Weston, Missouri is the kind of town that makes you want to slow down and stay a while. Quaint storefronts, a tiny Catholic church, rolling hills, and the kind of energy where you half expect a Hallmark movie crew to be filming around the corner. So when Mekala and Russell said they wanted to get married here with just their closest people, I was already in. Holy Trinity Catholic Church Weston MO, is one of the most beautiful Catholic churches and I couldn’t wait to go back!
What I did not fully expect was how completely stacked this day would be. As a Holy Trinity Catholic Church Weston MO wedding photographer, I’ve had the privilege of capturing some really beautiful days in this little town. But this one was different. Mekala is an interior designer. Which means every single detail she chose was intentional, considered, and genuinely cool. Add in a groom in a green suit and bolo tie, a bouquet full of herbs and strawberries, and a reception at an underground Irish bar that may or may not actually be a wedding venue, and you’ve got a day I’m still thinking about.
Getting Ready at the Steamboat Inn (And Every Detail Was Perfect)
One of the things I love about couples who choose local BnBs for getting ready is the variety of spaces you get to work with. The Steamboat Inn delivered. There were so many good spots, but the standout for me was a dramatic skylight that made for some genuinely stunning bridal portraits. The light was doing everything I needed it to do.
And then there was Mekala’s robe. Pink, old Hollywood, feather-trimmed. Honestly one of the best getting-ready pieces I’ve seen on a wedding day.
She customized her dress specifically for this day. Added cuffs. A little tie on the back with tassels. Small touches that made the whole thing feel like hers and no one else’s. Her detail items were true vintage. A paper fan. Green velvet ring boxes. Everything had a story behind it, even if she was the only one who knew it.
Russell, meanwhile, was wearing a green suit and a bolo tie. So you already know this day was going to be fun.
The Ceremony at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Weston, MO
Holy Trinity is small. Perfectly small. It fits the town in a way that feels like it was always meant to be there. A traditional Catholic Mass, the familiar rhythm of the Liturgy, and a couple who was genuinely present for all of it.
The bouquet deserves its own paragraph. Mekala’s florist, Elena, sourced locally from farmers in the area. So instead of a standard floral arrangement, she carried strawberries, unripened blueberries, mint, rosemary, lavender, jasmine, and more. It was one of those details that made absolutely no sense on paper and was absolutely perfect in person.
After the Mass, they had those streamers that pop from your hand and got completely tangled up in them outside the church. Genuinely chaotic. Really fun.
We did family formals at the altar and just outside the front of the church, where there was beautiful greenery and peonies in full bloom. Then I spotted the cry room. There was this incredible stained glass reflection happening in there and we grabbed some portraits that I’m still really happy about.
Their getaway was via Russell’s converted travel van. They tied Hamm’s beer cans to the back. It was perfect.
Portraits at Jeff’s Architectural Salvage
If you’ve never been to Jeff’s Architectural Salvage + Variety Shop in Weston, add it to the list. It is exactly what it sounds like and also somehow more. The place is packed with eclectic, vintage, colorful stuff in a way that felt like it was styled specifically for Mekala and Russell.
There’s actually a small chapel on the property where people can get married. We took some photos in there surrounded by bright green trees pouring in from every side. It was quiet and beautiful.
I’m a big fan of a parasol at a portrait session, and she had a great one. They were down for anything, which is genuinely the best thing a photographer can say about a couple. We had them pose among all the cool random things stacked around the property, including the resident cat. She even got in a bathtub for me, no hesitation.
The Reception at O’Malley’s Pub
O’Malley’s Pub is my personal favorite bar in the Kansas City area. Full stop. It is a multi-level Irish bar that goes underground into what used to be the storage area for liquor barrels. Now it’s a live music venue with no phone service, incredible energy, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay all night.
I still don’t fully know how they convinced O’Malley’s to host a wedding. I’m not sure O’Malley’s is technically a wedding venue. But they made it work and it was one of the most fun receptions I have ever been a part of.
The Russell, one of the best restaurants in Kansas City, catered the whole thing. The buffet looked like a Renaissance feast. Overflowing bowls, stacked plates, the kind of spread that makes everyone immediately get a second helping.
They had speeches, first dances, and The Champagne Band playing live the whole night. I recommend The Champagne Band to every single couple I talk to. They are that good. Russell stepped out to the porch for a cigar with the guys. The night wound down the way the best nights do, slowly and without anyone wanting to leave.
The final image from the day is Mekala and Russell kissing on the front steps of O’Malley’s as the sun went down. That was the right way to end it.
Planning a Catholic wedding in Kansas City or the surrounding area? I’d love to hear about your day. Inquire here to check my availability and get the conversation started.
Vendors
Getting Ready: Weston Steamboat Inn
Ceremony: Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Weston, MO
Portraits: Jeff’s Architectural Salvage + Variety Shop
Reception: O’Malley’s Pub
Caterer: The Russell
Planner: My Beloved Weddings
Band: The Champagne Band
Cake: Darko Desserts
FAQs
Yes. Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Weston, MO is a small, beautiful church that fits the character of the town perfectly. It’s an ideal setting for an intimate Catholic wedding Mass. The exterior has lovely natural greenery and seasonal flowers, and the interior has great light for ceremony photography. It works especially well for couples who want a meaningful, traditional Mass in a non-grand setting.
Start by looking for a photographer who is fluent in the Mass, not just willing to photograph one. A good Kansas City Catholic wedding photographer knows the timeline of the Liturgy, understands when to move and when to stay still, and treats the ceremony as the centerpiece of the day. Jackie Marko Photography is based in Kansas City and specializes in Catholic weddings, both locally and for destination couples.
The couples who do micro-weddings best are the ones who stop trying to shrink a big wedding and start designing a small one on purpose. That means choosing vendors and locations that reflect who they actually are, not what’s expected. Mekala and Russell’s day is a good example: a traditional Catholic Mass, a portrait session at a salvage shop, a reception at their favorite bar. Every choice was specific to them. That’s what makes a small wedding feel full.
