Oread Hotel Wedding | Jason+Kayleen | Lawrence, KS

Jason & Kayleen’s Oread Hotel Wedding in Lawrence, KS was this past weekend on Saturday, March 18th, 2017.  Their wedding was definitely one that I was looking forward to!  Not only was it my first time at the Oread Hotel, which is always exciting, but Kayleen was also the maid of honor at one of my former bride’s (Leah’s) wedding, and Leah was now the maid of honor for Kayleen’s wedding!  I also went to high school with Kayleen, although we didn’t really know each other back then, so I was very excited that she and Jason chose me to capture their wedding day!  Jason and Kayleen are also both in the teaching profession, which was a great common ground between us!

Jason and Kayleen met at a teacher professional development session during the summer of 2014.  They were randomly put in the same group on the third day and immediately hit it off.  They were both grateful for the coincidence since they both had their eyes on each other since the first day of training!

Fast forward to February 2016 — Jason took Kayleen to Kansas City for the weekend, under the impression that the Blake Shelton concert was a combined birthday and Valentine’s Day gift.  Little did she know, he had planned the biggest surprise of her life!  Their closest friends came running out of hiding after he proposed by a fountain at The Plaza.  Later that night he even managed to surprise her again by having both their families come to KC for an engagement dinner!

Jason and Kayleen are both hopeless romantics and that truly showed on their wedding day!  Kayleen had worked diligently to plan the perfect wedding day, and they were both excited that the day was finally here!

The day started with everyone getting ready at the Oread Hotel where the Dash Salon ladies traveled to do hair and make-up.  As the ladies were taking turns with stylists, the guys were throwing it back a few years to Mario Kart on the Nintendo 64.  While the girls were getting ready, a surprise bottle of champagne arrived to the ladies’ room from her grandmother who wasn’t able to make it to their wedding.  I’m pretty sure her heart was exploding with joy and gratitude at this point!  Shortly after, the maid of honor and best man delivered the gifts that Jason and Kayleen had prepared for each other and it was so sweet watching Jason and Kayleen open them!  Jason gifted Kayleen with a gorgeous necklace that she wore on their wedding day, and Kayleen gifted Jason with a comical game of “Cards Against Humanity”, paired with the most thoughtful and time-intensive gift of a journal that she had started writing the day their love story began — so incredibly sweet!

Jason and Kayleen chose to keep tradition and not see each other before the ceremony, but wanted to a photo to capture them not seeing each other!  I have to admit there was some careful planning to make sure Jason and Kayleen didn’t see each other while we were setting up for this moment, but it was so worth it!  They were cute with their obvious anticipation!  And it was hilarious that Kayleen continually reminded Jason not to turn around and look at her, because she was sure he wouldn’t be able to resist sneaking a peek!

The ceremony was held in the Hancock Room at the Oread Hotel.  Jason and Kayleen read their sincere and honest vows to one another that had guests crying and laughing at the same time, and in place of doing a unity candle, they chose to nail shut a box with a love letter from each of them as well as a bottle of wine — only to be opened, drank, and read when they have their first heart wrenching fight.  I loved the significance of this event — even though Jason and Kayleen are hopeless romantics, they are both also realists, which I totally relate to!

After the ceremony, we went out for a few bride and groom portraits, family photos, and wedding party portraits while the guests enjoyed cocktail hour and the wonderful staff at the Oread Hotel flipped the ceremony set up to the dinner tables, cookie table, and dance floor!

All in all, it was truly a perfect day with even perfect weather!  Jason and Kayleen truly complement each other and it was such an honor to capture their love!

Jason & Kayleen — No one deserves a perfect day more than the two of you!  I am honored that I got to witness the beginning of your next big adventure.  Thank you for being so incredible and trusting me to capture such an incredible day!

Here are the amazing vendors who contributed to their perfect wedding:
Ceremony Venue: The Oread Hotel | Lawrence, KS
Reception Venue:  The Oread Hotel | Lawrence, KS
Caterer:  The Oread Hotel
Cookie Designer: Eileen’s Colossal Cookies | Lawrence, KS
Bridal Shoe Designer: Nina Shoes
Hair Stylist/Salon:  Dash Salon | Kelsey
Make-Up Artist:  Dash Salon | Adrianne
Florist: Owen’s Flower Shop | Lawrence, KS
DJ: Scott Simpson | Lawrence, KS

If you’re interested in scheduling a portrait session or your wedding with Demiurge Photography, you can contact me here!