Meet Deer Ridge Estate: The Romantic Venue Behind Magnolia & Mistletoe Bridal Brunch
Updated: Aug 26
If you've recently said "yes" and are beginning your wedding planning journey, you won't want to miss the Magnolia and Mistletoe Bridal Brunch at Deer Ridge Estate! This one-of-a-kind bridal experience is so much more than a wedding show—it's an intimate afternoon designed to inspire, educate, and celebrate engaged couples. You'll meet a carefully curated team of talented wedding professionals, enjoy interactive vendor experiences, gather planning tips, and explore one of the area's most beautiful wedding venues. Whether you're just beginning to plan or putting the finishing touches on your big day, you'll leave with fresh ideas, trusted vendor connections, and plenty of inspiration to help you create the romantic, elegant, and timeless wedding you've been dreaming of.
Today, we're sitting down with Becky, the Executive Estate Manager and Day of Coordinator at Deer Ridge Estate, to give you a behind-the-scenes look at this stunning venue and what makes it such a special place for weddings.
Tell us a bit about Deer Ridge Estate and how it got started.
Deer Ridge Estate is a private 160-acre wedding and event venue located in Northeast Kansas, serving Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka, and the surrounding region. We host weddings, rehearsal dinners, receptions, micro weddings, corporate retreats, family gatherings, and multi-day celebrations with on-site lodging.
Our estate offers indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception spaces, greenhouse micro-wedding settings, stocked ponds, trails, and guest houses for overnight accommodations. Couples and clients use the estate for full weekend weddings, corporate offsites, and family events that benefit from extra time, privacy, and space.
As a family-run venue, we understand how personal this decision is. We can handle the logistics, coordination, and day-of details so your weekend feels organized and relaxed instead of rushed.
Since opening in 2017, we’ve hosted more than 350 weddings and events and built a reputation for thoughtful planning, smooth execution, and events that feel easy for guests. When you book Deer Ridge Estate, you’re not just reserving a venue — you’re gaining a team that’s invested in your event from the first tour to the final send-off.
What makes Deer Ridge Estate unique?
Some of the things that set us apart:
Exclusive use of the entire property for your event. No sharing the venue with other weddings or events.
Weekend wedding options that allow you to enjoy the property for multiple days instead of just a few hours.
On-site lodging with private suites and accommodations so your closest family and friends can stay together.
Multiple ceremony locations including the Open-Air Chapel, Covered Dock overlooking the pond, Greenhouse, and indoor options.
A 10,000-square-foot Grand Hall that can comfortably accommodate both intimate gatherings and large celebrations.
Indoor and outdoor flexibility so weather is never a concern.
Beautiful estate grounds with ponds, walking trails, mature trees, and countless photo opportunities.
Getting-ready spaces for both wedding parties on-site.
Tables, chairs, and linens included, reducing the number of rentals couples need to coordinate.
A dedicated team that guides couples throughout the planning process and helps ensure the wedding day runs smoothly.
Many couples tell us that Deer Ridge feels more like a destination wedding experience close to home, where family and friends can gather, relax, and celebrate together for an entire weekend rather than rushing through a single day. That's what truly makes Deer Ridge Estate special.
What types of couples fall in love with Deer Ridge Estate?
Deer Ridge Estate is perfect for couples who want more than just a wedding venue. The couples who fall in love with Deer Ridge typically want an experience where family and friends can gather, connect, and celebrate together.
We are especially a great fit for:
Couples who want a full weekend wedding instead of a few hours on their wedding day.
Couples with large guest lists who need plenty of space without feeling crowded.
Couples who love nature and scenic views but still want modern amenities and comfort.
Couples looking for an all-in-one venue with ceremony sites, reception space, lodging, and getting-ready suites all in one location.
Families who value time together, allowing loved ones to stay on-site and enjoy the entire celebration.
Couples who want flexibility to personalize their wedding rather than being locked into a strict package or timeline.
Couples seeking a private, exclusive setting where they have the entire estate to themselves.
Whether your style is elegant, rustic, modern, classic, or somewhere in between, Deer Ridge Estate provides a beautiful backdrop while giving you the freedom to make your wedding uniquely yours. Many of our couples tell us they knew Deer Ridge was "the one" because it felt welcoming, peaceful, and large enough to bring everyone they love together in one place.
What is one wedding trend you’re loving right now?
One wedding trend we're loving right now is couples making their wedding weekend feel more personal and guest focused.
Instead of packing everything into a few hours, couples are creating a full experience with things like:
Welcome gatherings the night before
Lawn games and casual time with family and friends
Private last dances
Signature cocktails that tell their story
Late-night snacks
Relaxed morning brunches before everyone heads home
The focus has shifted from having a "perfect" wedding to creating meaningful moments and memories. Couples are spending more time connecting with the people they love, and those are often the moments they remember most long after the wedding day is over.
At Deer Ridge Estate, we love this trend because our weekend wedding packages give couples the time and space to truly enjoy the celebration instead of feeling rushed from one event to the next.
What is one timeless wedding detail you’ll always love?
