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Chic Black and White Wedding with Lavish Floral Designs


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White, Ivory, and Black

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Jeff and Paola’s wedding was impeccably designed with one of Indiana’s most in-demand wedding planners, Blue Llama Events. Their vendor team collaborated to bring to life a chic, upscale, yet timeless wedding with intentionality and artistry. The statement of the wedding was the abundance of lux florals, designed by Sima Patel. The black and white paper suite against the accented gold chairs and place settings kept this wedding glamorous yet visually interesting. Our bride wanted a simple floral bouquet as to keep her hand-sown crystal gown a focal piece when walking down the mirrored aisle.

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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]Our bride’s wedding gown was adorned with hand-sewn Swarvoski crystals. She wanted a fitted look to compliment the timeless Hollywood glamour of her hair and makeup.[/field]
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Kahn’s Catering provided a delectable three-course meal for the guests that included roasted chicken or Caribbean corvina, stuffed sweet bell pepper, and their signature garden salad.

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Newfields Gardens location in Indianapolis, Indiana was the perfect location for our celebrity bride and groom. Luscious white and ivory florals adorned every corner of Deer Zink reception space. Elaborate and delicate centerpieces wowed our bride as well as their guests. The sweetheart table was handmade with a variety of florals, namely orchids. Our ceremony aisle was mirrored and lined with thousands of flowers for a truly classic statement piece. Acrylic ghost chairs for the family and friends to be seated against the Lilly Mansion at Newfields made for a timeless, yet modern and chic ceremony setup. Pickle Prints designed an extravagant seating chart that included it’s own lighting setup and floral arrangements for the guests to gaze upon during cocktail hour. Additionally, the black and white table menus were perfectly designed to fit behind the glass chargers for a unique place setting.

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Carmel Classic Cakes made a statement cake for the Teague’s. Mult-tiered, adorned with orchids, and delicately designed with gold touches and their monogram.

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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]The reception was high energy with DJ Rican’s spins, and a surprise Mariachi band, in honor of our bride’s father. The bride and her father danced together to the touching music from the live mariachi band and left many guests in happy tears.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]Groom Jeff Teague played for several NBA teams, including the Pacers, Celtics, and Timberwolves.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Jeff and Paola first knew of each other as young kids at school and reconnected as adults.[/field]
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Photography: Aubrey & Brandon Visuals | Cinematography: Greg Buck | Event Planning: Blue Llama Events | Floral Design: Weddings In Style | Cake: Carmel Classic Cakes | Invitations: Pickle Prints | Reception Venue: Indianapolis Museum Of Art | Catering: Kahn's Catering | DJ: DJ Rican | Rentals: Wow Factor Events

How to Pair Old Warm Charm With Modern Elements at Your Micro Wedding

For today’s wedding inspo, we’re sharing the blueprints for pulling off old world charm with a mix of modern elements at your micro wedding – all thanks to Blush and Blossom Events! From a reception dripping in hundred of cascading blooms by Isibeal Studio to a Beauty and the Beast inspired escort display, there’s so much to fall head over heels in love with. To pin your faves, check out the full gallery taken by Molly Carr Photography!

From Blush and Blossom EventsNestled among the trees of the Wellington Neighborhood in Meridian Hills lies a manor fit for a king. “Fox Hill Manor” served as the perfect backdrop for this intimate micro wedding inspiration shoot. Organic, romantic, and minimal were the words used by Blush and Blossom Events to describe the vision for this shoot, which was a nod to old world charm with modern elements. We wanted to create an ethereal, dream-like setting, reminiscent of an old English garden, overflowing with lush florals. The end result was simply breathtaking. 

The bride was a vision in not only one, but two Watters gowns- one worn for the ceremony and the other for the reception. The romantic floral color palette highlighted the blush Watters gown worn by our model, Natalia. The neutral florals were exquisitely designed by Isibeal Studio to enhance the private estate’s natural landscape while also paying homage to the last little bits of summer hanging on. 

One of my favorite details from the shoot was the invitation suite accompanied by a love letter written from the groom to the bride, crafted by Every Little Letter. To create truly beautiful heirloom images of the invitation suite, we always recommend hiring a stylist to create the flat lay for the photographer. Isibeal Studio served as a creative director and stylist designing a stunning flat lay filled with florals to accent the handwritten note. Guest experience was of utmost importance in designing this petite celebration. 

As more brides and grooms are having to pare down their wedding guest count, this can consequently result in more intentional and personal wedding details. Guests were welcomed with a charming escort display of handmade paperie and fresh blooms positioned underneath glass cloches. Hundreds of flowers cascaded down and around the newlyweds and guests as they dined al fresco, as well as served as the luxe backdrop for the cakes. Every intricate detail on the tablescape, from the wax seal place cards and vellum menus, down to the laurel leaf gold chargers, was to create more texture in the tablescape and in turn, more visual interest. Fine art wedding photographer Molly Carr captured the enchanted setting with perfection.

