Kaitlin and Cooper Mach

Kaitlin Mach, 27, was raised in Andover, Kansas, and received her BS in mass communications and minors in leadership studies and Spanish from Kansas State University. She runs the marketing for a local realty group and teaches at the Overland Park Pure Barre studio.

Cooper Mach, 28, grew up in Shawnee, Kansas. He received his BA in mass communications plus a minor in leadership studies from Kansas State University and a JD from the University of Kansas. Cooper’s parents are attorneys; he now works with his dad at the law firm he grew up around.

“We met at KSU when we were both undergrads, but never considered dating,” Kaitlin recalls. “We ran in the same circles and even played a season of intramural volleyball on the same team. We ‘re-met’ here in Kansas City in Westport with our friends. Cooper said he wanted to take me out to dinner sometime; I didn’t believe him but gave him my actual phone number, a rarity. The next week, we went to dinner at The Oliver and ten months later we were engaged!”

At The Oliver, your bill is delivered between the pages of an old book. For some reason, Cooper thought he’d better remember the book their bill came in. “Ten months later, The Oliver let Cooper have the book that we’d signed ‘Don’t Care, Go Cats. Cooper and Kaitlin 9/19/16.’ He hollowed out a spot for the ring box where the book’s second chapter began,” recounts Kaitlin. “Cooper coordinated dinner at The Oliver and afterward the hostess handed him the book. As we left, he said how cool it was that they still had ‘our book’ and that they’d let us keep it. He then said this was where the first chapter of our relationship started, and he’d love it to be where the second chapter started, opening the book to Chapter Two and the ring. After a few minutes of pure joy and shock on the sidewalk, he suggested we grab a drink at the Granfalloon. In the back room were our closest friends and family waiting to celebrate our engagement.”

The blissful couple tied the knot September 29, 2018. Attending Kaitlin were Maid of Honor Melanie Wall and bridesmaids Emily Kruse, Marissa Olberding, Jen Coen, Kelsie Brown and Carolina Mach; attendants were Ellen Knackendoffel and Chelsea Chase. Cooper’s Best Man was Brett Mach; groomsmen were Tom McGowan, Zach Lyman, Keith Bokelman, Brett Basom and Michael Shea. Brian Rooney and Chase Moore ushered. Rhett and Britt Vader were ring bearers, and Alma Mach was flower girl.

During wedding party photos for friends’ weddings, Kaitlin and Cooper had noticed that plus-ones often got left out of the loop, so they wanted to include everyone’s dates in the festivities. “During our photos between the ceremony and reception, we made a pit stop at the Monarch Bar on the Country Club Plaza,” Kaitlin describes. “They had pre-made specialty cocktails for the wedding party and their plus-ones. This was a great way to get some great photos and to give everyone’s ‘plus-one’ something fun to do rather than just hang out on the bus during pictures.”

Kaitlin and Cooper honeymooned with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Moorea and Bora Bora. ■

Bridal Gown
Mira Couture

Groom’s/Groomsmen’s Tux
Slabotsky’s Menswear & Tailors

Hair Styling
Heather Yacenda, Studio H Salon

Florist
Blue Bouquet Floral & Event Design

DJ
DJ Alex Reed

Caterer
Feasts of Fancy

Cake
McLain’s Bakery

Venue
The Hobbs Building

Wedding Coordinator
Nellie Sparkman Events

Calligraphy
Crossroad Calligraphy

Rentals
UltraPom