South-Central Indiana Wedding Guide by The Herald-Times by Hoosier Times Inc.

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Inspiring ideas!

B E S P O K E

When a bride shops for her wedding gown, it’s not just a trip to the mall — it’s an occasion. At Andrew Davis Bespoke – the first formalwear shop of its kind in Indiana — we believe that shopping for the groom’s wedding attire should also be a special occasion. We believe that the groom should receive close attention to every detail of style and fit to achieve the look the couple wants for one of life’s most special days and beyond. For us, wedding attire for the groom is not limited to renting tuxedos. AndrewDavis

Bespoke offers private, by-appointment experiences where grooms and their entourage can kick back in a club-like environment, enjoy refreshments, and select from an incredible range of fabrics, tuxedo and suit options, and formalwear accessories. We even offer a great selection of groomsmen’s gifts. At AndrewDavis Bespoke, you’ll always receive attentive, personal service from knowledgeable people who are truly interested in making your wedding day memorable.

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P ubli s hed BY Hoosier Times Inc. Bloomington, Indiana P ubli s her Cory Bollinger

contents 8

Edi tor & Head Wri ter Brooke McCluskey Adver ti si ng Director Laurie Ragle Marketi ng Manager Shaylan Owen

10 Pop! Goes the Color 12 Local Wedding: Monica & Kyle

16 Party Animals 18 Donating Flowers 22 Local Wedding: John & Dominick 27 Q&A with an Event Expert

Ar t Di recti on & Des i gn Dennis Laffoon

30 On Point: 2017’s Top Trends 35 Beyond the Cake

Ar t Di recti on & Des i gn Dennis Laffoon WRITERS Kasey Husk, Marci Creps, Kathy Jonas, Kathryn Gardiner

37 Do-it-Your-Selfie 39 Tips from a Wedding Mag Mom

40 Local Wedding: Alysse & Matt 46 Donating Leftovers 47 Survival Kit 48 Services Directory

Content & Stories: Brooke McCluskey 812-331-4289 bmccluskey@hoosiertimes.com Sales & Advertising: Laurie Ragle 812-331-4291 lragle@hoosiertimes.com

©2017 SCHURZ COMMUNICATIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY COPYRIGHT. Prices, specials and descriptions are accurate as of the time of publishing. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the publisher. Advertising information has been provided by advertisers. Schurz Communications, Inc. does not make any representations as to the opinions and facts contained herein. All terms and conditions are subject to change. The cover, cover design, format and layout of this publication are trademarks of Schurz Communications, Inc. and Hoosier Times Inc.

CATERING

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w w w. te rr ys c ate ri n g. c o m

What’s your wedding

Dream?

Monica and Kyle’s wedding dream was personal and nontraditional. It included an intimate setting on the IU campus, a nine-piece mariachi band and take-home succulents for guests. See their story on page 12.

Monica & Kyle

John & Dominick

Alysse & Matt

John and Dominick — both musicians — started with music and let everything unfold from there, giving a nod to their beloved Bloomington by incorporating as many local products as possible. Meet them on page 22. Alysse and Matt knew they didn’t want a “ballroom wedding.” They selected the quirky, rustic Story Inn and made it a priority to create a relaxing experience for friends and family. Their story starts on page 40. These are just a few of the wedding dreams you’ll find in the pages of the South-Central Indiana Wedding Guide — and our goal is to help your dreams come true. Inside you’ll find 50 pages of real-world advice, expert tips and local sources. Thanks for reading, and best wishes for your big day and beyond!

Brooke McCluskey, Editor PS — Our thanks to the many photographers, planners, venues and other wedding vendors who make this magazine possible. You’ll see them acknowledged within each story and at Indiana-Wedding.com.

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Say to for your special day! Hair • Makeup u •Lash Extensions en ns • N Nails Skin • Waxin x n g • Spray S Tans a 6 0 6 W. K i r k w o o d A v e . | 8 1 2 - 3 3 9 - 5 2 2 2 | w w w. h a i r i n t . c o m Hair: Elaina Holguin (Hair International Day Spa)

Photography: Katyy Davis

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2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

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Creating décor yourself can be a great way to save money and ensure everything at your wedding has a personal touch. "There is a small crafty side in all of us," says Katie Spohr, special events and booking manager at the IU Auditorium, "which means that we can all somehow make a centerpiece out of a garage sale find … I had a bride who found a bunch of vases at Goodwill and painted them to match the color of her wedding. Once she was finished with them, I never would have guessed that she paid next to nothing for them." But the do-it-yourself-er should be aware that there are some risks. Pinterest, Instagram, and websites like Etsy. com are full of inspiring ideas, but pulling them off can add stress — right before the wedding, when you are already handling many other details. Wedding blogger Cherie Hanham, who also works as special events coordinator, recalls a bride who regretted taking on 24 sets of handcrafted paper table decorations. "It was D-I-Y gone B-A-D!" Hanham says. "She was actually incredibly talented at creating oversize origami art from handmade paper. But doing that many large pieces, trying to get them perfect … She called me in tears shortly before the wedding. We quickly bought other table décor wg and hung a few origami pieces from the ceiling."

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Refashion and

Repurpose By Marci Creps

If you never liked your dress or want to rewear it in a more modern fashion, expert Liby Ball may be able to help. Ball has experience in doing a variety of things with wedding dresses, whether it is changing the style or taking aspects from a dress and incorporating it into a new one. "Probably any situation that you can imagine, I've dealt with it," she said. So far, she has yet to encounter a problem she couldn't solve. Her favorite challenge was a bride who wanted to remake her wedding gown so that the skirt would tear away to reveal a shorter version with a red ruffle. Ball said the bride was turned away by three other seamstresses. "I was really intrigued and thought, 'Let me take a crack at it. Tell me what you want to do, and I can see what I can do,'" Ball said.

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Liby Ball works on a vintage dress.

Ball was nervous, but she eventually found that she needed to cut the dress in half, "which was very scary to do for the first time." Ball found her idea worked, and she posted a video online to show how the dress goes from long to short. The posting intrigued other brides who then considered doing something similar. Ball said she can fix minor flaws on a vintage dress. She's currently working with a bride's grandmother's wedding dress that has some stains, and Ball is trying to find out if they are champagne or icing stains. "I have to try and figure out what it is before I know how to treat it," she said. wg

A model wears a refashioned gown by Liby Ball. All photos courtesy Liby Ball.

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Greenery 2017 Color of the Year

Rose Quartz 2016 Color of the Year

Serenity

2016 Color of the Year

Marsala

2015 Color of the Year

Radiant Orchid 2014 Color of the Year

Emerald

2013 Color of the Year

Tangerine Tango 2012 Color of the Year

Honeysuckle 2011 Color of the Year

Pop!

