June 13, 2019 /

Disney Inspired Wedding at The Pavilion

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To theme or not to theme… that is the question. Okay. Maybe not the whole question. The whole question probably goes something like this: “So what’s your wedding theme?” The answer? If you think it has to be either a completely blank stare, or “oh we’re totally doing a Lion-King-themed-wedding-with-lots-of-golden-lions-everywhere-and-we’re-only-playing-Elton-John-and-our-cake-topper-is-of-course-grown-up-Simba-and-Nala-that-will-play “Can you Feel the Love Tonight.” You might be wrong.

A portrait of a bride and groom underneath the arch of The Pavilion Event Space lit up at night at the end of their wedding day.

Not completely wrong. But, we’re happy to inform you that there is a middle ground. And while we can totally get on board with a no-theme wedding just as much as we can get on board with a themed wedding, there is a happy medium between the two. Which means, you can totally have a little bit of a theme, or at least recurring notes on your wedding day without going overboard and having people think you’re crazy.

Courtney and Shane?

They found that happy medium for their wedding day with a mish-mash of a few different inspired themes. Think Royal-Disney-Inspired-Wedding-in-Kansas-City. You see, Courtney and Shane LOVE Disney. Anything and everything Disney inspired. It’s where they vacation, it’s where Shane proposed. It’s essentially their happy place. And Courtney knew when she got married that she wanted to infuse her wedding day with Disney.

Note that word we just used. “Infuse.”

The Dictionary says: “to cause to be permeated with something (such as a principle or quality) that alters usually for the better.”

Courtney didn’t want to completely overrun her wedding day with all things Disney. But instead girlfriend chose to implement little pieces of Disney here and there throughout her whole day. Which made for the perfect, smallest, recurring theme, on her big day.

How did she do this? By using little pieces of inspiration at various points throughout her wedding day. We’re here to let you in on her secrets and share some of our favorite moments from her and Shane’s big day.  🙂

Disney Inspired Wedding at The Pavilion

Getting Ready | The Residence Inn Downtown

Courtney and Shane played it smart on their wedding morning. They booked two suites on the same floor, right across the hall from each other to make everything super easy for their wedding party and themselves. (Oh who are we kidding. Us too :))

So how did Courtney and Shane incorporate their “theme” into getting ready? In lots of small places, actually. Like the fonts of the monograms on the bridesmaids robes. Or the script on the bridesmaids’ gift bags. In the tiny diamond Mickey head studs Courtney wore in her ears on her wedding day. Or on Shane’s tie clip. And of course, on Courtney’s intricate wedding gown hanger for her very regal wedding gown. Just tiny little details, here and there. Nothing that overwhelmed anything, but just added to it for sure.

A colorful, detailed picture of a bride's intricate lace wedding gown and Disney inspired hanger against a clear blue sky.
A detailed black and white picture of a bride sitting cross-legged with her fingers clasped tightly together on the edges of her white laced robe on the morning of her wedding.
A candid, black and white photo of a make-up artist applying makeup to a bride's face on her wedding morning.
A candid, black and white picture taken through an arm of a man trimming his nose hairs on the morning of his wedding.
A candid black and white picture of a man putting deodorant on the morning of his wedding.
A candid picture of two women inspecting their teeth on a wedding morning in Kansas City.
A candid black and white picture of a groom opening a gift from his bride on the morning of his wedding.
A colorful, close-up picture of a bride clasping her hands together as her bridesmaids and flower girls open gifts on her wedding morning in Kansas City.
A black and white picture of a groom reading a card written by his bride on the day of his wedding.
A colorful, candid picture of a bride with a flower girl on her lap reading a card from her groom on the morning of her wedding day.
An emotional black and white picture of a bride reading a card from her groom with tears rolling down her cheeks on the morning of her wedding.
A candid picture taken through a crowd of a bride in a white robe reading a card from her groom as she wipes tears from her eyes on her wedding morning.
A candid picture of a groomsman helping the groom put on cuff links on the morning of his wedding.
A quiet, candid photo of a bride's mom buttoning the back of her wedding gown.
An emotional, candid picture of a woman exhaling as she tries not to cry just after she's put her wedding gown on.
A detailed black and white picture of a bride holding her veil over her head as it's pinned into her hair.
A candid photo of a groom straightening his Mickey Mouse clip tie on the morning of his wedding.
A black and white candid photo of a make-up artist putting lipstick on a bride as her mom stands behind her watching.

