I had been anxiously awaiting this day ever since I got the scoop that our friends at Thomas Caterers were going to buy the former Buggs Temple and convert it into Canal 337, a cool new event space at the end of the canal downtown.  Even though I was able to sneak in a couple of shoots the week prior, this opening event was so special given all the unthinkable amount of work that had gone into this labor of love.  Needless to say, everything looked spectacular, and it was a pleasure to film and experience Canal 337 alongside so many industry friends while collaborating with Erin Hession, Jessica Strickland, Detail + Design, Evans Audio Visual, Encore Entertainment and of course Thomas Caterers to make this opening event so grand!

BlogCanal337Opening1Image by Jessica Strickland Photography

(More images: http://www.jessicarstrickland.com/blog/wedding/canal-337/)

BlogCanal337Opening2

Images by Erin Hession Photography

(More images: http://erinhession.com/2014/06/08/canal-337s-grand-opening/)

Liz & Mitch’s epic wedding day started with a lovely ceremony at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, followed by a private cocktail hour for the bridal party at the Long Gallery inside the Conrad Indianapolis and a huge reception & after-party at the Scottish Rite Cathedral (who along with another recent client referred Liz & Mitch to us).

Everything looked magical, from Alan Thompson, AIFD‘s magnificent centerpieces to Evans Audio Visual‘s dramatic lighting. The superb dinner service by Thomas Caterers was topped off by a delicious creation from Classic Cakes. The whole Detail+Design team ran the day to perfection, and the great live music and fun crowd gave photographer Andrew Scalini and me many wonderful moments to capture on the dance floor.

Photo by Andrew Scalini

Ashley & Josh took over every nook and cranny of the Scottish Rite Cathedral for a truly epic wedding day. The ceremony was moved indoors due to a rainy forecast, but Gene Huddleson (who referred this fantastic event to us) and his Detail+Design team executed their backup plan to perfection, with the Evans Audio Visual gang helping to bring more than a touch of the outdoors with them. The orchestra by Encore Entertainment set an elegant tone for the ceremony, and Ashley’s stunning dress was a highlight in itself, judging by the reaction of the crowd.

The reception decor in the ballroom was equally jaw-dropping, with an eclectic medley of tables (including some cool new ones by Wow Factors) and towering centerpieces surrounding a majestic cake by Classic Cakes. Photographer Hether Miles and I had a field day capturing all this splendor. The service by Thomas Caterers was spotless as usual, and the R&B music by the Chicago Catz was purr-fect for this party crowd. The “afterglow” in the South Lounge concluded the evening with a fun club vibe, complete with an outdoor cigar lounge.

Miranda & Sean’s wedding weekend was truly amazing from their uplifting ceremony at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church through their spectacular reception at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.  Coverage began with a rehearsal dinner at Mateo’s on the square in Noblesville.  The next day’s preparations started at the bride’s gorgeous family estate, highlighted by her father’s display of a $2 bill they had split when she was a child.  Following the beautiful ceremony, Miranda surprised the crowd with her bouquet toss before heading off with Sean in a classy Rolls Royce by Antique Limousines of Indy.

After some fun shots around downtown with photographer Jessica Strickland, we gathered at the Scottish Rite’s ballroom, which was magnificently transformed by Gene Huddleson (who referred Miranda & Sean to us) and his Detail+Design team, with help from Thomas Caterers of Distinction, Evans Audio-Visual, Pomp & Polish, Heavenly Sweets and others.  No one will forget the tearjerking reading of a lullaby poem by Miranda’s father, timed perfectly with a slideshow of her early years.  The First Impression Band and Grapevine Entertainment rocked the remainder of the evening, with a surprise explosion of streamers punctuating a perfect weekend.

Image by Jessica Strickland Photography

(More photos: http://www.jessicarstrickland.com/blog/wedding/indianapolis-wedding-photography-miranda-sean/)

Michelle & Clark exchanged vows at Asbury United Methodist Church, followed by a fun reception at The Commons in downtown Columbus, Indiana.  Coverage started with preparations at the Hotel Indigo, followed by an emotional first look on the Cummins campus and photos around downtown with Stacy Able.  Naturally, we had to squeeze in some shots with their precious pup Gizmo.  The ceremony took place against an elegant backdrop of candles, with gorgeous fall scenery behind the altar.  The reception at the Commons was presided over by DJ Alan Trisler, and the whole day ran to perfection thanks to Katina Kaisher (who referred Michelle & Clark to us) and our friends at Detail+Design.

