‘Kansas City, don’t panic.’ Funny faux Taylor Swift wedding ceremony scores laughs
Kelley Thrasher did not intend to give her followers “a stroke” with a fashion photo shoot she posted on Instagram Saturday. She was just trying to give some local friends — and her mom — a boost of PR for their businesses.
But when thousands of people saw Kansas City’s Taylor Swift tribute artist dressed as a bride marrying a ringer for Travis Kelce, some did a double-take.
“The way my jaw (and stomach) dropped to the floor,” is one of more than 17,000 likes on the post as of Monday.
“This is INCREDIBLE could’ve fooled me,” write another.
“I genuinely thought this was Taylor and Travis,” declared another.
“Don’t do this to me girl I about had a stroke,” joked another.
Thrasher and a team of Kansas City wedding vendors staged a faux Swift-Kelce wedding inside Melrose Abbey, a historic Westport church now a wedding and event venue.
There are photos of the happy couple standing at the altar decorated with flowers similar to the ones used in the real Swift-Kelce engagement setting in Kelce’s Leawood backyard.
There’s the bride walking down the aisle, and standing in front of a mirror applying her red lipstick. There’s the hunky groom leaning over his bride in a classic Hollywood kiss at the altar and carrying her the train of her dress as she walks up a flight of stairs.
“Inspired by the couple that made Kansas City the main character,” says the Instagram post by Kansas City wedding photographer Tania Olah of Visuals by Tania.
Olah and Melrose Abbey co-owner Johnny Youssef served as wedding planners. The glam squad consisted of Hair By Ezoza and Posh KC. The dress came from @stephaniesbridalkc; @huesformal provided the tux.
And that Kelce lookalike was a newcomer on the local tribute artist scene — Clay Ederer, aka @notquitekelce87.
“I wanted to do this shoot because it was a fun way to shine a light on some incredible local businesses,” said Thrasher.
“My friend Johnny renovated Melrose Abbey, which is now a stunning wedding venue, and my mom’s floral business, Fussie Mussie’s, run by Diane Kovich and Sue Wohler who’ve been doing weddings together for 15 years, is home to some of the most talented florists around.
“I was also recently introduced to a Travis Kelce lookalike through a mutual friend, and this shoot was the perfect chance to launch his page, @notquitekelce87.
“I get asked constantly during football season if I have a TK lookalike available for events, and now I finally do.”
Here’s hoping the real Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce had better luck than their lookalikes, who ended up having to rescue Thrasher’s bridal veil when a stiff wind came along.
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