The Most Intentional Wedding at Crossroads Hotel | Jessica & Stephen

Jessica and Stephen’s wedding at the Crossroads Hotel in Kansas City was truly a sentimental and thoughtful celebration. From the moment I met them, I could see how intentional they were about making every decision reflect who they are as a couple and the cultures that shaped them. The day was full of personal touches, meaningful moments, and a relaxed, intimate vibe that left everyone feeling connected and cared for.

Getting Ready at Crossroads Hotel & First Look at Percheron

The day began with Jessica and her closest friends getting ready in the suite. It was a peaceful, fun atmosphere—exactly what Jessica had hoped for. With no photographers or videographers present, she was able to just soak in the morning, surrounded by her people. It set the tone for a day that felt laid-back but still so full of emotion and love.

Jessica and Stephen decided to do their first look in the hotel, which allowed us to capture the beauty of the space without needing to leave the venue. Crossroads Hotel was such a perfect fit for them. Not only did it simplify logistics by housing their ceremony, reception, and guest accommodations, but it also took care of essentials like food, drinks, linens, and furniture. It was ideal and fit Jessica’s goal of minimizing the overwhelm of designing and decorating. The venue’s natural beauty shone through and gave her peace of mind, especially with so much else to think about.

Their wedding party photos felt just as intimate, with a small group gathered around the couple, supporting them with genuine love. One standout aspect of the day was that the wedding party was seated during the ceremony—another intentional choice by Jessica and Stephen to create a more relaxed, inclusive atmosphere.

The Wedding Ceremony & Tea Ceremony

The ceremony was one of the most touching parts of the day. In lieu of a traditional unity candle or ring-warming ritual, we incorporated a condensed Chinese tea ceremony. It was a simple yet meaningful way to honor both Jessica’s Portuguese and Stephen’s Chinese heritage. The tea ceremony was a beautiful fusion of their families, something Stephen’s family deeply appreciated. After the tea ceremony, Jessica’s godmother led a heartfelt Portuguese prayer, adding another layer of personal significance to the day.

After the ceremony, guests moved to the cocktail hour while Jessica and Stephen spent a few quiet moments alone. This break allowed them to decompress before joining the reception, where the vibe shifted slightly toward celebration without losing the intimate feel. Their grand entrance led straight into their first dance, followed by Jessica’s godmother’s blessing before dinner.

One of the fun and quirky elements of the reception was their Lego guest book! Guests were invited to build mini Lego creations, adding a playful, interactive touch that reflected Jessica and Stephen’s personalities.

Crossroads Hotel Wedding Reception

The reception decor was simple but elegant, with florals by Good Earth Floral adding the perfect touch. Jessica had been concerned about finding the right balance with the flowers. Would there be enough to feel special, or would it be a waste of money? On the day, though, everything came together beautifully, and her worries melted away. We were able to repurpose the ceremony flowers at the reception, making it cohesive and intentional without overdoing it.

One thing I absolutely loved was the thoughtful approach to their parent dances. Instead of the traditional father-daughter and mother-son dances, both Jessica and Stephen danced with both of their parents. It was a sweet, inclusive moment that left no one feeling left out. That kind of consideration really defines who Jessica and Stephen are—they wanted everyone to feel seen and included.

The evening ended on such a high note. After an open dance floor, Jessica and Stephen had a private cake cutting followed by a quiet last dance together in the empty reception room. It was the perfect way for them to have a final moment alone before the whirlwind of the after-party, which took place in their suite with close friends and family.

Client Love

Jessica reflected on how many little things just fell into place that day, often without them even realizing. For example, when they started worrying about what would happen to their leftover wedding cake, we had already taken care of it, storing it safely overnight so they could enjoy it later. The goal was for them to stay present, enjoy their day, and not have to sweat the small stuff.

Where do I begin? I knew Sofi was the right wedding coordinator for our August wedding within the first 5 minutes of our initial call. She’s warm, confident and so patient – not to mention it felt like talking to someone I’d been friends with for years, not someone I was hiring.

The two most valuable pieces of working with her was she starts weeks before the wedding, communicating to all our wedding vendors and perfecting the timeline. Not ONE SINGLE vendor or guest asked me a question on my wedding day!! What a dream. The second is that she is confident in taking charge of all the little micro decisions and issues that come up on wedding day. She just took care of it all so I could be present and enjoy the day. I was so relaxed during wedding day that I was ANXIOUS about how relaxed I was. All thanks to Sofi.

Bonus points for the software you get access to when you work with her – it was incredibly helpful in the planning process.

Hiring Sofi was the best wedding decision we made. I wish I had hired her to be our full or partial wedding planner. You are in the very best of hands with her and her team!

Jessica, bride

Overall, Jessica and Stephen’s wedding was a perfect reflection of who they are—thoughtful, sentimental, and full of love for their families and each other. From the intentional cultural elements to the playful details like the Lego guest book, every part of the day was about celebrating their unique story. It was such a joy to be part of, and I couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out.

Kansas City Wedding Vendors | Crossroads Hotel