Goes the Color A Q&A with color consultant Laura Brzegowy By Brooke McCluskey

magine your favorite color. Pair it with two complementary colors. Decide whether it looks best with white or cream. Now picture it all by candlelight. Are you confused? You’re not alone. Lots of couples have trouble creating — or agreeing on — a wedding color scheme. Laura Brzegowy, color consultant at Bloomington Paint & Wallpaper, has helped hundreds of local people understand color theory. She stays on top of the latest color trends in southern Indiana and around the world. Here’s what she told us. Q: What’s the process for picking a color scheme? A: There are questions I think every bride and groom should consider when choosing their color scheme. What mood are you trying to create? Pastels help one achieve a romantic and intimate wedding. Brighter colors work overtime to bring fun and vitality to your special day. During what season will your wedding take place? A winter wedding featuring crimson, black and white would be quite appropriate. A wedding with lighter shades of yellow, peach and lilac would be fitting for a springtime wedding. Conduct color reconnaissance at the venue. Is there a strong color that you’ll need to work with? The church I now attend has rust colored carpet, which wouldn’t have enhanced the soft pink dresses my bridesmaids wore. Consider the flowers in your bouquet. For instance, simple bouquets of lilacs could be well suited for a soft, pastel color scheme. Think about the gown you’ll be wearing. A contemporary dress with clean

2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

lines can easily manage a bold palette, while softer shapes featuring a full skirt and sleeves pair nicely with less vibrant shades. Q: How does an outdoor setting affect color? A: Start with your wedding’s season. In the summer there will be plenty of bright sun alongside vibrant, green leaves and grass that could pair beautifully with a bolder color palette such as fuchsia, magenta or teal. The cooler sunlight found at an outdoor mid-fall wedding will feel more inviting by utilizing the warm shades of russet, goldenrod, pine green. Q: Any color trends for 2017 and beyond? A: I always look to Pantone for up to date color trends. Their color specialists scout the entire world for the next “it color” that will be translated into fashion. For instance, in Paris they may find multiple blouses in French blue, or saffron colored dresses in India. These hues would likely find a place in Pantone’s color story predictions. In fact, by late January Sephora will have created an entire makeup collection to coordinate with the forecasted Pantone color trends. Q: What color combo is your personal favorite? A: I’m a huge lover of soft, low contrast color themes. My absolute favorites include subtle pinks, creamy whites and pale lavenders. At the moment I’m not helping anyone create a wedding color scheme, but if I was, I’d show them the plethora of recent Pinterest photos featuring my favorites. wg

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local wedding

Monica & Kyle By Kasey Husk

2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

“We met here, we live here now and this is where we are forming our life together.” - Monica

Photos by Joe Chung, Joe Chung Photography

rom their first date in fall 2013 — which included an impromptu trip to a salon to cut Kyle’s hair for the first time since elementary school — Kyle and Monica Billman knew they had something special together. “From the beginning to when we officially became a couple, we just knew it was going to be our last relationship,” says Monica, who notes the couple met freshman year at Indiana University but did not start dating until their senior year. “We still think about how we joked. We’d be silly and say, ‘Want to get married tomorrow?’ And we’d do that every day.” Words became actions the following spring when, after months of jokes about marriage, the couple popped in the car and went to pick out a ring. And in a Friday afternoon ceremony on May 13, 2016, the pair wed at the place where it all began: Indiana University. The Friday the 13th wedding date — while mostly incidental since their priority was choosing a spring wedding date — was the perfect choice for a couple who sought to avoid the traditional in their planning.

“I think when we approached the wedding, (we thought) what can we do that’s nontraditional?” says Monica, pointing to her blue diamond engagement ring as an example. “We did that because we didn’t do this formal proposal … From the beginning, it was always nontraditional, so we wanted to stick with the theme.” Indeed, Kyle notes that having been to half a dozen weddings recently had helped sharpen the couple’s priorities for what they wanted, which was one thing in particular: for guests to have fun. For him, that meant little downtime waiting on the wedding party, no assigned seating and live music.

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Deciding where to get married was an early challenge for the couple, who considered Indianapolis — where their parents live and where both were raised — as well as Bloomfield and Mexico, where each have extended family. However, Bloomington eventually won out because their personal history there. “We met here, we live here now and this is where we are forming our life together,” Monica says. While the couple ultimately had about 175 guests at their reception, having a more intimate ceremony surrounded by the people they are closest to was very important to them. Accordingly, the couple chose IU’s tiny Beck Chapel for the wedding itself, where they “got that feeling of, everyone who is in this room right now loves us and is happy for us,” Monica says. The rest of the couple’s guests joined two hours later for a mid-afternoon reception just steps away at The University Club in the Indiana Memorial Union, where the couple opted for hors d’oeuvres catered by IMU staff in favor of a sit-down dinner.

Music was an important aspect of the wedding for the couple, especially for Kyle — a musician who was formerly a member of the band Above the Garage. Rejecting a typical DJ, the couple opted to hire harpist Jan Alridge-Clark for the ceremony and engaged a mariachi band for the reception, a nod to Monica’s heritage. “I am someone who loves authenticity in everything, and part of that includes live music over a DJ,” Kyle says. He adds, “A lot of those people hadn’t seen a nine-piece mariachi band, and that was a spectacle to behold.” Monica notes that the couple, which shares a love of travel and learning languages, worried that their guests might not know how to dance to a mariachi band or that they might not be receptive. “But people loved it, especially my mom,” she says. Kyle has always been a fan of horticulture — Monica remembers him asking her to take care of his bonsai trees while he went on vacation during college — and over the years Monica’s own interest has grown. At the end of

2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

2016, the couple was on the verge of opening their own indoor gardening supply store in Bloomington, Goldleaf Hydroponics. “I never expected when we said our vows together that we’d also have to sort of incorporate them into our business relationship,” jokes Monica, who notes that their second bedroom in their home was turned into a greenhouse even before the couple decided to open the shop. It should perhaps come as no surprise, then, that plants figured prominently in several points of the wedding. A family friend provided Monica’s bouquet of pink roses, white roses and white peonies to complement the couple’s chosen pink, rose gold and blue colors, while Kyle wore a calla lily boutonniere. For wedding favors, Kyle planted small succulents in two-inch pots for the guests to take home, which ultimately proved to be one of his favorite details. “We still have people texting us pictures of how their succulents are growing,” Monica says. The couple also intended to plant a tree together during their wedding

ceremony using potting soil from his home and from her home, a twist on a sand ceremony. However, somewhere along the way on their wedding day, the tree got lost. Undaunted, they asked their officiant to describe the symbolism of bringing the two soils together during the ceremony, and in the end it was one of their favorite parts of the day. “We listened to the song and took a deep breath and got to reflect on the moment — ‘OK, this is happening, this is real,’” Monica recalls. “It was a minimeditation.” The dress: Monica wore a princesscut Lazaro gown with a long train and low-cut back, purchased from Marie Gabriel Couture in Indianapolis. The dress was actually the first gown she ever tried on, though she tried on five more afterward to be safe because she thought, “I can’t go with the first one I tried on!” The suit: Opting to avoid tuxedos in favor of suits for himself and his groomsmen — who were told they could wear their own black suits —

Kyle went to Macy’s to find the perfect garb and ultimately fell in love with a blue suit. “It has this sort of iridescent texture to it when the light caught it just right … I have never seen a suit with that sort of texture,” he says. “Having it stand out from the wedding party and the groomsmen was risky, but it ended up working.”

The cake: Crafted by Karlie Story of the Indiana Memorial Union staff, the Billmans’ wedding cake was a white four-tiered creation inlaid with rose-gold ribbons around each layer. In keeping with the couple’s color theme, the inside was pink strawberry cake with fresh strawberries, and was covered in white chocolate icing.

