Michael & Sarah ~ September 5, 2009

BEAUTIFUL COUPLE

Michael and Sarah are an amazing couple! Just look how adorable they are! Roughly six months before they were set to say “I do” we received a phone call from Sarah wanting to know about our services. So, we set up a meeting and I clearly remember our first meeting because we met at the Starbucks on Massachusetts Avenue and it was PACKED! Literally there was nowhere to sit so we walked down the street to Hoaglin’s and brought in our Starbucks…ha! The staff was very sweet about it though (I think Sarah did end up getting tea so at least we didn’t just take up a table without getting anything!). Anyway, our first meeting was wonderful. We met with Sarah and her mom, Holley, and we just had good chemistry. It is also fun to meet with mothers and daughters because being a mother/daughter duo ourselves I can understand where the bride is coming from and what she is wanting whereas my mom is able to connect with the mother and understand where she is coming from and her concerns about the planning process and the wedding day.

After our initial meeting we corresponded through e-mail and once school was out for the summer (Sarah and her mom are school teachers) we met about once a month to make sure that everything was on track. When we initially met with Sarah she was looking at a completely different venue but her sorority sister, Amanda, is the catering manager at The Conrad and let Sarah know that there was an opening for her date! So we quickly switched gears and began planning Michael and Sarah’s gorgeous event at the amazing Conrad. Sarah had in her mind what she wanted (blues and greens) so we just helped set her up with vendors who would make sure that her vision came to life on wedding day.

On rehearsal day, the girls all had lunch at Café Patachou and then had manicures and pedicures. Following rehearsal, everyone went next door to Rock Bottom Brewery. The first few hours were reserved specifically for those who were invited to the rehearsal and then around 9:00pm they opened it up to include their out-of-town guests.

YAY…wedding day arrived and everyone was so excited! The girls had a later start to the day not having to arrive at The Conrad until noon. After settling into their dressing room it was time for hair and makeup! Adee from Pure Ambiance Salon came to The Conrad to do everyone’s hair. Sarah was very cost-effective when it came to the girls makeup. While some of the girls were getting their hair done the other girls walked over to Circle Center Mall (it is right across the street) and had Ashley with Smashbox do their makeup and then they would switch! Adee and Ashley did such a FABULOUS job on all of the girls hair and makeup! Everyone looked so GORGEOUS! Sarah did a wonderful job managing her budget but when it came to getting the photographer of her dreams…she didn’t care what it cost! The unmatched, amazing, phenomenal and so sweet Jennifer Driscoll was a MUST HAVE for Sarah’s big day! Jennifer did a WONDERFUL job all day long and as you can see captured the day beautifully! She is truly a pleasure to work with…so nice, accommodating and provides an phenomenal product and keepsake!

Michael and the guys arrived a few hours later to relax and get dressed for the big day. Michael and Sarah wanted to have their individual photos taken prior to their big reveal so Sarah and her girls had their photos done first. Sarah wanted as many photos outside (utilizing the beautiful city of Indianapolis and plus it was a gorgeous, sunny day) as possible. Once Sarah and her girls made it back to The Conrad it was time for Michael and his guys to take over the city! Upon the completion of the guys photos Michael and Sarah had their big reveal in the lobby of The Conrad. It was very storybook like in the sense that they have this HUGE, BEAUTIFUL staircase that Sarah came down to meet Michael. Because Michael and Sarah wanted to enjoy their cocktail hour all of the individual, wedding party and family photos were taken prior to the ceremony.

Once everything was set it quickly came time for the attendants to take their places, for Catherine (their pianist) to begin playing and for guests to be escorted to their seats by the groomsmen. Once the guests were seated and everyone made it down the aisle it was then time for Sarah and her dad, Jeff! Sarah looked absolutely STUNNING and Jeff was beaming with PRIDE! Those father/daughter moments are something that can never be recreated and they are just so precious to experience (not only as the father and daughter but as the planner…always brings a HUGE smile to my face). Heath (their officiant) did a WONDERFUL job and because he is personal friends with Michael and Sarah he was able to make it more intimate and special.

Once Michael and Sarah kissed and were pronounced as husband and wife everyone recessed down the aisle. Heath asked the guests to remain seated as Michael and Sarah made their way back up the aisle to personally greet each guest as they released the rows. Once the guests were released from their seats they made their way into the foyer for the cocktail hour. After Michael and Sarah officially signed their marriage license they joined the cocktail hour with their guests.

The cocktail hour was intimate and fun! They had a slideshow going on the various information boards throughout the foyer, an open bar and WONDERFULLY, DELICIOUS hors d’oeurves! As the guests were enjoying the cocktail hour the vendors were working like CRAZY to get the ballroom flipped from the ceremony to the reception. Amanda and her staff at The Conrad are BEYOND AMAZING and are so FABULOUS to work with! They truly roll out the red carpet for you and go the extra mile to ensure that the bride and groom are thrilled with their experience. Angie and her staff at Bokay Florist OUTDID themselves as always! All of the flowers were so vibrant, fresh and beautiful! Branch and all of his guys with the band, Shoes & Strings, did a PHENOMENAL job of getting everything set up within that hour time frame…that is not easy to do!

