Prescription for love: Despite busy schedules, doctors find time to marry

Kristi Kinder and Joe Banks did not have time for love — they were both pursuing their careers as doctors in St. Louis (Kristi is a pediatric emergency physician and Joe is a pediatric anesthesiologist). But mutual friends at work kept insisting they meet. After some convincing, they agreed. Ideally the rest would be history, however introducing two medical residents with hectic schedules isn’t always a prescription for love.
 
“I don’t think either of us were really interested in ‘finding love’ as we were so busy establishing our careers. After some time I thought he might be the one. It was completely unexpected,” Kristi recalls. Even more unexpected was Joe’s proposal at Kristi’s parent’s house at the Lake of the Ozarks during the 2010 Fourth of July weekend. “I really thought it was a joke. I couldn’t believe it was happening,” Kristi adds.
 
Their careers made finding time to date a challenge, but finding time to plan a wedding was a different story. Kristi and Joe spent most of their engagement in St. Louis, but since Joe is a Blue Springs, Mo., native and Kristi’s hometown is near St. Joseph, Mo., they chose Kansas City, Mo., as their wedding location. Remotely planning a wedding added yet another obstacle for the couple. And just when things couldn’t get more complicated, Joe was accepted for a Fellowship in Pediatric Anesthesia at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Kristi accepted a job at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, splitting her time each month between Missouri and California. 
 
This is when wedding planner Carrie Bartlow of Paperwhites entered the picture, and it seems she was just what the doctor ordered. “Hiring Carrie saved my life.  It became evident that with traveling between St. Louis and Kansas City, and then Los Angeles and Kansas City, I was going to need help to stay sane,” Kristi says.
 
Bartlow executed Kristi and Joe’s vision perfectly. Accents such as wine corks, burlap table runners, and a mismatched collection of lanterns and old vases created the vineyard fall ambience for the couple’s special day. Other details that made their day unique included Kristi’s brother, Kory, serving as the man of honor. Even the couple’s English bulldog, Harry, donned a bowtie for the big day.
 
Wedding Date: Oct. 22, 2011
 
The ring: Joe designed Kristi’s ring with help from Vinca Jewelry on the Country Club Plaza. The ring is a round solitaire with a halo of diamonds set in white gold with accent diamonds and vintage detailing. The rose gold and diamond wedding band accents the engagement ring. 
 
Wedding and reception location: The wedding took place at Country Club Christian Church in the Combs Chapel on Ward Parkway. The Rev. Steve Mason officiated and allowed Kristi’s cousin, a minister in St. Joseph, to assist with the ceremony. The reception took place at the Hobbs Building in Kansas City with Feasts of Fancy catering.
 
The flowers: Blue Bouquet created the alter arrangements, bridal party bouquets and boutonnieres. emmy-ray created arrangements for the reception.
 
The dress: Kristi wore an A-line Judd Waddell gown in ivory satin with a sweetheart neckline. It had a platinum waistband and appliqué flowers on the waist. 
 
The look: Kristi utilized an array of resources to pull together her look for the day. The veil and silk flower for her hair were purchased in St. Louis. Her earrings, a wedding day gift from Joe, were diamond studs. She borrowed a strand of pearls from her mom and her shoes were metallic heels by Jimmy Choo. 
 
The cake: The wedding cake, designed by Sandy Danner in Gardner, Kan., was a four-tiered buttercream cake with alternating layers of white cake with raspberry filling and marble cake with chocolate ganache. A Paula Deen-inspired fresh orange kitchen cake, a favorite of the couple, also was served. 
  
Advice for Kansas City brides:  Since she was planning a wedding while living elsewhere, Kristi’s biggest piece of advice to ask for help. “Tap into the strength, talents and connections of your friends. I wasn’t the girl who grew up dreaming of what her wedding would look like, but I knew I wanted it to be unique,” Kristi says. “I am so grateful for all the help I received from family and friends in planning our day; it was all we could’ve hoped for and more!”