Dress, Suit and Mother of the Groom Dress: @eleganceindiana
Makeup: @americamua
Hair: @lovelylocks.Blair’s
Venue: The Grand in CP @grandeventscp
Photographer: @jamielaynephoto
Dessert: @crown_creamery
A Love Story That Led to Forever at The Grand in Crown Point
Some love stories begin quietly but leave a lasting impression from the very start.
Paul and I met at Ball State University during an impromptu lunch with a mutual friend in the middle of COVID, when masks were still part of everyday life. Even then, there was something undeniable between us. Once the masks came off, we both realized how attracted we were to one another but more importantly, the conversation flowed effortlessly. We talked the entire lunch, and it felt as though we had known each other forever. Less than a week later, we officially started dating.
From that moment on, everything just felt right.
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A Surprise Proposal Full of Heart
Paul’s proposal was thoughtful, meaningful, and perfectly us. Thinking we were headed out for a casual round of mini golf, I had no idea what he had planned. Instead, he drove us to a dock at Cedar Lake, where he surprised me with the most heartfelt proposal.
After saying yes, we celebrated with dinner at the Lighthouse Restaurant and still made it to mini golf afterward, just as planned. Earlier that same day, we had visited a cat café and adopted our younger cat, Chai, making it a day filled with new beginnings in every sense.
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A Wedding Day Wrapped in Warmth & Meaning
Set against the timeless beauty of The Grand in Crown Point, our wedding day felt intimate, romantic, and deeply personal. The historic architecture, soft autumn tones, and classic elegance of the venue created the perfect backdrop for our celebration.
Walking hand in hand through our wedding party, surrounded by love, laughter, and raised bouquets, the joy of the day was unmistakable. Warm rust and neutral tones echoed throughout the day from the bridesmaids’ dresses to the florals creating a cozy, elevated fall aesthetic that felt both intentional and inviting.
Inside The Grand, soft natural light poured through tall windows as my gown trailed behind me a full, romantic ballgown with delicate jacquard that moved beautifully with every step. Standing quietly near the window before the ceremony, there was a sense of calm and reflection a pause before one of the most meaningful moments of my life.
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Personal Touches That Made the Day Ours
One of my favorite parts of wedding planning was incorporating elements that reflected who we are as a couple—unique, intentional details that felt authentic rather than overdone.
Every summer, Paul and I love exploring city markets and festivals together, and one tradition we always look forward to is stopping for ice cream from Crown Creamery. It’s been such a big part of our relationship, bonding over new flavors and shared moments, that we knew it had to be part of our wedding day.
Instead of a traditional cake, we had Crown Creamery serve ice cream to our guests and it turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of the celebration. So many people told us it was their favorite detail of the entire wedding.
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The Moment That Mattered Most
As beautiful as the details were, nothing compared to seeing Paul waiting for me at the end of the aisle.
I’ve known he was my person since the day we met, and on our wedding day, that feeling was stronger than ever. A few small things went wrong as they always do but none of it mattered. All that mattered was that he was there beside me, ready to begin our life together.
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Advice for Newly Engaged Couples
If there’s one piece of advice I’d share with newly engaged couples, it’s this:
Always keep the big picture in mind during planning and on the wedding day itself.
Yes, the details matter, and creating a beautiful wedding is special. But your marriage—the love, partnership, and life you’re building together—is what truly lasts. When you focus on that, anything that goes wrong feels small in comparison.
Because at the end of the day, love is what makes the moment unforgettable.