Her ring: Eschewing a more traditional engagement ring, Kyle and Monica picked out a blue diamond ring set in rose gold at Rogers & Hollands Jewelers. “I wanted something different,” Monica says. Her wedding band, also from Rogers & Hollands, is rose gold and includes a line of small white diamonds that complement the blue stones of her engagement ring.

The honeymoon: Because of work conflicts, the couple opted to wait until the end of July for their honeymoon. The couple ultimately chose a Royal Caribbean cruise in the Caribbean Sea, stopping at several islands along the way. “We said we were going to relax and just be by the beach, but because we love to travel we ended up doing a lot of touristy stuff,” Monica says.

His ring: Kyle chose a customdesigned wedding ring of zirconium and gold, crafted by Mary Khamis of Khamis Fine Jewelers. Khamis is a friend of the Billman family and designed Kyle’s parents’ wedding rings as well.

The photographer: The couple hired Joe Chung, of Joe Chung Photography, to capture their big day. The pampering: Monica’s hair and makeup were styled by Shannon Louden and Addison Watkins, both formerly of MarDon Salon in Bloomington.

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Party Animals How to welcome animals to your wedding By Brooke McCluskey

Photo by Tall & Small Photography.

ngel waits patiently outside the barn. Long lashes frame the gentle eyes of the black and white horse, which watches silently as the bride and groom approach. The couple can’t help but smile at Angel — and a photographer captures the moment to treasure forever. This dreamy scene happens often at Sycamore Farm Bloomington, a local wedding venue that offers interactions between people and animals. Horses, donkeys and dogs — all lovingly tended to by owners Ashley and Michael Korus — are part of Sycamore Farm’s appeal for many animal-loving couples. The farm is located about five miles from Bloomington, tucked into rolling hills, on a property that is both rustic and charmingly elegant. Ashley and Michael purchased Sycamore Farm in 2015 shortly after their own marriage. Their love for

Photo by Tall & Small Photography.

the farm shows — especially when it comes to the animals. Every creature is comfortable with people and able to remain calm around crowds. “We have no behavioral issues

2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

with them,” Ashley says, “except the occasional jumping puggle. If either of us senses that something is off, we remove the animal from the festivities to a quieter spot where they can get

Be patient. Animals sense that something exciting is happening and might be pretty hyper until they’re ready to calm down. Speak calmly and spend a little extra time helping them get used to the new surroundings. Be prepared. Bring along a leash, treats, waste bags, food and water to help keep your pet comfortable.

Photo by Stacy Able Photography.

some time alone — and of course, extra attention from us.” Guests are encouraged to offer the horses apples, carrots and special peppermint treats. Dogs can join the ceremony, dressed up in special collars and outfits. Horses

and donkeys delight children and often become part of the wedding photographs. Ashley and Michael share these tips for enjoying the animals at Sycamore Farm or otherwise incorporating animals into your festivities:

Do a test run. If your pet has never been to a large event before, it might be best to leave them at home. Stress can cause all kinds of odd behavior and it is often best to test it out slowly in smaller crowds first. Ask permission. Before you handle, pet or feed any animal that is not your own, ask for permission from the owner first. (And remind children to do so too!) For more information, see Sycamore Farm’s ad on page 11.

Boutique Weddings & Events

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Scent to Help Extra flowers are a bright surprise for retirement communities By Brooke McCluskey

he moment your wedding ends, your bouquets and centerpieces will still be bursting with scent, color and cheer. Why not send a smile to a local senior living facility? It's a concept that's blooming as couples incorporate recycling into their lives and weddings. In some cities, flower donation has become so popular there are nonprofit organizations set up to match donors with recipients. Random Acts of Flowers — active in Chicago, Knoxville and Silicon Valley — repurposes flowers into floral gifts for patients in healthcare facilities. In Milwaukee and Chicago, Petals for Patients brings flowers to terminally ill hospice patients and their families. While south-central Indiana doesn't currently have an organization quite like these, you can still put your extra blooms to good use. Local retirement communities generally accept flowers with open arms. For example, Bell Trace, located on Bloomington's east side, welcomes flower donations. Simply bring them to the main lobby desk and staff members will distribute them throughout the facility. The Wedding Guide received the same feedback from numerous local senior living facilities — Yes, please! The only caveat was that some residents have allergies, so please donate flowers by bringing them to a staff member who can handle distribution carefully. wg

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Things to keep in mind for barn and rustic weddings: Barn bling. Budget for the cost of any extra lighting and décor you'll need to keep the space feeling warm. Accessibility. If you have guests with mobility issues, you may need to arrange special parking and walking routes. Critters. Mosquitoes are the main culprit — and can be battled with cheerful baskets of bug spray — but all kinds of bugs and rodents can be unwelcome guests. Make sure your caterer is prepared to deal with pests. Weather. You might think rain is the main threat to a country wedding, but most barns have weathered decades of storms. The real issue is summer heat — so give shade and breeze with parasols, hand fans or electric blowers. Allergies. This is one of the trickiest issues to address. If your guests have hayfever or animal allergies, the best thing you can do is warn them well in advance about possible triggers — or offer an arrangement of allergy medication in the bathroom. Shoes. You — and your guests — might want to skip the high heels for a barn wedding. Uneven ground is part of the charm, but it calls for sturdy shoes.

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Large

Living

orget all the advice about paring down your guest list. Some weddings are just big! Here are some large-scale tips for events with hundreds of guests. Check the Venue. Are you absolutely sure that your dream venue holds enough people? With a large group, even a big space can quickly feel tight and stuffy. Will the space accommodate everyone for dining — including the caterers/servers — and dancing? Ask for facts about the venue’s heating and air conditioning, including whether you will be allowed to adjust the temperature if things get uncomfortable. Make a Mingle Plan. It’s going to be a challenge to spend quality time with so many guests. Consider skipping the traditional receiving line — because it will take forever! — and instead visit each reception table or set up a photo booth where groups can be photographed with you. This acknowledges each person’s presence while speeding things along.

2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

Managing Large Guest Lists By Brooke McCluskey

Shake Up the Favors. Hundreds of wedding favors can get expensive, particularly if they are custom imprinted with your names. Try thanking your guests in a unique way that groups less expensive items beautifully. For example, your floral décor could be made of individual stems or bouquets for each guest to take as they leave. Appoint a Travel Agent. If your wedding will include dozens or hundreds of out-of-towners, ask a trusted friend to develop detailed maps, transportation options and hotel info — and direct all questions to them. This simple step makes everything smoother for your guests and takes a huge weight off your shoulders. Schedule a Secret Rendezvous. You adore your guests, but a big group can be overwhelming. Give yourself a breather mid-way. Plan a 15-to-20-minute getaway with your new spouse before, or during, the reception. Recruit a bridesmaid or groomsman to whisk you away to a secret spot, and come back to your guests feeling refreshed. wg

“

Full Circle Selecting the right ring By Kathryn Gardiner

emember that the cake will be eaten and the dress will never be worn again, but the wedding jewelry can last forever if well chosen and cared for,” says Barb Hays at Victor Settle Jewelry, which has been in business in Bloomington since 1958. Diamonds are usually evaluated by the four Cs — cut, color, clarity and carat. Browse, ask questions, and in the end, trust your jeweler. “An engagement ring does not need to be diamond, but some gemstones, such as opal and emerald, could be poor choices for a ring that will be worn so much,” Hays says. “Many grooms are opting for tungsten carbide for its scratch resistance or titanium for its light weight.” Some ring-buying don’ts, according to Hays: “Don’t be too trendy, don’t worry about his and hers matching, don’t wait until the last minute, [and] don’t try to one-up all your recently engaged friends.” “Opt for quality over size, no matter what the budget,” she says. wg

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local wedding

John & Dominick By Kasey Husk

2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

ost newlyweds begin and end their first dance whirling on the dance floor to someone else’s song. But for musicians John Porter and Dominick DiOrio, making music together as married men was every bit as important as dancing. With John on trumpet and Dominick on keyboard, the pair began to play their own first dance song, “That’s All.” “I took John’s hand and we started dancing as the (jazz combo band) took over,” recalls Dominick, noting that the romantic moment had been John’s idea. The unique moment was one of many during the couple’s May 28, 2016, country chic wedding at Sycamore Farm. The big day was characterized by local food, live music and simple elegance during what John refers to simply as “the happiest day of our life together.”

