After completing coverage on Christa & Kevin’s earlier wedding, I drove straight to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to begin coverage of Kathy & Nate’s wedding day, arriving just in time to capture the couple’s first meeting, moments after a hilarious near-miss. This was the first time I had seen or heard of a church literally flipping around the layout of an existing sanctuary, so I was quite impressed at this marvel of engineering when I walked inside for the first time in years. One of my favorite images that photographer Kiera Dubach of Kiera Photo took of the couple was in the back of the sanctuary, under the exact same arch that used to frame the altar where Kathy’s parents had exchanged vows 20 years or so earlier.

As a longtime member of the Children’s Museum, I always get a kick out of covering events there, since the unique environment and architecture allows me to capture the types of shots that you never see in any of our other videos. The bridal party made great use of the Carousel Wishes & Dreams gallery, hamming it up in particular on the carousel. Obviously, this group came ready to party, and DJ Sunny Moon, whom I had worked with just hours earlier, was ready to oblige with some great tunes that made it hard for me to put away the camera at the end of the night.

Laura & Steve have a story that I can relate to, where they dated off and on for many years before finally tying the knot at Crowne Plaza at Historic Union Station. After covering Erin & Eric’s wedding there myself the previous night, Laurie did the honors this time around. Photographer Kevin Swan set up a nice first meeting, followed by fun photos in the Grand Hall while consultant Rebecca Raymond (who referred the couple to us) and her huge Event Fantastic staff hustled to get all of the fabulous decor supplied by Rue de Fleurs and A Classic Party Rental in place. The ceremony went off beautifully, and the introductions for the reception were capped by a cool and unique touch – a first dance on the mezzanine overlooking the guests. The incredible band Zannadoo took it from there, rocking the house all night under a nifty, dramatically lit backdrop.

Photo by Swan Delicious Wedding Photography

After a romantic first meeting and some photos with Rich Walton, Christa & Kevin exchanged vows Saturday morning at Zionsville Presbyterian Church. The Victorian colors of the roses in Christa’s bouquet, provided by Nana’s Village House, were very unique and cool, and the crayons for the kids during the ceremony was a clever touch that I had not seen before. The reception followed at the Oak Hill Mansion, whose Erin Barriento had referred the couple to me. DJ Sunny Moon ran the show with his usual proficiency, and we shared a good laugh when we suddenly realized that we would be working together again…that night!

Bob & Chris Ridge – 6/26/93

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 15 years since Chris and I exchanged vows at Whitefish Bay United Methodist Church north of Milwaukee, followed by an awesome reception at Boder’s restaurant on the Milwaukee River in Mequon. We celebrated last night with one of our most amazing dinners ever at the Melting Pot fondue restaurant in Castleton. Reality being what it is, we had to get Matthew to a birthday party at the same time and find something for the twins to do. So I decided to surprise everyone with a limo from Antique Limousines of Indianapolis and let Jack Gambs drive us in style to the restaurant, Matthew to his friend’s party (the limo REALLY upped his coolness factor), and the twins plus their Uncle Todd & Aunt Julie to Chuck E. Cheese. Needless to say, an unforgettable time was had by all. Chris is an incredible wife, mother and friend, and I’m already looking forward to the next 15 years!

Our busiest weekend yet kicked off Thursday night with Erin & Eric’s rehearsal dinner at Buca Di Beppo’s downtown. Even though the Holmes family has been through so much, this was a weekend of celebration, and it was great to see everybody so upbeat and positive. Friday’s ceremony and reception both took place at Crowne Plaza at Historic Union Station, where the couple’s cute little canine attendant Zoe walked down the aisle right before Erin. I loved the showtunes used throughout the ceremony, including a song from one of my favorite musicals, “Little Shop of Horrors,” which the couple had once starred in together onstage.

Another Erin, photographer Erin Hession and I captured a lot of fun moments with the fun-loving couple around the station before and after the ceremony. A dear friend of Erin & Eric who had had married them earlier surprised us by joining the Cool City Swing Band for a performance of their first dance song “Night and Day.” Deborah & Cassie, the mother-daughter team of A Touch of Elegance, did a superb job in a “day of” capacity coordinating the many unique details of the day, and my neighbors at the Florist at Allisonville Nursery provided the tasteful decor.

Photo by Erin Hession Photography

Befitting the couple’s married name, Qin & David Joy’s wedding day was full of joy, beginning with a lovely, intimate ceremony at Christ Community Church in Carmel. Afterwards, I accompanied photographer Dave Takayoshi of Line 11 Images and the couple for some fun shots outside the Montage on Allison Pointe. The banquet room inside was beautifully transformed by J.P. Parker Flowers, with the usual outstanding service by Kahn’s Catering. The music provided by DJ Kevin Miller was classy throughout, and a traditional wedding dance by a Chinese dance ensemble was the highlight of the evening. Special thanks to coordinator and former client Shelly Elias for this and many other referrals!

When Sarah & John’s dating siblings introduced them to each other years ago, I’m sure they had no idea at the time that they were creating a match that would one day culminate in last weekend’s beautiful wedding at St. Luke Catholic Church. Some awful overnight weather made things interesting on Saturday morning, but the day couldn’t have turned out any lovelier. It was nice to return to this church for the first time in over ten years.

I tagged along with photographer Kevin Swan and his crew (including Geno, an old friend) for some fun shots at the Ball residence before the ceremony and Meridian Hills Country Club afterwards. My favorite moment was Sarah teeing off on a golf ball – a first for me. Posh Petals filled the ballroom with glorious centerpieces, and DJ Sunny Moon filled the dance floor with an energetic young crowd who seemingly never left the floor. Special thanks to family friend Carlie Oakley for referring this wonderful couple to me!

Photo by Kevin Swan

Aparna & Ajay were married a few months ago in India, but they still had that just-got-married glow at their reception last weekend at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, which Laurie covered. Their introduction was fun, with each one waving from a spotlit turret on either side of the stage before joining on the balcony and entering from the back of the ballroom. I also liked their first dance surprise, starting with a slow song, then surprising their guests with an uptempo Bollywood dance number. There was plenty of elegant decor to match all the colorful clothing, courtesy of Bokay Florist, whose Angela Kenley referred the couple to us.

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!