A Technicolor Winter Wedding at Harper Hall in Lexington, Kentucky
Though Erica and John call Washington, DC, home, they knew they wanted their wedding to be at their “favorite place in the world”––Lexington, Kentucky. The Bluegrass State was sentimental to these two lovebirds since they first met at the University of Kentucky. Their shared passion for volunteer work and community service brought them together.
Eight years after dating, John proposed to Erica while they vacationed in Cape May, New Jersey, a beach town Erica grew up visiting with her family. Even the engagement ring had a nostalgic touch; the Euro-cut diamond inside belonged to Erica’s grandmother and is over a century old. John took the diamond from the original antique setting to create something new for his bride-to-be. Erica says, “He popped the question on the beach while the sun was setting. The best part (and proof that I truly had no idea it was happening) was the manicure I had decided to get just [two] days prior. I came home from my appointment with beach ball nails - each nail was a different neon color.” This theme of colors would also carry the couple through their wedding day.
“Our wedding was in the middle of January, which might've made some feel like they were limited in color choices, but we felt the exact opposite. We almost felt like we wanted to lean into colors more. What feels better than walking into a room full of color in the middle of winter?” Erica says. This plan worked wonderfully against the snow that fell on the wedding night. Their word for the day was “intentional,” and they hoped to create a day that included each guest and made a lasting memory. That also meant working with inclusive vendors and fostering safe spaces for loved ones, like Erica’s brother, Kyle. The couple wanted the space to be accessible, which is why they chose an ADA-compliant venue. Erica adds, “We had a sensory room at our wedding (inspo came from The Knot’s sensory-friendly wedding guide) for my brother, who has autism. We had other guests who benefitted from having that available, and people really enjoyed having that as an option.”
The two incorporated their family and traditions from their ceremony space to their wedding rings. Since Erica’s family was Jewish, John presented her with a simple gold band to symbolize their “unbroken circle.” This gold band was first used by her great-grandparents, who immigrated from Russia to the US in the early 1900s, and has been passed down through the generations. For John’s wedding band, they honored his Irish roots with a Claddagh ring that came from Galway. As for the band leftover from Erica’s engagement ring, she presented a new band to her mother on the wedding day in the same antique detailing as her grandmother's original band.
Erica and John knew they wanted their family and friends surrounding them on this important day, and they opted for a uniquely shaped ceremony space to achieve this effect. “We chose a round ceremony which felt representative of how important our family and friends are to us…and it just felt like one big hug. After 10 years together, it felt surreal to be getting married surrounded (literally) by people we've known since the beginning,” Erica says. Decorating this circular stage was a “mix of orchids, ranunculus, roses, lisianthus, peonies, hydrangeas, some incredible anthuriums” and more in vibrant hues for a rainbow effect.
The couple worked with their vendors to make their technicolor vision come to life. “I was inspired by chartreuse, navy [and] salmon color palette, and from there we brought in other secondary colors to add some dimension. Ultimately, we wanted our wedding to feel creative, funky, modern elegance and unconventional, with big colors and uniquely textured elements,” Erica says. John’s wedding look included a navy suit with black detailing, helping him blend in with the theme while still standing out. As for Erica’s look, she was surprised by how much she loved the style of her Dany Tabet gown. The form-fitting gown came with a detachable train and bow, which she said felt like three looks in one, which is why the second dress she bought for the night ended up staying on the hanger.
The bride and groom led guests to the reception with the promise of Kentucky-themed goodies, including a welcome bag and bourbon-tasting station. For many guests, it was their first time in the Bourbon capital. To introduce their guests to the local fare, they were treated to an assortment of treats, like disco balls and Kentucky bourbon balls, in their custom reusable totes. With so many special moments during their ceremony and reception, it was difficult for the newlyweds to pick just one standout moment.
However, one memorable part of the busy day was how their vendors included Erica’s brother, Kyle. “Our photographer did a wonderful job including him in photos and helping him understand what was going to happen next. Our band played 'Life is a Highway' [by Rascal Flatts] from the animated movie Cars during his break because he knew Kyle enjoyed the song. He even brought over a tambourine for Kyle to play while he danced,” Erica adds.
This exceptional attention to detail is why Erica and John want other engaged couples to find their own “heroic” vendors. “We were incredibly trusting of our team, and they executed the day perfectly. We loved our funky, fun and intentional wedding day and felt so pleased [with] how it represented us from the design, the wild colors and the family and friends surrounding us,” Erica says.