What better way to welcome in a new year than the celebration of a new couple. That is exactly how the staff of Millie’s Event Designs spent New Year’s Eve as we served as wedding coordinators for Emma Akerly and Brendan Daily. The two were joined in holy matrimony at Cure’ of Ars Catholic Church in Leawood, KS, with Father Larry Bowers serving as the celebrant.
On the thirty-first day of December 2015, at half past five, the family friends of Emma Akerly and Brendan Daily gathered for the sacrament of marriage uniting the new couple. The church was all decorated with its festive decor as the season of Christmas continued. Fr. Larry welcomed the couple to the altar as the organist played Trumpet Voluntary. The sacred vows were woven into the traditional celebration of mass. As a final touch, the couple presented flowers to Mary, the mother of Jesus as the soloist sang Ave Maria. As the mass ended, Fr. Larry presented the couple for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Brendan Daily. Emma and Brendan then received their guests as the left their pews and made their way to the site of the reception, the InterContinental Hotel in Kansas City.
The joining of Emma and Brendan’s families included several special sentiments that honored their legacies. Cure’ of Ars is Emma’s family parish and where her parents, Jeff and Jean, celebrated their own sacrament of marriage. Around Emma’s bouquet was a rosary from Brendan’s grandmother Mariann Grothe. Emma’s wedding band belonged to her great grandmother Eva Hardee. The pink carnations used were the favorite flower of Emma’s grandmother Edna Akerly. And finally, the handkerchief in Emma’s pocket was made from her new husband’s baby bonnet.
As each guests arrived at the Rooftop Bar of the InterContinental Hotel they were treated to cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres. At forty-five minutes past seven, the guests were chimed into the Rooftop Ballroom. On their way, each guest picked up their very own petite champagne bottle with their assigned table number. The menu included; shrimp bisque with chive and cheese crostini, seared halibut fillet with lemon beurre blanc, or filet mignon with bourbon jus, yukon mash, broccoli rabe and glazed young carrot.
Once the guests had been seated, it was time for DJ-Jon Bartlett with Remix DJ’s; www.remixdjs.com; to introduce the wedding party. First to go were the two ushers, followed by the four brides attendants, the five groomsmen, the matron of honor and the best man. As the doors opened again, family and friends gave a standing ovation to the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Brendan Daily. Before taking their seats of honor at the head table, Emma and Brendan performed the ceremonial cutting of the wedding cake and champagne toast.
DJ Jon then asked for the bride’s father Jeff Akerly to come forward to welcome the guests. This was followed by the bride’s uncle Keith who gave the invocation. As the guests were dinning on their chosen entrees, Jeff Akerly was again asked to come forward and give his sentimental “father of the bride” speech. Next was matron of honor’s toast followed by the best man toast. Then DJ Jon proceeded with the couple’s first dance, followed by the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dances. It was now time for the cake to be served and the opening of the dance floor to guests.
With midnight approaching the bride and groom left to make a quick wardrobe change and return with new year’s top hats, tiaras and noise makers for their guests. As the countdown began, each guest was served a glass of champagne to ring in the New Year of 2016. Confetti was streaming from above and fireworks displays across Kansas City could be seen from the Rooftop Ballroom as all welcomed the new couple to the new year!
If the New Year of 2016 finds you celebrating the sacrament of marriage, Millie’s Event Designs stands ready to assist you in the planning and day of coordination that will ensure that your special day is remembered fondly for many New Years to come!
