(“Team Effort” video submitted with ISES Esprit Award entry.)

When many of Indy’s top wedding professionals collaborated on Abbie & Gabe’s spectacular “Rock ‘N’ Roll Holiday Wedding” last fall, we knew that it was an award-worthy event. That recognition came last weekend in the form of the prestigious International Special Events Society (ISES) Esprit Award in the category of Best Team Effort, one of the evening’s top awards, and the first ever brought home to Indiana for a wedding.

Most of our nominated slate traveled to Baltimore for the Esprit Awards ceremony, which concluded Eventworld 2010, the annual ISES conference. After a fun-crammed day of shenanigans under the sun in the famous Inner Harbor, we arrived at the ceremony with some anxiety over how we would fare. The second we heard the first syllable of our entry’s name announced as the winner, we all exploded, and the high never let up from the stage to backstage photos and throughout dinner, dancing and afterwards.

Major props to our award-winning team of Circle City Planners, Nathaniel Edmunds Photography, KB Designs, Evans Audio Visual and Indy Photo Booths. Thanks as well to Crowne Plaza at Union Station, Circle City Designers and the Flying Toasters among others who made the event what it was. Of course, not of this would have been possible without a beautiful couple at the center of it all, so big thanks to Abbie & Gabe for falling in love and entrusting us with your unique vision.

Photo by Nathaniel Edmunds Photography

Tiffany & Ed are one of the most fun couples I’ve ever gotten to know, and they brought a unique element of excitement to every aspect of their wedding day, from their ceremony at the Scottish Rite Cathedral to their reception at the Crowne Plaza at Historic Union Station. The guys started the day with shaves at Red’s Classic Barber Shop while the gals got ready at Crowne Plaza. After a beautiful ceremony in the Scottish Rite theater, plus a YouTube worthy recessional by the bridal party, we all headed to Monument Circle for photos with Dawn Fisher of Galleria Studios.

This airline pilot & hostess knew just how to make the party “take off,” with their “Top Gun” intro leading into a hilarious fake first dance. A candy station, cigar bar and late night McDoubles were nice touches as well throughout the evening. The Grand Hall looked splendid thanks to lighting by Evans Audio Visual and decor by Circle City Designers, and Randi Neukam of Circle City Planners (who referred Tiff & Ed to us) was there as well to oversee all of the day’s events.

My friends at Circle City Planners had been anticipating this weekend with excitement and some nervousness all year with good reason – six weddings, with FIVE on June 26! I spent a couple of hours running around guerrilla-style to each of their reception venues (Crowne Plaza at Historic Union Station twice, Laurel Hall, Scottish Rite Cathedral and two residences) to capture some of the preparations and decor behind the scenes. It was a little crazy, but Team CCP pulled it all off with style to spare.

It was an extravagant spectacle right out of Hollywood with the coolest, most down to earth couple at the center of it all. Ten years after shooting Rachel’s 16th birthday party, I had the pleasure of being there for another milestone as she and Hale became one at the Crowne Plaza at Historic Union Station.

Coverage started with a superb rehearsal dinner at the Indianapolis Museum of Art the night before, then continued in the 14 West penthouse the following morning as Leslie Jones helped Rachel get ready for the big day. Meanwhile, the amazing team of Premier Events‘ David Jackson, Palmer Kelly Design and Evans Audio-Visual all topped themselves in completely transforming the Grand Hall at Union Station.

After an eloquent ceremony officiated by spiritual author Marianne Williamson, the guests were treated to fabulous dinner entertainment by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Indiana Ballet Company. Then New York party band Starlight Orchestra took the stage and simply blew us all away. It was a treat of a lifetime to work with so much talent, along with friends like Jennifer Driscoll, Sunny Moon and Indy Photo Booths.

I won’t be posting a video clip, so hopefully these fabulous detail and decor shots from Jennifer’s blog post will convey at least a taste of the beauty and magnitude of this most unforgettable day in celebration of a wonderful couple.

Darcie & Jon are such a fun, spirited couple who enjoyed a fun fall wedding and lively reception in the Grand Hall at the Crowne Plaza at Historic Union Station. After their first meeting, we took a trolley to White River State Park with photographer Troy Hill for some fun shots while designer Debbie Watson of Distinctive Designs put her final touches on the gorgeous decor in the Grand Hall for the ceremony. In addition to providing beautiful uplighting for the room, DJ Brian Whitis presided over a fantastic reception in which Jon & Darcie were glued to the dance floor the entire evening. Big thanks to the Crowne Plaza folks and Jessica & Mark Andres for introducing me to this awesome couple!
(Check out Darcie & Jon’s photo slideshow at Troy’s website!)