TOPS Weddings 2012

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T hough they went to school together in Las Vegas as children, Jennifer Wade & Harky Jewett weren't close until they were re-introduced at a friend's wedding. The couple shared their first date at Ramsay's on the

Sunday after the wedding.

Jennifer, a chef, and Harky, a filmmaker, love traveling, eating and entertaining. They are both family-oriented and love to laugh.

This couple was destined to have a wedding of their own. Harky would later propose in their hotel room at The Montage in Laguna Beach, California, surrounded by hydrangeas and champagne.


Guests enjoyed a Thursday dinner with the wedding party at Ramsey's, a nod to the couple's engagement. On Friday, the men enjoyed the horse races at Keeneland while the ladies had brunch at Green Tree. That evening, the rehearsal dinner was held at the Iroquois Hunt Club. On the morning before the wedding, guests enjoyed brunch at the Idle Hour Country Club. Following the wedding, guests enjoyed a Sunday brunch at the groom's aunt's home.

The wedding was held at Walnut Hall Farm, the groom's family home. His mother and three sisters were all married on the farm; the couple chose to uphold a beautiful family tradition. Because Jennifer is Serbian, the ceremony incorporated three traditional wedding rituals from Eastern Orthodox weddings. The couple exchanged gifts and letters before the ceremony, a touching moment for both.



Elizabeth, a student and free- lance photographer, met her groom in Woodland Park two years ago. To them, it

seemed they spent almost every day together that summer. She told Aaron, a University of Kentucky student, that she preferred they be friends and nothing more, but somewhere along the way, their friendship grew to something much more!

One Saturday, Aaron asked if Elizabeth would like to go take photos somewhere, something they did often. She grabbed her camera equipment and got in the car. As the sun began to set, they ran through a grassy field and Elizabeth frantically set up to shoot some pictures. They set the automatic timer and ran out in front of it. She noticed him get down on one knee, just before the shutter snapped.


The couple chose to have their wedding and reception on Aaron's parents' property. The ceremony site was a piece of land over a bridge, surrounded by trees. They sought to personalize every aspect of the nuptials, from the layout of the chairs to writing their own vows. Aaron's grandfather served as the officiant.

Elizabeth wore a cameo that had belonged to her grandmother, who had recently passed away. Each bridesmaid wore a crown of flowers that the bride created by hand the night before the ceremony. The bridesmaids were dressed in off-white, a choice that resulted in a dreamy feel. The groom and groomsmen wore grey suits with suspenders.


The reception was held on the other side of the bridge under a white tent. Bright pink flowers, paired with heavy greenery and baby's breath complemented the lush, natural property while adding a vintage touch. Green table cloths picked up on the surroundings. Delicate lace mirrored Elizabeth's dress and brought a touch of charm; antique accessories added to the romantic, vintage motif.

Aaron's friend served as DJ. The appetizers and dinner were catered by Johnny Carino's. The couple served beer from West Sixth Brewery and hand-picked the wines. Since Elizabeth isn't a fan of cake, they had a small cake for cutting, then offered guests all sorts of other desserts, as well.

Elizabeth and Aaron snuck away from the party, leaving their guests to dance the night away.


The couple agreed right away to have an outdoor summer wedding on the bride's family farm in Cadiz, Kentucky. The location was perfect. Their initials were engraved in a beech tree on the farm after their en-gagement was announced. Nearby were rows of corn planted by the bride's stepfather in the shape of a heart. The ceremony itself was held under a semicircle of oak trees, which offered shade from the summer sun.

The nine groomsmen, eight bridesmaids, three junior bridesmaids, two flower girls and ring bearer comprised the huge wedding party. The ladies were dressed with soft pink details while the men wore tux-edos with pink-tipped boutonnieres.

The reception was held nearby beneath a tent illuminated with soft pink lighting.


Guest tables were topped with vases filled with hydrangeas, peonies, roses, lilies and tulips. A number of DIY projects were featured in the decor, including wooden signs, monograms, potted hanging plants, trees wrapped in lights and hanging lanterns. The bride got much of her inspiration from Pinterest and Etsy.

The white wedding cake featured buttercream with silver beading and peonies. They also served the groom's favorite dessert, heart-shaped Mennonite cookies topped with pink icing made by close family friends.

Kylee & Perry exited the reception through a tunnel of family and friends holding sparklers, capping off a beautiful summer evening.


Though they now live in Tennessee, Mary Ann and Christopher were both born and raised in Kentucky. They met in 2004 at Western

Kentucky University. Chris pursued Mary Ann for months before she finally gave in and said yes to their first date. Each of them works in insurance and love travelling, spending time outdoors and having big social gatherings.

The pair went for a late-February hike at Raven Run. Chris got down on one knee in front of a waterfall, surprising Mary Ann with a proposal in a beautiful setting. Chris also gave her a Bible, just as her father had given to her mother some 30 years earlier.

The bride and her family planned the wedding. They hung lanterns in the trees, strung lights and illuminated the tables with candles. Decorations featured wood, burlap and flowers for a lovely natural element that blended seamlessly with the surroundings.


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The bridesmaids wore Lyn Lugo one-shoulder navy dresses from Twirl Boutique, paired with cowboy boots. The groomsmen wore navy sport coats with khaki pants and a Vineyard Vines Mint Julep tie. The groom's suit was khaki.

The wedding took place on the bride's family residence, No Chimneys Farm. This spot was special for the couple and allows them to relive their special day every time they visit home.

The ceremony was held in a patch of trees, shading guests from the June sun. The bride's uncle built a wooden arbor for the couple to stand beneath. Mary Ann walked down the aisle with her father to a live acoustic rendition of "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles. As a surprise, the bride's father arranged for a nearby church to ring its bells as the couple made their exit.

