REAL BRIDE: Amelia

Michael + Amelia Kirkus

10.5.19

Mr. + Mrs. Kirkus put together a stunning burgundy October wedding straight out of Amelia’s dreams. Planning a Kansas City wedding all the way from Florida is no joke but these two executed their day perfectly - complete with an outdoor ceremony, tons of contagious laughter, an epic donut wall + the ultimate dance party - and we are loving the details of this sweet day. We are so excited to be sharing these two lovebirds on the blog today + know you will be just as obsessed as we are! Future fall wedding brides, this ones for you - take note!

P.S. Wait until you read their proposal story below! It’s adorable, hilarious + totally these two. <3

How did the two of you meet?

“Michael + I both worked for Cargill but in different offices. In October of 2016, Michael visited the Pennsylvania office on a work trip - where I worked full time - + I thought he was a total nerd! Over the holidays season we ran into each other at different Cargill trainings + he sat next to me [ intentionally, I later found out ] yet I still had interest + had a rule about not dating anyone from the office. In May of 2017, I moved to Cargill's Kansas City office + ended up sitting one desk away from Michael. Six short weeks later, I was invited on a float trip in Missouri with him + other friends from the office. On that trip, I found out that the data nerd was actually a lot of fun. We've been together ever since!

Tell us about the proposal!

“My college roommate, Emily + I planned a couples Las Vegas trip. The plan was Cowboy Christmas shopping, National Finals Rodeo, free concerts, Vegas night life + a little gambling.

On December 7th, Emily, Shane + I had already been in Vegas for a day so we did as planned + spent the day shopping, exploring + watching the rodeo. Michael flew into Vegas after work that evening. When he landed, Emily had mentioned we should text Michael to meet us outside the Bellagio Hotel to watch the fountains.

*Side note: Emily is my one friend who gets visibly uncomfortable when she has to keep a secret. I had a feeling Michael had purchased a ring on a boys trip in September but was starting to doubt myself that he could hold onto it for so long. I had 100% wrote this trip off as "not the proposal trip" strictly due to Emily being there. All my guards were down!

Michael checked into our hotel + I was getting impatient at the fountains so I was repetitively texting him, "Walk to the Bellagio, I'm by the life size Olaf + the slutty angel" ... a very "only in Vegas" moment that we now laugh about. Michael finally found us among the crowds of people along the railing holding a spot to watch the fountain show. When he came around the corner dressed in a suit coat + gray pants, my honest thought was, "A suit coat, really? It's Vegas."

Emily asked if I would take their picture in front of the fountains. They posed, *click, click*. Emily then offered to take our picture, so we traded spots at the railing + smiled, *click, click*. As I started to walk away, Michael grabbed my hand, kissed me + said, "I'm kind of nervous" ... in typical Amelia fashion I thought he was talking about his wardrobe choice for the evening.

HA! Wrong. So utterly wrong.

Down on one knee, my favorite man in the world was holding the perfect ring. I'm not even sure I ever stuttered the proper, "Yes!" out. But, he got the gist.”

How did you decide on October 5th?

“We both love the fall! My requests for our wedding were that we got married in October + that burgundy was one of our colors.”

What advice would you give to other brides in regards to dress shopping?

“First, try on several dresses! Don't be afraid to let your stylist go pick a few for you either. They know their stock, are listening to you + they might just have the perfect dress in mind you bypassed!

Second, have a person it your party take pictures + show them to you before you buy your dress. Now check out your face. Where did you fall in love?

Finally, pick your dress with all the right parts but don't be too critical of the fit. Your dress will completely change from the day you buy it to your wedding day!”

How did you know your gown was the one?

“I had my mind set on a flowy princess cut custom dress that hid everything I am slightly self-conscious about. I couldn't pull the trigger + was going to go to my other bridal appointments, when my stylist, Carly, walked in with one last gown. It had the lace I needed, a perfect amount of sparkle + the tool I insisted on having. Once I tried on a fitted dress there was no going back.

I live hours away + had seen my dress once between buying it + my wedding. I picked it up + took it to my tailor who only needed the original fitting before the wedding. The minute I put on my gown in the right size, fit to me, ready for my wedding day, I lit up + remembered why I loved this dress so much. It could not have been more perfect + I couldn't imagine myself in any other gown!”

What was one of your favorite moments from your wedding day?

“Michael + I exchanged letters back to back before our first look. We worked on them for at least a month before the wedding. Both of us were crying before the first look even happened. I've never felt so much love in one moment!”

Did you have a specific theme in mind while planning?

“I really wanted to incorporate burgundy in an October wedding with an outside ceremony. With planning a wedding in 10 months from 21 hours away, most of my wants + plans fell though, but those 3 things, no matter how unconventional, did happen. Our wedding was nothing I would have ever imagined for myself, but it all worked out.”