Antique Elegance

When choosing the ring that will symbolize you love and commitment to one another, it is a temptation to hit of all the big chain jewelry stores, all of the elite boutiques and all of the jewelry stores in between. May we suggest skipping the modern, trendy or of-the-moment styles and instead search for that symbol at antique and estate sales? Timeless classics never go out of style. Choosing an antique ring, particularly if it is a family heirloom lends a certain continuity as well as sentiment to the occasion. Be it great-grandmother's ring or a new-to-you heirloom in the making, it is certain to reflect your commitment to one another in style.

Renewal of Vows

My favorite bridal couple is not a wedding at all, but a vow renewal. The bride and groom are in their early 80's and celebrating a milestone anniversary few couples are fortunate enough to reach - 65 years!

The bride will be wearing a lovely three piece skirt suit from JC Penney in a delicate orchid color. The groom will wear a dark suit with an orchid shirt and tie.

The bridesmaids, the daughters of the couple, will also wear elegant skirt suits from JC Penney in shades of pale green and pale pink. The groomsmen, the couples sons, will wear dark suits and pastel shirts and ties.

Flowers for this occasion will be cream roses and delicate wildflowers from www.thebridesbouquet.com.

The reception will feature a slide show of pictures of the couple and their family through the years set to a musical background during cocktails and dinner. After dinner the couple and their guests will dance to the sounds of big band music, just as the happy "newly-weds" did during their courtship.

Beach Wedding

Here in Indiana a beach wedding means the lake. Since we have snow on the ground six months of the year, many beach loving bridal couples opt for a destination wedding to an oceanfront resort. In these trying economic times, that dream may not be realistic. However, it is possible to create your own "beach wedding" no matter where you are.

Invitations embossed with a seashell motif invite guests to a wedding and reception venue that has been transformed into a pseudo-beach. By using an abundance of potted palm trees grouped in the corners of the room and along the walls, the room becomes more alive. tables are covered in simple white linen and scattered with small seashells around simple white votive candles. A cd playing sounds of surf and gulls served as a background music during the cocktail and dinner hours to further evoke the feel of the beach.

The bridesmaids wore simple dresses in shades of blue and aqua while the groomsmen wore tan - the colors of sea and sand. The bride and groom both wore simple white, very breezy and yet elegant. The bouquets and florals consisted of tropical flowers and greens with small seashell accents.

The centerpiece of the gathering was the wonderful wedding cake; simple white layers, accented with small seashells and surrounded by brown sugar sand.

Sunrise Wedding

One lovely young bride recently came to us with an unusual request. In honor of her late father, who was an avid fisherman, she wanted her wedding to be on a local lake at sunrise.

Wearing a lovely and simple chiffon dress, she approached her groom, she paused at the altar and tossed a single rose from her bouquet of mixed roses and wildflowers onto the glassy surface of the lake in a silent tribute to her dad.

To accommodate her guests, we arranged a brunch reception. Starting with champagne mimosas, bloody marys, screwdrivers, and many non-alcoholic offerings of fresh juices, coffees and teas. The guests were pleased with the menu offerings of fresh fruits, poached and scrambled eggs, bacon and sausages, pancakes and waffles as well as a wedding cake made of Krispy Kreme donuts. The buffet and guest tables were simply and elegantly decorated with wildflowers.

After the reception, guests were encouraged to relax in the shade of weeping willows or try their hands at fishing with cane poles we provided for their use.

It was a touching and lovely ceremony and a fun and unique reception.

Retro Wedding Reception

This theme begins with the wedding invitation - white on black. The groom and his men all wear classic black tuxes and cocky fedoras in the tradition of Sinatra. The bride and her maids are delightful and de-lovely in sleek, streamlined cocktail dresses, reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn. Florals are classic white roses and lily-of-the-valley. The wedding party will enter the sanctuary to an instrumental version of the standard "It Had To Be You." This retro feel is carried on to the reception. The cocktail hour prior to dinner will feature a signature cocktail - the classic martini - served with appetizers. The entertainment will feature the music of Old Blue Eyes, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and other hipsters of the era. The bridal couple's first dance will be to the seductive sounds of Sinatra's "The Best Is Yet To Come". It will be a "Forever Cool" evening for all.

Tiptoe Through The Tulips

This spring bride's favorite blossom is the tulip. Shades of the palest blush, most delicate pink and softest rose combine to create these fabulous bouquets.

The bride's gown, in blush pink, is embroidered with crystals, sequins and beads along the bodice and neckline. For a unique twist, the attendants are gowned in white. The groom and his men wear contemporary takes on the classic tux.


The tulip theme is carried out with charming planters of live tulips on altar stands at the church and at every reception table. Departing guests are presented with an organza bag containing a tulip bulb and planting instructions that has been tagged with the phrase "love grows".

Winter Wedding

What could be lovelier than snowflakes sparkling in the winter sun?? How about white chocolate snowflakes sparkling with edible glitter on a wedding cake? When your family name is "Winters" it's irresistible!

To make this a truly personal wedding and reception the couple has enlisted the aid of a calligrapher to write each invitation and place card by hand on custom-made, snowflake embossed paper.

To continue this winter wonderland wedding, the Bride and Groom have opted for elegant touches of crystal snowflake paperweights as wedding favors and jeweled snowflakes in the floral arrangements.

The bride's gown is white charmeuse satin adorned with a vintage crystal snowflake brooch. Her white veil is embroidered with snow flakes. Her maids' gowns are icy shades of blue and pink.

The gentlemen of the wedding party will wear white vest and tie combinations under their classic black tux with a small crystal snowflake on their lapels in place of a boutonniere.

Tiny white lights softened by shimmering white tulle swag the reception hall as this happy couple and their guests dance the evening away in a sparkling winter wonderland.