The Austin

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Dinner

Cake Cutting

Last Call!

Spring

Our Wedding

Our story started in 2020. Chelsea was living at home taking her nursing school classes online through UMKC due to Covid. Erik was living at Union Hill with Jake Sloan working in insurance from home One day, Chelsea was spending the day with Andie Buffington and they decided to go to dinner and invite more friends. They decided to go to Mission Taco (because who doesn't love tacos and margs). Andie invited a boy named Erik who showed up wearing his Batman shirt and sat across the table from Chelsea. After dinner, everyone had decided to go to Westport for the evening. Erik and Chelsea had hit it off and had even found a pop-a-shot that Chelsea beat Erik at by a lot. The evening had gone so well that the next day, Chelsea texted Erik and asked him to go on a date. Erik and Chelsea went on their first date at Kelly's. They talked for a couple of hours basically playing 20 questions learning about their likes and dislikes and what their interests are. After a few more dates, Chelsea started spending a lot of time at Erik's apartment battling Sven over her laptop and highlighters (Sven LOVED helping with schoolwork). After a few months they started looking at apartments and their decision was made easy by moving across the street to another apartment at Union Hill. They loved their new apartment and the extra space it gave Sven to learn to climb the cabinets and explore the outside balcony. By the end of the year, Chelsea was looking at pte finder and came across a puppy that she had to have. Two weeks later they rescued Franklin, a four month old black lab/boxer mix. Sven was unsure of Franklin but loved to follow him around to keep an eye on him. After a few months of Franklin chasing Sven around the apartment, Chelsea and Erik decided to look at houses to rent to give the animals more space and to give Franklin a backyard. When their lease was up, Chelsea and Erik moved into Matthew and Ebony's old house in Mission. After a year of living in the house and watching Franklin get bigger, they suddenly lost Sven. Finally, Chelsea and Erik decided to make another move to rent a house in Prairie Village. Chelsea and Erik were in their new house for two months when Erik took Chelsea to Mission Taco one night and gave her a letter stating that this date represented their beginning. Two days later they went on another date to Texas Roadhouse (easily one of their favorite places to eat) and Erik gave her a letter stating that this date was to represent their present. Finally, they went on a date two days later to Lidia's (Chelsea's favorite restaurant). Erik gave Chelsea a letter stating that this date represented their future. After dinner, Erik took Chelsea to the WWI memorial to the spot where they took Franklin on his very first walk as a puppy. Harry and Darcy were waiting there with Franklin. Erik got down on one knee and ask Chelsea to spend the rest of her life with him. It was the easiest "yes" that Chelsea has ever said in her life. On May 3rd, 2025, Chelsea and Erik will exchange vows and celebrate their marriage with their friends, family, Franklin, and Stuart (their new boxer mix rescue). They could not be more excited for this day and for the rest of their lives together.

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Madeline Sipes

Mara Meneely 

Lexie Brandt

Darcey Altschwager 

Hunter Senior

John Lesko 

Harrison Smith 

Armin Tarakemeh

Q + A

Here are some hotel options near our venue

This trendy hotel in a restored paint brush factory is a 3 minute drive to our venue. It places you in perfect spot to explore some of KC's best features like the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, and the grand Union Station Kansas City

Hotel Indigo Kansas City – the Crossroads, an IHG Hotel

Located about 10 minutes from our venue, this laid-back all-suite hotel puts you within walking distance from the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and a close drive to the Kansas City Zoo

Embassy Suites by Hilton Kansas City Plaza

Only 3 minutes from our venue and only a minute's walk from a tram stop in the central Crossroads district. This relaxed hotel puts you close to sports games and concerts at the Sprint Center, as well as the American Jazz Museum

Hampton Inn & Suites Kansas City Downtown Crossroads

Within 5 minutes from our venue, this unfussy hotel is a mile away from Union Station Kansas City and only 2 miles from the National WWI Museum and Memorial

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Kansas City Beacon Hill

Travel

There's countless fun things to do in Kansas City! Here are some of our top recommendations

This historic museum has an art collection spanning 5,000 years in neoclassical &amp; modern galleries, plus a sculpture garden located on the beautiful estate. If you have the time, it's a beautiful place to spend your time.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Busy River Market centers on City Market, dating to 1857, where casual global eateries, gourmet grocery stores and indie boutiques surround pavilions hosting a weekend farmers’ market. Nearby, the Arabia Steamboat Museum displays paraphernalia salvaged from a ship that sunk in the Missouri River in the mid-19th century. Broad paths for strolling and biking trace the shoreline in Berkley Riverfront Park.&nbsp;

City Market

The buzzing Power &amp; Light District is home to the Sprint Center, drawing big crowds for basketball games and concerts. Nearby, the College Basketball Experience tells the history of the sport through interactive exhibits. Cocktail bars and steakhouses in the area have a party vibe, and there are upscale clubs for late-night dancing and live music. The shopping scene offers chic boutiques for fashion and accessories.

Kansas City Power & Light District

Where we first met! This restaurant melds chef-inspired Cali-Mex fare, killer cocktails and a laid-back, West Coast vibe. We recommend their street corn, queso, and carne asada tacos. And you can't go wrong with a strawberry margarita!

Session Taco - East Crossroads

A celebrated upscale spot for Northern Italian dining in a glitzy locale with blown-glass chandeliers. We always get their pasta trio, caesar salad, and the tiramisu - be prepared to eat!

Lidia’s

A classic staple in our household (we couldn't not include it). This favorite of ours is an American steakhouse chain that specializes in steaks in a Texan and Southwestern cuisine style. Don't forget to get extra rolls and butter to go!

Texas Roadhouse

Things to Do

Registry

Parking will be limited so please carpool if you can. There are two parking lots that are available and will have signs in front of them. There is also street parking in the area. Can't wait to see you there!