Photography: Molly Carr Photography | Cakes: Brian Oliver | Invitations: Every Little Something | Shoes: Bella Belle | Makeup: OVA Beauty | Hair: Megan E. Grimm | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Candle Holders and Candles: The Floral Society | Female Model: Isaiah Brock | Florals, Design, & Styling: Autumn Keller | Jeweler: Petite G Jewelers | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Male Model: Isaiah Brock | Planning, Design, & Styling: Blush & Blossom Events | Private Estate: Fox Hill Manor | Rentals: Violet Vintage | Rentals: Courtney Inghram Florals | Rentals & Draping: Atmospheres Indy | Ring Box: Voeu Du Coeur | Wedding Gowns: Nancy's Bridal Boutique

Inside The House of House Seven Design

If you aren’t following House Seven Design on Instagram run, don’t walk, to your phone and hit that follow button! The couple, Anissa and Brian, officially launched House Seven Design two years ago in Indianapolis, IN. Anissa spends her time focusing on interior styling, while Brian handles residential remodeling projects. Their design style is aspirational, but doable. Everything looks fabulously styled while still feeling like the space is livable for a family (we are so here for that!). We sat down with Anissa to chat about her family’s own home, and their business! Prepare for serious design inspo below.

Take us through your home, what was your vision when designing the space?

This house is actually our eighth home! We loved this particular neighborhood and found this house on the market. The house was not great, it was a real bachelor pad and not a family home. So, going into it, we knew it was going to be a gut job. The started construction on the main areas of the home prior to moving it. Brian and I both knew this was going to be the home where we would raise our family, so it was exciting to create what we wanted. I always find new projects around the house which is fun, but it’s also daunting at the same time. As of now we have been in the house for 2 1/2 years and there is still work to be done!



What is your favorite room in the house and where do you spend the most time?

What, if any, were some of the challenges with bringing your vision to life?

There were so many challenges when it came to this house! As I mentioned, it was very much a bachelor pad – it was also an eighty-year-old house. The previous owners had a wet bar with neon lights, the kitchen wasn’t great, and my biggest pet peeve was there was no entry way. You walked into the house and were immediately in the living room. I think it’s important to gradually enter a space, especially when you have kids, you need a place to take off your shoes etc.! One of my first projects was creating a real entryway which we did by adding a wall and creating a vocal point. This switches up your focus by bringing attention to the stairway and console table. It was also important to get rid of the wet bar, which with three young daughters was the last thing we needed in the house. We turned this space into a fun hang out area for the girls.

This is your eighth home! What were you looking for when you purchased this house?

We were really looking for a long-term home in a great neighborhood. Even though we knew this house was going to be a huge project, we were able to really create a home that worked for us not only decor wise, but with renovations as well.

For someone looking to revamp their home one room at a time, where would you start?

Definitely start with the kitchen! A good kitchen in working order is so important. The kitchen is always a place where people hang out, whether you have kids, or you are entertaining, everyone always flocks to the kitchen.


Another important space – the bathroom! It doesn’t matter which bathroom it is, but make sure you have one great bathroom.

What are a few design staples people should invest in (i.e. a great coffee table, statement lighting etc.)?

A good sofa – one hundred percent! A good sofa makes such a huge difference. In my business I have the luxury of trying out so many different furniture options and I think it’s really important. After the kitchen, the living room is probably where you will spend most of your time, and that time will be spent curled up on the couch. I would suggest investing in a good sofa like one from Rove Concepts, and then using less expensive pieces from World Market, or Target, to decorate around it. Not only is comfort important but if you have a ratty looking sofa it will make the whole room look messy. Look for quality and comfort!


What has been more challenging, designing your own home, or creating spaces for your clients?

Working on my own home is so much harder – hands down! When working with clients, I am very decisive, I know what I want to do, and I can explain why. Because I am constantly looking and new products and finding new sources of inspiration it’s hard to narrow things down for myself – there is so much great stuff out there! Sometimes it’s challenging to not want to change things or add a little something new. For both myself and my clients I really try to design for longevity, which is one of the reasons I gravitate towards so many neutral pieces. 
Social media also makes it hard. We share so much of our home on Instagram and that puts pressure on making sure everything looks perfect. The constant challenge of Instagram vs. Reality!



Your current portfolio is stunning! Do you have big plans for expanding House Seven Design?

I would love to expand in the future! We are still such a young company so everything we are doing is still so fresh and exciting. It didn’t even feel like it was a business until my husband, Brian, came on and we began offering build out projects in addition to design services. Who knows what the future will bring, we have a great thing going right now!

It seems like you and Brian are a great team! Do you both work on everything together? Or do you focus on different aspects of the business?

Our business encompasses build services and design services, so although we are one business it is also very separate. Brian spends most of his time on job sites where he handles remodels and build projects. He is a general contractor, so he is responsible for pulling all those pieces together. For remodels, I work with the client to come up with a vision and then he makes that happen! I also work with clients solely on design projects that don’t involve Brian, so it depends on the client.


Do you work with clients all over the country, or do you stay local?

Right now, we are mostly local which keeps us super busy! We get a ton of inquiries from people on the West Coast but unfortunately, we don’t have the resources at this time. However, we do offer e-design projects which is fun and allows us to work with clients on design projects all over the country.

 

Do your daughters have interest in design and following in her parent’s footsteps?

Our girls are 13, 11, and 5, and they all have very different interests! Our oldest wants to be a vet, our 11-year-old is such a free spirit and has all kinds of interests, but our 5-year-old says she wants to be just like mom and dad! She will make comments about certain things in a home and how she would do things differently. But who knows!

Photography: House Seven Design | Interior Design: House Seven Design

Organic and Elegant Laurel Hall Wedding

Weddings like this make my heart happy. For these two triathletes their Big Day was an ode to nature, and naturally with April Foster Events behind the scenes it was extraordinary. Guests gathered for terrace cocktails and merriment underneath twinkling lights while the Bride donned a delicate J P Parker floral crown. Every moment captured by Megan W Photography is pure wedding bliss and we can relive it all right here.

