood Retreat and Preserve in Manhattan, Kansas. "I have a fashion background and surprisingly choosing a wedding dress was the most anxiety-inducing part of wedding planning," recalls Ariel. "There are so many options! Originally I wanted to go with a pale blush pink or a dramatic tulle skirt option but quickly realized that wasn't for me. I finally landed on a simple A-line dress in creamy off-white silk with a sweetheart neckline and buttons down the back. It was flattering and simple and very chic. To add some glitz, I had a bejeweled bodysuit made that perfectly complimented the cut of the dress, and added a sleeve that felt appropriate since the ceremony was outdoors. It was important to me that I wore something that was classic and elegant, but still had a bit of the unique flair that I like to bring to my personal style. I styled my hair in Hollywood waves clipped on one side with an antique hairpiece that belonged to my mom. For my makeup, I opted for a dark lip and wanted the focus to be on my brows and lashes, with a lighter eyeshadow."

Beyond fashion, the decor of the wedding helped drive home the moody, glam, rustic aesthetic combo the couple was going for. "We had tablecloths that were full of texture, gold flatware, dark green accents, and dramatic black taper candles. We found wine bottles with labels that complimented our aesthetic to put on each table so there was parts of the design that were functional as well. Bistro lighting was strung throughout the reception area, and when combined with the candlelight created this gorgeous ambient lighting that I loved," says Ariel. "The end result was a ceremony and reception that absolutely reflected our version of a "perfect" wedding, and the dance party was a huge hit!"