I Do - June 18, 2024

Getting ready to say

Your guide to planning weddings in Hamilton and Boone counties … and beyond

Two Ten Midtown is a modern venue located in downtown Carmel. The space features floor to ceiling windows, indoor ballroom space and city views from the expansive rooftop. 210 can comfortably accommodate 150 guests for a seated reception, or 250 for a cocktail party.

The 210 team also operates Iron & Ember in Carmel and Mustard Seed Gardens in Noblesville.

www.twotenmidtown.com @twotenmidtown

aubrey & brandon visuals

Taking the stress out of wedding planning

By Mary Farucci news@youarecurrent.com

There’s no denying that planning a wedding is stressful, but the final stretch before the big day — usually a week out before the wedding — is widely considered the most trying part of the planning period. It’s the time when unforeseen details arise, leaving some brides scrambling instead of connecting with their friends and family. This is when event planners can play a helpful role.

Jean Rivers, and event planner and owner of Blue Llama Events in Indianapolis, knows this all too well.

“The whole relationship is built on trust,” Rivers said. “As long as the client trusts (the event planner), that’s what matters.”

Blue Llama Events has operated in the Indianapolis area for eight years, specializing in weddings, corporate events and private parties, but its specialty is weddings, offering full-service event planning. Services include managing a timeline for planning, budgeting, researching, vendor selection, contract negotiation and review, plus event design. It also can attend vendor meetings all the way through final consultations. The

planners can assist every step of

bride ultimately is in charge of all decisions, but the event planner can assist and manage every step of the planning process.

In the event something unforeseen should arise just before the wedding, here are some tips from Rivers to keep stress in check:

Besides hiring an event planner, websites like Zola.com have free planning apps that can be downloaded to any smartphone.

Keep tabs on a smart budget tracker. If money is an issue, track your wedding planning spending all in one place (usually there’s an app for this) and get helpful payment reminders.

Have a wedding countdown on your smartphone. Don’t lose sight of the excitement by celebrating every day before the big day with a countdown widget.

Finding time and energy to make important decisions about a wedding means managing time efficiently by planning little by little each week before the wedding to avoid mishaps.

Event

wedding planning. (Stock Photo)

Unique local wedding venues

Think outside the box when planning your nuptials

By Samantha Kupiainen news@youarecurrent.com

When it comes to picking the perfect wedding venue, Indianapolis has a seemingly endless selection of spots to say, “I do.” A wedding venue sets the tone for the reception, which is filled with dancing, mingling, bouquet catching and sparkler sendoffs.

Things to remember when picking wedding and reception venues are size, price and accommodations. It is important to pick a venue that’s not too big or too small for your guest list, but also within budget. Another important point to remember is checking what accommodations the venue includes, such as wedding cake caterers, and decoration rules.

Here’s some more unique Indianapolis venues to consider when picking a spot to host a wedding.

Indianapolis Central Library

This venue is in the heart of downtown Indianapolis and has stunning indoor and outdoor architectural designs, perfect for charming wedding photos. It also features a glass-encased atrium and marble staircase, as well as dressing suites for the bride and groom. The Indianapolis Central Library space can host approximately 500 guests. Free parking is available in the underground garage, and it’s location is near a variety of hotels. Like most venues, outside food and beverages cannot be brought in. The venue works exclusively with Ritz Charles for catering.

Crowne Plaza Union Station

In addition to Romanesque Revival-style structures, Crowne Plaza is packed with Indianapolis history and impressive wedding backdrops. It’s home to America’s first “Union Station” and provides guests with an overlook of downtown. It can hold up to 600 guests and has a glass barrel ceiling and stained-glass wagon wheel, as well as terrazzo floors. Outside food and beverages are not allowed. The venue provides its own catering.

Laurel Hall

Laurel Hall was built more than a century ago and sits on a hill on 6 acres. Its architecture, consisting of stately arches and terraces that mirror European castles, makes for impressive photo opportunities, charming ceremonies and cocktail hours. The space can host up to 200 guests. It also has a grand staircase for brides to make their grand entrances and has space for ceremonies, rain or shine. The space has a preferred list of caterers for weddings, or a guest caterer can be brought in for a $1,500 fee.