From The Bride…Mitch and I have a somewhat unique story of how we met. We were both at a triathlon (I signed up to compete last minute while I was home from school, and he was reminded the night before that he had agreed to cheer on a friend at this particular race). As fate would have it, he noticed me during the race, and I asked to meet him for coffee. Mitch and I have a shared love of exploring and adventuring, especially in the great outdoors, and when we began planning the wedding, our undeniable love of nature had to be in all our wedding details.

Every piece of this wedding was lovingly thought out. I found an artist on Etsy who helped me custom design our wedding invitations with watercolor. We chose to have the ceremony and reception at the breathtakingly beautiful Laurel Hall, a tree-covered property nestled right in the middle of Indianapolis, Indiana. I knew I had found my dress the minute I put it on – classic and timeless, with a hint of early 1960s glamour. Bridesmaid dresses were found on BHLDN, and perfectly complemented my gown. Friends helped create signage and programs, and streamers were hand-made to celebrate us down the aisle. And when it came to photographing our day, a lot of care was put into hiring an amazing photographer. We are so happy with Megan Wynn’s eye for beauty and her ability to capture our day.

Not long after we had booked the venue, Mitch and I made the decision to move to Portland, Oregon. Instantly, the mood of the wedding changed when we realized this was going to be more of a homecoming celebration. Our wedding was going to be the first opportunity in months to spend time with family and friends since our move across the country, and we wanted to have lots of liveliness, merriment, hugs, and stories to catch up on.

Mitch and I love the wilderness (much of the reason why we’ve always dreamed of ending up in the Pacific Northwest), and we knew we wanted to weave our love of forests and sunshine into the day. Details were left very natural – raw wood, greenery, mismatched crystal glasses, simple lights strung up on the terrace that were reminiscent of stars.

The ceremony was sweet and simple. Guests sat in mis-matched wood chairs, and sang our favorite hymns. Mitch’s dad married us (he also happened to make the weathered wood arbor), and I received the wedding ring worn by my great-grandmother. John Muir quotes were read, and we walked down the aisle as newly-weds to the sounds of a fiddle, guitar, and cello.

Dinner was held on Laurel Hall’s terrace, right before dusk. Guests enjoyed grown-up food stations (pasta, tacos, and sliders), local craft beer, as well as milk and homemade cookies from old family recipes. The evening continued with dancing to the sounds of an eight-piece band just inside from the star-lit backyard.

This was the most lovely day of my life; being married to my best friend has turned out to be even sweeter than the buttercream frosting layered between our unembellished wedding cake.

Photography: Megan W Photography | Wedding Planner: April Foster Events | Floral Design: J.P. Parker | Wedding Dress: Raimon Bundo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Makeup: The Makeup Studio By Danielle Wilson | Hair: Terra Salon | Groom's Attire: Raimon Bundo | Venue: Laurel Hall | Decor: Violet Vintage | Photography Assistant: Melody Carpenter

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Romantic Garden Style Barn Wedding

When the Bride’s family owns and operates Mustard Seed Gardens you know that her wedding day will be filled with all sorts of magic, especially with Bobbi+mike behind the lens and Rewind Documentaries behind the camera. Lori Solomon – Boldly Chic Events spared no darling detail, like those perfectly pink blooms by Design Group and that sweetheart cake by The Topping that deserve a second look here.

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Colors
Styles
Vintage

From The Bride…My family has owned Mustard Seed Gardens for the past 9 years, so our choice in venue was never a question. Originally a property for us to accommodate another business, MSG has, in most recent years, molded into one of the premier wedding venues in Indianapolis. Working hand and hand with virtually every bride we accompany, needless to say, not only have I see many weddings, but I’ve also seen a plethora of ideas. Choosing the ceremony and reception site was easy, picking a style, theme, and an inspiration that I hadn’t seen before…now that was the tricky part!

Due to a large number of guests which would simply make our Olde Barn too crowded for a reception, we knew right away we would be having a barn ceremony, with an outdoor reception, (originally slated to be under our canopy of lights, finally settling on a tent due to weather, which I will touch on shortly). Inside the Olde Barn, beautifully crafted from the 19th century, you can see exposed beams from the original structure which hold everything in place. There had been ceremonies in the barn before, so we again faced the challenge of finding something authentic. In came the idea of our “big reveal” room. A small enclosure, only 4×5 feet, at the rear of the barn, which I sat prior to the ceremony. Blending in to the existing framework, I don’t think any guest realized, that the woman of the hour had literally been sitting in there, awaiting the special moment while they filtered past, hurrying to their respective seats. The room was flanked on each side of the doorway by two, 4 foot tall vases which houses a massive display of flowers. Maybe the only indication of my presence behind those doors. The “reveal room” for lack of a better term, was my father’s idea. A symbolic idea for which he would walk down the aisle during the ceremony and open the doors to a waiting daughter. The moment couldn’t have been more perfect. Aside from the ‘reveal room’ we wanted our primary focus to be at the altar. An old ladder hung above our heads as we stood facing each other. Draped with flowers, greenery, and various candles, created a beautiful scene at the altar. The hanging ladder was nothing new to our property, but the way in which our florist designed it, left no detail and amount of elegance to be desired. Behind us and our pastor sat a vintage table topped with a gorgeous centerpiece of flowers, as well as a gold platter which held a single glass of wine and a small loaf of bread. My husband and I decided that we wanted communion to be the first official moment we spent together.

