Brooke & Jake’s Elegant, Intentional Wedding at Hotel Kansas City – The Tudor Ballroom

Brooke and Jake’s Hotel KC wedding was a masterclass in timeless elegance with personal touches, heirloom details, and one seriously joyful dance floor to top it off. These two are kind to their core. It was clear from the very beginning how much their friends and families adore them. From the moment we stepped into the Tudor Ballroom, it was all about honoring their love story, celebrating the people who helped build it, and throwing a damn good party.

Getting Ready at Hotel KC

The day started in a suite at Hotel Kansas City, where Brooke and her crew got ready with the help of Paradise Beauty. The vibe was calm and collected—exactly the kind of morning you want on your wedding day. Meanwhile, setup was already in motion downstairs in the ballroom. Brooke and Jake’s families set up the dance floor while the vendor team helped bring the space to life, designing florals, preparing for a room flip, and getting the custom decor in place.

Brooke had two emotional first looks: first with her parents, then with Jake. They shared private vows just the two of them before joining their wedding party for portraits around the hotel. Their golden retriever, Briggs, even made an appearance for photos (Hotel KC is dog-friendly!), which felt extra special since he was “present” at their beach proposal via a framed photo.

Hotel KC Wedding Ceremony in the Tudor Ballroom

Originally, the plan was to hold the ceremony and reception on the Starlight Terrace and Ballroom. But thanks to a last-minute weather pivot, we moved everything inside to the Tudor Ballroom just a few days before the wedding. Honestly? It ended up being the best call. The room felt warm and intimate, with a soft glow from the chandeliers and a faux floral arch from Wild Blossom KC framing the ceremony space beautifully.

Their dear friend Zach officiated, and the ceremony included a ring warming—one of the most meaningful moments of the day. The wedding party and immediate family passed the rings between them before handing them off to Zach. They infused them with love and blessings before they were exchanged.

Jake wore cufflinks that had been passed down from his great-grandfather, and Brooke and Jake toasted with her parents’ wedding champagne flutes. Two subtle but powerful nods to the generations of love that led them here.

Cocktail Hour & Reception: Personal, Polished, and Packed with Energy

While guests enjoyed cocktail hour and live music, we flipped the ceremony space for dinner and dancing. The reception design was clean, elegant, and intentional. One of our favorite design moments was the tall gold mirror seating chart. It’s ornate and romantic, paired with modern black-and-white printed materials for a fresh twist.

Custom signage, cocktail napkins, and drink stirrers added thoughtful, “this-is-so-them” details that make a wedding feel personal without being extra. They even wrote personalized notes to every single one of their guests, which we placed at their seats before dinner. Instead of a photo booth, they hired live painter Ruby Underwood to create guest portraits. It was an interactive element that doubled as a one-of-a-kind favor.

Brooke and Jake skipped the traditional grand entrance in favor of something more fun: rally napkins. The wedding party hyped everyone up, so the newlyweds were introduced to a full room of waving napkins and loud cheers. From there, Brooke’s dad welcomed guests, followed by dinner, heartfelt toasts, and Brooke and Jake’s first dance. They combined parent dances into one shared moment—another intentional detail that really emphasized connection and family.

Party Time in the Tudor Ballroom

Once the dance floor opened (thanks to Diamond Empire Band), it was full from start to finish. One of Brooke’s favorite parts of the whole day was being seated at a long head table with their closest friends, surrounded by joy and music and everyone they love in one room. At golden hour, they stepped out for sunset photos. This gave them one last quiet moment together before dancing their way into the night.

Their formal celebration ended with a last song, followed by an easy transition downstairs to Nighthawk for the afterparty. Nothing flashy or overplanned—just good drinks, good company, and the perfect way to end the night.

Final Thoughts from the Couple

Brooke and Jake cared deeply about making their guests feel loved, and that heart showed up in every single detail. They wanted their wedding to feel personal, intentional, and joyful—and it absolutely did. Brooke later told us, “I’ll never forget seeing everyone we love in one room.” That’s what it’s all about.

We’re so honored to have been part of this day. Abbie led their wedding with grace, care, and her signature calm. From navigating a last-minute venue shift to removing a stain on Brooke’s dress with ease (yes, forreal), she kept the day flowing seamlessly so Brooke and Jake could focus on what mattered most.

Kind Words from the Couple

Words cannot even begin to express our gratitude for Abbie, Sofi, and the entire team at Philosofi Celebrations. From start to finish, they poured their hearts into making our wedding absolutely perfect—and it showed in every single detail.

Abbie, our lead planner, was a dream to work with: organized, calm, professional, and most importantly, deeply invested in us as a couple. She made us feel so supported every step of the way, treating our wedding not just as another event, but as something truly personal and meaningful.

Three days before the big day, we were hit with the news that a major storm was going to force our outdoor wedding indoors. It could have been a disaster—but not with Abbie and Sofi on our team. Without missing a beat, they reached out to vendors, reworked the entire layout, and presented us with a new plan that was just as beautiful and intentional as the original. They lifted all of the stress off our shoulders and gave us the space to enjoy the lead-up to our wedding with peace of mind.

On the day itself, I had so many guests go out of their way to tell me how impressed they were by Abbie and Sofi’s professionalism, warmth, and grace under pressure. Their presence was calming, their communication seamless, and their execution flawless.

Philosofi Celebrations doesn’t just plan weddings—they care deeply, work tirelessly, and go above and beyond to make your day unforgettable I truly can’t recommend them enough. If you’re lucky enough to work with Abbie and Sofi, you’re in the best possible hands.

Brooke Schmitt, bride

Hotel KC Tudor Ballroom Wedding Vendors

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