The couple got engaged in July 2014, when John — planning to prepare an elaborate Italian meal before proposing to Dominick afterward — suddenly realized that his partner of two years was on to him because of a suspicious Trader Joe’s bag left in the kitchen. John skipped ahead to putting on a recording of June Christy’s “That’s All,” asked Dominick to dance and then presented him with a different bag, this one containing a Tiffany’s engagement ring. It was a moment that both had felt would someday come since early in the relationship. “I found in John someone who was so beautiful and compelling and compassionate and I admired him so much as a person,” says Dominick, who is an associate professor at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. “It all seemed to be so perfect … We started dating on my birthday in 2013, and I knew pretty much from that moment on.”

Photos by Richardson Studio

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Photos by Richardson Studio

While gay marriage was not yet legal in Indiana at the time of their July 2014 engagement, a Supreme Court ruling made it the law of the land almost one year later. By then, the couple had begun to think about planning their wedding in earnest. Both knew they wanted a country feel for their wedding, and that it would be nontraditional. “We had certain things that were very ceremonial, but there wasn’t much of anything that was very traditional,” John says of the outdoor wedding, which was officiated by a close friend. Sycamore Farm, with its rustic barn and greenery, was the first and only venue the pair had to visit before knowing that is where they would wed. While the weather gave them some worry in the lead up to the outdoor wedding, the couple’s decision to move forward was rewarded during dinner with a little sun shower that “made this beautiful, golden glow,” Dominick says. The couple placed a high priority on having live music, perhaps unsurprisingly for a pair of musicians.

Some musicians were Dominick’s colleagues from the Jacobs School of Music, and all of the jazz musicians had also played with John at some point. Country comfort food dominated the fare at the couple’s wedding. Among the offerings for dinner were smoked salmon and pulled pork. They eschewed traditional wedding cake in favor of a variety of pies. Pies fit with the county theme, met their own personal dessert preferences and accommodated their desire to avoid the tradition of shoving cake into each other’s faces. “It was really important that our food was actually something people wanted to eat,” Dominick says of the fare. Both men were also determined to use as many local Bloomington vendors as possible to make their vision a reality. To that end, the alcohol for the wedding’s two cocktail hours came from Cardinal Spirits and Upland Brewery, their pies came from Feast and their dinner was all catered by the Butcher’s Smoke House. The couple also had their matching blue suits custom-made by John’s

2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

employer, Andrew Davis Clothiers, in colors that reflected the elegantmeets-country style they were going for. In one particular nod to the country vibe, the interiors of the suits were lined with red and white checked gingham. “Bloomington is such a unique place that has so much to offer,” John says. “There is so much talent here in this community, in all different disciplines. Of course, the School of Music is a given — everyone knows the IU School of Music — but here there are a lot of talented artisans in a lot of fields. There was no reason to go to Indianapolis to try to find good food or talented people.” A close friend, Vince Liotta, was recruited to perform the wedding ceremony, which he, John and Dominick worked together to write. The wedding itself was the most powerful part of the day for Dominick, who describes how the couple maintained eye contact and held hands the entire time during the service. Another favorite moment came immediately after the wedding when,

after an exhausting day of celebrating, a six pack of warm beer they were removing from the car fell and shattered all over their garage floor. “At that moment we just looked at each other and went, well, I’ll get the broom and you get the hose,” Dominick recalls. “We approach things like that as partners.” The photos: With John working on the Courthouse Square, he’s become very familiar with other vendors in the area. When it came time to pick out a photographer John notes that “we knew right away we wanted to use Richardson Studio.” The dessert: Pies — instead of cake — felt fitting for a farm wedding. Among the flavors purchased from Feast were apple, blueberry and strawberry rhubarb. “With a wedding cake you often get more fondant than cake,” explains John. “We thought (pies) would be a lot more enjoyable, and neither of us was into the ceremonial

stuffing cake into each other’s mouth.” The suits: Dominick and John both chose suits rather than tuxedos for their big day, in part because both regularly wear tuxedos while working. The men chose custom suits in British navy — “a really pretty kind of blue,” John says — created for them by John’s employer, Andrew Davis Clothiers. The suits were of the same fabric but included some small differences, such as in the lapel style. Each man had both of their names sewed inside the red-and-white checked lining of the suit jackets as well. Red and white patterened bow ties and matching socks, differing between the pair by size of the pattern, completed the look. The flowers: Dominick’s uncle has a background in floral design and horticulture, and as a gift offered to provide wedding flowers. He drove from New Jersey to Indiana the week of the wedding with a van full of

flowers, then spent two days in the garage making centerpieces and boutonnieres. The couple, who said simply that they wanted the flowers to be “understated and elegant” in red, white, blue and light green, received arrangements than included daisies and a variety of roses. The rings: Chosen from another of Bloomington’s local businesses, John and Dominick’s matching platinum rings with brushed matte finish came from Gold Caster’s Fine Jewelry. Dominick’s engagement ring, which he describes as having a “very simple design,” came from Tiffany & Co. The honeymoon: It was “important for us to take a traditional honeymoon,” Dominick says, because both he and John tend to work long hours and often struggle to relax. The couple booked at 10-day trip to Hawaii and Napa and sealed away their phones for three-to-four-day stretches during the getaway. wg

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2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

Expert Tips with Chris Hoke

Chris Hoke of Perfect Parties Tents & Events has decades of experience with weddings and special events. Here are his tips for managing your big day.

Q: What makes a wedding successful? A: I would have to say that just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so goes the success of a wedding. What all successful weddings have in common is the spirituality of the event — to enjoy the festivities yet appreciate the meaning. Whatever the budget, whatever goes wrong or right, every wedding is successful.

A: Social media has changed everything in the wedding market. The impact of social media reaches from the early stages of the planning process to the actual event and beyond. The detail and sophistication of today's weddings have been greatly enhanced through information warehouses like Pinterest. Real-time progress of the wedding can be shared through Instagram and Snapchat.

Q: What is the most significant trend you've seen lately? A: Outdoor and barn weddings have gained tremendous popularity. The reason is very simple — they bring an intimacy that bonds those in attendance. It is an opportunity for everyone to disconnect from their busy lives and reconnect with nature and those close to them.