After the ceremony we made our way to the back part of MSG to take photos. While we took pictures, our guests were able to socialize and enjoy refreshments and hor d’oevres on our newly designed patio area. My family designed the stamped concrete foundation for cocktail hour just weeks before our big day. We placed various vintage wine barrels around this area which were used for the purpose of tables. Topped with a solid glass oval and each housing a beautifully crafted centerpiece.

The flow from the ceremony to our reception was an easy one for our guest. With everything being right there on the grounds, our guests didn’t have to go far to find their way to dinner. Our table arrangements were beautifully etched in cursive font on a vintage mirror. As I mentioned before, our original idea was to have an open air reception outdoors, under a canopy of lights which would be strung high in a tree and spider webbing down, crisscrossing above our guest’s heads. As one can imagine, weather was our only concern. Although our wedding day couldn’t have had better weather, the same cannot be said of the the days prior. Due to the rain earlier in the week we were forced to construct a tent in order to keep the grounds dry. It wasn’t what we originally wanted, but we both can say without a doubt that we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Inside of our tent couldn’t have been more beautiful. Our centerpieces featured various gold vases and gold candelabra’s atop with garden like flowers. During our planning process, we searched the city for vintage pink depression glasses. We found various size vases to use for centerpieces but we also found pink wine glasses which we intermixed with crystal wine glasses to give our tables an eclectic look. We had our menus custom designed which we placed on top of each gold rimmed plate. We tied a pink ribbon around each menu and placed a sprig of willow eucalyptus to add texture and greenery. Our table numbers were made out of acrylic which were tucked nicely into the floral arrangements. We also incorporated framed table numbers to again add to the eclectic look. Each table was very romantic!

We didn’t go your traditional route where the entire wedding party sits together. Many of our groups had spouses and children, we felt it more of a convenience to sit near or with their family. So a small sweetheart table was the primary focus and the place in which we sat. Atop our table sat our sweetheart cake and a massive display of flowers that began in a large cluster on top and cascaded off the edge down to the ground. Mixed with flowers matching the colors of our wedding, the centerpiece was astonishing. We also sat in two large wing-backed chairs which made for a unique and cozy seat option.

Dinner was served and our meal was presented first. First came a refreshing spinach, strawberry and candied walnut salad with a strawberry champagne vinaigrette followed by the main course, a duo of Filet Mignon and chicken with a smoked Gouda and potato side along with some asparagus. After dinner our guests were able to enjoy various desserts. We chose small pie shooters which were gooey, crumbly creations housed in a shot glass and accompanied by a very small spoon. Miniature cupcakes and small macarons also were incorporated, each consisting of our favorite flavors and colors of our wedding, blush and gold. Next to our dessert station was a self-serve coffee bar. A large metal “tree”, (for a lack of better terms) held each mug for guests to better serve themselves. Guest could choose between regular and decaf coffee, as well as choose between varieties of flavored creamers which we placed in vintage milk bottles.

Music and dancing, laughter and singing all could be seen and heard for the remaining few hours of the reception. One particular detail that we decided was an absolute must was the presence of a late night snack for our remaining party goers. A hard menu decision for us, we finally settled on miniature cheeseburger sliders with a self-serve condiment station.

Time was drawing to a close, but not before a little surprise for my husband. I arranged for a small sitting area to be set up, just outside the tent and snack station, under the canopy of light which hung from the trees. The sitting area would be a spot where the remaining guests could each enjoy a cigar. As we looked back at the evening, we both agreed that, even though the night was inevitably drawing to a close, the time sitting at the cigar bar was one of the more special moments of the entire evening. We were finally able to relax, and enjoy a special moment with a small group of close friends and family that had remained till the end.

Sadly, our send off. A bitter sweet moment it was. Happy to be beginning the journey of our lives together, but sad to end the celebration. Having coordinated several weddings on our property, I had been accustom to a number of send-off techniques. But we wanted something we hadn’t seen before. After many hours scouring the web, I found candle lit balloons. The balloons housed a small LED light which made the sphere glow a softly that was truly remarkable at night.

Photography: bobbi+mike | Videographer: Rewind Documentaries | Coordination: Lori Solomon - Boldly Chic Events | Florist: Design Group | Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia | Cake: The Topping | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Mills Catering | Makeup: La Dolce Salon And Spa | Hair: La Dolce Salon And Spa | DJ: Event One DJs | Suit: J.Crew | Groomsmen's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Officiant: Mark Wright Hazel Dell Christian Church | Bridesmaids' Dress Shop: Bella Bridesmaid | Ceremony And Reception Venue: Mustard Seed Gardens | Dress Shop: The Wedding Studio | Papery: Interprintations | Rentals: A Classic Party Rental

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
DIY Indianapolis Wedding

A true labor of love, this DIY wedding is filled to the brim with sweet details dreamt up by this super talented (and gorgeous) Bride that will leave you swooning. There are honestly too many steal-worthy touches to list and this couples’ love just seems to come right through the screen – so this gorgeous gallery from Lemongrass Photography? It’s just as good as they get.


From Lemongrass PhotographyLyndsay and Aaron were blessed a beautiful sunny day at the end of November. The day was perfect and they spent the whole Thanksgiving weekend surround by friends and family, to celebrate their new family. Lyndsay did everything to prepare for the day, from designing the stage, to dipping hundreds of glass vases in gold paint, right down to fancy name tags that hung on each bridesmaids gown. It was truly a labor of love. The ceremony was beautiful, with a family member initiating the ceremony and the members of Lydnsay’s band playing along side. They finished the day with a lovely cocktail hour and amazing reception. The details were unbelievable and the atmosphere was full of love and laughter.

