Vows That Wow — Victoria & Michael
Featured In This Article:
Week after week, our team receives and showcases stunning weddings from across Indiana, all courtesy of the immensely talented wedding vendors and lovely couples who submit to us. Each month, our editorial team selects one spectacular wedding to highlight, one that stands above the rest for its uniqueness and beauty.
This month, we’re featuring Victoria and Michael’s Hotel Carmichael Wedding.
The Wedding Day
Victoria and Michael approached every detail with the same goal: creating a wedding that felt personal, welcoming, and true to them.
The inspiration came from nature and the movement of water. Lori Christy of Elsie’s Flower Shoppe translated that vision into a layered design of lush florals, floating candles, hanging glass bulbs, and a custom fabric installation that framed the ceremony altar. After the ceremony, the installation found a second life behind the head table, creating a visual thread between the two spaces.
The same inspiration carried through to the reception tables. According to the team at Hotel Carmichael, the silver linens from LGi Linens were chosen for their flowing design, another subtle reference to moving water. Paired with complementary tableware, each place setting felt like a natural extension of the overall design.
The ceremony also included a surprise for the bride’s parents. Victoria and Michael took part in a feet-washing ceremony, honoring her Catholic upbringing before exchanging vows in front of family and friends.
Favorite Details
Working with Hotel Carmichael, Victoria and Michael created a custom bourbon bar featuring bottles tied to milestones in their relationship, including their first date, engagement, and Michael’s doctoral graduation.
Ace Party Rental created the custom bourbon bar installation, dance floor wrap, and rentals throughout the ballroom. Their work became part of the experience from the moment guests walked into the room.
As guests made their way from the ceremony to cocktail hour and later onto the dance floor, a live saxophonist led the transition from one part of the evening to the next. The Pure Paintress created hand-drawn portraits for each couple to take home, giving guests an original keepsake from the evening. Cake Me Happy completed the room with a modern cake that picked up the same blooms and soft color palette found throughout Elsie’s Flower Shoppe’s designs.
Their Favorite Moment
When asked what she’ll remember most, Victoria didn’t mention the flowers or the reception.
She talked about a quiet moment with Michael before the ceremony.
The two slipped away to the study to exchange private vows before anyone else arrived.
“The raw vulnerability and soulful commitments we made to each other came with serious emotion. I remember being flooded with memories of all the highs and all the lows that got us to that point, and feeling extremely excited to walk down the aisle to do it all over again in front of our closest friends and family to make it official.”
Looking Back
Planning the wedding also left Victoria with one piece of advice she’d share with other couples.
“Building solid rapport with your wedding coordinator will ensure your vision comes to life on your big day.”
Mallory Davis from Hotel Carmichael remembers another side of the couple that stood out throughout the planning process. Before the weekend was over, Victoria and Michael made a point to personally thank the vendors who had spent six months helping bring everything together.
That same appreciation extended to their guests. Every part of the weekend, from the ceremony to the reception, was planned with the hope that friends and family would feel genuinely welcomed and appreciated for making the trip to celebrate with them.
Other Local Vendors:
The Siners Phototography, Boldly Chic Events, Interprintations, The Simple DJ, Tinker Street Coffee Co., Blush And Bobby Pins, Graeter's Ice Cream, Jeffrey Stevenson, La Sposa, Stall & Kessler's, Reis-Nichols Jewelers, Deutsch & Deutsch, Birdy Grey, Men's Wearhouse, Indy Minister Matt Skiles