One timeless wedding detail we'll always love is a heartfelt ceremony.
Trends come and go, but the moment two people stand together and exchange vows never goes out of style. Whether the ceremony is elegant, simple, traditional, or completely personalized, it's the reason everyone has gathered and often becomes the most meaningful part of the day.
Beautiful décor, flowers, and receptions are wonderful, but years from now, couples and their families remember the emotions, the promises made, and the joy of that moment.
At Deer Ridge Estate, we love seeing each couple make their ceremony uniquely their own while creating memories that will last a lifetime.
What season is your favorite at the Deer Ridge Estate and why?
My favorite season at Deer Ridge Estate is fall.
The changing leaves, cooler temperatures, and golden sunsets make the property absolutely stunning. The ponds reflect the fall colors, the outdoor ceremony spaces are comfortable for guests, and the entire estate seems to glow during golden hour.
That said, every season has its own charm. Spring brings fresh blooms and vibrant green landscapes, summer offers long evenings and lush scenery, and winter creates a cozy, intimate atmosphere inside The Grand.
If I had to choose just one, though, fall gets my vote. There's something magical about watching couples say "I do" surrounded by the colors of autumn at Deer Ridge Estate.
What are some of your favorite ways couples personalize the space?
One of our favorite things is seeing how each couple transforms Deer Ridge Estate into a reflection of their story.
Some of the most memorable personal touches we've seen include:
Family photo displays that honor loved ones and share their journey together.
Signature cocktails named after pets, favorite places, or special memories.
Custom seating charts that showcase hobbies, careers, travel destinations, or shared interests.
Personal vows and handwritten letters exchanged before the ceremony.
Unique guest books like audio guest books, vinyl records, or photo keepsakes.
Cultural and family traditions woven into the ceremony or reception.
Favorite late-night snacks that guests never forget.
Meaningful décor pieces such as heirlooms, handmade signs, or family antiques.
The best weddings aren't the ones that follow every trend. They're the ones that feel authentically like the couple. That's what makes each celebration at Deer Ridge Estate so special.
What advice would you give couples searching for the perfect venue?
My biggest piece of advice is to focus on how a venue feels, not just how it looks in photos.
A beautiful venue is important, but you'll spend months working with the venue team and one of \the biggest days of your life there. Pay attention to:
How responsive and helpful the staff is
What is actually included in the price
Whether the space fits your guest count comfortably
Backup plans for weather
How much time you'll have on the property
Whether the venue matches the experience you want for your guests
When you tour venues, try to picture your entire wedding day, not just the ceremony site. Think about where you'll get ready, where guests will gather, where photos will take place, and how the flow of the day will feel.
Most importantly, choose a venue where you feel excited, comfortable, and confident. When you find the right one, it often feels less like checking a box and more like finding the place where your wedding story belongs.
Anything else you would like to share about Deer Ridge Estate?
What I'd love people to know about Deer Ridge Estate is that we're more than just a wedding venue. We're a place where families and friends come together to celebrate some of life's biggest moments. From the first tour to the final dance, our goal is to make couples feel welcomed, supported, and excited throughout the entire process. We know every wedding is unique, and we genuinely enjoy helping couples create a celebration that reflects who they are.
One of our favorite parts of what we do is seeing couples return years later for anniversary photos, family events, or simply to visit. Many of our couples become part of the Deer Ridge family, and that's something we're incredibly grateful for.
At the end of the day, we're not just providing a venue. We're providing a place where memories are made, traditions begin, and stories are shared for generations to come.
Thank you, Becky, for sharing what makes Deer Ridge Estate so special and I can’t wait for the brides to experience your beautiful venue on December 5th at the Magnolia and Mistletoe Bridal Brunch! You can check out Deer Ridge Estate today at their website and find them on social media below.
Be on the lookout with interviews from the other wonderful vendors that are featured at Magnolia and Mistletoe Bridal Brunch here on the Belle of the Ball blog over the coming weeks!
Meet the owners of Deer Ridge Estate, Dr. Mark Peterson and Laura Snow, and the executive estate manager and day of coordinator, Becky Sigurdson.
Ready to Experience the Magnolia and Mistletoe Bridal Brunch?
If you're looking for a memorable way to kick off your wedding planning, I'd love for you to join us! The Magnolia and Mistletoe Bridal Brunch at Deer Ridge Estate is designed to help you feel inspired, confident, and excited as you plan your wedding. Spend the afternoon exploring the venue, connecting with exceptional local vendors, enjoying delicious refreshments, and gathering ideas you can bring to your own celebration.
For brides wanting an even more elevated experience, a limited number of VIP tickets are available. VIP guests will enjoy early entry, exclusive one-on-one time with participating vendors before general admission begins, premium gifts, and a few extra surprises created especially for our VIP Southern Belle Brides.
Only 30 brides will attend this exclusive event, including just 5 VIP experiences. Once tickets are gone, they're gone! Learn more and reserve your seat today and join us for an unforgettable afternoon of Southern hospitality, wedding inspiration, and timeless elegance. I can't wait to welcome you!
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