Gothic Appalachian Wedding at La Villa KC | Maddie & Brodie

Maddie & Brodie’s December wedding at La Villa KC was romantic, moody, beautiful, and so so them. I will spare you the long story about how much of an impact this couple and their family had on me, but I do want to share more about who they are. They are genuine and love music (everything from Taylor Swift to metal), each other, and most importantly, their dogs. This gallery from Justin Salem Meyer is one of my all-time favorites at one of my all-time favorite venues, La Villa.

When they first inquired with me and told me the vibe they wanted was “Gothic Appalachian,” I knew that this planning process and their wedding day was going to be so much fun! We got to work right away with venue selection while keeping that phrase in mind for all our decisions. Maddie and Brodie fell in love with La Villa’s beautiful exterior and interior that has enough features to give it character, but to so many that they couldn’t make it their own. Budget, availability, and overall style were the three biggest factors that went into their decision to book La Villa for their wedding.

Venue Spotlight: La Villa

Nestled right off the Plaza, La Villa is one of my favorite spaces in Kansas City. It’s the kind of venue that feels effortlessly stylish with clean, modern lines with just enough warmth and charm that you don’t have to do a lot to make it feel special. The ballroom is bright and open, with beautiful natural light, and the private courtyard is perfect for ceremonies, cocktail hour, or just sneaking away for a few sunset photos. One of the things I really love about La Villa is how well it flows. There’s plenty of space for your guests to move between spaces without ever feeling cramped or disconnected. And because the interior is so neutral and elegant, it’s super easy to personalize with your own style, whether you’re going for something colorful and bold or classic and romantic. Plus, working with Hannah and the La Villa team is always a dream! They genuinely care about their couples and it shows in every little detail.

The Details

Stationery is one of my favorite ways to give guests a taste of what’s to come on a wedding day. Starting with their save-the-dates and wedding invitations, we incorporated arches and moody colors to evoke that gothic vibe and as a nod to the stunning arches all around La Villa.

Megan with Rock Scissors Paperie is one of my favorite vendors to collaborate with. Her designs are stunning, and she’s always willing to entertain my big ideas (like their welcome sign that we’ll chat about later). She designed a custom logo for Maddie & Brodie that incorporates cow skulls, which were a large focal point in the wedding design itself. We carried that logo from invitations all the way to coffee sleeves during dessert.

Getting Ready in the Courtyard Suite

As the sun peeked through the clouds, Maddie slipped into her dream Teuta Matoshi gown, an absolutely stunning embroidered dress. Meanwhile, Brodie donned a custom maroon suit, a nod to the Appalachian theme they held dear, and a bolo tie that featured a photo of their oldest pup, Ginko.

They opted to do a first look and enjoy their final moments before the ceremony together. La Villa’s new Courtyard Suite was the perfect backdrop for portraits.

Family started trickling in while the couple took wedding party photos in front of this stunning installation from Sweet Chamomile.

Another design element that I incorporated to really speak to the Gothic Appalachian theme was a wedding sign. When we first started working together, I had a vision of either a creepy abandoned church sign or a spooky Pennsylvania highway billboard; just something that would give the illusion of guests walking into a ghost town. Megan combined both ideas and created a stunning billboard-style marquee to welcome guests into the space!

La Villa Ballroom Wedding Ceremony

Then came the ceremony, where Maddie and Brodie exchanged vows beneath the arches and chandeliers of La Villa. With tears of joy and laughter, they sealed their love with a kiss, surrounded by the ones they hold dear.

La Villa Patio Cocktail Hour

As newlyweds, Maddie and Brodie snuck away for a few moments alone, soaking in that “just married” feeling. Meanwhile, guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, mingling and making memories as they awaited the festivities to come.

La Villa Ballroom Wedding Reception

Our team at Philosofi Celebrations worked alongside the rest of the vendor team to transform the ballroom from a ceremony space into the moody, candle-lit reception of Maddie’s dreams. We laid down linens, lit candles, and took in the beauty we orchestrated while the couple and their guests enjoyed cocktail hour.

The reception kicked off with a grand entrance and dances, a decision we made to allow the couple to fully relax during dinner without worrying about what comes next.

The couple wanted to welcome their out-of-town guests the Kansas City way: with a BBQ dinner. Dutzel’s put together a delicious buffet and easily incorporated pulled jackfruit for the vegan bride and her guests. Guests toasted the newlyweds with champagne before coffee and donuts were served to kick off the dance party.

Highlands Sips + Events brought their Shetland mobile bar to serve as a coffee trailer. It was such a perfect fit for the Appalachian vibe. The sign from Rock Scissors Paperie is now hanging in Maddie & Brodie’s home!

As the night wore on, the ballroom came alive with laughter, music, and conversation with old friends. Dustin with Complete Weddings + Events expertly matched the energy of the guests, from dancey popular music to oldies to emo throwbacks.

At the end of the night, Brodie surprised Maddie with Lover by Taylor Swift for a private last dance before meeting their guests outside for a sweet and simple exit.

Kind Words

My husband and I got married in December 2023 and used Sofi for the entirety of our wedding planning. I’m not great at, nor do I enjoy planning parties/events, but once we explained our general vision, vibe, and hopes for our day, it was obvious Sofi had a clear idea of what we wanted and she hit the ground running. I cannot even fathom what our wedding would’ve been like without her. Every detail was carefully curated. She stuck to our budget and honestly made everything so enjoyable with her bubbly, fun, and kind personality. She felt like (and I’d like to think was!) a close friend throughout the course of the year that we planned our wedding, and then the day of the wedding came and she was all business (I mean that in the most respectful and awe-inspiring way). Her and her team could not have made the day easier or more stress-free for us. She was on top of everything and her attention never wavered from doing everything she could to make it the best day ever for us. There was even a small detail that was wrong with our drink menu at the bar; we had incorporated our dogs’ names and a sketch of them, and the wrong sketch had been placed next to the wrong dog name. We wouldn’t have been upset in the slightest, and yet Sofi made a call and had the corrected drink menu on its way within seriously only 20 minutes! Our special day just would not have been the same without Sofi’s calm demeanor, attention to detail, and unique eye for design.

Maddie Dunkin, 2023 bride

As a wedding planner, I get the privilege of working with couples leading up to and on one of the most important days of their life. Getting to know a couple deeply enough to translate who they are into a wedding is the honor of a lifetime. This couple, in particular, was truly such a joy to know and work with. Maddie, Brodie, and their guests truly had a profound impact on me. I am beyond grateful that they trusted me to bring their wedding vision to life at La Villa.

Maddie and Brodie’s wedding is the perfect reminder that when you focus on what feels right to you as a couple — whether it’s a smaller wedding party, or extra time for sunset photos — your day will feel authentic and joyful. No stress about trends or rules needed.

Getting married here and still searching for the right planner? Learn more about what it’s like to work with us at La Villa!

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