Local wedding venues to consider

Ritz Charles Garden Pavilion

Ritz Charles Garden Pavilion in Carmel can seat up to 350 guests. This venue includes an individual event specialist, who assists in coordinating food, beverages and rentals. The permanent glass structure is heated and open year-round for weddings. Guests also can enjoy cocktails on the patio and dance under the stars and, weather permitting, s’mores around the fire pit.

Center for the Performing Arts

Located in the heart of Carmel, the Center for the Performing Arts is an ideal wedding venue for central Indiana brides. Besides weddings,

the space can accommodate wedding showers, rehearsal dinners and the reception. Brides and grooms can choose from a handful of rental spaces, including the Palladium, which can seat up to 1,500 people; the Robert Adam Room, which seats up to 150 people; and the Tarkington, which can seat up to 500 people.

Mustard Seed Gardens Collective

The historic venue dates back to the 1800s, when it was a farmstead owned by George Metsker and his family, who received the property from President Andrew Jackson as compensation for George’s military service during the War of 1812. Today, it’s a unique wedding venue. Couples can choose from a variety of areas on the farm to host their wedding, including the bar, gardens and farmhouse. The barn can seat up to 200 guests.

Ritz Charles Garden Pavilion is a heated permanent glass building open for year round weddings.

(Photo courtesy of Ritz Charles)

Photo credit, clockwise: Jessica Strickland Photography, Caleb Schaftlein Photography, Rachael Foster Photography

Dos and Don’ts of Wedding Etiquette

Setting clear expectations from the start is key for a hassle-fee event

By Mary Farucci news@youarecurrent.com

Planning a wedding can be an exciting and stressful time. Along with the planning process comes proper etiquette from both sides – the couple and the guests – before and after the big day.

Jean Rivers, event planner and owner of Blue Llama Events in Indianapolis, said proper wedding etiquette is something to be followed from the beginning, starting with the couple.

“If the couple has a wedding website, it is the responsibility of the couple to be clear on their website about what they want and don’t want,” she said. “If they ask for no boxed gifts, it’s important that guests follow the couple’s wedding registry.”

• A pre- and post-wedding etiquette don’t is: Don’t drag your feet waiting to mail thank-you cards. If a couple receives gifts during their engagement party or bridal shower, they should be prepared to send a formal thank you note within two to three weeks of the festivities. For any gifts that were sent before the wedding date, send a thank you card as soon as possible, before the wedding. For any gift that is given on the wedding day, the couple should mail a thank you card within three months. And for gifts received after the wedding, the couple should send a thank you card within two to three weeks.

• For guests, when it comes to wedding attire, dress formally, even if the invitation says it’s casual attire. Avoid wearing T-shirts, jeans, shorts, flip-flops, sneakers, etc.

• RSVP ASAP! If a guest receives a wedding invitation, that means they should respond before the deadline or as soon as receiving the invitation.

• Plus-ones: Don’t ask to bring an extra guest(s) unless the invitation explicitly states to do so. The same goes for bringing kids. If the wedding invitation mentions “adults only,” there’s no room to wonder whether kids are invited. If the invitation is addressed to the entire family, it’s safe to assume that kids are welcome to attend the wedding.

• Arrive early for the wedding ceremony. It’s a faux pas to be “fashionably late” to a wedding. Ideally, guests should arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony begins.

• Photobombing. It’s the happy couple’s big day, something they’ve been looking forward to and planning for months – maybe even years – so avoid getting in the way of the photographer and don’t photobomb where it’s not appropriate during formal photo-ops.

Photo by Curious Courtney’s Photography

Hidden costs to remember

Because

By Samantha Kupiainen news@youarecurrent.com

According to The Knot, a wedding-planning website, the average wedding cost $35,000 in 2023. Included in that price were the bride’s dress, the wedding venue and reception rental, food and drink selections, the photographer and the DJ, among other expenses. The Knot estimates the average wedding venue costs $12,800, while the average photographer charges up to of $3,000 for services, not including videography, which is a separate charge.

As couples go through the wedding-planning process, a number of hidden and lesser-known fees should be factored into the overall wedding budget. Often, the fees and charges can quickly add up, which can cause brides and grooms to go over their budgets.

