Disco balls, lush white florals and bunches of baby’s breath, a shot wall, a post-ceremony hair chop, a pasta bar and dessert bar, and more… this was truly a DREAM New Year’s Eve wedding! Kate and Jake’s day oozed elegance and intention in every detail. Kate was truly a powerhouse bride who had a clear vision from the start, and it turned out magically.

You’ll want to grab your beverage of choice while you look through all the details, but first, make sure you check out their amazing vendor team!

Venue & Open Bar: Distillery 244

Photographer: The Cantrells Photo

Videographer: Kristin Elise Photo + Film

DJ: Another Dimension Entertainment

Live Ceremony Music: Bella Dolce String Quartet

Catering: Blue Moon Caterers

Florist: Limestone Floral

Lighting and Decor: Le Luci

Linens & Candles: Something Borrowed

Photo Booth: Lamphouse Photo Booth Co

Makeup: Blushed Beauty Co

Room Block & Getting Ready: Courtyard by Marriott Wichita at Old Town

One big perk of a New Year’s Eve wedding is that you have all day to get ready, and you won’t feel rushed! Kate and Jake’s ceremony didn’t start until 6:00 PM, so Kate and her bridesmaids had time to get cute photos in their matching PJs with some fun props before she put her dress on around 3:00 PM.

Her dress was magnificent! We loved the simplicity of her gown, and the split neckline, ginormous train, and satin bow on the back customized her look to be both timeless and on-trend. She topped off her look with a pearl-embellished veil, and the combination took our breath away!

Jake got dressed across the street from Kate at the venue before the girls headed over. He looked dapper in a classic tux!

Of course, dads get first dibs on the first look! Kate’s dad’s reaction was so sweet.

When it was time for his first look with Kate, Jake was stunned, and rightfully so. She looked like a queen!

Next, it was time for portraits. Another big perk of a New Year’s Eve wedding is that you’ll usually have amazing light for photos if you do a first look! The sun didn’t set in Wichita until 5:50 PM, so all of their couple portraits and bridal party photos happened during golden hour.

The Cantrells Photo did phenomenal work documenting this whole day, and we especially love how they used the downtown setting of the venue to create some chic urban vibes in their portraits!

Kate, Jake, and their wedding party headed up to the roof of a nearby parking garage for some more photos! The sun was setting perfectly behind the Wichita skyline.

Can we take a moment for Kate’s whole look? Limestone Floral nailed her bouquet design, which complemented her gown perfectly.

We also have to show you her pearl veil in action! We love how it adds a subtle but modern touch.

The bridesmaids looked gorgeous in satin champagne dresses, and they carried pure baby’s breath bouquets to pair with Kate’s.

Before the ceremony, the bridal party headed to Distillery 244 to rest up as guests came in.

We put the finishing touches on the ceremony by lighting the candles, and we need to talk about this whole setup! Le Luci create a disco ball installation to hang over the dance floor, and we used Distillery 244’s curtain to separate the ceremony from the reception tables behind it so that the disco balls could be over Kate and Jake during the ceremony too.

We arranged the chairs in a semi-circle, which is a great way to bring guests a sense of togetherness while they witness your vows! We’re obsessed with the white pedestals, candelabras, baby’s breath on the arches, and floral compotes that made up this design. Limestone Floral and Le Luci showed out for this one!

These two walked down the aisle after sunset and were wed under the disco balls. Everything about these moments was so magical and sweet.

For their unity ceremony, Kate sourced some adorable fluted taper candles and a matching arch-detail pillar candle. Their moms lit the two tapers for them so they could light the pillar candle!

We were definitely crying behind the curtain when they exchanged vows. These two love each other so much, and their words were perfectly written. Kate provided tissues for guests, and I’m sure they were well-used! After they tied the knot, everyone cheered as they shared their first kiss as husband and wife.

After the ceremony, guests headed into Wheat State Room at Distillery 244 for cocktail hour, where they enjoyed the open bar and lemon drop shots!

Meanwhile, the bridal party grabbed a few more group shots before we started the room flip!

We love it when the bride and groom swap sides for a photo with their partner’s friends! The photos are always adorable.

While cocktail hour was going on, Kate slipped away for a fun surprise… She cut her long hair to a shoulder-length bob!

She looked fabulous, and Jake was completely surprised when he saw her!

They shared a quick private dinner together while guests found their seats for the reception. We brought in a big crew from our staff and a few other vendors to make the room flip happen! All of us were definitely sweating at the end, but seeing the end result was SO worth it.

We used a mix of rectangles and rounds to fit their guest count into the space. Kate used white linens with black-rimmed chargers, black napkins, and menus and Blue Moon Caterers set out silverware and water goblets at each seat. We used a mixture of candelabras, floating candles, pillar candles, and bud vases on the rectangle tables, and the circle tables alternated between floral compotes repurposed from the ceremony and Le Luci’s West Elm globe lamps! With starry night lighting and disco balls overhead, the space looked like it came straight out of a magazine.

These photos are a great example of the importance of using lighting! Uplighting around your room and overhead lighting creates an ambiance that completely transforms the atmosphere of your event.

Once they entered the reception, Kate and Jake cut their cake and poured champagne! We can’t get over the pearl detail on their cake.

After dinner (which was a delicious pasta bar cooked custom for each guest by Blue Moon Caterers) and a champagne toast, they shared their first dance. We have to say this might be the most romantic first dance we’ve ever seen! The disco balls overhead and the candelabras on the tables nearby framed them perfectly for these photos.

Kate’s dance with her dad was filled with laughs! We love watching these moments as families mark a big milestone in their history.

To open up the dance floor, Kate and Jake invited all their married guests up for an anniversary dance together. Including one in your own timeline is a beautiful way to see how many loved ones in your lives are creating a marriage legacy and example for you to follow!

As for the rest of the night, let’s just say that the guests took their task of partying until midnight seriously! Kate and Jake were able to sneak out for a few more flash photos too, and we love the custom jean jacket she had on hand for them!

The dance floor stayed packed right up until the countdown to 2023. And when the clock struck midnight, Kate and Jake shared their New Year’s kiss!

A day as phenomenal as this wouldn’t be complete without a sparkler exit. So the newlyweds enjoyed a private last dance together while we got all their guests in place before coming out for the BEST sparkler exit we’ve ever seen.

Kate and Jake, it was seriously such an honor to get to be a part of your day! Your wedding was breathtaking, and all the hard work you put into planning this day was worth it. Thank you for trusting us with your vision. We’ll never forget how amazing your wedding was, and we know your marriage will be just as wonderful! We wish you all the best in the many New Year’s to come.

XOXO,

The Radiantly Curated team