Natasha and Michael’s multicultural wedding at The Union in downtown Kansas City blended American celebration with Vietnamese tradition, complete with a lion dance reception that stole the show and their beloved dog who proudly joined the festivities.
If you have already seen my blog post about their Vietnamese tea ceremony, you know how meaningful tradition is in their story. Now let’s dive into their wedding day.
Celebrating at Union, a popular KC downtown wedding venue
The entire day took place at the venue Union, near the Kauffman Center downtown Kansas City. Not to be confused with the also very popular Union Station. Union is located on Baltimore Avenue, in the middle of the crossroad district, making this event space very close to popular photo destinations like some famous wall-art, the Kauffman center or WW1 memorial.
3 different levels
With three floors, the space easily accommodated a ceremony on one level, a reception on another, and cocktails on the third.
Michael and Natasha decided to do the ceremony on the street level, then they moved everyone in the speak easy at the lower level for a cosy cocktail.
Finally for the dinner and the rest of the festivity, we all moved to the top floor. This floor has more windows and it is a nicer space to spend most of the time.
A bonus rooftop for photos
If you ask nicely, the venue will give you access to go on the roof of the Union building to take photos with the Kansas City skyline as a background, that’s really cool!
The roof is white, for energy efficiency I assume, and it is so bright on a sunny day, it is impossible to take advantage of that feature. When the sun is lower in the sky, on the other hand, it makes for really nice images! If you happened to look for a venue in Kansas City with nice downtown skyline views, my Skyline Venues guide here.
Getting ready room
Traditionally, the groom/groomsmen get ready in the speakeasy while the bride/bridesmaids have a dedicated bridal room with a nice mirror in the upper floor. Michael and Natasha got ready before their first look in those rooms.
Traditional Vietnamese Lion Dancers Bring the Energy
One of the most exciting moments of the evening came when a team of three Vietnamese lion dancers took the floor. The drums, music, and vibrant costumes created an electric atmosphere, blending culture and celebration in the most unforgettable way. With this stunning performance, Natasha and Michael honored Michael’s Vietnamese heritage while giving their guests an amazing treat.
The Significance of the Lion Dance in Vietnamese Weddings
In Vietnamese culture, a wedding lion dance is far more than an energetic reception performance; it is a profound blessing for the newlyweds. Accompanied by loud, rhythmic drumming to clear away negative energy, the vibrant lions symbolize the arrival of good luck, prosperity, and immense joy. Incorporating traditional wedding lion dancers into a Vietnamese wedding honors heritage while infusing the celebration with powerful, positive momentum for the couple’s future together.
Capturing the Dynamic Performance and Guest Reactions
Photographing Lion Dance was pure magic thanks to the Thần Phúc Lion Dance team, a premier Kansas City lion dance group (formerly known as Kansas City Lion Dance). The fast-paced choreography and the thunderous beat of the drums filled the room with an undeniable electricity, offering the perfect opportunity to capture bold, action-packed imagery that showcases the absolute joy of this beautiful tradition.
Our groom fired up the dance floor
When it came time to party, the dance floor didn’t stay quiet for long. Michael especially set the tone. His energy was infectious, and guests couldn’t resist joining him. I let you judge, the photos speak for themselves.
Le mot de la fin
Natasha and Michael’s wedding was a beautiful day, true to them, celebrating their love, family and culture in a joyful celebration.
Their wedding is exactly the kind of multicultural celebration I love photographing. If you are planning a Vietnamese wedding, a multicultural wedding, or any wedding in Kansas City where family tradition matters as much as the celebration, I would love to talk.
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