Wedding Invitations, Save the Dates, and More

Congrats to our many summer brides!

Those of you with fall and winter ceremonies are surely in the midst of planning chaos. Here's a shortcut to some of the info we offer on weddings and wedding receptions in Wichita KS:

Wichita Ceremony Locations

Wichita Reception Venues

In the last few months y'all have been going CRAZY for Wedding Paper Divas collateral, and I don't blame you! Their designs are fresh and fun - and there's something to suit every bride's style. Here are a few of their new designs - take a peak! Just click on the image for a larger view and pricing info.




Ornamental Scroll Wedding Invitation - $ 1.39
From: Tiny Prints, Inc.




Merry Branch Wedding Invitation - $ 1.39
From: Tiny Prints, Inc.

Wichita KS Wedding Ceremony Venue: Le Chapel

Le Chapel Wedding and Events is a new wedding vendor in Wichita! Located at 7230 E. 29th Street North (just west of 29th & Rock in the Art Park), Le Chapel offers a wide variety of bridal services - including Vegas-style wedding packages, a ceremony site, a reception site, cakes, flowers, and catering (starting as low as $6 per person)!

This is a great option for busy brides without a lot of time free to devote to planning or who don't really know where to start! Le Chapel staffs wedding planners and event coordinators to ensure your wedding day is exactly the way you've dreamed it! Click here to view their package menu and here for policies and rates.

The Banquet Room can seat up to 100 guests - and the tables & chairs come draped with white linens at no extra charge. I've done a LOT of wedding planning in Wichita and can tell you this is a pretty good deal!

Beautiful gardens are also available for outdoor weddings. Click here for more details.

Le Chapel is shown by appointment only, so call 316.806.8830 or e-mail lechapel@aol.com to set up a tour!

Wichita KS Wedding Ceremony Venue: East Heights Methodist Church

East Heights Methodist truly has one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in Wichita. Though many churches in Wichita do not offer their facilities for non-members' weddings, East Heights does. This shot from the outside shows the elegant stonework and gorgeous columns on the outside (the corner of Douglas and Crestway in College Hill). The next photo (taken in the 60s - sorry, it was the only one I could find!) is a shot of the santuary from the balcony. This room is much larger than it appears, and the columns lining the perimeter are breathtaking. It really does look like something right out of a movie!

Speaking of movies, do you remember Jennifer Lopez in The Wedding Planner? East Heights has the most amazing Wedding Coordinator I have ever worked with! Like J.Lo's character, she comes alongside her clients with as much enthusiam as the brides themselves, and she doesn't miss a thing! If you are considering hiring a wedding coordinator, I cannot reccommend her highly enough. Her name is Charissima Albright, and her e-mail address is ccralbright@sbcglobal.net. Though she is the exclusive coordinator for East Heights, she is also the owner of Tie the Knot and is available privately for wedding and reception consulting. Actually, she rocks so much that she deserves her own post. I'm not joking. I'll work on that this week.

Not sure you need a wedding planner? Ask yourself these questions:

Do I have time to do all the leg work? (Calling vendors, sites, musicians, etc.)

Do I have the money? (Yes, you will save money doing it all yourself, but to some, it's worth the cost to avoid the headache)

Am I brave enough to be firm with unruly vendors, wedding guests, etc.? (Some brides are just naturally timid or don't have a family member willing to play "sherriff")

Do I have an understanding of the inner-workings of wedding ceremonies and receptions? Can I corral family members and friends to be in the right place at the right time? (It's a lot more complicated than you might think - if you're not detail oriented and don't have time to research, you might have more peace of mind outsourcing the role of "director")

Many churches will already have a staff person available to you for the reasons listed above, you can choose to use thier services or not. You may also choose to hire an additional bridal consultant - it's totally up to you!

For East Hights pricing information, rental guidelines, and available dates, call the church office at 682-0375.

Wichita Wedding Ceremony Venue: Gazebos!

A bride recently asked me where in Wichita she could have her ceremony that was both outdoors and provided a gazebo. While I'm pretty sure what she had in mind was more akin to the one found in the Stars Hollow town square (above) I was able to brainstorm and come up with a few that Wichita offers. Granted, you probably won't get the Gilmore Girls look unless you find it on private property or in a smaller outlying town. Gazebos are a great structure for use in an outdoor ceremony because they can still offer that "churchy" feel and add to the beauty of your wedding without going overboard.