Here are some lesser-known fees hidden within wedding planning, according to area wedding vendors:

weddings are pricy enough, consideration becomes important

Tips

Per custom, the wait staff serving at the reception should be tipped 20 percent of the overall food and beverage cost. Often, the tip isn’t included in contracts or advertised; rather, it’s something expected. This “fee” is especially important to remember when $100-plus plates are being served at dinner because the costs can add up fast. Other people that customarily are tipped for their services include hair and makeup artists, manicurists, DJ’s and photographers. The officiant and live-music performers also are usually tipped, as well as the wedding planner and coordinator. A subtle way to present tips is through a hand-written thank you note at the end of the reception.

Bar charges

Having an open bar or some sort of beverage service is usually at the top of every bride and groom’s wish list. However, the bar service arguably has the most hidden additional fees. Common charges to consider when booking a bar for your wedding are bar set-up charges, bartender fee, a minimum sales charge, service charge and Indiana state sales and beverage taxes.

Cake-cutting fee

Customarily, the bride and groom cut into the first piece of their wedding cake and feed each other their first bite. However, lesser known is the cake-cutting fee some venues charge. Many wedding venues charge a fee for the wait staff to cut, plate and serve guests their slice of cake. A few ways to get around this are to serve an alternate dessert or have a self-serve station where guests can cut and plate their own piece of cake.

Travel fees

Photographers and makeup and hair artists will often charge a fee if they have to travel a certain number of miles. The standard rate is about 25 cents to 50 cents per mile, while others will charge a flat rate if they have to travel a certain distance, which can add up to several hundred dollars. A good way to avoid this is to choose vendors closer to the venue and ask about travel fees before signing any contract.

(Stock Photo)

Hidden fees can quickly add up. (Stock Photo)

A mother’s viewpoint and pointers

Commentary by Terry Rake

Most would believe on wedding day is all about the bride and groom, and while that, indeed, may be the case, the mother of her child entering marriage often seems like an afterthought. Mothers play vital roles, though.

As a mother, the birth of your child is one of the most important days in life. The wedding day, though, is a very close second.

Having experienced three weddings in less than three years, I can tell you from experience that it will be an unforgettable chapter in your life story. Helping to plan these once-in-a-lifetime events was beyond rewarding for me. The planning process allowed me to connect and get to know my new daughter-in-law to-be and two sons-in-law to-be, as well as their families. Making the effort to invite these new people in your life to a breakfast, afternoon tea or whatever activity you prefer, will result, hopefully, in a wonderful beginning to your extended family.

Your responsibility as mother-incharge now has been upgraded to being a wealth of information and a resource for your child as they navigate a new role as husband or wife.

The morning of the special day will be packed full of activities that will fly by seemingly at the speed of light. If you are a mom that likes to be the center of attention and likes being in charge, or one that doesn’t like being told to “relax,” this day certainly will be a new experience. It will not be your norm. Take a deep breath and know you will be OK.

In fact, your focus will be on your daughter or son and all those present, as this magical event unfolds and comes to life right before your eyes. You will witness a torch being passed as your child takes on a completely different role. Your responsibility as mother-in-charge now has been upgraded to being a wealth of information and a resource for your child as they navigate a new role as husband or wife. I assure you all will be well. A tear or two may be shed on this day, as your heart will be full of love and lasting memories will be made.

Enjoy every minute of it, as it will be over before you know it.

Terry

Rake, a mother of three married children, owns Titus Bakery and is a resident of Zionsville. For more, email her at rake@indy. rr.com.

First dance or first dollar? First dance or first dollar?

Striking the right chord for your wedding and reception music

By Adanna Mbanu news@youarecurrent.com

Choosing music for a wedding can seem daunting. Getting the perfect song for a first dance or when walking down the aisle should never be a source of stress; it should be an exciting event.

Not knowing where to start, one might ask around and see what the best options are. With a variety of factors in mind, Indianapolis resident Emma Korte — who was married in September 2023 — factored in price when selecting music.

“Pricewise, a DJ is cheaper and more in our budget than, say, live music,” Korte said. “And our venue wouldn’t have had a spot for a band, and we knew that we had some songs that probably wouldn’t have sounded the same or as good with a live band doing a cover compared to the original song that we could have.”