First Look & Portraits | Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Do you remember when we said Courtney and Shane’s wedding day was a mish-mash of a few different themes? Well, when it came time for their first look, that’s definitely where the second theme came into play. Simply put, a “regal” theme. Courtney’s gown was fit for a queen. And Shane’s tux? If you think that it resembles the one Prince Harry wore in his engagement photos, you’re right. That little touch was added on purpose. (Hello tiny theme touches).

Courtney and Shane really wanted their first look to happen in a really, really unique place that’s fit for a queen. So off to the Kauffman Center we went. After they shared their intimate first look on the glass staircase (complete with Courtney’s 16 ft long veil), we got to spend some time exploring Kauffman Center for their big portraits. And man. These two killed it, just like the royalty they are.

To add to their very royal Disney day, Courtney’s bridesmaids all wore a gorgeous taupe color with clusters of jewels and held super-neutral bouquets filled with hydrangea. 

A bright, colorful picture of a bride walking down a staircase behind her groom for their first look at Kansas City's Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
A candid picture of a bride and groom sharing an embrace just after their first look at Kansas City's Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
A bold portrait of a bride and groom standing on the stage of Helzberg Hall of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on their wedding day.
A close-up, detailed, black and white picture of a groom reaching for his bride's outstretched hands.
A bold portrait of a bride and groom standing on the stage of Helzberg Hall of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on their wedding day.
An intimate portrait of a bride and groom sharing an embrace while standing on the stage of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts with her veil flying around her.
A bright, candid picture of a bride and groom holding hands and walking through the atrium of Kansas City's Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on their wedding day.
A bright, candid picture of a bride and groom holding hands and walking through the atrium of Kansas City's Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on their wedding day.
A candid image of a bride and groom holding hands as they walk down a staircase in the atrium of Kansas City's Kauffman Center for the performing Arts on their wedding day.
A bold, black and white portrait of a bride and groom standing on a staircase as sunlight bathes over them in Kansas City's Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
A candid, black and white picture of a groom walking towards his bride standing in front of the glass wall of windows in the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City.
A bold, black and white portrait of a bride and groom standing on a staircase as sunlight bathes over them in Kansas City's Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Wedding Ceremony | The Pavilion Event Space

So, here we are. Ceremony time. Where can you add little touches of your theme during your ceremony? In your setting and décor, of course. Courtney and Shane also used a very Disney-esque font on their ceremony programs. They gave their mommas red roses during the ceremony (Beauty and the Beast anyone?!) And their ring bearer carried a pillow that was a giant Mickey hand – how fun for the little guy!!

As far as adding in a little bit of Royal here and there? You didn’t miss Courtney’s veil, did you?! Because she totally topped it with a gorgeous tiara just for the ceremony. And her sweet flower girl’s dress? Royal to a T. Not to mention Courtney and Shane filled a crazy-fun bejeweled sand jar for their unity ceremony.

A bright picture of  a bride's mom waving at someone as she sits and waits for her daughter the bride to walk down the aisle.
A candid picture of a groom hugging his father as he waits for his bride to walk down the aisle during their outside wedding in Kansas City.
A candid photo of a groom heavily exhaling as he waits for his bride to walk down the aisle during their wedding ceremony.
A candid picture taken from a distance of a bride walking down the aisle towards her groom with her mom and dad.
A candid, close-up photo of a bride walking down the aisle towards her groom with her mom and dad.
A photo of a wedding ceremony happening at The Pavilion Event Space taken from the back of the aisle.
A close-up, black and white picture of a bride and groom exchanging rings during their wedding ceremony at The Pavilion in Kansas City.
A vibrant picture taken from the ground-up of a bride and groom holding hands and praying together during their wedding ceremony at The Pavilion in Kansas City.
A candid picture of a flower girl in an elaborate dress sitting on the stairs of The Pavilion in boredom during a wedding ceremony.
A vibrant photo taken from behind the altar of a bride and groom holding hands and pouring sand into a jar for their unity ceremony during their wedding day at The Pavilion.
A candid picture of a bride's mom hugging the groom and bride during their wedding ceremony at The Pavilion.
A vibrant picture taken from the ground-up of a bride and groom holding hands and praying together during their wedding ceremony at The Pavilion in Kansas City.
A candid black and white picture of the bride and groom sharing their first kiss taken from the back of the altar and looking towards the crowd at the end of their wedding ceremony.
A candid picture of a bride's mom holding up her veil as the bride and groom walk back up the aisle after their wedding ceremony at The Pavilion.
A candid picture of a bride and groom leaving their wedding ceremony as the bride's veil blows in the wind.
A fun, candid picture of a bride and groom twirling around and smiling at the camera as they laugh together after their wedding ceremony.
A candid picture of several sets of hands helping bustle a bride's gown after her wedding ceremony at The Pavilion.