This one is next to the Lily Pond in Central Riverside Park. See this post for more on renting City Park facilities.


My personal favorite is the gazebo in Heritage Park downtown. Many of you may not know what I'm talking about - it's on William behind the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Musem. The courtyard area is bricked with wrought-iron fencing, and it's beautiful! It's also a bit small, though. If you're planning something intimate, this could be a great spot.


Another great location is the Victorian-styled Naftzger Park gazebo. This park also has a darling pond and a fun location in Old Town right across the street from Eaton Steakhouse. Even if you don't decide to have your ceremony here, I'd add this location to the top of your wedding photo list - the setting is absolutely perfect.


Longview Park - not one of my favorites, but a gazebo nonetheless.


And this one is available for ceremonies at Wyldewood Cellars (the Mulvane location, I think, but I'm not sure because I've never been there).

I don't have a photograph, but there is also an outdoor gazebo at Cowtown - though the rental fees will be a bit more expensive.

Feel free to comment if you can think of any I missed!

Bridal Open House at Eberly Farm

Eberly Farm (at 13111 W. 21st Street in West Wichita) is hosting a Bridal Open House two weeks from today on Sunday, November 16th from 1:00-4:00 pm. If you're looking for a scenic location for your wedding ceremony and reception, this is the spot! Admission is free, so bring your mom, bridesmaids or bridal consultant and ALL your questions!

Refreshments will be served and several vendors (listed below) will be on hand. Rental items (linens, centerpieces, chairs, arches) will be on display, as well.

Vendors scheduled to appear:

Advanced DJ Service
Bradley Paper
Chocolate Cascades
The Flower Factory
Woolf Photography
J&J Fine Liquors: 316.722.1222
Dan's Country Carriage: 316.796.0127
The Archbold Duo: 316.295.0448

For more information, e-mail info@eberlyfarm.com or call 722.3580.

Wichita KS Reception Venue: The Boathouse

The Wichita Boathouse is definitely one of my favorite places for parties, so wedding receptions are no exception. Currently serving as a Visitor Center, it is perched on the river in Downtown Wichita - about 15 minutes from anywhere in the city. The two-story building has gorgeous hardwood floors and even offrs a piano - perfect for cocktail hour as your guests arrive. Additionally, they have a kitchen and an open-catering policy. Six-foot table are available to rent, but you'll have to go elsewhere for linens, chairs, place settings, etc.

Call Connie Clark at (316) 462-2787, ext. 796 for additional information on fees and availability or click here for more info from the City's site.

Wichita KS Wedding/Reception Venue: Central Riverside Park

Riverside Park in Downtown Wichita is a great spot for an outdoor wedding and reception. The park itself is over 100 years old and has just undergone a major rennovation. I have seen weddings performed in 3 areas: in the middle of the lawn, in the gazebo, and in the grandstand/stage area. Granted, it takes an especially brave bride to plan an outdoor ceremony and reception in Kansas - the only thing certain about the weather is its unpredictability! Fortunately, there is also a sheltered facility available. The Park Villa (pictured above) is located nxt to the gorgeous Lily Pond and offers an 800 square foot room for a ceremony or reception. Since it is a municipal property, you may have to get additional licenses for tents, fireworks, etc. However, one of the great things about using one of our city parks is that the rental fees are a fraction (and I mean only 10-30%) of what you'll pay for some of the other ceremony or reception sites in town. More information on rental guidelines is here.

Downloadable Application for Wedding/Rehearsal

Wichita KS Wedding Venue: The Grand Chapel

One of the newest wedding sites in Wichita is the Grand Chapel and Reception Hall. This is perfect for brides who desire a church wedding but have no church affiliation or perhaps their own church does not suit their needs. Centrally located in downtown Wichita, KS on Broadway, the Grand Chapel is minutes away from hotels and the airport – very easy for guests to find.

The sanctuary holds up to 750 people, and the basement is a reception hall (fully equipped with a kitchen, bar and dance floor). The say that catering is offered by Cibola - I don't know if they allow you to bring in a different caterer or not. The chapel offers multiple private dressing rooms, as well as a beautful brides' room where you can change and even have your make-up artist and hairstylist meet you for prep work. Perhaps my favorite thing about this wedding venue is all the natural light that floods the auditorium – there are large windows lining the perimiter. Watch out if you're planning a ceremony around sunset, though; you don't want to blind your guests!

