Oct 19, 2026
Tacos, Vinyl & One Hell of a Party
Want to know what’s better than photographing a really fun wedding? Photographing a really fun wedding for people you actually love, with all your favorite friends in attendance, at your favorite wedding venue in Lawrence.
Jay and Tasia are part of my friend crew. Like, my real-life, outside of work, pre-kid party friend crew. Our mutual friends actually introduced me to my husband, so you could say we’ve got some history. Being the photographer at their wedding was pretty damn special.
In true Jay + Tasia fashion, they threw a wedding that felt less like a traditional wedding and more like a really excellent party. There was a small ceremony, live jazz, Taco Zone (yum), disco balls and DJ Cyrus spinning vinyl records. All at one of the most quintessentially LFK wedding venues around: Abe & Jake’s Landing.
An Intimate Ceremony and a Big Party at Abe & Jake’s Landing
One thing I really loved about this wedding was that Jay and Tasia didn’t feel the need to make every part of their day a production. They kept their ceremony small, with a more intimate guest list there to witness the actual getting married part. Tasia walked down the aisle to a solo guitarist playing her favorite song. They shared personally written vows while one of their best friends officiated. Then, they opened things up for a larger reception with more friends, more family and a whole lot more music. Live jazz band for cocktail hour. DJ Cyrus D on the turntables for a dance party of epic proportions (my favorite thing).
Frankly, this is a fantastic way to have a wedding. You can keep the meaningful, emotional part of your day a little more personal and still throw a huge party with ALL your people afterward. These things aren’t mutually exclusive. And Abe & Jake’s Landing in downtown Lawrence was a great place to do exactly that.
A Little Bit Industrial, a Little Bit Disco
That’s how the song goes, yeah? Abe & Jake’s is one of those wedding venues that already has so much personality, you don’t need to do a ton to make it interesting.
The exposed brick, tall windows, mix of warm woods and metal industrial architecture all combined into a huge open space makes a pretty incredible backdrop for a wedding. Add some colorful florals, warm lighting and disco balls and you’ve suddenly got a wedding that feels equal parts romantic and a little funky.
Exactly my kind of thing.
Tasia wore a gorgeous, structured strapless gown with a high leg slit for a little spice and a flirty short veil. Jay wore a custom-made, forest green suit with a funky silk lining to add a bit of flair. Their wedding day looks felt right at home with the whole celebration. The flowers brought the pops of color and there was just enough playful detail to make everything feel intentional without being overly styled.
But what I loved most wasn’t really the decor.
It was all the people.
Friends hugging. Kids being kids. Friends who have moved across the country getting to catch up. Little candid moments happening all over the place. It’s easy to get caught up in what a wedding is “supposed” to look like, but my favorite images are always just people enjoying being together.
Live Jazz, Vinyl Records and a DAMN GOOD Dance Party
Music is a big part of my life, my husbands life and a LOT of our friends lives. It’s where we all met. Bonded. Grew up. Sweaty in dusty parking lots before shows. Crashed out on living room floors (and then hotel rooms once we grew up) after back to back nights. Offering water bottles and purse pb&j’s to one another when maybe you had a little too much of…everything.
Music was a big part of Jay and Tasia’s wedding day and they absolutely got this part right.
They had a live jazz band playing during cocktail hour and dinner, which brought such a fun energy to the first half of the night. Then, our friend DJ Cyrus D stepped in to DJ, spinning actual vinyl records for the dance party. No dollar dances here folks, this was curated, top notch, funk brought to you by one of the best. No requests accepted.
How fun is that?!
I’m always here for a wedding with good music but I especially love when couples make choices that feel personal to them instead of just following the usual wedding formula. And Abe + Jake’s is particularly well suited for a music focused wedding. With a stage, plenty of room and a huge dance floor, it’s the kind of place where you can go from a laid back cocktail hour to an all out dance party without ever changing venues.
Lemme tell ya, that’s exactly what happened.
Why Abe & Jake’s is such a Fun Lawrence Wedding Venue
If you’re looking for wedding venues in Lawrence, KS then Abe & Jake’s should absolutely be on your list. Especially if you’re seeking something a little less traditional.
Located along the Kansas River at the end of Mass Street in Downtown Lawrence, this former industrial building has been transformed into one of the area’s most recognizable event spaces. And it has a lot going for it.
First, it’s genuinely interesting to photograph. There’s exposed brick, beautiful natural light from the windows, a grand staircase and lots of architectural character. It’s industrial without feeling cold. Spacious while still feeling warm and inviting. With multiple private getting ready rooms, even the largest bridal parties can get ready here without the couple bumping into one another before the ceremony.
Second, it’s a great place to throw a party. The stage and dance floor make it especially appealing for couples who want live music, entertainment or a reception where the dance party is priority.
The space has enough flexibility to host different styles of celebrations. Jay and Tasia’s smaller ceremony followed by a larger reception is a great example of how they made the day their own but I’ve also photographed large, traditional weddings here. As a Lawrence wedding photographer, it’s one of those venues I genuinely enjoy coming back to because no two wedding ever look quite the same. If you’re wondering whether Abe & Jake’s might be a good fit for you, you can learn more about the venue at their website.
The Good Stuff Happens In-Between
One of the things I love about this gallery is that it’s not a minute by minute recap of every single thing that happened. It’s a collection of moments from a day that was full of love and personality. And those moments tell you a lot.
They tell you that Jay and Tasia are surrounded by people who love them. That their wedding was colorful, fun and full of personality. That music mattered. That getting everyone together to celebrate was pretty much the point.
And that sometimes, the most meaningful photos aren’t the big, perfectly planned and posed moments. They’re the little ones happening in between.
J + T, love you guys. Thanks for trusting me with this one. And for throwing a hell of a party.
Let’s do it again, k?
I’m Kendal. The photographer, creative director and oversharer behind Kendal Banks Photography. I’m based in LFK and photograph weddings & elopements throughout Lawrence, Kansas City and honestly, anywhere a good love story takes me. My approach is a mix of documentary photography and artfully directed portraits, with a whole lot of attention paid to the people, personalities and little moments that make your story yours.
