Wedding Day

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church

Ceremony

The Palladium at The Center For The Performing Arts

Reception

Our Wedding

Emily's Perspective

Although Steven and I didn’t officially meet until sometime in college, some people might be surprised to learn we actually were classmates together at Carmel High School (class of 2011…one, one, get ‘er done). I only knew Steven as a “popular public school kid” and he only knew me as a “yearbook girl”—who would have known this kid who was very into his intramural basketball team would someday be my husband?! Fast forward to 2015: Steven and I are both college graduates, and begin to hang out as friends as we settle into the Indy post-grad life. His college roommate, James, happened to not only be one of my good friends, but also had recently married my longtime best friend Stephanie. Add in a few other key players (and wedding party members), and a post-grad friend group was formed! I always thought Steven was hilarious and a great time (not to mention kind of cute!!!!), but as time went on, it seemed the dreaded “friend-zone” was knocking on our door. Once in 2016, he even invited me over for a movie night—something I thought was a for sure sign that he was interested. But, we finished the movie and then watched about three hours of Chopped. To me, it was clear we were only friends…and friends we remained.&nbsp; I bet you’re thinking, this is a lot of build up and you haven’t even started dating yet! You would be right. But to me, the full picture of our story is what makes it so fun to tell—for two years Steven and I would always be the last ones at the bar talking, or getting a milkshake or a Drake’s $1 slider at the end of the night, or staying up late at the lake house. There was always “something there” but I think we (maybe mostly me…) were always worried about how that might jeopardize our friendship. Over the next couple years we actually became much closer, which I think simultaneously made us like each other more and made it harder to imagine risking our friendship. There were so many “missed opportunities”, but it wasn’t until a freezing cold January night in 2018 that Steven FINALLY made a move, and we knew this was our time. Crossing that “friend” line was treacherous, and I remember thinking this was either going to end terribly, or I was going to marry him. Thankfully the latter was true!&nbsp; Over the next two years, I got to know not only the hilarious, fun-loving Steven, but also the incredibly kind, sweet, thoughtful, and selfless Steven. It became clear to me pretty early on that this is who I would spend the rest of my life with—I don’t think we ever wanted to not be around each other!&nbsp; On June 13, 2020, Steven pulled off the greatest surprise proposal ever! Since we were in the midst of a pandemic, I was completely shocked because I couldn’t understand how he’d even gone to a store to get a ring! The day was complete with a surprise engagement party with our family and close friends, all of whom I hugged and broke six feet of distance with. Turns out your personal pandemic rules go out the window when you’re on cloud 9! (I’m happy to report there were zero outbreaks from our party.) Although we have technically known each other for close to a decade, I am grateful for the timing of our story. I think we would both agree we wouldn’t be where we are today had our timeline looked any other way. I always thought it was cheesy/annoying/weird when people would say they were in love with their best friend. Well call me a cheeseball, but I think falling in love with your best friend is the freaking best!&nbsp;

Steven's Perspective

Emily and I started dating in March of 2018, but a lot of people don’t know our first date was actually Valentine’s day 2016.&nbsp;I will start from the beginning to explain how we got here and the large gap between dates.&nbsp;&nbsp; We went to high school together, and I was aware of who Emily was, but I don’t think I said one word to her in high school.&nbsp;She went off to Saint Louis University and I went to Indiana University.&nbsp;Fast forward 4 years later, fresh out of college my old roommate James Tellus texted me asking if I wanted to go out downtown Indianapolis with some friends.&nbsp;I say yes, and when I get to James and Steph’s apartment, Emily is there.&nbsp;We had a great time and enjoyed the friend group.&nbsp;&nbsp; Over the next couple months our friends would hang out and Emily and I would always be the last ones at the bar after drinks, so we got to know each other more.&nbsp;We flirted a bit, so I texted her and asked if she wanted to hang out and watch a movie.&nbsp;That also happened to be Valentine’s day 2016.&nbsp;She came over to my apartment and we watched the movie.&nbsp;The movie ended, and I didn’t want her to leave yet so we turned on the Food Network’s “Chopped” for a couple more hours.&nbsp;Still just sitting next to each other.&nbsp;It got to be about 3am and she finally said she had to leave.&nbsp;The entire time I was in my head thinking, “if I make a move is that weird?”, “Does she think we’re just friends?”, “What happens to the friend group after this?”.&nbsp;I never made a move.&nbsp;I instantly regretted it.&nbsp;I wanted another shot so a week or two later I ask if she wanted to hang out again. Her response was, and I will never forget this, “Yeah let’s see what the group is doing!”.&nbsp;A one way ticket to the friend zone.&nbsp;For the next couple weeks, it was a little awkward seeing Emily, but we quickly got over that and became good friends.&nbsp;&nbsp; Over the next couple years, once again we were always the last ones at the bar talking or last ones awake at her lake house.&nbsp;There was always something between us.&nbsp;January 2018, I asked Emily if she wanted to meet me at a local dive bar Tilly’s pub for a drink.&nbsp;She agreed, then we quickly realized that later that night Tilly’s does karaoke.&nbsp;It got to be about 3am and the night was ending but I didn’t want Emily to leave (sound like 2016?), and I told myself “Steven, you are not letting this happen again.”&nbsp;I asked if she wanted to get McDonalds.&nbsp;We drove back to Tilly’s to get Emily’s car, it was freezing that night, so I told her I would scrape the ice off her windshield (smooth).&nbsp;After I was done, I went in for the kiss, then we both got in our cars and went home.&nbsp;We were no longer just friends.&nbsp;I remember thinking that I am either going to marry this girl or I don’t know if I am hanging out with that friend group again.&nbsp;&nbsp; We decided to have a more formal first date and met up at Grand Junction Brewery in Westfield.&nbsp;We continued dating for around 2 years and I knew I couldn’t see my life without her.&nbsp;I asked her parents for their blessing in January 2020, bought the ring in February, and planned a surprise engagement party in April.&nbsp;Then the pandemic hit.&nbsp;I had to cancel the engagement party and I knew I did not want to propose in quarantine where we could not hug our parents and friends.&nbsp;I put the ring in my parents safe from February to June.&nbsp;Things started to be looking up, so I organized a surprise engagement party in June.&nbsp;She said yes and here we are today!

Our Story

Please use the link to book your room at Hotel Carmichael. If calling to make a reservation, be sure to mention the McDermott/Sigler wedding block.

Hotel Carmichael, Autograph Collection

Please use the link to book your room. You can also call the Renaissance directly at 1 317-816-0777 and ask for the McDermott/Sigler wedding block for the discounted rate.

Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel

Guests flying in should fly into Indianapolis International Airport, which is approximately 45 minutes from Carmel. Ubers or Lyfts from IND to your hotel is the best way to go!

Indianapolis International Airport

Travel

Walking distance from The Carmichael and The Palladium. A great place to hang out before the reception!

Sun King Carmel

Rooftop bar off the Monon, walking distance from the Carmichael. Perfect for those getting in Friday night!

The Carmel Farmer's Market runs from 8AM-11AM Saturday morning, right outside the Palladium and Carmichael.

Emily & Steven

Emily & Steven

Photos