The ballroom looked AMAZING! There were seventeen guest tables. Each table had a floor length sand color linen with either a blue or green napkin (the napkin color alternated by tables...each gold chavari chair also had a coordinating blue or green sash). The napkin was folded in a menu fold and had a beautiful gold menu tucked inside. The beautiful misty blue centerpieces were displayed in low cubes and wrapped in blue and green ribbons surrounded by votives.

Once the ballroom was flipped the guests were invited to take their seats (because Michael played soccer and is a soccer coach they decided to name their tables after professional soccer teams). The wedding party was then introduced to “Eminence Front” by The Who! After a wonderful welcome from Sarah’s dad, Jeff, and a prayer by Father Stepanski it was time for the OUTSTANDING dinner! The guests were then treated to cupcakes from A Little Bite of Heaven and a candy bar (in Sarah’s wedding colors…blue and green) for dessert!

After Michael and Sarah fed each other cupcakes and listened to AMAZING toasts it was time for their first dance as husband and wife! They chose to dance to the song “I’m Yours” sung by the OUTSTANDING band Shoes & Strings! Sarah and her dad, Jeff, danced to the song “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and Michael and his mom, Eileen, danced to the song “I Hope You Dance” performed by Shoes & Strings. Following these special dances the dance floor was open for the evening! The dance floor was seriously PACKED all night long! The band, Shoes & Strings was so AMAZING and the energy in the room was just electric! It was definitely a party and everyone had a FABULOUS time! I think Michael and Sarah chose the PERFECT song to close out the evening…“Don’t Stop Believin” performed by Shoes & Strings!

Michael and Sarah’s wedding day was so BEAUTIFUL! They both looked FABULOUS and surrounded themselves with top notch vendors to ensure that their wedding day was flawless! Here are a list of the exceptional vendors who helped make Michael and Sarah’s wedding day dreams come true…

• A Little Bite of Heaven ~ Heidi and Lisa were wonderful to work with! The cupcakes were DELICIOUS and everyone enjoyed them!
• Oriental Trading Company & Candy Direct provided all of the amazing candy for Michael and Sarah’s candy bar! You can never go wrong with a candy bar…it looks FABULOUS and everyone, young and old, loves candy!
• Shoes & Strings ~ Like I said earlier, Branch and his guys were FABULOUS! Not only were they so nice and accommodating but they really went the extra mile to make sure that Michael and Sarah had the night of their lives! The music was AMAZING and everyone danced the entire evening!
• Bokay Florist ~ WE LOVE ANGIE & her staff! They are seriously the best and they do such AMAZING work! They are so very fun and creative and truly LOVE their jobs! All of the flowers for Michael and Sarah’s wedding day were STUNNING and just matched everything to a tee!
• Jennifer Driscoll Photography ~ Isn’t she just amazing? Jennifer is truly such a sweet person who is so passionate about her job! As I said before, Sarah had to have her and from her pictures you can see why! I love to look at Jennifer’s blog because every single photo she takes is just phenomenal! It was an absolute pleasure working with her!
• Conrad Indianapolis ~ Amanda and her staff are just PHENOMENAL at their jobs! As I said earlier, they truly roll out the red carpet for you and make you feel so special! They truly went above and beyond to ensure that Michael and Sarah had a night they would never forget! Everything about The Conrad is amazing…the people, the building, all of the fixtures, the chandeliers and the food! The food was OUTSTANDING and everyone loved it! We cannot say thank you enough to Amanda and all of her staff for their assistance throughout the entire day!

The GORGEOUS bride, Sarah, getting her hair done
Such a fun shot of all of the girls dresses
Shoes

Zipping up the dress
Is this not one of the most AMAZING pictures?
Sarah ~ You look STUNNING!
The Bride :)
I love this picture...the girls look like they are having so much fun!
Downtown Indy
The handsome groom, Michael
Such handsome men
Sarah's bouquet and one of the flower girls, Riley

The ADORABLE flower girls

Heath, the officiant, getting ready for the ceremony

Sarah and her dad, Jeff, walking down the aisle

Michael and Sarah saying their vows

YAY...They are Mr. & Mrs.

First Dance (I just LOVE how Sarah is looking at Michael...the love just radiates from her!) and the DELICIOUS cupcakes

The Band, Shoes & Strings and the flower girls dancing

Michael & Sarah as well as one of the bridesmaids bouquets

Michael and Sarah ~ Thank you so very much for allowing us to be a part of your special day! You both are such great individuals and truly make such a fabulous couple! We really enjoyed getting to know and working with both of you as well as your families! We wish you both nothing but the best as you move through life together as husband and wife! We hope your married life is filled with health, happiness, prosperity, fun, adventure and lots and lots of laughter! Thank you again for sharing your GORGEOUS day with us! Please stay in touch!

Sarah and Holley ~ You two were so fun to work with! We truly enjoyed our lunch/strategizing dates! You both were so great at “homework” and we cannot thank you enough for that! :) The day turned out absolutely beautiful and both of you looked so STUNNING! We miss our meetings and hope that you both are doing fabulously!