To see more pictures, visit their website. For information on date availability and pricing, call Amber at 269-3333.

Mulvane KS Wedding & Reception: Aunt Sue's Restaurant and B&B

Aunt Sue's Restaurant and Bed & Breakfast in Mulvane (half an hour south of Wichita) is a fun ceremony/reception location for brides desiring something quiet and intimate. Towering trees and a glistening pond in the country make this spot perfect for outdoor ceremonies – they even boast an Open Air Chapel, which looks like something right out a movie. And at $295 for 2 hours, the price is incredible!
Receptions can be held in the Big Red Barn – which looks like a barn only on the outside. Inside, you'll find modern amenities, central heating & air, and a fully operational kitchen. Guests can gather on the over-sized front porch or hang out in the loft overlooking the reception below. Up to 100 guests can be accommodated, and Aunt Sue's also offers catering packages.
Visit their website for more policy & pricing information, and call (316) 777-1232 to set up a tour!

Wichita KS Wedding & Reception Venue: Wichita Scottish Rite

The Wichita Scottish Rite, located at 1st and Broadway in downtown Wichita, is a great site for both weddings and receptions. A number of different rooms can be rented in this fantastic building – a historical landmark protected at the local, state, and federal levels! The main dining room can hold up to 450 people, and can be used as a ceremony site as well as reception site. Typically, ceremonies performed in the dining room place the bride, groom, and attendants on the grand staircase with chairs for the guests on the ground level. The gorgeous full-size theatre is also available for ceremonies and can seat up to 700 guests. Smaller rooms accommodating 25-100 people make this venue a great choice for any size wedding ceremony or reception, and its central location puts it within 5 miles of at least 15 area churches.
The dining hall offers an annex for additional seats, serving food, or a dance floor. FYI, though, it's not super attractive and definitely doesn't meld with the old-fashioned style of the dining room. However, if you opt for a DJ or a buffet line, they are required to be located in the annex due to the aging condition of the building. Another thing to consider when budgeting – event insurance is required. You can purchase it through the same agency you get your auto, renter's or home insurance. Be sure to call a few different companies, though. Brides have paid as much as $400 and as little as $75 for the same coverage through different agencies. Sound systems are included in the cost of renting the theatre and the dining hall.
Dorothy at the WSC is very helpful and has overseen the coordination of HUNDREDS of events in their facilities, so she can answer any questions you might have & can even set up a tour for you. Please call (316) 263-4218 for more information. Pricing and policies for usage are available here.

View slideshows & take a virtual tour at Wichita360!

Wichita KS Wedding Venue: Old Cowtown Museum

I’m guessing most of you (as I did) have visited Cowtown at least once during an elementary school field trip, but did you know that it is also available for weddings? The historic church building was originally built in the 1870s and later moved to the museum location. At a maximum capacity of 49, it is ideal for small weddings – make that small weddings held in late September through early May. Though all buildings are air-conditioned, the church can still be a bit warm in the summertime – but it’s just so darn cute! The schoolhouse is available as a changing area for the bride and her attendants with restrooms in the neighboring building. Indoor reception locations include the Saloon and Dance Hall, neither holding more than 82 people but both offering either a wet bar or kitchenette access. The Chuckwagon Café will seat 120 at tables. An outdoor wedding could also take place in the Gazebo (holding 12 people) with a reception on the lawn (“Fairgrounds”) easily accommodating up to 600 people. For the really daring, 1870s entertainment is also available – a variety of showcases by cowboys, saloon dancers, and gunfighters will surely leave a lasting impression with your guests. That impression might not necessarily say “wedding”, but it won’t soon be forgotten!


Visitor Center images courtesy of Old Cowtown Museum

Now the best part: the Visitor’s Center. Located on the Arkansas River, this was actually in the Top 3 reception sites The Husband and I chose from. Our date was not available & it wasn’t quite large enough, so that’s what scratched it off the list. The Great Room holds 130 seated and 200 standing. The Patio overlooking the river holds 200 and provides tables and chairs - this would have been a gorgeous location for our reception, especially with the light of the stars reflecting on the river. I remember the cost being $1,200 but that may have changed now with Cowtown’s recent financial struggles. Pricing charts are not available online, but are available upon request. Call Yvonne Kirker at 316.350.3320 or e-mail her at ykirker@wichita.gov for a full price list and facility rental policy. The museum is located near downtown Wichita at 1871 Sim Park Drive for those of you who would like to take a closer look.