Reception | The Pavilion Event Space

Ahh. Courtney and Shane’s reception. You guys – they had the best party. And again, they included little pieces of Disney and royal-ness here and there all over the place. Their names and date projected on the wall? In a Disney font, of course. And you better believe their wedding cake was a beautiful (and delicious) 5 tiers of teeny, tiny Mickey heads, fairy tale words, and topped with Cinderella’s castle. All covered with gorgeous, edible pixie dust, of course. And did we mention their signature drink came with a Mickey cut-out orange peel garnish? Because yes.

But to add to the royal feeling that they also carried throughout their wedding day? The Pavilion made that easy-peasy for them. Courtney and Shane shared their first dance on a cloud. Let me repeat that.

ON A CLOUD, friends, just like in fairy tales. And it was so-romantic.

A fun, candid picture of a bridesmaid and groomsman laughing as they enter a wedding reception at The Pavilion in Kansas City.
A candid picture of a bride and groom laughing together as they enter their Disney Inspired Wedding Reception at The Pavilion.
A fun picture of a bride and groom dancing on a cloud during their first dance as the bridal party looks on and laughs.
A candid picture of a bride and groom sharing their first dance on a cloud during their wedding reception at The Pavilion in Kansas City.
A wide photo of a bride dancing with her groom underneath a chandelier during her wedding reception at The Pavilion in Kansas City.
An emotional, close-up picture of bride dancing with her dad during her wedding reception as her mom looks on in the background.
A candid, black and white picture of a bride and groom sharing a kiss just after they cut their wedding cake during their wedding reception.
A candid, black and white picture of a little girl's jaw dropping in shock as the girl behind her caught the bride's bouquet during a wedding reception at The Pavilion.
A fun picture of a bridesmaid twirling a little girl with long hair around the dance floor during a wedding reception at The Pavilion.
A vibrant, candid picture of a bride and groom dancing with a group of bridesmaids during a wedding reception at The Pavilion.
A candid, black and white picture of a bride's grandpa holding up a pair of beer cans and screaming at the camera during a wedding reception.
A vibrant, candid picture of a bride and groom dancing with a group of bridesmaids during a wedding reception at The Pavilion.
A vibrant, candid picture of a bride and groom dancing with a group of bridesmaids during a wedding reception at The Pavilion.
A candid picture of a bride and groom holding hands as they walk underneath an arch of sparklers at the end of their wedding reception at The Pavilion.
A candid picture of a bride and groom holding hands as they walk underneath an arch of sparklers at the end of their wedding reception at The Pavilion.
A candid picture of a bride and groom holding hands as they walk underneath an arch of sparklers at the end of their wedding reception at The Pavilion.
A bold, black and white portrait of a bride and groom sharing a kiss underneath a white arch at the end of their wedding day.

So. Do you have to do a theme at all? Absolutely not. Can you do a mini-theme on your wedding day? Of course!! But if there’s something that you both absolutely love, it doesn’t hurt to dip your toe in a little bit, or a lot of bit, depending on your personality.

Again, just little touches, here and there. Sometimes, with wedding themes, or Project Runway Designs, or even when it comes to us editing photos, you have to go all the way and then reel it back in a little bit and learn how to edit to get the perfect amount of whatever it is you’re adding. Themes aren’t bad at all. Hopefully this helped you figure out how to add little hints of a theme to your wedding day without going overboard!

Feel like you’re missing something? Check out Courtney and Shane’s Sneak Peek here.

Courtney & Shane’s Wedding Vendor Dream Team:

Getting Ready Location | Residence Inn by Marriott Kansas City Downtown

Ceremony & Reception Venue | The Pavilion Event Space

Bridal Gown |Crystal Design Couture “Chantale” from The Blushing Bride Boutique

Tuxes | Tip Top Tux

Hair & Makeup | Mackenzie Parker & Danae Gennette

Bridesmaid Gowns | Etsy

Florist | KP Floral Event & Design

Videography | RGKC Films

Limo | Showtime Transportation

Catering | Ambrosia Café

Wedding Cake | 3 Women and an Oven

DJ | Andrew with The Pavilion

Jeweler | Showcase Diamond JewelersEnchanted Disney Fine Jewelry

Invitations & Paper | Inspiration I DO

Wedding Coordinator | Veil Events

Wedding Photographer | Rivas Weddings

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