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While I was in Mexico covering a wedding with photographer Angela Talley, Monica Richard of Detail + Design called us to ask if we could provide video and photos of Jennifer & Mike’s spectacular 11/1/08 wedding to submit for a PACE (Professional Achievement in Creative Events) award. The entries are judged by fellow ISES (International Special Event Society) members around the country. Little did I know that that phone call would result in IndyVisual winning our first-ever PACE Award!

The award was for Best Team Effort (Budget over $100,000), and was handed out recently at the 2009 PACE Award Ceremony & Celebration at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Our friends at Thomas Catering and Detail + Design asked if I could bring a camera to the event to capture some of their food and decor, and I was more than happy to oblige. Here’s the video – I even managed to squeeze in a few fun people shots!

No, these aren’t the DJs – it’s Cirque du Soleil’s LOVE!

As a “thank you” for helping him produce his “Perfect Host” DVD series, my good friend Jim Cerone generously invited me to be his guest at the Mobile Beat Las Vegas 2009 convention last week, where he was slated to speak all three days and launch the DVD. Clearly, I couldn’t pass up a free trip to Vegas, which I had never visited before.

The seminars were interesting – Jim’s as well as the ones touching on topics relevant to my business. Otis Day (“Shout”), the Archies (“Sugar Sugar”) and Vanilla Ice (“Ice Ice Baby”) were there to entertain the very people who keep their hits ringing in my ears every weekend. And the food – Buca di Beppo, Maggiano’s, plus my first Brazilian steakhouse experience – wow!

It was amusing to witness firsthand what a “rock star” Jim was. Packed seminars, autographs – we couldn’t walk ten feet without another admirer stopping him to chat. He’s obviously inspired a lot of people around the country. I also got a kick out of meeting the best of the best in the DJ industry and hanging with Indy DJs like Jon Bruce, Jesse Carruthers and Wes Adkins.

Vegas itself was a lot to take in, but a couple of walks up and down the Strip with the guys gave me a good primer for future visits. Without a doubt, the highlight of my trip was seeing LOVE, Cirque du Soleil’s mind-blowing interpretation of a story set to remixed Beatles music. It was just the creative jolt I needed to dig into our Mexico wedding edit this week!

Jim Cerone: Superstar! (Photo by Alan Trisler)

Our record 50th and final wedding of 2008 also marked our 11th visit to the Omni Severin Hotel last year (thanks for all the referrals, ladies!), where Sara & Jeff tied the knot on a beautifully mild day following a particularly cold week. Following the intimate ceremony, we crammed into a car with Janie of Alanna Photography to take advantage of the 60-degree weather and capture some fun moments on Monument Circle.

The dark decor provided by Steve’s Flowers & Gifts contrasted nicely with the Severin Lobby to create a festive seasonal ambiance during dinner, and the band First Impression kept the guests jazzed up for the remainder of the evening. As an added bonus, I got to say an extra goodbye to Sara & Jeff the next morning while enjoying Sunday brunch at the Omni before the Colts game.

Photo by Peter Thurin Photography

It’s been a crazy few weeks devoted to travelling for the holidays, getting ready for the January bridal shows, and now preparing for another destination wedding in Playa Del Carmen near Cancun in Mexico! Jennifer and Kevin were referred to me by photographer Angela Talley, and we’re all planning on lots of great location shots and good times at the Royal Haciendas Resort. Obviously I’ll keep this blog updated when I return with highlights from this and a few other weddings yet to be edited. Until then, adios!

One weekend after videotaping another wedding and reception at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, I returned to cover Tiffany and Brian’s big day, also coordinated by Circle City Planners (Tonya this time), who have thankfully helped me fill many of my fall dates. Photographer Andrew Scalini and I captured the bride’s preparations as she got ready for her first meeting with Brian, preceded by a thoughtful delivery of flowers and a card from the groom. After their tender first meeting and some photo time, the ceremony in the auditorium was underway, with the groom’s father presiding over the wedding.

The ballroom was beautifully adorned by McNamara Florist, and the reception commenced with the usual splendid cocktail and dinner service by Thomas Caterers. After an upbeat first dance over a monogram spotlight, an evening of timeless rock and roll kicked off courtesy of the endlessly energetic Endless Summer Band. The evening was highlighted by the hilarious presentation of a hot dog statue – yes, a hot dog statue – to the couple by the groom’s buddies, thus continuing a tradition of pooling their funds to buy unforgettable gifts for each other’s weddings.

The event date for this post is November 1, and it was certainly an amazing day, but it’s October 31 that everyone involved in Jennifer & Mike’s big weekend still talks about. That would be Halloween, Jennifer’s favorite holiday, when the couple held a spooktacular rehearsal dinner at Crown Hill Cemetery‘s Gothic Chapel. All the guests and vendors were advised to dress accordingly, and I think I improvised pretty well on a $5 budget and last-minute shopping trip (see below). The couple arrived in a hearse, and the ghoul times commenced from there, with a scary good meal served up by Great Cooks and Company.

The wedding day brought me back to the amazing new Central Library for the second straight weekend. The library theme was ingeniously integrated into every aspect of the wedding, from the “Save the Date” cards resembling due date cards to the card catalog style “guest book” and on through the cake and programs, with actual books for favors. Tradition played a big role as well, with Jennifer wearing the same dress during the ceremony that her mother and grandmother had worn at their weddings. Her wedding ring and cake server have also gone back multiple generations.

Jennifer’s vision was brought to life by consultant Monica Richard (who kindly refered the couple to us) and designer Gene Huddleson, both of Detail + Design, as well as the Library’s own Flik Catering service and Evans Audio Visual. The huge Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra filled the equally huge space with timeless big band classics that had everyone dancing. And my friend Angela Talley was there with me to photograph every last detail of this unforgettable chapter, right up to Jennifer & Mike’s departure through a sea of “Flutter Fetti” streamers.

Photos by Angela Talley

Three years after I videotaped their first daughter Amy’s wedding day, the Draper family kindly brought me back to cover Mandy & DJ’s nuptials at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. The reception took place afterwards at the Marriott North, where this ready-to-party crowd (the Super Bowl Shuffle even made an appearance!) rocked out to music by the great Chicago band Maggie Speaks. It was a pleasure to work again with the reunited vendor team of consultant Leslie Jones, photographer Larry Seidman, and McNamara Florist‘s Alan Thompson. Most of all, it was a joy to be part of another special occasion in the lives of such a warm and loving family.

Molly & Seth exchanged vows on what started out as a rainy Friday evening at the beautiful Sacred Heart Catholic Church just south of downtown. Amazingly, right before the ceremony, the sun defied all weather forecasts and broke through the clouds, convincing all of us that Molly’s sister was smiling down on her from Heaven on her special day. Photographers bobbi+mike took advantage of this break and got some lovely shots of the newlyweds outside the church.

The reception at the newly expanded Central Library was an experience to behold, with nice floral touches by Kathy’s Kloset, lighting by Evans Audio Visual, catering by Flik, and the usual rockin’ music by Zanna-Doo bringing energy and intimacy to this tremendous space. Family friends Carlie Oakley (who referred Molly’s mother Barbara to us) and Rayna Traylor lent their valuable expertise at the ceremony and reception respectively.