Winter Midwest Wedding | Kate + Zane from Columbia, MO
Are you dreaming of a wintery wedding? The air is crisp, the drinks are warming, evergreens dot the decor, and family gathers for a celebration like no other. Meet Kate and Zane from Columbia, MO, who chose the charming backdrop of Emerson Fields for their wedding weekend in mid-December. Building on the memories of a summer celebration with her sister at the same venue, Kate's winter wedding brought a fresh and distinctive charm to their family's story. Let's dive into the unique perks of a Midwest winter wedding in Missouri, proving that it's far from the stereotypical dreariness you might expect.
Let’s get to know this Missouri couple before we dive into their wedding day!
Zane and Kate met in college while they attended the University of Missouri in Columbia. The couple met at a Mizzou tailgate and started dating two weeks later. We asked Kate about Zane’s proposal. She said, “Zane surprised me and proposed at the St. Louis Botanical Gardens. We planned to eat dinner in St. Louis after Zane proposed, but we were so excited to get back to Columbia to show our families the ring, we ended up driving straight back to Columbia to celebrate and eat dinner with a few of our family members!”
Kate and Zane have stayed close to the Columbia, Missouri area since graduating from Mizzou. Zane is a middle school special education teacher and coaches both track and football. Kate works in structural engineering and design at a firm in Columbia.
Amelia and Steve, owners of Emerson Fields, have known Kate since she was in elementary school. She has been friends with their daughter, Madyson, ever since those early elementary years. Watching Kate throughout school and then grow up to leave for college, it was a pleasure to host her and Zane’s wedding weekend.
Kate and her bridesmaids spent the morning at Emerson Fields relaxing in the bridal suite while the pros got to work on hair and makeup. Zane and Kate wanted a classic and timeless wedding style with black and white accents, evergreen colors, and elegant gowns. Perfect for a winter wedding! Did you notice the drawing on their invitation suite? Kate is a talented artist and drew Emerson Fields’s stage to give the invitations a personal touch. The invitation suite really set the stage (sorry for the pun!) to give guests a look at what to expect during the wedding ceremony.
“Zane is from Huntsville and my hometown was Marceline, so Emerson Fields was a great convenient location for both of our families. Emerson Fields is just such a beautiful venue that allows your family to enjoy it for the whole weekend which allowed our wedding weekend to be stress free. I think this was the biggest perk for us!”
After Kate got all dolled up, her mother helped her into a stunning, strapless, beaded-bodice gown. There were a few happy tears and the excitement was building! Kate slipped out of the bridal suite and walked down to the lakeside where her dad and brother were waiting. The bridesmaids and Kate’s mom watched from the side of Emerson Fields venue to see this father-brother-daughter first look. This day was full of joy right from the beginning and it didn’t stop during this precious first look!
After the first look with her family, Kate went back inside while Zane made his way out onto the dock. It was a crisp winter wedding day! Kate tapped Zane on the shoulder and his expression when he turned around was everything! He was so excited to see his beautiful bride. Family and friends cheered from the warmth of the venue while they watched this sweet couple exchange personal letters on the dock.
“One of my favorite parts was our first look on the dock. I was so excited for Zane to see my wedding dress and that moment will be one that I’ll remember forever!”
As mentioned earlier, Kate's sister, Abbie, tied the knot just five months prior on a steamy Saturday in July. In delightful contrast, Kate and Zane's winter wedding presented almost the exact opposite ambiance, creating a perfect complement for these close-knit sisters. Plus, the wedding guests returning to Emerson Fields for the second time in one year enjoyed a totally different experience! While summer weddings in Missouri boast late sunsets, abundant sunshine, and a myriad of outdoor opportunities, the beauty of winter weddings in Missouri often goes unnoticed. It's time to discover the unique charm and allure that winter celebrations can bring!
What are some benefits of an indoor winter wedding in Missouri?
No summer humidity.
Friends and family are likely already taking off time from work.
Typically more wedding dates are available.
Lower travel costs and accommodations.
Unique seasonal decor options.
Less competition to select your top wedding vendors.
A completely different style of photographs than most weddings.
All the cozy winter vibes!
Wintery. Elegant. Timeless.
Brooke and Jacob Photography strolled alongside Kate and Zane, exploring the lakeshore at Emerson Fields to beautifully capture intimate portraits of the couple. The choice of a black and white color palette at this winter wedding perfectly complemented the elegant aesthetic Kate envisioned for her special day. Even with just one lap around the lakeside in the brisk winter weather, the couple amassed dozens of beautiful outdoor portraits for their winter wedding. Don’t they look stunning?
After a quick warm-up inside the venue, the wedding party made their way outside for more portraits. Kate and her bridesmaids captured photos together in the meadow at Emerson Fields. The groomsmen looked handsome and sharp in classic black suits. Beautiful black and white anemone flowers popped against the men’s black suits. Each bridesmaid wore full-length coordinating black dresses from Birdy Grey and a faux fur shawl.
“I can honestly say I had the most relaxing and fun weekend at Emerson Fields for my daughter’s wedding! The venue itself is a perfect setting for the perfect wedding site and Steve and Amelia were close by if we needed anything.
I am a very “type A” person and like to follow a plan. We hired Tyena Bealmer from D-Zines as our wedding planner/decorator/florist and they all worked together like clockwork! Steve, Amelia and Tyena are all so easy going that it kept the whole wedding vibe very relaxed!”