Q: You encourage couples to attend bridal shows. Why? A: Brides can condense months of searching out providers into one day, meet them all and make an informed decision as to who best fits their needs. Wedding caterers provide samples of delicious food for taste-testing on site. Brides can register and have the opportunity to win free gifts. A photo booth is on site as a courtesy. It's a great way to start a wedding scrapbook.

Q: How has social media influenced weddings?

Editor's note: The Bloomington Bridal Show is January 22, 2017 at the Bloomington Convention Center, presented by Perfect Parties Tents & Events and co-sponsored by the South-Central Indiana Wedding Guide.

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H airstyle

How-Tos From Kelly Harding at Hair International Day Spa and Salon. Harding has been in the business for 39 years.

1 3 5

2 4

Schedule a consultation or practice session at least three weeks prior to your big day.

Your hair will be styled around any headpiece, tiara, or veil you may be wearing, so be sure to bring it (not just a picture of it) to your practice session.

Come with clean, dry hair, especially on the day of your wedding. Wet hair takes extra styling time you probably won’t have.

Wear a button-down shirt or one with a wide neck so you don’t ruin your ‘do when you change clothes.

Don’t try to be something you’re not. If you feel uncomfortable with your hair up, wear it down in soft curls. Your hairstyle should accent you.

Bridal party ‘dos Be sure to communicate with your bridesmaids about who will be paying for what when it comes to hair, makeup, manicures and pedicures. “If you have a tight budget, let your bridal party know that,” says Harding. “You can offer to pay a portion of the tab, but many brides do not pay for their attendants’ hair and makeup. Just make sure everyone understands that before they arrive at the salon. ... [And] if a bridesmaid wants to do her own hair and makeup, and you think she can, let her!”

Hair by Hair International Day Spa & Salon. Photos by Kathy Truss.

Indiana-Wedding.com

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2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

HT-167651-1

On Point We asked wedding bloggers and planners to share their top trends for 2017 and beyond. Here’s what they told us.

Let your roots show 1 Are you a Hoosier through and through? Make your event memorable by keeping it local. Offer local beer, wine, desserts, food, flowers, music — even jewelry handcrafted by a local artist. Give your guests a list of all your local favorites, so they can visit the stores or order online.

Keep it personal 2 Personal touches make a wedding meaningful and memorable — but experts cautioned against using outright personalized items, like monogrammed napkins or favors imprinted with the couples’ names. Instead, provide truffles from a favorite chocolate shop, a gift bag stuffed with favorite drinks or iTunes gift cards attached to a playlist of beloved songs.

Shine it up 3 Wondering if bling is still a thing? Indeed it is! Metallics are

popular in textiles and décor — so find ways to incorporate touches of metal, sparkles and gems throughout your event. Swaths of glittering fabric look great under overhead lights. Sequined bridesmaid dresses are making a comeback, too.

the cake 4 Hold The traditional wedding cake, so popular in the 80s and

4 30

2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

90s, has been upstaged by larger-than-life custom cakes on TV and Pinterest. So if you’re going for cake, go big and bold — and if not, offer something totally different. Our wedding experts have seen: cupcakes, macaroons, doughnuts, Rice Krispie treats, truffles, snow cones, gourmet popcorn, ice cream bars and cakes made entirely out of candy.

5 Belt it out

Wedding belts are in! A wedding belt or sash is worn over the dress, usually above the navel at the thinnest part of the waist. It accentuates curves and adds sparkle. A wedding belt is also a great way to add a modern twist if you’re wearing a gown that was inherited from a family member.

subtle stripes 6 Try A pinstriped suit can be paired with a chic striped tie — as

6 7

long as the combination is created with subtlety and style. To make sure the look is on point, consult with an expert at a menswear shop and plan to have your suit professionally tailored for a modern fit.

7 Go wildflowers

Locally-grown, seasonal flowers are at the top of the ecoconscious wish list. Many florists can create farm-to-table bouquets and displays. Plan ahead with your floral provider to incorporate seasonally-available blooms and woodlandinspired creations with ferns, greens and foraged branches. wg

The

Name Game If you plan to change your name after the big day, here are a few key organizations to notify and documents to update. ❍ Auto registration ❍ Bank accounts/stock certificates/retirement accounts

❍ Wills—drawing up or changing beneficiary ❍ IRS/Social Security ❍ Passport

❍ Insurance policy— home, health, auto, life

❍ Post office

❍ Credit cards/credit reporting agency

❍ Magazine subscriptions

❍ Pension plans

❍ Doctor/dentist

❍ Alumni associations

❍ Voter registration

❍ School records

❍ Employer payroll/ human resources

❍ Club memberships ❍ E-mail

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Indiana-Wedding.com

engagement

Announcement

S u b m i t t o y o u r l o c a l n e w s p a p e r o ff i c e

The Marrying Couple Person 1 full name

Person 2 full name

Address

Parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; names

Address

Schools, occupation, organizations, military service

Submitted by

The Wedding Date

Phone(s) Email Photo submitted

Location

Yes

Photographer/studio

For The Herald-Times: Photos should be vertical in orientation. Snapshots and informal poses are not appropriate. Street addresses are not printed in the paper. Please put your name on photo. Announcements are usually published within two weeks of receipt. Photos may be picked up at The Herald-Times office after publication: 1900 S. Walnut St., Bloomington, IN 47401

2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

W E D D I NG

Announcement

S u b m i t t o y o u r l o c a l n e w s p a p e r o ff i c e

Spouse 1

Spouse 2

Full name

Name after wedding (if applicable)

City and state

Parents’ names

Parents’ city (cities)

Honor Attendant

Attendant's city

Relationship to Spouse 1

Relationship to Spouse 2

Attendant

City/relationship to Spouse 1

City/relationship to Spouse 2

Attendant

City/relationship to Spouse 1

City/relationship to Spouse 2

Attendant

City/relationship to Spouse 1

City/relationship to Spouse 2

Flower girl

Usher

City/relationship to Spouse 1

City/relationship to Spouse 2

Schools, organizations, employment

Ring bearer City/relationship to Spouse 2 Schools, organizations, employment

The Wedding Date/location Reception location

Submitted by

Officiant

Phone(s)

Honeymoon destination

For The Herald-Times: Announcements will be printed as soon as possible after the information is submitted. Photo should picture the bride or couple in wedding attire. It should be vertical in format and professional quality. Your photo may be picked up at The Herald-Times and will be filed by the date when it appeared in the newspaper. Wedding announcements must be submitted within six months of the wedding date. Please print clearly. Feel free to continue on a separate piece of paper. The Herald-Times is located at: 1900 S. Walnut St., Bloomington, IN 47401

Photo submitted

Yes

Photographer/studio

Indiana-Wedding.com

Edible & Unforgettable 9 ways to create a memorable food experience for your guests By Brooke McCluskey

Food bar. This is no stuffy buffet. The modern wedding food bar invites guests to make their own treats. Love carnival food? Offer your guests an array of festive fare. Master Rental in Bloomington, for example, rents machines that make popcorn, snow cones, slushies and cotton candy.

Food truck. Decide on your one true food love — Is it pizza? Tacos? BBQ? Talk to a local food truck owner and secure your date far in advance, just as you would with a traditional caterer. Hire two or more trucks if you want to provide options or include dessert. Keep in mind that food trucks usually bring casual

dinnerware like paper plates and plastic utensils. And consider having an overflow table nearby where truck staff can place food, so your guests don’t have to wait in line.