Photography: Lemongrass Photography Jessica Limeberry | Ceremony Venue: Indiana State House | Reception Venue: JW Marriott | Hair Stylist: Change It Up Salon, Stephanie Whitton | DJ: Krisa Lee, TLW Entertainment | Ceremony Coordinator, Indiana State House: Indiana State House | Dessert: Tanya At Heavenly Sweets | Event Manager, JW Marriot: JW Marriott | Florist And Decorating Coordinator: Josh Bryant | Makeup Stylist: True Colors Salon Rebecca Shorter | Trolly Transportation: Miller Transportation | Wedding Ceremony Coordinator: Indiana State House

French Inspired Garden Tea Party Wedding at Laurel Hall

It’s never lost on me how incredibly lucky I am to be able to share love stories like this one day in and day out. It’s a wonderful honor to showcase such an important day on our site, and when Autumn Keller is showering the soiree with gorgeous florals and Eric Houghtalen was behind the design helm I feel like we hit the wedding jackpot. And when Conforti Photography is behind the lens to capture it all, I know we have. See why here


From Eric HoughtalenI first encountered the newly engaged couple during our first meeting in March 2014. This was the first opportunity to discuss all the details, hopes and dreams for their special day. They brought with them a huge perfectly organized binder already full of ideas and inspirational photos. Witnessing Amanda and Leslie interact was like watching a fairytale storybook romance unfurl before my eyes. The room filled with the true love they had for one another. Ideas were discussed and the shear volume of excitement took over the quietness of my office. I’ll never forget how amazingly the three of us instantly clicked. The moment the meeting ended and they left my office, I said to my manager- without doubt or hesitation, ” Whatever it takes, I AM going to do this wedding and do it right!”

I was aware the girls were comparison shopping for everything including catering and my role as event planner. I wasn’t going to allow anyone to take this opportunity away from me. So after a couple months of numerous phone calls, number crunching and proposals, I got an email and phone call confirming they had selected me as their planner. I was so honored and overjoyed by their decision I could barely contain my emotions.

Once the initial contract formalities were complete, the real fun began. Of course the process had many challenges. First, Amanda was accepted to law school and moved from Indiana to Austin, TX. Thus our face to face meetings soon became hour long phone conversations and very long email threads. Second, Due to all the specify details, Scheduling trips home become very delicate and time sensitive. The girls had to fly or drive back to Indiana for the menu tastings, linen selections, decor shopping, floral and decor consultations, design work, dress fittings etc. The planning process definitely had it’s wealth of stress and plethora of freak out moments. I am glad we were all able to keep each other sane and no one got hurt along the way.

Lastly, as with any wedding the dreaded budget kept becoming a thorn in our sides. The biggest concern was how to achieve their goal without compromising the overall vision. Through my close relationship with vendors and their bargain shopping skills the wedding started to finally seemed logistical and on budget . After hundreds of hours and over 18 months of designing/planning the wedding weekend finally arrived.

Installation and Setup at Laurel Hall took two full days. I know everyone involved was taken back and overwhelmed by the shear beauty of the transformation of the venue. Specifically, the beautiful florals provided by Autumn brought some to tears and personally gave me goosebumps. The weather forecast was a slight concern but alas, all we had was high humidity, 88 degrees and a perfectly sunny sky. The romantic ceremony was set in the garden. The cocktail hour in the solarium was filled with the sounds of joy as the talented string duo continued playing custom arranged music. Guests gathered in the grand foyer for the announcing of the bridal party. As guests applauded and cheered, Amanda and Leslie made their entrance down the elaborate grand staircase. Guests were ushered into dinner and engulfed by the feminine and regal decor. Shades of pink linens and lighting including dusty rose, ballet slipper and blush instantly gave the room a romantic elegance. The table settings included vintage china, gold flatware and napkins rolled into a rose. Guests dined on the fine cuisine from Hoaglin Catering. Dinner was followed by the cake cutting, dessert boutique, many heartfelt toasts, dancing and a late night food station. Upon conclusion, the brides were treated to one last surprise – a pink sparkler send off and a 1938 Cadillac to wisp them away into the night.

From Autumn KellerThe girls came to me initially with a distinct vision; French Rococo Tea Party. The feminine feel that they wanted included dainty, gilded flourishes, touches of lace, floral china, shades of soft pinks and gentle blushes with hints of gold. The floral arrangements that we dreamed up we wanted to have a refined garden look; gentle, graceful and lush, almost reminiscent of a Watteau painting.

From The Brides…For a month, a mutual friend of ours had been adamant that we meet because “we’d be perfect for each other.” He couldn’t have been more right. We had an irresistible connection that made us hate to be away from one another. From the moment we started dating, we were inseparable and haven’t spent a night apart in 3 years.

I (Amanda) knew within the first week of meeting Leslie that she was who I wanted to spend forever with. The first time Leslie ever said out loud that she was going to marry me was at the grocery store about a month after we met: when we discovered that we both like to put hot dogs in our Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Leslie proposed in February of 2012 and we set our wedding date for the summer of 2014. We both wanted everything to be perfect, so we wanted LOTS of time to plan.

We’re both very girly and over-the-top, and we wanted our wedding to be the essence of femininity. Most brides have to be mindful of how girly their wedding gets; almost no one gets to have a wedding that is all pink, lace, and flowers! We really wanted people to come to our wedding and say “This is so them!”