Live music, however, is another option.

Professional harpist Elizabeth O’Meara “loves to play for people,” especially at weddings, and she loves to “play for large groups of people and keep them entertained.” The Fishers resident also has a website, indyharpist.com, that helps her book event.

“I love weddings. People always laugh and ask if I’m tired of dealing with difficult brides or wedding planners, and I’m not,” O’Meara said. “I just think I am the memory maker of somebody’s important day. Cake gets eaten, and dresses go back in the box, and pictures go on a drive, but the music, the memory of it, and how it sounds and how you felt is something that you’ll always have with you. You’ll be somewhere and hear music from your wedding, and it should bring back amazing and beautiful memories.”

The wedding website The Knot is also a useful tool for couples deciding on music options. It provides vendors and lists of musicians, DJs, and song suggestions.

(Stock Photo)

Professional harpist and Fishers resident Elizabeth O’Meara plays harp outdoors.

Willow Chapel is a popular wedding venue

By Conrad Otto news@youarecurrent.com

Thomas Caterers of Distinction is a gourmet catering business in Indianapolis that offers a variety of unique event venues, including its popular Willow Chapel in Carmel.

Set on the Black Iris Estate wedding venue in Carmel, Thomas Caterers owner Kelly Early said the idea for the chapel was inspired by a social media post.

“I found a tree church in New Zealand on social media,” Early said. “It was very cool, but very small.”

Early said the church in New Zealand was only 10-foot-by-10-foot, so she wanted to build something much

larger.

In 2018, she decided to build a 30-foot-by-60-foot structure and planted approximately 1,300 willow rods near it. Willow rods are branches from willow trees that Early said grow quickly and are sturdy enough to adapt to virtually any weather conditions.

“People wanted to get married right away,” Early said. “(The chapel) has a very whimsical feel. Something is very special about it.”

The chapel was first used in 2019, when Early’s daughter got married in the structure. Early said it was gratifying to see her daughter be the first to use it.

“The structure is special to the city, the state and to us,” she said. “It’s very unique.” To learn more about the chapel, visit blackirisestate.com.

First comes love, then comes the wedding followed by a romantic honeymoon in a beautiful setting. This rings true to Lorryn Langton, owner of Pink Pineapple Travel. A local, women-owned business here in Hamilton County serving clients with travels around the Caribbean, especially with honeymoons and destination weddings. Langton has visited 11 Sandals Resorts including the newest exotic destination, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Langton has a team of 15 travel designers including Wedding Specialists ready to help couples select the right-for-them resort based on their interests, vision and budget. “Sometimes we feel like ‘relationship mediators' helping guide couples between their interests. Sometimes one partner envisions an active honeymoon, while the other wishes to relax on the beach. We really love to help with our personal experiences to help them make the best decision."

Pink Pineapple Travel is a Preferred Sandals Agency - with that knowledge, expertise and industry relationships at each property, their travel designers work with the clients to craft the sweet harmony of their honeymoon, anniversary celebration or friends getaway. Sandals Resorts are

Preparing

built for couples and are adult-only, all-inclusive with more inclusions than any other all-inclusive brand. “Non-motorized water sports such as stand up paddleboarding, scuba diving, snorkeling and water skiing are just a sample of inclusions that save our clients money on their vacation." Clients never pay this travel team a fee to book their travels since they are paid by the supplier (in this case Sandals Resorts). "We strive to make a seamless travel experience as couples are busy preparing for their weddings or simply busy with life."

Langton

(Advertorial)

Travel Designers Amber Livers and Lorryn Langton recently attended the 2024 Sandals STAR Awards at the newly opened Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Top Sandals agents in the country are invited to attend this distinguished event.

PROVIDING UPSCALE CATERING AND WEDDING SERVICES AT UNIQUE AND DISTINGUISHED VENUES

RITZ CHARLES | GARDEN PAVILION AT RITZ CHARLES | CHAPEL AT RITZ CHARLES | COXHALL GARDENS

INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY | INDIANAPOLIS ARTSGARDEN | THE BLUFFS AT CONNER PRAIRIE | ARTISAN ACRES ESTATE

IMAGE BY

EMMA TREVINO PHOTOGRAPHY

VENUE GUIDE