Coffee creations. Talk to a local coffee company about incorporating their wares into a complete food experience. For example, Hopscotch Coffee in Bloomington partners with the local Rainbow Bakery on exclusive vegan recipes. Remember, with the help of a chef or caterer, you can also go beyond drinks and desserts to memorable dishes like coffee-braised short ribs, coffee-marinated skirt steak, salad with coffee vinaigrette and biscuits with coffee-onion jam. Get mallow. Did you know southern Indiana is home to several gourmet marshmallow businesses? Mary’s Marvelous Marshmallows in Bloomington, 240sweet Artisan Marshmallows in Columbus and Chocolate Bliss in Jasper are just a few southern Indiana sources for handmade marshmallows. Make it an experience by inviting wedding guests to create gourmet s’mores near a bonfire or patio fire pit using a variety of marshmallow flavors. At 240sweet, for example, you can find flavors like crème brulee, pineapple jalapeno, pink lemonade, draft beer and salty caramel.

Kids’ cupcake zone. If your wedding will include lots of kids, give them a kid-friendly create-yourown cupcake zone with a

2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

variety of flavors, toppings and plenty of space to spread out. Bring aprons!

Invite a chef. Go straight-up gourmet by hiring a guest chef to cook live for your guests — steak, sushi, desserts, or anything that looks and tastes great when assembled in front of a group of people. The key is to find a chef with an outgoing personality that resonates with your personal taste. Don’t know a chef? Reach out to the culinary and hospitality administration instructors at Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington.

Go above the bar. Invite a highend cocktail bartender and serve your guests Mad Men-style. Offer custom drinks to match your theme. Need a non-alcoholic option? Popsicle cocktails — frozen creations made from a blend of fruits and juices — can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic, and can include grown-up ingredients like lavender, papaya, cheesecake and maple syrup.

Bubble bar. Bubble bars offer everything that bubbles — champagne, sparkling wines, soda, bubble tea and fluffy desserts. With the right array of custom fare and décor, a bubble bar can offer refreshments in a cheerful, dreamy setting. Local, local, local. Love to buy local? Remind your guests why you love your southern Indiana hometown by offering local beer, wine, cheese, meats, chocolates — everything possible to acquire locally. You can even join the trend of sending “afterfavors” in the mail — thank-you cards combined with treats — as a reminder of your wedding after your guests get home. wg

Cake!

Take the

or Doughnuts... or Cookies... or Pizza... By Kathryn Gardiner

Trying out cakes might just win for the best wedding task. Hit your local bakeries and sink your fork into chocolate, red velvet, vanilla and more. With fondants and icings of all colors, cake design and decorations know no bounds. And why limit yourself to cake? Here are a few out-of-thecake-box ideas. Let your taste buds decide!

Cookie cake Snack cakes

Pizza tiers

Satisfy your sweet tooth with an artfully arranged tower of Twinkies, Ding-Dongs or Ho-Hos. Consider tiers of Sno Balls if your wedding is pretty in pink.

Pile up the pies top to bottom with large to medium to small and you’ve created a tiered “cake” perfect for any pizza-loving couple. Plus, make one a veggie pizza and you’ve got options for your vegetarian guests.

Pick your favorite cookie, stack it in the traditional tiered fashion and you have a cookie “wedding cake.” You can also treat it like a dessert bar, offering as many types and styles of cookies as you like. Provide take-home boxes as an extra treat for your guests.

CANDY cake Cheesy cake If you prefer savory to sweet, you can skip the frosting altogether with a “cake” made of tiered cheese wheels, either your favorite or a variety. Add fresh fruit for a dash of color and edible decoration.

Rice-krispie treats Capable of remarkable elegance, the ricekrispie square — or circle or star — can easily be your sophisticated wedding-day tiered confection. Or you can add rainbow sprinkles to match your playful reception décor.

Love candy as much as cake? Select your favorite and talk to a bakery. A cake base is a crowdpleaser, and the candy on top satisfies your sweet tooth.

Pile of Pies

Doughnut tower

Offer your guests an assortment of pies, from pumpkin to cherry to lemon meringue. These can be full-sized pies, or mini-pies in single servings, and you can display them side-by-side or tiered to get that “wedding cake” appearance.

Beautifully iced or adorned with flowers, a tower of doughnuts or doughnut holes can provide your guests with delicious, single-serving options. This can also allow for variety as designs can be created with different doughnut flavors.

Indiana-Wedding.com

24 Carrot Gold Punch Offer your guests a custom cocktail with a local connection. This punch recipe, which features gin from Bloomington’s Cardinal Spirits, will hit the spot with its tropical vibe and fizzy ginger beer. • 1 bottle gin (Cardinal Spirits Standard Dry) • 25 ounces carrot juice • 19 ounces pineapple juice • 12 ½ ounces fresh lemon juice • 24 ounces ginger beer (more or less to taste) • Glass: punch bowl • Garnish: pineapple slices and edible flowers (optional) Combine all the liquid ingredients in a punch bowl with one giant ice cube or several large cubes. Serve in glasses with ice. Garnish. Makes 12+ servings. Recipe courtesy Cardinal Spirits

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2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

Do-it-Your-

Selfie Take Selfies with Style By Brooke McCluskey

There is no substitute for perfectly-poised professional wedding photographs. But selfies can offer a sweet, silly vibe that's hard to capture in posed photos. During the chaos of the big day, consider taking a moment for some selfies with your wedding party or closest friends. If nothing else, it's a great way to calm your nerves and loosen up before a formal photo session.

Selfie secrets:

Watch your light. Most cell phones aren't smart enough to account for backlighting and strong shadows. Try to keep the sun — or bright indoor lighting — at a 45 degree angle and don't allow strong lighting to be directly behind you. You want to see faces, not silhouettes. Get close — really close. The best group selfies have a sense of whimsy and camaraderie. Encourage your friends to squeeze together for a cozy and memorable shot. Flashlight at night. Ever seen a great nighttime selfie? Not usually, but some people pull it off. Their secret is the flashlight technique, where one person uses a flashlight app to project a steady beam of light, and another person takes the selfie. It requires an extra step, but is perfect for night weddings. No bobbleheads! In an effort to appear slimmer, people often hold cell phones at a high angle and point it down at them, creating a bobblehead effect, where the forehead looks large and the feet look small. Unless this is the look you're going for, don't hold the device too high. App before sharing. Consider using a fast photo editing app, like Aviary, Cymera or Pixlr, before sending to friends. Sure, it's a selfie, but you still might want the opportunity to soften the background, add artistic effects or crop out anything objectionable. Indiana-Wedding.com

Photo by B. Arnao

Extraordinary Celebrations Our commitment O it t tto b be the th BEST iin S South th C Central t l IIndiana di provides id you with ith th the mostt modern d selection of tents, linens, chairs, lighting, and more for your indoor or outdoor wedding.

Whether a small dinner party for twelve or an elegant wedding of five hundred – Master Rental’s exceptional customer service and personal commitment will create an event and experience that will exceed your expectations. It’s your special day! These memories will last a lifetime. You owe it to yourself to see why so many others have not only chosen Master Rental – but also emphatically refer us to other brides afterwards! Check us out online, give us a call, or stop by for a personal consultation at our on site Party/Event store.