Photography: Conforti Photography | Videography: Daniel Dodd | Event Designer: Eric Houghtalen | Floral Design: Autumn Keller | Wedding Dress: Bridal Superstore By Posie Patch | Wedding Dress: Brides by Demetrios | Cake: Heavenly Sweets | Reception Venue: Laurel Hall | Bride's Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Bride's Shoes: Betsey Johnson | Rings: Distinctive Diamonds | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Etsy | Catering: Hoaglin | Hair And Makeup: Krystal Moore | DJ: Event One DJs | Mens Attire: Express | China: Violet Vintage | Confections: Circle City Sweets | Cookies: Vanilla Bean Bakery | Earrings: Etsy | Headpiece: Brides by Demetrios | Linens: Linen Hero | Men's Ascots: Elegant Ascots | Photography - Assistance: Jackie Santana Photography | Rentals: A Classic Party Rental | Strings: Hershberger Studio

Downton Abbey Styled Shoot from Stacy Able

To be honest, I feel like I’ve been living under a rock having NOT yet seen a full episode of Downton Abbey. Don’t get me wrong — I get the gist, but when amazing vendors like Stacy Able and Jama Finney start planning entire shoots around the show, you know you’re a officially out of the TV loop. Soooo, besides binge watching the last four seasons to play catch up, my week will be spent curled up in this gorgeous gallery of Downton-style pretty. Find it all here.

Colors
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Museum
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From Stacy Able… This wedding inspiration shoot took place on a rainy afternoon at the Indianapolis Museum of Art in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is proof you can pull together a sophisticated event just about anywhere even during Indiana’s infamous unpredictable weather. Stacy Able Photography, Detail + Design, and Cake Zen came up with the concept of the shoot. Inspiration was taken from Downton Abbey and Great Gatsby with a color palette of emerald green, gold, mints, blush, and ivory. The palette blended seamlessly with the 1920’s style gowns from Blue House Bridal and the classic tux from DC’s Tux.

The goal of this shoot was to reflect old world elegance in a clean, classic, and timeless way. To achieve that look, Stacy Able shot a majority of the images with medium formal film. Then by adding touches of elegance with vintage china, soft peach and pink florals, and gold jewelry from Gthrapp the end result was a modern wedding with touches of old world charm and sophistication. Fresh white Peonies from Claudia’s Florabunda and roses from Detail and Design formed a glamorous feel to the table, along with the heirloom lace linens and crystal. The chairs and centerpieces helped to pull the scene together, along with the many handmade desserts and open face sandwiches.

The invitations by Posh and Polish were the definition of vintage chic, utilizing floral details and elegant fonts topped off with lettering by Calligraphy with TLC. Modern studded Valentinos from Indianapolis’s Saks Fifth Avenue were utilized to give a tiny touch of mystery and opulence. The emerald wedding ring and heirloom gold jewelry pieces paid homage to the pantone color of the year and added the touch of sparkle every bride dreams of. This elegant shoot came together marvelously due to the synergy of Indianapolis finest wedding vendors.

Invitations: Nikki Pulfer | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Jewelry: Gthrapp Jewelers | Makeup: Leslie White | Hair: Morgan Wright | Calligraphy: Calligraphy with TLC | Bridal Bouquet: Gina Martin | Cake + Co-Stylist: Jama Finney | Desserts: Bake Sweet | Lace Cape: Emily Riggs | Models: BMG Chicago | Photography - Assistance: Audra Stam | Photography/Concept/Stylist: Stacy Able Photography | Second Pair Shoes: Valentino

Indianapolis Wedding at The Rathskeller from Studio Rebekah Photography

I love this bride. I love her confidence. And I love that she knows exactly what she wants. I think that is so important when planning a wedding, to be you and do what makes you happy. Wear a red dress, don’t have a set color palette and book a fabulous biergarten like The Rathskeller for your venue. That’s exactly what these two did and there’s no doubt that the photos from Studio Rebekah Photography say it all. See the whole fun day right here in the gallery.

From the Bride… With both Colin and I being actors, I’m sure many people expected us to have a theatre or movie star-themed wedding, but much like the crazy inner workings of my mind, that just didn’t seem splendid enough! From the get-go, we only knew we wanted a few basic things: lots of friends and family, lots of laughter, lots of food and beverage, and lots of love. Having a lively, community-oriented celebration reminiscent of old world nuptials was the main image in our heads. (Oh, and the red dress, of course!) Honestly, being cocooned in a nest of our loved ones and making sure everyone would feel comfortable and have fun were our only true concerns. We figured the rest would fall into place.

Out of budgetary necessity, nearly the entire wedding took shape via DIY projects and group efforts that utilized the special talents and skills of our family and friends.

I designed our invitations, save-the-dates, menu cards, and program fans using basic computer programs. The mother of one of my childhood best friends owns a floral shop in Broad Ripple Village in Indianapolis called Bokay Florist. She did an AMAZING job on our flowers. My mom, mother-in-law, and I spent the months before searching thrift stores for various red, amber, and turquoise glass vases and jars to make colorful floral tablescapes. My bridal bouquet was constructed from various brooches – both new and heirloom – given to me by the women in my family. My grandma and great aunt assembled the entire bouquet and shipped it to the florist who added three yellow roses in memory of my maternal grandma.

Rebekah Albaugh of Studio Rebekah Photography was my brother’s wedding photographer in 2011. I was thrilled when my brother and sister-in-law surprised me by hiring her again as a gift to Colin and I on our wedding day! She did an absolutely amazing job on our stunning wedding photos. Literally everyone who sees them asks who our photographer was, and we promptly give them the referral.

DJ Greg Griffin is a good friend of mine from graduate school who studied theatrical lighting and sound. He provided all of our sound and DJ services as a wedding gift.

