Weddings
BRIDAL FASHION RUNWAY REPORT
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
See more from KERRI STOWELL & MARK MOBERLY'S Kansas City wedding on page 3
Weddings
CONTENTS
3 REAL WEDDING: KERRI STOWELL + MARK MOBERLY
One Kansas City couple found themselves in the right place at the right time, again and again, on their way to an unforgettable union at the Kauffman Center.
5 AISLE STYLE
From runway to your day, the latest wedding dress trends from top designers.
We know that planning a wedding can be overwhelming, with countless decisions to make after saying “yes.”
We’re here to help.
Nothing is more inspiring than seeing what other couples have planned. Check out the impressive real Kansas City wedding that's chock full of exciting ideas and a complete list of who did what and where.
What are the top 2026 wedding dress trends? This season, look for gowns that make a statement with unique embellishments, reimagined lace, or dramatic silhouettes.
We hope the photos, ideas, and local businesses featured within these pages will inspire you to create the perfect wedding experience.
Cheers to friends, family, and gorgeous nuptials!
The Editors
Photos by Meredith Graves Photography
Real Weddings IN KC
Some love stories hinge on impeccable timing—and for Kerri Stowell and Mark Moberly, being in the right place at the right moment has been a recurring theme. Their first serendipitous meeting came in 2018 at a charity event benefiting FOX4’s Band of Angels. Kerri, a broadcast journalist, attended on behalf of the station; Mark, a real estate developer, was there as a Band of Angels board member. During cleanup, Kerri playfully called out Mark and his friends for not pitching in. Later, at the after-party, Mark seized his moment—asking
for her number under the pretense that he might need “an extra girl” for his sand volleyball team.
A few months later, for their first date, the pair made a last-minute decision to try their luck scalping tickets to see Maroon 5 at the former Sprint Center. “We landed great seats and had a blast,” Mark recalls. “She did sub for volleyball—but not until after the first date. So the number trick worked.”
Fast-forward to a spring evening in 2023. After dinner at The Town Company inside Hotel Kansas City, Mark's friend at the hotel invit-
KERRI STOWELL + MARK MOBERLY
words by The Editors photos by Claire Ryser
THE IT LIST
Ceremony & Reception
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Invitations
East + West Designs
Wedding Programs
Yours Truly Flowers
Good Earth Floral Design Studio
Rings
Meierotto Jewelers
Ceremony Music
Carray Music
Reception Music
Lost Wax Band +
DJ Ashton Martin
Wedding Dress
Justin Alexander Signature from Bridal Extraordinaire
Alterations by Elsa Bleeker
Groom’s Tux
Custom tuxedo from Paolini
Garment Company
Hair
Lou @lvhairdos on Instagram
Makeup
Kati Swegel
Dinner Catering
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Late Night Snacks
Shake Shack, Imo’s Pizza, KC Scoop Coupe with Betty Rae’s
Cake
Blue Thistle Cakery
Wedding Planner
Weddings by Hannah
Photographer
Claire Ryser
Drone
Glenwood Weddings
Real Weddings
View more photos at inkansascity.com/ style-shopping/ weddings
Aisle Style
HAVE A BALL
The classic ball gown is back with modern, romantic details.
1. Ines Di Santo, inesdisanto.com
2. Sareh Nouri, sarehnouri.com
3. Pnina Tornai, pninatornai.com
4. Eva Lendel, evalendel.com FROM RUNWAY TO YOUR
STAND OUT
Three-dimensional appliqués put a fashion-forward spin on traditional floral details.
1. Monique Lhuillier, moniquelhuillier.com
2. Justin Alexander, justinalexander.com
3. House of Idan, houseofidan.com
4. Maggie Sottero, maggiesottero.com
LACE IT UP
From bold graphic lace to delicate floral motifs, designers are reimagining all-over lace in a way that feels fresh and new.
1. House of Gilles, houseofgilles.com
2. Nicole + Felicia, nicoleandfelicia.com
3. Jaclyn Whyte, jaclynwhyte.com
UNITY VILLAGE
STUNNING VENUES. EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE.
BRING YOUR INDOOR OR OUTDOOR WEDDING VISIONS TO LIFE.
UNITY VILLAGE OFFERS A SEAMLESS AND MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE IN A SETTING THAT BLENDS ELEGANCE WITH NATURAL BEAUTY.
ed the couple to preview the rooftop event space. When the elevator doors opened, Kerri spotted glowing marquee letters lining the balcony: MARRY ME. For a moment, she thought she’d stumbled into someone else’s proposal. She hadn’t. It was the right place, right time.
As the sun dipped below the Kansas City skyline, Mark dropped to one knee. She said yes. Friends and family waited downstairs, ready to celebrate.
When it came time to plan their wedding, Kerri and Mark knew they wanted something timeless, elegant, and unmistakably their own. They set their sights on September 13, 2025, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Their ceremony unfolded on the Arts District Terrace, just beyond the building’s iconic radial glass façade. The reception was just inside, in the soaring Brandmeyer Great Hall. Wedding planner Hannah Schumm helped bring their vision to life.
“We couldn’t have pulled this off without Hannah,” Kerri says. “Her experience at the Kauffman Center and her relationships with our vendors made planning seamless—and the wedding day completely stress-free.”
As guests arrived, the evening already hummed with energy: champagne flowed, friends mingled, and the Carray Music string quartet set a romantic tone with live, Bridgerton-inspired melodies. Officiating the ceremony was Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, a longtime friend of the couple, who delivered what Mark calls “perfectly personalized” remarks.
Rather than a traditional wedding party, Kerri and Mark chose meaningful roles for loved ones: Jet and Harlow, their friends Ali and James Thabuteau’s children, served as ring bearer and flower girl. Kerri
and Mark’s one-year-old dachshund, Queenie, shared flower girl duties. FOX4 colleagues Abby Eden and Michelle Bogowith delivered a reading titled Lessons in Love, From Queenie the Weenie—a moment that delighted guests and reflected the couple’s playful spirit.
The reception was a celebration in constant motion. Guests grazed on chef-driven dishes—from crab cakes to steak bites and creamy cheddar polenta—while violinists wandered the room and ballerinas danced through the crowd. Instead of formal speeches, five friends offered brief, heartfelt toasts. Desserts came courtesy of Blue Thistle Cakery, with vanilla, dark chocolate, and lemon poppy-seed cakes, followed by latenight favorites from Shake Shack and Imo’s Pizza.
The Lost Wax Band kept the dance floor packed, with DJ Ashton Martin—also a friend of the couple—joining in for an unforgettable collaboration. LED accessories lit up the night, but the most magical moment came during Kerri and Mark’s first dance.
“We were the only ones in the room who knew the music was about to transition and an amazing fireworks display would kick the party into high gear,” Kerri says. “That fireworks show gave us both two full minutes of goosebumps and chills. We were truly on cloud nine.”
After one final, private dance to Luke Comb's Beautiful Crazy, the couple exited through a tunnel of sparklers—then headed to Mosaic to keep the celebration going.
Their advice to future couples? “Make it your own, and don’t be afraid to step away from traditions,” says Mark. “Some of the most memorable parts of our wedding came from doing things our own way rather than following a prescribed formula.”
Historic Loose Mansion
Up to 20% off Rooms and Suites!
Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City is the ultimate destination for that last fling before the ring! Celebrate with your bride tribe by the outdoor resort-style pool, indoor pool, or at the lively lobby bar. Soak in good vibes year-round with live music, tropical cocktails, and island-inspired bites. Let the good times roll!
Photo Credit:
Barcus