Countryside Chalet Wedding | Linwood, Kansas
Countryside Chalet Wedding | Linwood, Kansas
The best portrait spot at Countryside Chalet in Linwood, Kansas is the driveway.
I know how that sounds. But the drive runs a quarter mile back from the road under a full canopy of trees, and in the afternoon it turns into a green tunnel with gorgeous glowing light. I’ve photographed several weddings here and my favorite shots are in the driveway every single time.
I’m Elizabeth, a Kansas City wedding photographer, and here’s why Countryside Chalet in Linwood, Kansas is one of my favorite wedding venues near Lawrence and Kansas City.
Where It Is and What You Get
Countryside Chalet is at 12751 206th Street in Linwood, Kansas. Two miles from the Johnson County line, ten from Lawrence, fifteen from the west edge of the metro with direct access off I-70. Most Kansas City guests are looking at 30 to 40 minutes.
Countryside Chalet might feel like it’s in the middle of nowhere, but a paradise awaits you after traveling down several isolated country roads. In fact, every inch of the space has its own personality.
The Chalet is the estate house. Five bedrooms, five bathrooms, bridal suite, groom’s room, separate groomsmen quarters, wraparound porch. Your people sleep there the night before and the night of.
The Pavilion is the white barn-style reception hall. Over 4,500 square feet, climate controlled, caterer kitchenette, real restrooms, covered patio overlooking the ceremony site.
The Terrace is the outdoor ceremony space, open-air with a white pergola and columns, set against the tree line.
The Garden is where the Cinderella carriage lives. Also a giant lawn chess set, boxwoods, benches, gravel paths. It sounds like a lot and it photographs beautifully.
It’s a raw space rental, so your caterer, bar, and rentals are all your call.
Where the Good Light Is
The driveway. Covered by trees, so it works in harsh midday sun when everywhere else is blown out, and it works in soft overcast. Heather and Danny got their dip kiss out there in gold, dappled light. Isabelle and Chad walked it with her veil out behind her. Same road, two completely different looks depending on the hour.
The porch. Dark decking, white siding, hanging baskets, greenery behind. It’s covered, so it’s the safest spot on the property when the sky turns. Both a father-daughter first look and a quiet couple moment happened there without moving anybody more than ten feet.
The Garden. Carriage, chess pieces, boxwood columns. It holds up on a flat overcast afternoon, which is not true of most decorative garden spaces. The carriage is also super fun to photograph at night.
The field. Once the sun is down and the sky goes purple, we walk past the mowed lawn into the tall grass, I set up a light, and we get the shot that ends up printed on a wall. Tree line silhouette, enormous Kansas sky, nobody else in the frame. It takes about ten minutes and you have to be willing to step away from your reception for those ten minutes. Everyone who has done it has told me it was worth it.
Outdoor or Indoor Ceremony
I’ve shot both here.
Heather and Danny got married outside under the pergola with the tree line behind them and late-day sun coming through. It’s the version most couples picture when they book.
Isabelle and Chad had theirs inside the Pavilion with draping and an arch, and it looked completely intentional. It wasn’t. They chose to move their ceremony indoors after a 100 degree forecast and sweating through all their clothes at the rehearsal. The point is, it still looked intentional. That’s the part worth knowing, because most couples treat indoors as the disaster scenario. It isn’t. If the forecast falls apart you’re not losing your ceremony photos, you’re getting different ones.
The one ask: make the call early. Deciding to move inside twenty minutes before go time means someone is flipping chairs during the window I’m supposed to be photographing you.
Photographer Tips for Countryside Chalet
Use the driveway, not just the lawn.
Most couples never think about it because it’s the thing they drove in on. It’s the best-lit spot on the property for most of the afternoon and it’s about a ninety second walk from the house.
Give me ten minutes after dinner.
You might think there’s no way you can get a killer sunset because of the low ground and high trees, but there’s one particular hill that is perfectly positioned to give you amazing sunset photos when timed just right.
Get ready in the house with the light.
The getting ready room is awkwardly shaped, but has amazing light. Plan ahead and move all your things out of the room in advance, so we don’t have to maneuver around it to find the best places for your getting ready photos.
Make use of the garden.
I’ve never actually seen anyone use the chess set. Send your guests over during cocktail hour. It’s there for more than just a photo op!
The thing nobody plans for:
The ceremony area can be bright and hot. If you have grandparents, plan to seat them closer to the tree line, so they’ll remain shaded the whole time.
Real Weddings at Countryside Chalet
Heather + Danny
We loved everything about it from the outdoor aspect being in the country but also having an elegant modern feel to the place. Everyone has been amazing to work with at the Countryside Chalet.
Isabelle + Chad
We chose it because you could rent the house for the whole weekend and have all of your favorite people overnight to enjoy the special day with.
Questions Couples Actually Ask
How many guests fit at Countryside Chalet?
The Pavilion holds north of 200. Published numbers run 210 to 230 depending on the site and your floor plan. Get the real number from the venue when you tour, especially if you want a head table and a dance floor bigger than a bath mat.
Can you get married indoors if the weather doesn’t cooperate?
Yes, and it photographs well. Isabelle and Chad moved their ceremony into the Pavilion after a 100 degree forecast, and with draping and an arch it read as deliberate rather than as a compromise. Rain or heat, you have a real option. Just make the call early rather than at the last minute.
How far is it from Kansas City?
Fifteen miles from the west edge of the metro straight off I-70, so 30 to 40 minutes for most guests. Ten miles from Lawrence, which makes it fair if your guest list is split between the two.
Do we have to use their vendors?
No. Raw space rental, so your caterer, bar, and rentals are your choice. Full control, and a real amount of coordinating. Somebody has to run logistics on the day and it should not be you.
Can the wedding party stay overnight?
Yes, and I’d take it. Five bedrooms, five bathrooms, bridal suite, separate groomsmen quarters. Waking up where you’re getting married deletes a stressful hour from your morning.
Is there a good spot for sunset or night portraits?
The field past the mowed lawn, at the edge of the tree line. Ten minutes away from your reception, right at blue hour, is where the biggest photo of your day comes from.
Getting Married at Countryside Chalet?
If you’ve booked it or you’re still deciding, I’m happy to walk you through how a day actually runs there. Get in touch.
