Teaser!

Our amazing photographers have just updated their blog with a 'teaser' photo from our engagement photo shoot!

Enjoy and please stand  by for more photos.  ALSO...I encourage you to check out Wade and Stephanie at Carignan Gallery.  They are great friends and photographers!

XOXO,

Sara

T MINUS 365 DAYS!

Today is exactly one year from our wedding date!  I can't believe that in one year from today,  Dom and I will be exchanging our wedding vows.  That brings on a flood of emotions.  WOW!

Please continue to check in throughout the year for updates and (hopefully) LOTS of cool pictures and 'life happenings' for us.

Stay tuned...

Who knew?!

Some of you might be aware of this, but apparently Columbus, Indiana is known for their great architecture.  Please, let me be the first to admit that I DID NOT know this fact.  That being said...Dom and I made a last minute trip to Columbus, IN tonight after locating a couple of AMAZING venues.

Our first stop was the Factory 12 Event Loft. (website link here)  This building, which once housed a sewing factory, has so much character, is exactly what we want in terms of style and originality, and has so much to offer.  So, what is the downside?  It's just not convenient for anyone attending the wedding...including Dom and I.  As much as I would love to use the venue, I'm afraid it just wouldn't be a smart decision for us.  Candie, one of the owners, was so incredibly kind and generous.  She stayed late to show us the venue and answered all of our questions.  I know she would be a tremendous help along the way.  I'm grateful that she introduced us to a new place and something we will definitely recommend to others and possibly use down the road for another event.

Here are just a few of the awesome things about this loft:

• 10,000 sq. ft of event space
• Exposed brick walls
• Wood posts & beams
• Hardwood floors
• Large windows
• Skylight
• Ambient lighting

Empty, prior to being set-up

Empty, prior to being set-up

Set-up for a receptions of approx. 200 people

The ceremony for this wedding was going to utilize a little less 

than half of the space for the ceremony.

I encourage all of you to contact this venue if you EVER want a place with character, charm, attitude, and history.

Our second and final stop for the evening was The Inn at Irwin Gardens.  The Inn at Irwin Gardens is a luxury Bed and Breakfast, built in 1864 and originally owned by Columbus banker and businessman Joseph I. Irwin. The Italianate design was remodeled in 1880. Today, the home features intricate woodwork and moldings, a brick exterior, and two-acre garden.

The impressive main staircase just within the front entry way, within the Columbus, Indiana, luxury Bed and Breakfast.

The formal front parlor is just one of the rooms that is much the same way it was originally in 1864, right down to the original furnishings.

A portion of the classic white tiled pristine cooks kitchen within the Inn at Irwin Gardens remains much the same way it was in 1864.

The formal living room is still complimented by many of the original pieces of furniture.

A working original elevator rests on the main floor within the Inn at Irwin Gardens.

Cozy up in a luxurious suite in The Inn at Irwin Gardens. This 1864 mansion absolutely stunned me with its beauty and historic elegance. Ornate woodwork, original furniture and the overall grandeur give the inn an air of romance. Each suite has a private bathroom and the W.G. Irwin Bachelor’s Suite includes a round shower with an oculus above it to let in the natural light. I have never seen anything like it!

The sweeping veranda and breathtaking gardens adorned with flowers and fountains complete the enchanting setting. A visitor here will feast on Belgian waffles, homemade bagels and quiche in the mornings and will have free run of the gardens, parlors and library. It was obvious to me during my tour that the inn is a great place for relaxation, reconnection and romance.

An overall of the garden looking toward the mansion to the West of the historic property....

An elephant sculpture from the 1904 St Louis World's Fair is a true focal point in a portion of the beautiful gardens of the historic property....The Inn at Irwin Gardens is luxury Bed and Breakfast, built in 1864 and originally owned by Columbus banker and businessman Joseph I. Irwin.

Refresh yourself just outside the Irwin Gardens at One Body One Soul Spa, housed in a quaint historic cottage. Take a yoga or pilates class to exercise both body and spirit or enjoy a facial or massage with your significant other. Just walking through the cottage made me want to come back for a day of relaxation.

We are super bummed that this location just isn't going to work for us.  BUT...you better believe that I will be staying at this B&B very soon.  It might just be the 'wedding planning' getaway that we need in a few months! The owners are wonderful people and will be happy to make you Eggs Benedict for breakfast (my fav).  Husband and wife, Jim and Eve Jackson, will welcome you with open arms!