Indoor Winter Wedding Ceremony
To ensure ample daylight for their indoor wedding ceremony, Kate and Zane chose a 3:30 PM ceremony time, with guests beginning to arrive around 3:00. As attendees signed the guest book and received thoughtfully crafted programs, the couple prioritized the inclusion of their family's children in the ceremony. A charming wagon, pulled by the adorable bridal flower girls, carried two little ring bearers. Guests rose in anticipation as the family and wedding party gracefully walked down the aisle, leading to Zane standing proudly at the wooden cross altar.
We asked Kate, “In what ways did you make your wedding special or personalized?'“
Kate answered, “The pastor for our wedding was Anthony Alphin. Anthony was the leader of the Middle School ministry at The Crossing during my time volunteering as a leader throughout college. It was an awesome experience getting to have him officiate our wedding and getting to do the premarital counseling with Zane and Anthony before the wedding. It made our ceremony feel very personalized and helped ease both of our nerves!”
With an infectious smile, Kate made her way down the aisle to the wooden cross adorned with a handmade wreath made from boughs of evergreen. The unity table was framed with a semi-circle of similar branches around the unity candles. In a personalized ceremony officiated by a friend and pastor, Kate and Zane exchanged vows and rings, incorporating scripture readings and prayer to symbolize their faith. The atmosphere resonated with joy, creating a heartfelt and memorable indoor winter wedding experience.
Joyful smiles and cheers filled the air as Zane and Kate strolled down the aisle, culminating in a playful dip and an extra kiss. Transitioning seamlessly into the indoor reception at Emerson Fields, guests embraced the opportunity to leisurely make their way to the bar at the opposite end of the venue for cocktail hour. The couple curated a delightful selection of signature cocktails, featuring 'The DeDe Dot,' a blackberry lemonade, and 'The Moe,' a lime margarita. Koch’s General Store contributed to the festive atmosphere with a delectable charcuterie spread for guests to graze on, while Emerson Fields effortlessly transformed into a reception setting.
Zane and Kate, embodying the spirit of celebration, circulated among their guests, relishing in the social time before formal introductions commenced. The couple's entrance to the dance floor marked the beginning of the evening's festivities with a touching first dance, followed by a heartfelt speech from Kate's sister, Abbie. The groomsmen added levity to the atmosphere, ensuring laughter and collective celebration. These captured photographs illustrate the profound importance of family to Zane and Kate, who envisioned this gathering not only as a celebration of their love but as a tribute to all their cherished relationships.
“The meetings with Amelia and Tyena (D-Zines Weddings) really helped us think through every detail of our wedding from the napkins to the florals to the wedding timeline. Everything was very organized and I appreciated all of the recommendations and ideas from the experienced wedding planners. It also helped that my sister got married at Emerson FIelds 5 months before!! ”
Following the formal first dances and a delicious dinner courtesy of CoStar Catering, the atmosphere was primed for a night of celebration! The twinkling glow of the suspended string lights and the light wands illuminated the space as the DJ cranked up the music, inviting everyone to let loose and revel in the joy of dancing together. This Midwest winter wedding at Emerson Fields offered a unique advantage – guests could stay warm and dry inside the venue while the outdoor cold winds blew. Even with 250 wedding guests, the setting was cozy, comfortable, and brimming with infectious fun! Emerson Fields hosts indoor wedding ceremonies and receptions year-round, providing an inviting venue with on-site accommodations for a seamless and memorable celebration.
Hosting Kate and Zane's wedding weekend at Emerson Fields was a genuine honor. Amelia and Steve, the faces behind Emerson Fields, witnessed Kate's journey from her school days to sharing in birthday slumber parties with their daughter, to this wedding weekend. Seeing Kate tie the knot with the love of her life brought immense joy to all. At Emerson Fields, we take pleasure in observing each couple create lasting memories with their families and friends every weekend. With available wedding dates spanning throughout the year, our venue provides the ideal backdrop to kickstart your new life together. Let's embark on the journey of planning your beautiful wedding day in Missouri at Emerson Fields!
Inquire with us HERE to start the conversation!
Kate’s sister, Abbie, got married at Emerson Fields in July and enjoyed a beautiful outdoor wedding. Check out Abbie’s wedding day in this blog post!
Vendor Team
Guest Count: 250
Wedding Venue - Emerson Fields
Wedding Photography - Brooke and Jacob Photography
Wedding Coordinating - Tyena Bealmer, D-Zines Weddings
Florist - D-Zines Weddings
Videography - Streetcar Studios
Bridal Gown - Fabulous Frocks Bridal
Bridesmaid Gowns - Birdy Grey
Menswear - Men’s Wearhouse
Hair Stylist - Studio Flair
Makeup Artist - T.E.A @royalt.e.a
DJ - Top Mobile DJ
Wedding Reception Catering - CoStar Catering
Rehersal Dinner Catering - D Rowe’s Restaurant
Wedding Cake - Koch’s General Store
Bar Service - Case N’ Keg
Decor Rentals - D-Zines Weddings
Linen Rentals - A.B. Helton Fine Linen Rentals
Custom Signage - @beautifulbible (Kate runs an Etsy shop and created all her own signage!)
11/27/2023 - Gabrielle Isom