A Simple and Creative Wedding at The Union in Kansas City

Etienne Warnery
14 hours ago
3 min read

Some weddings focus on a joyful celebration with the people they love—and that’s all that matters.

Hannah and Max kept things simple, intentional, and very true to who they are. No big production, no unnecessary extras. All they wanted was their people, a great space, some fun activities… and some pies (obviously—the wedding was on 3.14).

They chose The Union in Kansas City, which is honestly a great fit for that kind of wedding. It’s one of those venues that works really well when you don’t overdo it. Big windows, that classic red brick, wood floors… and three levels, so you can have everything in one place—ceremony, dinner, and party—without needing to flip rooms.

As a bonus, you can access the rooftop for photos with the Kansas City skyline. We had planned family photos there midday, but the white floor (great for energy saving, I love that) was just too bright. So we adapted and did them inside instead. We went back up later for five minutes of couple portraits once the sun was down—and it was perfect. Something to keep in mind if you’re planning a wedding there. If you’re looking for a flexible wedding venue in downtown Kansas City, The Union is definitely worth considering. And if this kind of wedding feels like you, it’s exactly what I love to document.

Hannah and Max had a strong vision for their wedding. They met in high school and have been together for about 10 years, so they had time to really make it their own.

First, the date—Pi Day. The moms made (and served) all kinds of delicious pies. Hannah made her own dress. They reused Christmas decorations from the Plaza. Dinner was pizza. The officiant? Hannah’s brother. The DJ? Family too.

Everything was personal, simple, and meaningful—and also a smart way to keep the budget focused where it mattered most to them: having all their people there and enjoying the day together.

As a guest, this wedding felt like a rollercoaster of emotions—the good kind.Hannah and Max’s vows during the ceremony were so sweet it was hard not to tear up and still stay focused on the photos. Big hugs to celebrate the newly married couple. A fun speech from Max’s sister, and a very emotional one from Hannah’s dad.

He adopted Hannah and shared how their relationship changed his life for the better—something I can personally relate to, as I’m in the process of adopting my 14-year-old daughter.

Then… a super fun game involving all the guests, finally getting to taste those pies, and of course, dancing. You get it.

Hannah is a graphic designer, so she had a strong vision for the aesthetic. She wasn’t looking for posed, perfect images—she wanted something more natural, more real. That’s exactly why we connected.

My approach is to let things happen and capture people as they are, not stage them. People talking, laughing, moving around, kids doing their thing, friends reconnecting… all the little moments that actually tell the story of a day like this. No need to force anything.

Because I like to tell a dad joke to make family photos a little more fun, I’ll end with one. I asked AI for a pie-related joke… and got this:

“Why do math-loving couples love small weddings? Because they prefer pie over a big wedding cake, and they only invite 3.14 guests… which is a bit irrational, but whatever.”

I promise, if I were to tell it live, it would be funnier. No? ohh come on...