UNION

Wedding Day

Thank you all for celebrating with us.

Our Wedding

When Mark Met Kendall

Mark and Kendall first met at their best friends' wedding in December of 2019. Their first interactions were those of laughter and bonding over quick jokes and puns. Both were impressed by each other and they became fast friends. When the world entered the pandemic in early 2020, both Mark and Kendall experienced major changes. However, they continued to connect because of their relationship with their two best friends—who had begun scheming a relationship plot for Mark and Kendall. Over the course of several group zooms, posts on Facebook, Halloween Murder Mystery Parties, and Top Golf plans, Kendall and Mark grew closer as friends. At the end of that year, Noah and Kristen (the masterminds) invited both Kendall and Mark over for New Year’s Eve.&nbsp;That night was once again filled with deep belly laughs, stories from growing up, stories from the pandemic and “adulting”, and finally, a Mario Kart challenge&nbsp;until 4 in the morning. Neither was willing to let the night end. By New Year’s Day, Mark was hooked. Kendall was not so secretly thrilled—having been a mastermind herself &amp; secretly crushing on him since they met only a year before. Their relationship grew rapidly. By February of 2021, Mark had admitted he was in love &amp; Kendall was too. In March of that year, Kendall adopted 2 “back pack” kittens &amp; nervously called Mark to tell him this news. He responded, “I’ve always wanted a cat, now we have two!” By the end of May in 2021, Mark had moved into her small studio apartment in KC &amp; the two have been together ever since. The past few years have been spent together traveling back to Parsons to visit, setting up classrooms, hanging out with friends and family, and deciding to become a family themselves.&nbsp;

The Proposal

Since the start of their relationship, Mark and Kendall both agreed that being together was the most natural and easy thing either had ever experienced. In April of 2022, a ring was purchased and tucked away until the right time. But when would that be? Kendall had an idea. Mark had a plan.Mark planned a quiet and intimate proposal for a sunny and cool day in October, outside at Kristen and Noah's house. The place that brought them together &amp; helped start it all. It would have been a great proposal... But Kendall (being Kendall) couldn't stop asking questions &amp; Mark (being Mark) couldn't stop giving her the answers. She finally narrowed it down to October 22nd, in the early afternoon before the scheduled Halloween Murder Mystery Party. The night before the planned proposal, Kendall and Mark went over to the Taylor's to "hang out" (a.k.a to scope out the perfect spot). While sitting there hanging out with their two best friends and their new bundle of joy, both Mark and Kendall got the overwhelming feeling that they couldn't wait another day to officially start their forever. When the two got back home to their quiet apartment and needy cats, Mark took Kendall to the living room. He put on their song and while slow dancing in the dimly lit room, Mark got down on one knee and asked Kendall if she would spend the rest of her life with him, make him the happiest man on earth and marry him. Kendall began to sob uncontrollably (shocker) and after a minute she finally said, "Wait ask me again, I can't stop crying and I want to say yes right away!" Mark asked Kendall again. And she said "Yes!" It was the most genuine and perfect proposal for the pair. Mark and Kendall would not have it any other way.

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Kristen Taylor

Noah Taylor

Mary-Katherine Ekins

Jackson Shields

Lexi Morse

Connor Kelly

Taylor Stelting

Hew McKoy

Logan Stelting

Chris Eisenstein

Catey Payne

Jett Cooper

Lakin Allen

Hunter Barcus

Olivia Brees

Zach Wolgamott

Margo Hunter

Jacob Johnston

Liam Taylor

Josie Taylor

Q + A

Hampton Inn & Suites Kansas City Downtown Crossroads

Crowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown, an IHG Hotel

Holiday Inn Express Kansas City Downtown an IHG Hotel

Hampton Inn Kansas City / Downtown Financial District

Kansas City Marriott Downtown

Travel

Experience this amazing museum's striking architecture and impressive works of art from around the world.* Kendall and Mark's first official date was at the Nelson.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Founded in 1989 in Kansas City, Missouri, Boulevard Brewing Company is&nbsp;moving beer forward by combining time-honored techniques with modern methods.*We love to go here for Bingo on Sunday &amp; we know some pretty great people who work here, too! Highly recommend taking a tour. Especially if its the Hanson or Collins fam! ;)

Boulevard Brewing Company

The original Joe's Kansas City BBQ, born out of a gas station in Kansas City and world-famous for our&nbsp;ribs, Z-man sandwich, burnt ends, brisket, &amp; more!*Our first apartment together was 1 minute from this legendary bbq stop. We'd both sometimes need to stop for gas in the morning on our way to work!

Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que

Grand, historic train station with permanent &amp; temporary exhibits, a planetarium &amp; a science center.Fun for any and all ages.

Union Station Kansas City

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is a privately funded museum dedicated to preserving the history of Negro league baseball in America.*For any sports fans &amp; history buffs. This is an eye opening and important museum to check out!

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

America's museum dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community.*Eye opening. Powerful. Purposeful. Don't miss it!

National WWI Museum and Memorial

Home to the world's largest collection of fine-scale miniatures and one of the largest collections of historic toys currently on public display.*Great for all ages - relive popular toys from your childhood! The staff always has incredible interactive scavenger hunts!

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

Classic &amp; contemporary theater with productions chosen to appeal to audiences of all ages.*Kansas City theater is like no other! We will have so many recommendations of shows to see and places to attend. Please reach out for any other recommendations.

The Coterie Theatre

& SO MANY MORE RECOMMENDATIONS! Please feel free to reach out & we will point you in the direction of a good time!

Our Favorite Things To Do

Registry

Kendall & Mark

Kendall & Mark

K&M

Wedding Day

Thank you all for celebrating with us.