2 0 0 2 W. T H I R D S T, B L O O M I N G T O N , I N • 8 1 2 - 3 3 2 - 0 6 0 0 M A S T E R R E N TA L PA R T Y. C O M • M A S T E R R E N TA L . C O M HT-168465-1

2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

Tips

from a Wedding Magazine Mom

Learning from experience — and from Randy Fenoli of “Say Yes to the Dress” By Kathy Jonas

ago. A Midwestern boy originally, his practical tips have stayed with me. He advised those getting married to “tell eing the mother of the bride or groom comes their story.” If that means serving sushi or wearing a white down to one thing: being a mother. fur, go for it. Some adore fresh flowers, while others could If you’ve had to negotiate with your child about a care less. It’s a simple rule: spend money on the things that particularly tough homework assignment — or sat down at are important to you. the kitchen table on a Sunday night with a calendar trying to The question of who is paying for the wedding should be figure out how you could possibly drive someone to soccer, discussed frankly from the beginning, as fit in a dentist appointment and still work it affects the dynamics of the planning. full time — you can do this. Obviously, if the couple is paying for The same skills you’ve used raising “It’s a simple rule: their own wedding, the parents’ wishes children come into play when helping spend money on should be considered with politeness and organize one of the biggest days of the things that are love — but the couple makes the major their lives: a wedding. The growth of the decisions. If the parents are paying for the important to you.” wedding industry in reality television shows, celebration, it only makes sense that they online wedding sites and Pinterest boards might have some say in the arrangements. intimidates those of us trying to plan a Just keep in mind that your child’s simple wedding to celebrate the union of happiness should be your prime consideration, not the our child and his or her partner. wedding you wished you would have had. And don’t break Remember, you’ve done much harder things. the bank. It is just one day. Midwesterners are a special breed in that we are practical. If at all possible, hire a wedding planner, even if only for Sit down with the couple right after the engagement the big day. This professional will help keep everyone sane and figure out what is most important to them. See if it is and focused on the joy. It seems like an extra expense, but something everyone can afford and live with. I remember no one wants to deal with glitter and a hot glue gun on the sitting on the back deck at our house with my daughter and day of the wedding. No one. future son-in-law, looking out over the cornfields and woods After my daughter’s wedding, we found ourselves that have been the backdrop to our lives. My daughter schlepping flower arrangements from a university venue to was throwing out ideas and said she was thinking about a our car. wedding in our back yard. “Did we pay to pick these up tomorrow?” I asked the Having spent three years as the managing editor of a person in charge at the venue. wedding magazine, I had interviewed lots of brides and “Nope,” she said. spent many hours writing articles about weddings. I knew Things will go wrong. They always do. But the important from experience that a backyard wedding is one of the most thing is that moment in time described so eloquently by challenging because it often morphs into home renovations, Paul Coelho. landscaping upgrades and an unhealthy relationship with “And when two such people encounter each other, and the local weather forecaster. Remember the movie “Father their eyes meet, the past and future become unimportant. of the Bride?” I said no. It would put me over the edge. I There is only that moment, and the incredible certainty that knew my own limitations and said so. everything under the sun has been written by one hand I had the pleasure of spending the day with Randy Fenoli only.” of the popular show “Say Yes to the Dress” several years wg

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2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

local wedding

Alysse & Matt By Kasey Husk

Photos by Summerly Photography

Indiana-Wedding.com

2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

s a chef and the leader of a restaurant’s “back of the house,” Matthew Gorczyca was involved in the interview process when it came time to hire a new manager to run the “front of the house” at the Alaskan resort. When he interviewed Alysse Schuster — a Buffalo, N.Y. native like himself — he knew there was “something special there.” “It felt like we connected in the interview,” he recalls. “In the back of the house, that’s what I wanted with whoever we hired. I wanted to connect with whoever the front of the house manager was.” To say the two worked together successfully would be an understatement. The “two sides of the house” officially became one on Aug. 27, 2016, at Nashville’s Story Inn, in a rustic wedding ceremony that was a testament to their love of the great outdoors and their years in the restaurant industry. “I knew that I didn’t want to have it in a ballroom,” Alysse says of planning

the couple’s nuptials. “Both of us being in the industry, we see weddings all the time: we work weddings, we help people plan weddings. I knew what I didn’t want. I wanted it to be outside, kind of rustic and a barn feel.” While the couple originally intended to have their wedding near Buffalo, nothing they found there quite fit the bill. That’s when the couple’s best friends, Jacob and Kate Ebel — who had worked with them in a variety of states over the years — suggested they consider having their wedding at the Indiana venue they had recently become part-owners of: The Story Inn. Matt had also worked there in the past and was familiar with its charms. “It was magical,” Alysse says of the venue. “The whole space back there was just so green. I felt like I was in an enchanted forest.” Kate, who became their wedding planner, said to the couple, “’I know what you are looking for and I can help you bring your vision to life,’” Alysse remembers. “That sealed the deal.” Matt, says his priority was making sure the wedding was relaxing for

guests. In his experience, the formality of most weddings tends to put people outside their comfort zones and that isn’t what he wanted for the couple’s big day. Serving great food was another major goal for Matt, given his line of work. To that end, he ended up doing the prep work for the majority of the food, though the Story Inn chef — assisted by Alysse’s brother and one of his friends — did the final cooking. Among the offerings were Buffalo-inspired appetizers, such as a crostini with chicken puree, blue cheese mousse, celery leaves and spicy vinaigrette — a spin on the traditional buffalo wing. For the dairy intolerant, he created roasted baby red potatoes with hummus piped in, as a play on deviled eggs. Dinner included a choice of pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon, beef filets or vegan meatloaf wrapped in cabbage. “I enjoy the nourishing part of cooking and bringing people together, so I wanted to have a part in it,” Matthew says, adding that in the whirlwind following the wedding they didn’t actually get to eat much. Indiana-Wedding.com

The couple, who got engaged at Niagara Falls, are nature lovers and that was in evidence throughout their rustic wedding — from the greenery of their venue to the birds’ nest topping their wedding cake. Alysse had worked near Nashville for three months in 2013, and her experience came in handy as she began to plan her own wedding. Already, she knew exactly which vendors she wanted for many of the services they needed. A cake from Icing on the Cake by Kristina, a Nashvillebased baker, was a must. “I would constantly see her cakes coming in and out of the venue,” she says. “When we decided to have our wedding here, I knew I had to have one of hers.” Likewise, when it came to picking flowers for the rustic-themed wedding, Alysse didn’t so much know what she wanted as much as she knew who: Gina Martin, owner of Columbus-based Pomp & Bloom. “Everything she does is a work of art,” Alysse says, who notes she wanted

a “very lush and free falling” bouquet but otherwise “I pretty much gave (Gina) free reign.” One of Alysse’s favorite touches also came from Pomp & Bloom: a flower wall that served as the backdrop for the wedding ceremony. The couple had chosen the weekend for their wedding carefully to ensure that all their friends and family would be able to attend and spend a few days relaxing with them in Indiana. However, just a week before the wedding they were crushed when Alysse’s grandfather suffered a stroke, leaving him too ill to travel. However, Alysse’s “techy” uncle managed to arrange a live-stream of the wedding to the hospital room. “We went back home the week after and they were like, ‘We saw you do this, we saw you do that,’” Alysse says. “I’m glad that they didn’t miss out.” For both Matt and Alysse, the highlight of the wedding came even before it had even officially begun: during their “first look” photo shoot with photographer Summer Galyan of Summerly Photography. Matthew

and Alysse had incredibly stressful mornings, even by wedding-day standards. Matthew brought the wrong dress shirt to the venue and had to race back in his truck to retrieve it minutes before he was supposed to be taking photos. Alysse, meanwhile, was trying to protect her hair — newly-styled by Vivian Lou Salon in Columbus — and her bridesmaids from torrential downpours in the morning. They arrived with garbage bags over their heads. Given the wedding was also meant to be held outdoors, she had plenty on her mind with the weather — at least, until she saw her groom. “Once I saw him, I just wanted to melt in his arms because, ok, everything is going to be perfectly fine,” she says. “All I had to do was look at him and know, ‘Don’t worry about it. Everything is going to be fine.’ And it was perfect.” Her ring: Alysse’s engagement ring comes from the Vera Wang love collection, and includes two sapphires underneath the diamond setting that Indiana-Wedding.com