During the process, it was often difficult to explain our wedding “design” to vendors and the like. We never chose colors or had a formal rehearsal of the ceremony. Our first dance was a goofy, improvised routine of tomfoolery.

I searched high and low in Chicago and Indianapolis for the perfect venue. We wanted outdoors, not too formal, cheerful, big, a one-stop shop for both the ceremony and reception, and all on a budget-friendly tab. After what seemed like an eternity searching, my parents, maid of honor, and I visited The Rathskeller in Indianapolis. We booked the biergarten almost immediately. It had the perfect feel for our festive celebration. Not many weddings had been done in this space, so it felt like having a blank canvas for my less-than-traditional tendencies, which was great. It was perfect. Absolutely perfect. A gorgeous day under blue skies and a beautiful evening under the stars. I couldn’t have asked for a better backdrop for the best day ever.

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Wedding Photography: Rebekah Albaugh from Studio Rebekah Photography | Wedding Venue: The Rathskeller in Indianapolis, Indiana | Floral Design: Bo Kay Florist | Pies: Boyden’s Bakery | DJ: Greg Griffin from P&M Sound | Wedding Stationery: Paper Source | Wedding Dress: Dame Couture | Bride’s Head Piece: Emilliner | Groom’s Attire: Nordstrom Rack

Indianapolis Wedding at Coxhall Gardens from Lucky Heart Photography

We always get a little giddy around SMP HQ when one of our own ties the knot. We become like a bevy of faux bridesmaids oohing and awwing over the newest Mrs. in our crew. Today we get to do just that for one of our darling as they come LBB sales sweethearts, and her walk down the aisle to say I do to her handsome hubby definitely deserves a station ovation. So stand we shall – here’s to a lifetime of love and happiness from all of us at SMP! xoxo…See so much more from Lucky Heart Photography right here!

From the Bride… For my wedding, I worked with the most amazing vendors to get the exact elegant and classic wedding I have always wanted. My vision was to have a mixture of blue  and purple with an accent of champagne to create a beautiful, garden-like outdoor wedding. I could not have done this without my amazing florist (Bo Kay Florist), who inspired me in the first place and created all the decorations, as well as my amazing photographer who captured each moment. I wanted everything to look soft and classical with beautiful big hydrangea bouquets and lavender Chinese lanterns. The photographer was able to capture everything I wanted to remember, especially all the details that I worked so hard on putting together. The flowers, cake, butterfly place cards and menus were shown beautifully. I am usually very picky when it comes to photos of myself, and I was so happy and relieved when I saw my wedding photos and how accurately they showed how beautiful the day was and how happy we are. It really was the perfect day.

Wedding Photography: Lucky Heart Photography / Wedding Venue: Coxhall Gardens in Carmel, Indiana / Floral Design: Bo Kay Florist / Event Coordination: Ritz Charles / Catering + Wedding Cake: Ritz Charles / Wedding Stationery: Etsy / Wedding Dress: Robert Bullock / Bride’s Shoes: Glint via Nordstrom / Makeup: Makeup by Sparkle / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale / Men’s Suits: Jos. A. Bank

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Indianapolis Wedding at Poplar Ridge Stables by Lauren Wakefield Photography

I really can’t figure out what charms my heart most in this down on the farm fête captured by Lauren Wakefield Photography, but I suppose that’s because the entire thing is so darn darling. From the tutu-wearing flower girls to the peanut butter and jelly bar (delish) to the Bride that donned a bit of denim post ceremony – it’s easy to see why we needed to share this one with you. But if you look close, you’ll realize the best detail of all is the love between this new duo – and in our eyes that’s the best thing since sliced bread…See it all here!


From the Bride… When we got engaged, we were blessed to have people around us offer help and services. We knew we would be on a tight budget, and the first gift we were given was the offer of allowing us to marry at the home of a good friend. We jumped at the chance. We knew the barn on property was beautiful, and the price was right. From there, inspiration flowed. We knew we wanted people to feel comfortable, almost like there were in our home; we wanted it to be light, fun and personal. A lot of the decorations came from our home: suitcases, vintage cameras from my collection, ball jars from his. Both of my grandparents had passed away — my grandmother at the end of last year. It was important to me to recognize them throughout the reception. Their last name was Hoots, so I placed owls at the head table and entry. It gave me an inner smile whenever I’d catch one out of the corner of my eye. We did most of the detail work ourselves but had mini army of women pitch in to hunt flea markets, vintage stores and Goodwill, ultimately finding us our 200 mismatched plates for the reception. 

We knew that because we were getting married on a Sunday that we wanted families to feel comfortable bringing their children. As a result, we set up a peanut butter and jelly station with Wonder bread and cookie cutters. It was a big hit, though I honestly believe the adults were the guests who enjoyed it most! A lot of inspiration came from browsing wedding sites, like Style Me Pretty, Etsy and Pinterest. However did we marry before the internet?! The details were so fun to create. Instead of a traditional guest book, we utilized an old typewriter and encouraged our guests to write “love notes” to the bride and groom. We used a ton of old barn wood for signs and to hang our table cards. Instead of cake, we did a pie table complete with old china pie stands. Finally, all of the centerpieces were created with love by some of our bridesmaids and family. We ordered flowers from a local grower and used old jars and milk glass to complete the look with burlap table runners. In addition, because there was no traditional photo booth in this barn, we made our own backdrop and I channeled my inner arts and crafts diva to create fun props for our guests to use in these fabulous snapshots.

