1. Real Weddings

An Indoor Wedding in Kansas City, MO

Jessica met Tad as students at the University of Kansas. After dating for four years, Jessica was expecting a proposal on her birthday, so she was rea

Jessica met Tad as students at the University of Kansas. After dating for four years, Jessica was expecting a proposal on her birthday, so she was really excited when Tad asked her on their “last date as boyfriend and girlfriend.” The Bride Jessica McEntire, 27, a graphic designer The Groom Tad Carpenter, 28, also a graphic designer The Date June 20 When Tad paused outside the Midland Theatre (where they had shared their first date), Jessica frisked him to find the ring. Luckily, Tad had another trick up his sleeve -- or rather, in his sock! The couple spent the next year of their engagement creating a unique, graphic style for their wedding.

Jessica and Tad’s guests enjoyed a four-tiered square cake covered in a white-on-white pattern of dots, with larger dots separating the tiers. A few fresh white japhette orchids topped the confection.
A friend of the couple’s who DJs regularly in Kansas City provided the music at Jessica and Tad’s reception. The newlyweds shared their first dance to Ryan Adams’ “When the Stars Go Blue” -- a sentimental pick since Adams headlined the first concert the duo saw together.
The couple even had canvas bags made up for their guests. Each welcome bag was printed in green with the couple’s signature logo.
The table décor continued the play of textures and shades of white at Jessica and Tad’s reception. Glowing tea lights surrounded centerpieces of varying heights composed of hydrangeas, snapdragons, calla lilies, and amaranthus, and table numbers featuring the motif from the invitations let guests know where to sit.
Jessica’s bouquet picked up the white-on-white, contrasting textures the couple used in their invitations. It combined white peonies, calla lilies, and green hanging amaranthus. For a traditional touch, the stems were wrapped in a handkerchief belonging to her great aunt and a crystal headpiece worn by three of her best friends in their own weddings.
Jessica and Tad’s guests found their seats using green, patterned letterpress escort cards that matched the invitations.
“Tad and I wanted to make something special for our wedding favors, so we collaborated and designed a set of four silk-screened note cards for each guest,” explains Jessica. Printed in green and silver, a set was tied with grosgrain ribbon and placed at each place setting.
“The ballroom at the President Hotel is so beautiful, we did not have to go overboard on decorations,” says Jessica. Crystal chandeliers provided soft lighting overhead, and as the sun set, the city skyline was visible through the windows surrounding the space.
The invitations provided the style inspiration for the entire wedding. Enclosed in a folder with a white-on-white debossed pattern of icons relating to the couple’s story, the invitations brought in unique typography and introduced the bright green accent color used throughout the wedding. Another great touch: A relationship timeline on the back of the invitation card.