Perfect GUY, Perfect GOWN & Perfect MAKE-UP! “I felt like I was in an enchanted forest.” -Alysse

represent everlasting love, she says. It was purchased from Zale’s. His ring: As a chef, Matt has always favored Japanese knives over any other, so when it came time to pick a ring he knew he wanted one made of Japanese steel. The ring also has a deer antler inlay, Matt says, as a testament to his affinity for the great outdoors. It was purchased online from Revolutionary Jewelry Designs. The dessert: Produced by Nashville baker Kristina Taylor of Icing on the Cake by Kristina, the couple’s wedding cake was a two-tiered birch cake” meaning its icing was intended to mimic a birch tree, complete with the couple’s initials carved into it and topped by birds in a nest. Taylor also produced a double-chocolate mocha groom’s cake that matched the theme of a country song Matthew enjoys, “Buy Me a Boat.” The dessert table included cupcakes with traditional Italian pastry flavors, honoring Alysse’s “huge baker family.” Alysse and Matt provided pink plastic bags at the dessert table so that guests could take home some of the sweet treats as their wedding favors. The dress: Alysse wore a mermaid-style gown purchased from David’s Bridal. Originally, Alysse had been sure she’d choose a ball gown from a boutique shop in Vermont where she went shopping with her mom and brothers, but she did not find any that she loved. At her brothers’ urging, she decided to ask for a mermaid-style gown during a “last ditch” effort to find a dress at David’s Bridal. The first one she saw was a winner. The suit: Matt rocked a navy blue suit with matching navy blue vest, white shirt, gold tie and Oxford-style brown shoes. The suit was purchased from

Men’s Warehouse, where Matt notes he was “trying to buy something not only can I use on my wedding, but for future events as well.” Because of the extremely hot weather, Matt ultimately left his suit coat off during the wedding. The music: The couple hired Maddox Entertainment as the DJ for the reception, but during the ceremony they opted for live music performed by some of Alysse’s cousins, Jessica and Jeannette Frescino, and keyboardist Idris Frederick. “1000 years” by Christina Perri, when played on string instruments, “hits you in the heart,” Alysse says. DJ Keith Maddox also served as the couple’s officiant. The memory-making: Alysse and Matt hired Massive Multimedia as videographers for the wedding, while Summerly Photography handled the photography side of things. Guests could make their own memories in the photo booth the couple rented from Aww Snap Photo Booth. The graphic design: The couple used online design site Wedding Paper Divas to create their save-the-day cards, invitations and thank you cards. The decor: Alysse and Matt used a variety of hand-made crafts to add character and fun to their wedding day. A majority of the decor was ordered from various vendors on Etsy.com, including program fans, welcome signs and flower girl baskets. Family members also pitched in, with Matt’s father making wooden signs for them from old pallets and his aunt painting words like “Mr. and Mrs.” on them. Alysse’s mother, who lives in New York, also played a big role in finding the decor and “bringing my vision to life,” Alysse says. wg

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• Antiques & Victorian Jewelry • Romantic, Beautiful, Sentimental Fine Jewelry • Antiques • Antique Toys • Collectibles and Hard to Find Items • Buying and Selling 39 E Franklin St.Nashville,IN 812-988-4091 Indiana-Wedding.com

Heart

Leftovers with

Donate excess food to a good — and local — cause By Brooke McCluskey

ooking for a way to prevent your wedding leftovers from going to waste? With a bit of planning, you can put excess food to good use. For public health reasons, most food banks can only accept donations of new or packaged/ canned foods. The Hoosier Hills Food Bank, a non-profit organization that delivers more than three million pounds of food annually to almost 100 local organizations, can't accept food that is opened, expired or not prepared in a commercial kitchen. However, they do have a program called Meal Share that accepts excess prepared food from delis, cafeterias and special events. Your catered event may fit their needs, so contact Dan Baucco at dan@hhfoodbank.org or 812-334-8374 to find out. For a complete list of southern Indiana homeless shelters, the U.S. Department of Housing and

Urban Development recommends calling 2-1-1, a free phone service that matches Hoosiers with specific local community resources. It can also be accessed at IN211. org. If you're in the Bloomington area, you can contact Community Kitchen at 812-332-0999, the Shalom Center at 812-334-5728 Mother Hubbard's Cupboard at 812-339-5887 and Monroe County United Ministries at 812-339-3429 to see if your event's donated food would qualify. Are animals close to your heart? Food donated to animal organizations generally must be less than a day old and protein rich. Not all organizations can accept leftover-style food, due to storage and contamination issues, but there are a variety of ways to help. The White River Humane Society in Bedford, for example, is unable to accept prepared food donations — but if you have extra aluminum cans, they accept them year-round and use the money to benefit

2017 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE

animals. Check with your caterer and cleanup crew about recycling aluminum. The Bloomington Animal Shelter can take donations of meat ready for immediate use. They have no long-term refrigeration or storage space, so donations must be reasonably-sized. Make arrangements by calling 812-3493492. The Monroe County Humane Association does not have a shelter, but you can call 812-3336242 for additional guidance about donating to animal causes. Beyond shelters, other options for donating wedding leftovers include arranging a donation to an individual family that fosters children or animals, offering food through a church bulletin, and giving non-meat dishes to someone who maintains a compost pile. One way or another, you can ensure your extra food gives nutrients to people, animals or the wg earth.

wedding day

t i K l a v i v Sur Aspirin or other pain reliever

Breath mints or gum

Tissues

S m a l l e m e rg e n c i e s happen, so consider packing a kit with a few essential items and entrusting it to y o u r m a i n h e l p e r. Beard trimmer

Small sewing kit

Nail polish & nail kit for touchups

Cologne or perfume

Lint roller

Stainremover pen Granola or energy bar

Safety pins

Shoe polish

Feminine products Toothbrush

Deodorant

Lipstick or any makeup that may need freshening

SPECIAL EVENTS at

IU AUDITORIUM The elegant and spacious IU Auditorium foyers provide the perfect place to host your wedding ceremony or reception. Our exquisite atmosphere and attentive service are guaranteed to add a touch of class to your special occasion. For more information or to book a tour, contact:

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Katie Spohr Special Events Manager (812) 856-3037 kspohr@indiana.edu

IUAUDITORIUM.COM

Photo: Eric Rudd Photography

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