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The reception's Southern-style dinner was set up on a screened porch. Food was displayed on wooden stumps labeled with small chalkboards. A bar was set up in an outdoor pavilion and cocktail tables were fashioned out of whisky barrels. Guests signed one as a guestbook. A multi-piece live band was stationed on a wrap-around porch.

Unique, rustic details made this wedding complete. Fans with the ceremony program were held in a vintage box, twig birdhouses added a homemade charm and wooden signs directed guests where to go.

All the guests lined the sidewalk and showered Mary Ann and Chris with birdseed as they made their way to a Jeep. They hopped in the back and the driver took them away to begin their lives together.


Kari and Bart Adams were both born and raised in Kentucky. They love everything involving being outdoors; they go camping, hiking and boating on Laurel Lake together. They met through a mutual friend

at a birthday dinner and hit it off right away. Their first date was dinner at deSha's and an evening out at Thursday Night Live.

On an unseasonably warm day last January, the couple went hiking at the Pinnacle in Berea, Kentucky. They made it to the top of the mountain and were treated to a spectacular view. The moment was made even more magical when Bart, an aviation manager, pulled a bottle of champagne and a ring out of his backpack.

Kari, a health educator, served as her own wedding planner. Bart and Kari both grew up on farms and wanted to be married in a barn. Talon Winery fit their country-chic aesthetic perfectly.


Kari asked each of her bridesmaids to select their own dress in a blush tone, which they then paired with cowboy boots and a gold horseshoe charm necklace the bride gave them as gifts. When the couple exchanged gifts, they even gave each other a pair of new cowboy boots! Opting not to see each other before the ceremony, they met at a corner and held hands before the event.


The couple had their ceremony and reception in the Ca"barn"et Barrel Barn at Talon Winery, offering guests a cozy respite from the June heat. The couple prepared a list of 10 things they love about each other. The officiant read them aloud to everyone during the ceremony and also recounted how they met and got engaged. They used a loaf of bread and Talon's red wine in a pewter goblet for the Lord's supper.


When Kevin and Jami first met in Southeastern Kentucky as tweens, their short lived romance ended after only two dates. As they grew into young adults, they lost touch. The two could have never imagined what fate had in store. Jami moved to Los Angeles, working with the horse industry. Kevin went to Southern California to pursue a music career. By coincidence, they both ended up

at The Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip on the same night. Amazed to see each other sitting at opposite sides of the stage, they exchanged hugs and promised to keep in touch this time. Jami continued her professional career while Kevin played in music halls across the country. After meeting up for coffee one night, they decided to truly pursue their relationship. The couple decided to drive to Kevin's Malibu home to spend Thanksgiving together. Kevin put a song he wrote for Jami on as they enjoyed the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway views. As the sun was setting over the ocean, Kevin pulled over, claiming something was wrong with the back tire. When he called for Jami's assistance, she stepped out to find him on bended knee with a ring.

After living in LA, it was important to Jami and Kevin to return to the Bluegrass to be married, surrounded by all their family and friends. They chose Spindletop Hall for its Southern charm.

The couple wanted an overall theme of rocker chic, incorporating their West Coast style while honoring Southern tradition.The groom's uncle officiated the ceremony. Kevin's grandfather was a well-renown preacher, so the officiant included his traditional vow exchange.

Upon arrival at Spindletop Hall, guests were greeted with a glass of the father of the groom's special recipe lemonade in mint julep glasses. A string quartet played rock n' roll classics as everyone was seated. After the ceremony, guests were treated to passed hors d'oeuvres and modern pop and rock music played by the string quartet.




Guests enjoyed savory Southern starters such as hot brown puff pastries, crab cakes and goat cheese crostinis. Dinner featured prime rib, antipastas and mashed potatoes in martini glasses. After plenty of dancing and laughter, everyone enjoyed a late-night snack of mini burgers and fries to keep the energy high.

The purple velvet wedding cake featured a row of rhinestones, Swarovski crystal accents and over 600 handmade sugar flowers. All together, the cake stood at least five feet tall! The pistachio groom's cake was a replica of the vintage Fender Telecaster he performs with on his band's national tours.

The bride and groom were actually two of the last people to leave the reception. The couple enjoyed spending time with their parents before jetting off on their European honeymoon, and just taking time to savor every moment of their unforgettable day.


In keeping with Indian tradition, Sheena and Sameer's wedding was a big wedding weekend. They had a welcome dinner at Talon Winery, a Pooja ceremony at her parents' home, a Mendhi night at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Lexington and their wedding and reception were held at the Lexington Center. The bride's white reception gown and traditional red ceremony gown were designed by Sheena and her parents. They were both handmade in India through a New Jersey boutique. The bridal party's ceremony attire was all traditional, made in India. Sameer carried a knife that was carried by the bride's grandfather and brother-in-law at their weddings. The couple showed their American upbringing with tuxedos and different dresses at the reception.


Hindu ceremonies are very symbolic, but the couple wanted to incorporate some western traditions into their ceremony. Traditionally, the groom arrives on horseback or by elephant; Sameer, an avid golfer, and his parents arrived by Cadillac golf cart. Also tradition, the bride's uncle walks her down the aisle; Sheena had her uncles walk her halfway down the aisle, where she met her father who walked her the rest of the way.

The reception room contained a huge surprise. When guests walked in for dinner, they were a little confused to see that there wasn't a dance floor or room to dance. The father/daughter and mother/son dances were done to the side of the head table. As Sheena and Sameer got up to do their first dance beside the head table, the curtains behind them opened up, revealing the second half of the ballroom. Done in all white with couches, bars, dessert stations and a photo booth, guests were transported to another place where the atmosphere was all party!

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TOPS Weddings 2012