Kansas City is home to so many incredible wedding venues, but if you are looking for something with old world charm, a little drama, and a whole lot of personality, the Madrid Theatre might just be the one for you. When Maggie and Drew reached out about photographing their wedding at Madrid Theatre, I knew right away it was going to be a perfect match. These two are fun, boisterous, and have such big personalities, and there was no better backdrop for their love story than this grand historic theatre. Keep reading for a full guide to the Madrid Theatre in Kansas City and a peek into Maggie and Drew’s big day.
Vendors
Photographer: Kelsey Diane Photography // Makeup: @rundslimmer //Hair: @stephaniepack //
Venue: Madrid Theatre // Planner: Onyx Events Designs // Catering: Matthew’s Catering // Florals: Lily Floral Collective // DJ: Remix DJs // Dress Designer: Eddy K // Dress Boutique: The Gown Gallery // Wedding Cake: @andresswiss
Information on Madrid Theatre in Kansas City
Madrid Theatre is a historic venue located in the heart of Kansas City, Originally opened in 1926 and beautifully restored in 2020, the theatre blends old world elegance with modern convenience, making it a one of a kind setting for your wedding. One of the things I love most about this venue is how versatile it is. You can host your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all in one beautiful location, which means your guests never have to travel between venues, and you get more time to actually enjoy your day instead of spending it in transit.
Capacity and Layout
Madrid Theatre can comfortably seat up to 300+ guests for a reception, with both main floor and balcony seating available. The two level floor plan gives you so many options for how to use the space, and the grand mezzanine level is a beautiful spot for cocktail hour while your ceremony space is transformed for your reception.
What’s Included
The Madrid Theatre is all inclusive, which takes so much off your plate as you plan. Your rental comes with tables and chairs, gold chiavari chairs with white cushions, white floor length linens, a flexible floor plan, a spacious dressing room for getting ready, free parking, event security, and a custom marquee out front with your names on it. You are also free to choose your own licensed and insured caterer, which gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to your menu.
Pricing
If you are planning to host your wedding ceremony and reception in the same space, like Maggie and Drew did, pricing for the Madrid Theatre starts around $4,650 for a weekday wedding and goes up depending on the day of the week, with Saturdays being the highest. A reception only package is also available starting around $3,550 on weekdays. Pricing can vary, so it’s always best to reach out to the venue directly for current rates and availability.
Why I Love It for Weddings
A wedding at Madrid Theatre in Kansas City is full of historic charm. The Spanish style architecture, ornate ceiling details, and dramatic stage make this venue feel like a celebration the moment you walk in. It already has so much character, which means you can keep your decor simple and let the space speak for itself, or go all in and really make it your own. Either way, it photographs beautifully.
Nearby Spots for Couple Portraits
Another reason I love Madrid Theatre for weddings is its location. Since it sits so close to the heart of downtown Kansas City, you have so many beautiful options nearby for portraits before or after your ceremony. The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art is just a short drive away and is one of my favorite spots in all of Kansas City, with its iconic lawn, sculptures, and architecture giving you so many different backdrops in one place. Maggie and Drew took advantage of this and headed over to the Nelson Atkins for some of their portraits, and the results were stunning.
Maggie and Drew’s Wedding at Madrid Theatre
Maggie and Drew have personalities that are larger than life, so a venue like Madrid Theatre, with its theatrical flair and grand presence, was the perfect fit for them. They fully utilized the space, hosting both their ceremony and reception inside the theatre and using the mezzanine level for their cocktail hour. Getting to see every part of this venue in action throughout the day was such a treat.
Special Personalized Wedding Details
Maggie chose to get ready in the Madrid Theatre’s “green room” behind the stage. She provided me with such special details to photograph such as her parents photos attached to her bouquet, and her engraved perfume bottle featuring her wedding date. I also adored her ankle length wedding dress with her bow veil.
The florals for the ceremony came together beautifully, and I have to say, the setup was one of my favorites I have photographed in a long time. We took full advantage of that gorgeous arrangement for some bridal portraits of Maggie afterward, and the results were absolutely beautiful.
When the ceremony started, Maggie and Drew exchanged heartfelt vows up on the stage. I loved how perfectly the red curtains complimented their entire set up. There is something so special about getting married on a stage that has hosted so much history. The grandeur of the Madrid Theatre combined with Maggie and Drew’s personalities made for a ceremony that felt both elegant and full of joy.
The Reception
Maggie and Drew invited everyone up onto the Mezzanie level of Madrid Theatre for cocktail hour while the main room was flipped for the reception. I love when my couples take advantage of the cocktail hour to talk to as many guests as they can.
After cocktail hour on the mezzanine level, guests made their way back into the theatre for the reception, and that is when things really got going. The toasts from Maggie’s sister and Drew’s father were incredibly heartfelt, setting the tone for a night that was equal parts emotional and fun. Once those toasts wrapped up, the dance floor opened. Maggie’s dress, with its perfect twirl factor, made for some amazing dance floor photos. Maggie shared a hilarious dance with her proclaimed “funky uncle” who really tore up the dance floor for the rest of the night.
Ready to Plan Your Wedding at Madrid Theatre?
If you have been dreaming of Kansas City wedding that is grand, theatrical, and full of personality, Madrid Theatre might be exactly what you are looking for. With its rich history, stunning architecture, all inclusive packages, and ability to host your entire wedding day in one location, it truly is one of Kansas City’s most unique venues.
And if you are still searching for your Kansas City wedding photographer, I would love to connect. I specialize in wedding photography that celebrates love in all its forms, and every couple deserves a story that feels true to them. Head over here to get in touch with me. And check out my Uptown Theater post here if you are searching for more theaters to get married in Kansas City