Useful Links:

http://irwingardens.com/

http://www.kid-at-art.com/htdoc/irwntour.html

http://library.indstate.edu/newsletter/sep03/irwin.html

The Canal

Dom and I haven't had a lot of time to visit any of our desired venues lately, so we took advantage of Labor Day.  Although several places were closed, we headed to Indy to visit the Indianapolis Canal, Holcomb Gardens, and at least look at the outside of the Indiana History Center.  All of the venues were amazing and the weather was perfect for our day of walking.

Let me know what you think of these venues.  Have any of you ever attended any weddings at Holcomb Gardens, History Center, or on the canal?

Below are photos of the Indiana Historical Society located directly on the Indianapolis Canal.  We would utilize the outdoor terrace for our reception.  Check them out here!

I failed to take any pictures when we went to Holcomb Gardens.  This venue is located on the campus of Butler University and it really is amazing.  I think I was just tired and ready to find a place for our wedding!  For your viewing pleasure, here are some photos that I 'borrowed' from some kind soul on the internet.  Thank you Mr./Mrs. Photo Friend!

We would love to hear your feedback!

Love, 

Sara

Mark another item off the list!

It's official!!!!!

Yes folks, we know the two best photographers in Indiana AND they are going to be photographing our wedding next September!  Dom and I are super pumped to have Stephanie and Wade Carignan, owners of Carignan Gallery in Noblesville, as our photographers.  They are amazing photographers and artists.  Please check out their website, and I highly suggest you use them for your photo needs. 

Luckily, the photo package that we picked also includes an engagement session, so stand by for those photos in the next few months.  Thanks to a special that Carignan Gallery had in the month of August, we will also have a photo booth at our wedding reception.  I cannot wait to see the fun, crazy, and special pictures that come from the photo booth.

Check out Carignan Gallery at http://www.cgindy.com/.  Their blog contains several of their amazing photos!


More to come later!

-Sara

Bridal Luncheon

Today was very important to me.  I have a lot of people that hold a very special place in my heart and in my life. They are all in my life for a reason and I don't feel like any friend is more important than another and that isn't something I expect everyone to understand or agree upon.  Some of you may already know that I have been struggling with the 'who will be my bridesmaids' aspect, and it honestly has resulted in a lot of serious thought and conversation between Dom and I.  We love our friends and family dearly and do everything in our power to never hurt anyone.

That being said, please meet my wonderful wedding party!

Back row, left to right:  Katie Baughn (wedding planner), Elizabeth Bennett (bridesmaid/sister), Jenny Spencer (bridesmaid), Jennifer McDonald (honor attendant), Laura Knox (bridesmaid), ME, Amanda Mason (bridesmaid/sister)

Front row, left to right:  Lyla Britton (matron of honor), Haylee Crosby (bridesmaid), Jessica Jacobs (honor attendant), Ashley Hughes (bridesmaid)

I had asked all of these girls to meet at the winery on Sunday, August 29 at 2:30pm.  I think some of them knew what was going on, but I attempted to keep everything a secret for the most part.  Despite the very warm temperature, I think everyone had an enjoyable time.

From the beginning of our engagement, I knew I wanted to come up with a unique way to ask the girls to be a part of our wedding.  So......over the past couple of months I have been working on a couple of craft products; paper dolls, special cards, and a charm cake.  I have posted some photos from Sunday.

ENJOY!

Our wonderful mothers

Haylee, Me, Jenny, Lyla

Amanda, Me, Mom, Elizabeth

Opening cards/paper dolls

Dom and his mom

Ashley and her paper doll chain

Please be my...

I have been working on a craft project....or 11...for the past two months.  As so of you may know, I am not good at keeping gift type secrets and love to give gifts early.  It is very typical of me to give Dom his gifts weeks before holidays or his birthday (yes, I'm week).  I searched the web and fellow brides/brides to be for a unique way to ask my friends to be a part of my wedding.  Yes, I could have just called and asked them, but that wasn't what I wanted to do.  Site after site, conversation after conversation, and BINGO...PAPER DOLLS!  I made one paper doll for each of my attendants.  If you care to know, that is a chain of 11 dolls, which also means I had to make 121 dolls, 121 dresses, and 121 different hairs styles.  Am I nuts you ask?  YES...clearly I was not thinking at the moment!  I think I went through 3 different kinds of scissors, multiple types of paper, but I finally finished them the morning of our luncheon at Oliver Winery.

So....here they are.....

Unfortunately, I forgot to take any photos of my charm cake, so below are a few examples I found online.  My cake was a cream cheese pound cake, with black and white ribbons tied to the charms, and yellow flowers in the center.