Colbert Hills Golf Course: A Venue Worth Knowing
If you're a Kansas bride deep in venue research, Colbert Hills Golf Course in Manhattan, KS deserves a serious spot on your list. One of the highest ranked golf courses in Kansas, it's not just a place to play golf. It's a venue that photographs beautifully, especially in the colorful summer months. The Lodge sits right on the course, so you get everything in one place: a getting-ready space, a stunning outdoor ceremony area, and a backdrop for portraits that practically styles itself.
Every corner just works. And on an overcast July morning with a breeze rolling across the course, it was truly something else.
The Morning
The Lodge gave everyone exactly what they needed that morning, and I mean that. There was space for the guys to settle in and space for the girls to soak it all in, and both rooms held something really beautiful.
Bailey spent some of those final getting-ready moments with his dad, taking a few breaths before everything changed. There is something so quietly powerful about watching a groom in those last moments before he sees his bride for the first time. You can see him steadying himself, and it's one of my favorite things to witness.
On the other side of the Lodge, Allie stepped out to show her bridesmaids her dress for the first time, and the room just filled up. Her girls were so moved, so supportive, so genuinely happy for her. That kind of love between women is something I never take for granted when I get to photograph it. And her sweet flower girl niece, matching her Aunt Allie in her little dress, was absolutely precious. She loved every second of it, and honestly, so did I.
Before the day fully took over, Allie slipped into a quiet back room with her mom and her new mother-in-law, and I stayed back and stayed quiet, because some moments don't need a photographer in the middle of them. They need a witness. Gifts were exchanged, tears were shed, and the love between those women was so palpable it filled the whole room. This family puts people first, and it showed in every single moment of the day.
Then came her first look with her dad. Allie is the youngest of three sisters, the last to get married, and when he turned around and saw her standing there, I watched something shift in his face that I won't forget. There are moments in this job that remind me why I do it, and that was truly one of them.
The First Look with Bailey (And the Cross He Built Himself)
Bailey built the wooden cross that stood at the center of their ceremony. By hand. Then loaded it into the back of his pickup and hauled it to Colbert Hills. I keep coming back to that detail when I think about who Bailey is as a person and as a husband.
When Allie walked toward him, in front of that cross, the one he made, I had my camera up and my heart was full. They read their private vows to each other, fully present and fully themselves, and when they finished, Allie's attendant walked over with their signature drinks. They laughed, they sipped, they exhaled. It was the most perfectly-them little pause before the rest of the day rushed in.
Wedding Party Portraits on the Course
One of my favorite things about Colbert Hills Golf Course as a wedding venue is how much it gives you to work with. We loaded up golf carts and drove down into the course, and honestly, I cannot recommend renting carts for the day enough. It makes the whole portrait experience feel like an adventure rather than a checklist.
We used the open fairway for wedding party portraits and bride and groom photos, and the space was perfect. Wide open, beautifully green, and that July breeze added the most natural movement to everything. Allie's dress, her veil, her hair, it all just moved. Those are the details that make a photo feel alive, and Colbert Hills delivered.
The Ceremony and the Moments That Followed
Their ceremony was held outside, white roses, warm air, and their church's own pastor standing at the front. It felt meaningful in the way that only happens when the people up there actually know and love you. This wasn't a performance. It was a covenant, and you could feel the weight of it in the best way.
Their reception entrance set the tone immediately. You could feel just how excited everyone in that room was to finally celebrate them, and Allie and Bailey came in with so much joy. That energy carried the whole night.
Dinner was catered by Colbert Hills, and I will say it every time: truly some of my favorite wedding meals come from their kitchen. If you are considering Colbert Hills Golf Course for your Manhattan, KS wedding, do not overlook the food. And their hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour? So good. Your guests will thank you.
After dinner, Allie and Bailey cut their stunning cake and poured a champagne tower in preparation for toasts. It was one of those moments that just looks like a wedding in the best way, and the room was completely locked in.
Then they invited every single guest out onto the golf course for a big group photo. Not because they had to. Just because they wanted everyone to know how much they meant to them. That detail says everything about this couple.
Sunset on the Course
We drove out into Colbert Hills as the light started to go golden, and I asked them to just be together for a minute. No posing, no direction, just the two of them, newly married, standing in the middle of that beautiful course. Then we had some fun with it: editorial posing, candids, movement. Allie was absolutely glowing. These are the portraits I think about for a long time after a wedding day.
the dances
During their first dance, fog rolled across the floor like clouds and wrapped around them as they moved. It was dreamy in the most cinematic way.
And then came the father-daughter dance. Allie surprised her dad with his favorite song, "Stand Up for the Champions," the one that played every softball season he coached her through. When the first notes hit, I watched his face completely change. There were tears and the biggest smiles, all at once, and the whole room felt it together. It was the kind of moment that makes you so grateful you had your camera, and equally grateful just to have been in the room.
A Few Tips If You're Getting Married at Colbert Hills
The Lodge is such a beautiful getting-ready space. Plan your timeline to take advantage of the natural light in the morning.
Build in time for sunset portraits on the course. The grounds give you so many options, and the light out there is truly magic.
Don't skip the outdoor ceremony space. It's stunning, especially with simple florals and natural surroundings.
Reach out to your photographer early. Summer dates at venues like Colbert Hills fill up fast, and you don't want to be scrambling.
Let's Talk About Your Day
If you're a couple who values what marriage really means, the covenant, the vows, the showing up, I would be so honored to document your day. Allie and Bailey's wedding is one I'll carry with me for a long time, not just because of the beautiful light or the gorgeous venue, but because of who they are and the love that was so evident in every single moment. That's what I'm always hoping to find and to capture.
If you're planning a wedding at Colbert Hills Golf Course or anywhere in the Manhattan, KS area, I'd love to be your photographer. Head to my contact page and let's talk before your date is gone. Summer books faster than you'd think!
Allie and Bailey, thank you for letting me be there. Praying for your marriage and all the beautiful things ahead for you both.