Jessica and Ethan were married at the Speed Art Museum in Louisville on October 21, 2017. Read on to hear about their wedding day.
Photos by Sarah Katherine Davis Photography
Ages: Jessica is 26. Ethan is 37.
Occupations: Jessica is a health program analyst at the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness and Ethan is a pharmacist at Walgreens.
How they met: “Our first date was filled with craft beer and pizza on Bardstown Road,” Jessica says.
Engagement story: “In the summer of 2016, to test our commitment, we decided to complete the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage trail across northern Spain. After our 30-day journey we spent the last few days of the trip resting on the beaches on the west coast of Galicia called ‘Finisterre,’ meaning ‘ends of the Earth.’ Ethan literally took me to the ends of the Earth to propose.”
Number of wedding guests: 190.
Ceremony and reception: Speed Art Museum.
Wedding theme: Modern classics.
Entertainment: Highland Chamber Players String Quartet (ceremony) and Yancey Entertainment Services DJ, plus open galleries for guests to view.
Personal touches: Personalized temporary tattoos and cold-brew coffee with beans from Day’s Coffee. Handmade stained-glass table numbers. Groom’s gold dinosaur cufflinks and gold T-Rex bride and groom at the cake table. Flower girl’s floral hoop instead of traditional flowers and ring bearer’s glass terrarium ring holder. “Along with writing our own vows, we asked our guests to participate in a stone-blessing ceremony. Stones were placed on each guest’s seat and we asked them to hold the stone throughout the ceremony and confer blessings and energy, in remembrance of a tradition we learned in Spain. The stones were then placed in three vessels, which are displayed in our home as a symbol of the love and support we received on our wedding day.”
First-dance song: “Strangers in the Night,” Frank Sinatra.
The day in three words: “Elegant, personal, unforgettable.”
Favorite part of the day: Taking the elevator to the contemporary floor terrace right after the ceremony for a minute of alone time as Mr. and Mrs. Addressing everybody as a team and thanking them for being there at the reception.
Really glad they: Jessica says, “Brought back-up shoes!”
Wish they would have: “Worn a button-up before changing into my wedding gown. I had to literally cut my T-shirt off (after having hair and makeup done). I also wish we had a video of our vows.”
Advice: “If you have a lot of out-of-towners in your wedding party, try your best to keep them included throughout your engagement.”
Photo by Sarah Katherine Davis Photography
DETAILS
Photographer: Sarah Katherine Davis Photography
Flowers and decor: Boston’s Floral Couture
Stationery/invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations
Day-of coordinator: Ashley French with Fairytale Occasions
Caterer: Wiltshire Pantry/ Wiltshire at the Speed
Cake: Italian cream by Adrienne and Co. Bakery in Jeffersonville
Rehearsal dinner: Mary M. Miller riverboat
Rentals: Uplighting from Doo-Wop Shop
Jewelry: Merkley Kendrick Jewelers (bride) and Davis Jewelers (groom). “Something blue” pearl earrings from the Perlas del Mar de Cortez pearl farm in Mexico picked from the farm by mother of the groom
Attire: Wedding gown from Kleinfeld Bridal in New York by designer Ashley & Justin; Antique single-tier cathedral veil; bridesmaids dresses, Sorella Vita high-neck sheath dress from Rebecca’s Wedding Boutique; Calvin Klein slim-fit tuxes from Men’s Wearhouse
Hair: Brandi from Mane Beauty Parlour
Makeup Artist: JoAnne Wolf
Alterations and custom-made garter: Heather Green at Bombshell Boutique in Middletown
Registry: West Elm, Amazon and Bed Bath & Beyond
Sunday brunch: North End Cafe on Frankfort Avenue
Honeymoon: Weekend getaway in Savannah, Georgia
This originally appeared in the Fall/Winter 2018 issue of Louisville Bride. To subscribe to Louisville Magazine, click here. To find us on newsstands, click here.
If you are interested in submitting your wedding to Louisville Bride, please email editor Mary Chellis Nelson at mcnelson@loumag.com.
