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Marlena and Adam

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Marlena and Adam’s mutual friend Tiffany had tried to set them up for years. Marlena had even given Adam her number years before in a bar, but she never returned his missed call. Tiffany finally held Adam hostage one night so they could have a real conversation, and they hit it off instantly.

Marlena (Hayes) Lichtenauer, 35, is a former spinster at heart who accidentally fell hopelessly in love with Adam. Her background is in theatre, journalism and audio production, and she’s an unapologetic booze slinger (bartender) by trade. “I’m not everybody’s cup of tea, but then again, who would ever want to be that bland of a flavor?” she laughs.

Adam Lichtenauer, 34, lives for music. He majored in audio production, and he is the drummer for the KC metal band Moiré plus serving as an audio engineer for The Riot Room and Aftershock Live Music Venue. “I love metal. I love all music, but not like how I love metal,” Adam confides.

Tiffany also nominated Marlena and Adam for The Vow Exchange’s contest to select Kansas City’s Most Deserving Couple. “The Kansas City wedding business community is a group of passionate and hardworking local business owners,” explains Kathryn Hogan, owner of The Vow Exchange. “We all work together to help really nice people in our community celebrate the happiest day of their lives. The heart of this contest was to find that couple whose life together has been held up by life. Adam and Marlena have been stuck in limbo, ready to start their married life, but they couldn’t seem to catch a break through lost jobs, lost homes and even lost loved ones.”

“We were engaged, but Adam proposed again three days after we were voted Kansas City’s Most Deserving Couple,” recalls Marlena.” It was on our ten-year anniversary at sunset at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Modern Art, a place that we have both loved since our childhood and where we still have picnics regularly.”

The blissful couple tied the knot October 8, 2016, at The Vow Exchange. Marlena’s Maid of Honor was her sister, Gabrielle Radford, and her bridesmaid was her best friend, Tiffany Sharp. Adam’s Best Men were his brother, David Lichtenauer, and friend, Chris Gurtin. The bride was resplendent in a strapless, fit-and-flare gown with a sweetheart neckline and lace overlay, embellished with buttons down the back. Guests enjoyed an autumn tea in the stunning farmhouse chic candle-lit venue prior to the processional, during which Marlena was escorted down the aisle by her brother. The ceremony was officiated by their friend Brian Griffiths and included personalized vows.

The reception at Affäre Restaurant was set with dramatic indoor and outdoor lighting by Platinum KC. Contemporary German food was served throughout the evening with a variety of wines. The outdoor patio, with the feel of a European garden, was the perfect place for guests to gather and enjoy the evening. Hitched Planning + Floral created stunning floral arrangements and coordinated with 3 Women and an Oven to adorn the bride’s cake with fresh flowers in the wedding theme.

“Everyone who helped with our wedding day made our dreams come true,” Marlena shares. “Teddi Hernandez and Kathryn Hogan have been such a blessing to us, and we would have been lost without them. Our officiant, Brian Griffiths, always had our backs, and the staff at Aftershock threw us a great afterparty.

“Our bosses sent us on a haunted mini honeymoon in Arkansas, although we will take our official honeymoon to San Juan, Puerto Rico, in February 2017,” Marlena continues. “It has been such an honor to be voted Kansas City’s Most Deserving Couple. We couldn’t possibly feel more loved!” ■