For a second straight year, I was honored to film the Blissful Wishes Ball, an annual fundraising extravaganza benefiting the Indianapolis chapter of Wish Upon a Wedding, which is a non-profit organization that provides weddings to couples facing terminal illness or life-altering circumstances.  The festivities took place at the Landmarks Center, which was stunningly transformed into an eye-popping “Arabian Nights” experience by a supremely talented team of event pros.  From the early formalities to the food, music & many other surprises, it was truly a magical evening surrounded by so many great friends, which made the footage even more fun to put together.  Best of all, the gala raised well over $20,000, ensuring that couples who truly understand the meaning of “in sickness and in health” can enjoy a beautiful wedding provided by Wish Upon a Wedding’s dedicated team of wish-granters.

To learn more about this great organization, visit http://wishuponawedding.org.

Beth & Ronan | Second Presbyterian ChurchWoodstock Club

After a first meeting between Beth & Ronan at her family’s home, everyone headed to Second Presbyterian Church for photos with Sara Morris.  Following the ceremony, guests were greeted at the Woodstock Club for cocktails in a stunningly designed tent that only hinted at the splendor awaiting them inside the club for dinner.  The happiest father of the bride I’ve ever seen presided over the evening’s formalities before everyone moved back into the tent to dance to Lipstick Blonde‘s retro rock under another spectacular arrangement of flowers.  McNamara‘s Alan Thompson, AIFD (who referred Beth & Ronan to us) was the creative mind behind all the floral the fabulosity, and planner Anne Rogers worked hard behind the scenes to make the whole day run to perfection.

Abbey & A.J. got married in a beautiful ceremony at Holy Spirit Parish, followed by a celebration with family & friends at the Ritz Charles.  Coverage started with the rehearsal dinner in The Sanctuary in Zionsville, where Nancy Noel’s life-like paintings surrounded the couple’s friends and family for a lovely dinner, highlighted by a surprise slideshow created by Abbey for A.J. and a family serenade of a cleverly customized version of “Little Drummer Boy.”

The wedding day was equally fun, with the bridal party making a pit stop at Rock Bottom Brewery after the ceremony.  The reception was held in the pavilion at the Ritz Charles, which featured gorgeous bursts of color provided by Kathy’s Kloset, and DJ Jason Fritz had no trouble keeping this festive crowd on its toes through the remainder of the night.  All of the good times were captured by photographers Jim & Lois Wyant, who kindly referred Abbey & A.J. to us.

Leah & Justin were on top of the world (or Indiana, anyway) for their gorgeous ceremony & reception at D’Amore Indianapolis.  Coverage started with preparations and a first meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn followed by photos around downtown with Jennifer Driscoll, who along with D’Amore referred this sweet couple to us.  Then came the ceremony with the stunning skyline view, highlighted by readings consisting entirely of “chick flick” quotes.  The reception was a feast for the senses courtesy of decor by Bokay Florist, service by Thomas Caterers of Distinction and music by The Impalas, along with a gorgeous sunset and a surprise golf-themed birthday cake for Leah’s dad thrown in for good measure.

Image by Jennifer Driscoll Photography

Gauravi & Amar pulled out all the stops and put on an Indian wedding extravaganza for the ages at the JW Marriott. Our coverage started with a Friday ceremony at Gauravi’s family home, followed by a fun sangeet party at the JW. After a Saturday break, we began 18 hours of filming with prep coverage alongside Nathaniel Edmunds Photography and former IndyVisual bride Jen Nair of Passionate Peacock Event Planning at 6am on Sunday.

After a spirited baraat outside the hotel, the guests entered the White River Ballroom for the ceremony, where they were greeted by HMR Designs‘ jaw-dropping decor highlighted by three huge floral peacocks with endless orchid feathers. After the traditional ceremony and emotional vidai, Garrette & Amber joined the amazingness to help me capture the epic reception, including a surprise flash mob dance for the couple. By the end, all of us were exhausted but so happy to have worked for such a fun couple.

Image by Nathaniel Edmunds Photography

Anna & Matthew are a fun, hilarious couple who kept me in stitches throughout their ceremony and reception at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.  After preparations and a first meeting at the JW Marriott, the couple spent the afternoon dodging raindrops for photos with Nathaniel Edmunds Photography before convening at the Roof to sign their ketubah.  I loved having the ceremony in the round, which gave us some great angles to work with.

The reception was full of infectious energy from their sprinting entrance into the ballroom through their two-lap sparkler exit & horse carriage sendoff.  The Endless Summer Band kept the crowd going throughout the night, and the room looked amazing as usual thanks to consultant Leslie Jones (who referred Anna & Matthew to us) and David Strohmeyer of The Empty Vase.

Image by Nathaniel Edmunds Photography

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.

Stefanie & Sean enjoyed a beautiful wedding day on the lovely Bloomington campus of Indiana University, starting with a ceremony at St. Paul Catholic Newman Center and concluding with a fantastic reception at the IU Auditorium.  Coverage started with preparations and a first look at the Biddle Hotel & Indiana Memorial Union.  After the ceremony, the bridal party hopped around campus for photos with Jennifer Cooney of Baby Grace Photography while Steamboat Willie and his New Orleans Jazz Band entertained the guests during the cocktail hour.  The banquet room looked amazing with the variety of looks provided by Artful Blooms, and the reception brought back some memories of being an IU student at a jam-packed party, with music by DJ Brett Anderson of The Dance Machine leading the way.

Image by Baby Grace Photography

The Soldiers & Sailors Monument provided a majestic backdrop for Hilary & Travis’ ceremony on the first floor of the Columbia Club as well as their reception in the Crystal Terrace on the third floor.  It was hard not to smile at the start of the ceremony when a family friend sang “Today I Met the Boy I’m Gonna Marry” while Travis nervously awaited the entrance of his stunning bride.

After some photos on Monument Circle with Andrew Scalini, the action moved to the Crystal Terrace, where the guests enjoyed amazing service, a photo booth by Indy Photo Booths, and great live party music by Zanna-doo.  Consultant Leslie Jones (who referred Hilary & Travis to us) did a masterful job behind the scenes, and Tim Kelley of Palmer Kelley Designs filled the room with an ambiance that provided an elegant balance to the stunning chandeliers overhead.