Heather & Chris booked us about a month ago, courtesy of consultant Kay Krober‘s referral, and they could not have picked a more picture-perfect day to exchange vows at Second Presbyterian Church. After leaving the church under a deluge of rose petals, Jack Gambs of Antique Limos ushered them off to the Eiteljorg Museum. Heather’s reaction to seeing the room for the first time was priceless, and the best man’s toast song “Thorne & Smitty” was a highlight of the evening. After working together with Joe Husar of Kahn’s Catering, photographers Jim & Lois Wyant and the Endless Summer Band at the same wedding just a month ago, it was a kick to be reunited with all of them for such a fun evening with a beautiful couple.
In a spring full of unique events, the prize goes to Pooneh & Matt’s Iranian wedding and reception at the Omni Severin Hotel, my first Persian event. The beautiful traditions and special touches were too numerous to mention. Many of them were in one place – on the Sofreh-ye Aghd, a spread on a huge “table” at the couple’s feet on which was placed a wide variety of symbolic spices, breads, fruits, confections, coins and a mirror in which the groom sees his bride’s reflection for the first time after her unveiling.
The most fun tradition had to be the knife dance prior to the cake-cutting at the reception, in which each bridesmaid took a turn dancing and keeping the knife away from Matt while he tried to bribe them for it with flowers. The rest of the evening was filled with hypnotic music, lively dancing, and a very sweet couple surrounded by the warmth of the their family and friends. Maureen and the rest of the Omni staff did their usual superb job running the show, and photographer Andrew Scalini was a fun companion as always throughout the day who undoubtedly had some great images to shoot.
Special thanks for the referral goes to Carrie Sprague, formerly of the Omni, who’s now rockin’ it at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego and is missed much by yours truly!
Photo by Andrew Scalini
Just a few months after covering Chanda’s sister Jamie’s 1/5/08 wedding, I had the pleasure of capturing Chanda & Jeff’s big weekend. This was probably the most comprehensive coverage I’ve ever provided, starting Friday afternoon with the bridal luncheon at the Columbia Club, and continuing through the rehearsal that evening and then the rehearsal dinner afterwards at the Rathskellar.
I joined the guys Saturday morning at the Omni Severin Hotel, where Jeff gave everyone the coolest gifts ever (which for legal reasons I probably shouldn’t describe) while the ladies got ready in the bridal suite. After a gorgeous ceremony at St. Mary Catholic Church, we hopped on a trolley with the Altamira Photography crew for some fun photos around the World War I Memorial.
The reception back at the Omni was a gorgeous affair, with decor by Kathy’s Kloset. DJ Brian Jones of Indy Sounds (we were all basically the same vendors from Jamie’s wedding) presided over the most hilarious intros I’ve ever seen, and everyone had a great time from there on out. Their gift boxes of cake for the guests were a nice touch that enabled me to surprise my twins late on their birthday.