The entire event was beyond doubt, a magical day for Justin and me. Justin was truly my champion and such a support throughout the entire process. To see the whole event come together was just wonderful. We couldn’t have asked for a better wedding, and I couldn’t have been happier with the end result. As our friend Kate (who officiated the ceremony) said, “They laughed, they cried, they went home happy!” It was perfect.

Wedding Photography: Lauren Wakefield Photography / Wedding Venue: Poplar Ridge Stables in Indianapolis, Indiana (Home of a Friend of the Bride & Groom) / Flowers: Harvest Moon Flower Farm / Catering: Chef Shanna Bilskie / DJ: Ben Action Jackson / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal / Bride’s Boots: Frye / Hair: Salon 01 / Makeup: Danielle Laffey of Perchance Makeup Design

Indianapolis Wedding by Jeffrey McHale + Jessica Strickland Photography

I confess, we went across state lines to bring you this fun, modern Indiana beauty but I promise, when you see the photos by Jessica Strickland Photography and the awesome video by Jeffrey McHale you will totally understand and thank me!  Elegant, stylish details paired with a fun-loving attitude are the makings for a perfect day.  And as the cousin of this drop-dead gorgeous bride puts it “watching this video will remind you that it’s all worth it in the end.”

Get ready to have a little fun!  This film by Jeffrey McHale brings entertainment to a whole new level!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Cousin of the Bride…As a newly engaged bride-to-be, I’m obsessed with SMP! I love looking at pictures of the details, and I am in awe of all the creativity that goes into designing the perfect day. In all honesty, I think I’ve gone a little overboard with the details and I kind of lost sight of the big picture. I feel so blessed to have been pulled back down to Earth last month when I had the honor of being in my cousin’s wedding. Maureen (my beautiful cousin) and Loren (her amazing husband) planned a day of perfection. Not only was it beautifully styled, it reminded me why we have wedding receptions in the first place–for the party! Don’t get me wrong, I love a good picture of a gorgeous place card as much as the next girl, but the celebration of love that took place on May 14, 2011 could not possibly be captured in still photos. I’m so grateful for this video by Jeffrey McHale because I can relive the fun and sheer happiness of the night over and over again. I had to share this amazing video for 2 reasons: 1. It’s just really fun to watch 2. I know there have to be some girls out there in the throes of wedding planning who may be feeling a little overwhelmed by the details (Me!), but watching this video will remind you that it’s all worth it in the end. Happy Styling!

Venue + Catering: Columbia Club / Wedding Cinematographer: Jeffrey McHale / Wedding Photography: Jessica Strickland Photography / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier via Ultimate Bride / Bridesmaid Dresses: Simple Silhouettes via Bella Bridesmaid / Florist: The Empty Vase Indy / Band: Orchestra 33 / Invitations: Westwood Paper Company / Wedding Cake: Heavenly Sweets

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Chicago Inspired Indianapolis Wedding from Kim King Smith Events

This couple wanted a Chicago wedding – in Indianapolis. For such a specific request, they knew they were going to need help. Specifically, in the form of Kim King Smith Events. I am absolutely giddy over the outcome. Kim’s team beautifully transformed a little part of Indy into the Windy City for the day. A classic Chicago-esque wedding in a completely different state! So set aside some time today to soak in all the rich details, from the show stopping venue to the beautiful and ornate florals, to the Only-In-ChicagoCandy Bar. Be prepared to pinch yourself, because, honestly, this wedding really is NOT in Chicago! Click here for more!

When Liz and Eric wanted a Chicago style wedding in Indianapolis, we knew we had to give it to them! The unforgettable day began at the breathtaking Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where their longtime friend and priest conducted the beautiful and touching ceremony. Following the ceremony, the wedding party was whisked away in a Chicago style trolley to downtown Indianapolis for some urban shots. Then off to the gorgeous and grandiose Scottish Rite Cathedral for the reception. The Cathedral is a monumental limestone landmark, similar to many of the cathedrals in downtown Chicago.

The couple were spellbound as the Scottish Rite Cathedral’s large wooden castle like doors were thrust open into their majestic two storied reception ballroom. Thousands of crystals danced on the tables from the massive chandeliers hanging throughout the room. The wedding palette was a stunning selection of moss greens, violets and fuchsias. The room glowed as candles flickered and happy smiles twinkled throughout the night. It was truly old style Chicago elegance, rich in lush decor. The ballroom was encircled by ornately carved wooden columns, fine carved walls and jewelled leaded windows and custom lighting spotlighted this architectural treasure and all its beauty.

The ultimate Windy City Wow was the candy bar display from Chicago’s Fudge Pot.  An elaborate array of chocolate toffees, vintage candies, enormous turtles and creamy fudge enticed guests all evening. We’ve got to say the candy bar was busier than Michigan Avenue that night! We were delighted in our coordination of this Chicago style event as guests discovered that Indy is certainly “Our Kinda Town.”

Coordinator: Kim King Smith Events / Transportation: Antique Limo of Indianapolis / Flowers: JP Parker Flowers / Venue: Scottish Rite Cathedral / Caterer: Thomas Caterers of Distinction / Lighting: Evans Audio Visual / DJ: Party Time Sound / Photography: Ashlee Addison Photography / Cake: Encore Desserts / Linens: BBJ Linen / Hair and Makeup: Salon 01 / Wedding Gown: Posie Patch Bridal Superstore / Veil: Allure Bridals / Specialty Candies:  The Fudge Pot / Church: Sacred Heart Catholic Church / Trolley: Miller Transportation

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