Image by Stacy Able Photography

More photos: http://stacyable.com/blog/the-commons-in-columbus-indiana-wedding-michelle-and-clark-tie-the-knot/

The Detail+Design team pulled out all the stops for Nicole & Aaron’s spectacular outdoor wedding at Chapel Square Street Park in WestClay, followed by one of the wildest receptions to hit D’Amore Indianapolis.  The vows were exchanged under a stunning chandelier provided by Evan Audio Visual as the pop culture-savvy officiant (and former IndyVisual groom) Scott Rudicel name-dropped Prince, The Beatles and Google within the first minute.  Photographer Hether Miles then followed the party to a few stops for some more photo ops while I headed downtown.

The fabulosity carried over to the reception, where Team D+D had several amazing setups awaiting the couple and their guests.  After an evening of formalities, great service by Thomas Caterers of Distinction, and music by Nicole & Aaron’s favorite blues band from St. Louis, the party was only beginning.  While some guests took advantage of the late night photo booth by Indy Photo Booths as well as our own “Confessionals” video booth, most stayed out on the dance floor as DJ Fred Lockette and percussionist Joe Meltdown tore up the afterparty until 2am.

I’ve been blessed with many opportunities to travel to some amazing destinations (St. Kitts, Riviera Maya, St. Lucia, etc.) to film some incredible weddings in paradise, and this epic wedding weekend at the Ritz Carlton in Naples belongs right at the top of that list.  Gene Huddleson of Detail+Design referred this PACE Award-winning (for “Best Wedding: Budget over $200,000”) four-day extravaganza to me, and his team’s creativity was evident in every aspect of the weekend, from the rehearsal activities and welcome dinner to the stunning sunset ceremony on the beach, through the spectacular reception and “afterglow” party and finally the day-after brunch.  By contractual agreement I cannot reveal the client, but I thought it would be fun to assemble a quickie sampling of some of D+D’s beautiful work for such a warm and generous family on this perfect wedding weekend!

Welcome Dinner

Sunset Ceremony

Reception

Lindsay & Michael had a lovely, music-filled wedding ceremony at First Christian Church in Columbus, Indiana, followed by a gorgeous waterfront reception at Harrison Lake Country Club.  The striking church with the imposing bell tower was designed by famed architect Eliel Saarinen (whose son designed the Gateway Arch), and made a great backdrop for photos by Melissa Marie Photography, as did the stunning Irwin Gardens following the ceremony.  The fall-themed interior decor provided by Detail+Design looked incredible, as did their transformation of the country club.  D+D’s Katina Kaisher (who referred Lindsay & Michael to us) did a fabulous job of keeping the whole day running smoothly, and the DJs of 6:7 Entertainment kept the reception hopping.

Image by Melissa Marie Photography

Bridget & Chad are a fun couple who love a good party, so it was only fitting that their wedding day at the Scottish Rite Cathedral was more than just an occasion for two to become one – it was also the party of the year.  After a first look in the Tilers Room, the couple went off for photos with Hether Miles and then returned to preview the spectacular ballroom and practice their first dance.  After exchanging vows in the beautifully transformed theater, they returned to the ballroom for the first dance as their surprised guests looked down from their cocktail hour on the mezzanine level.

Everyone had a blast during the reception, which was filled with a lots of sweet family moments, personal touches, superb service by Thomas Caterers of Distinction and great music by DJ Freddie Lockett with percussionist Joe Melton amping up the beats while some guests made their way to one of the Indy Photo Booths.  But that was merely the warm-up, as the South Lounge was converted into a virtual nightclub for a wild afterparty (vodka snow cones, cotton candy & caricatures were among the surprises) with music by DJ Orion that kept everyone hopping until 2 a.m.

Bridget’s brother J Scot Reid, himself an event planner, entrusted the day’s events & decor to the Detail+Design team of Gene Huddleson and Monica Richard, who did an amazing job transforming not just one but three separate spaces.  I was honored to be included with this A team, which gave me a lot of spectacular sights – and memories – to film.

Claire and Thomas had their gorgeous wedding ceremony and elegant reception at the Conrad Hotel. Special thanks to Amanda Coffey of the Conrad and Gene Huddleson of Detail + Design for referring the couple to us!

The bride and groom had their “first look” on the hotel’s staircase followed by photos downtown with Andrew Scalini. The ceremony included wonderful personal touches, including hilarious vows written by Claire.

Afterwards, the reception decor was absolutely stunning thanks to Detail + Design, KB Design and Classic Cakes. The Flying Toasters rocked the house, and Monica Richard of Detail + Design ran the day to perfection. The evening concluded with French fries and a swanky after party next door.

Best wishes Claire and Thomas, and thanks for letting us capture your special day!

Photo by Andrew Scalini