Sorbet-Colored Celebration at the Indianapolis Artsgarden

wedding portraits of bride and groom for indianapolis artsgarden and conrad wedding

Some couples just make you light up when you talk about them. Abbie and Brett are one of those couples. We’ll actually be in Europe at the same time later this year, and we’re meeting up. That says everything about the kind of relationship we built while planning this wedding. They are as kind and genuine as they come, and because Abbie trusted us completely, we got to pull out all the stops. When a couple gives us that kind of leash, we can dream big, surprise them with thoughtful details, and create epic moments they’ll never forget (and we have so much fun doing it).

Their Indianapolis Artsgarden and Conrad wedding was a gorgeous mix of formal elegance with just the right amount of whimsy and cheeriness. It was the kind of day that feels timeless yet unmistakably theirs.

I am so happy to share their story with you today.

sorbet colored wedding invitations for Indianapolis artsgarden wedding

A Morning Full of Anticipation

The day began at the Conrad, with those joyful “getting ready” moments we love. Brett and his groomsmen started the morning with a stop at Warfleigh Barber Shop for shaves and fresh cuts. Always a perfect way to add a little ritual to the start of the day. Back at the Conrad, the guys suited up in classic black and white suits, each accented with a sorbet-colored boutonnière that tied them beautifully into the wedding palette.

Abbie, meanwhile, was surrounded by her bridesmaids, wearing a sweet white silk PJ gown while they sipped champagne. Her bridesmaids wore matching baby blue PJ sets, almost identical to the soft blue tones in their mismatched bridesmaid dresses. These quiet, happy hours set the tone for what was to come.

There’s something truly special about an Indianapolis Artsgarden and Conrad wedding. The partnership between these two venues brings ease and beauty to the day, and Abbie and Brett got to experience that magic from start to finish.

gold wedding band set in a baby pink ring holder

getting ready photos for indianapolis artsgarden wedding

First Look Moments & A Special Surprise

Abbie’s dress was a study in modern minimalism: a sleek white gown with a fitted bodice, deep sweetheart neckline, and subtle train. Smooth and unembellished, it let her beauty and personality shine. She wore her hair in loose, soft waves, an effortlessly romantic look that paired perfectly with the day’s vibrant palette.

Before seeing Brett, Abbie shared a first look with her father and gifted him a personalized handkerchief. A tender pause before the day’s excitement picked up speed.

Just before she reached Brett, Abbie passed a landing where we had placed my wedding gift to them. Custom paintings of their beloved dogs, done in bright sorbet colors with the background inspired by their invitation suite. The florist added blooms to make the display pop. Abbie was floored (she later admitted she didn’t realize it was from me until after seeing Brett).

first look moments for indianapolis artsgarden wedding

wedding portraits for indianapolis artsgarden wedding

Their Story, Told Through Details

Abbie and Brett’s love story began on Bumble, and their first messages, charmingly awkward, (as all good meet-cutes are), were printed on cocktail napkins sprinkled throughout the celebration. Guests could literally follow along with their first conversations while enjoying the party. As the night progressed the napkin designs changed throughout the evening, a super fun touch!

Their first date was at Sun King Brewery in Carmel, Indiana, a place that became a special part of their relationship. I happen to have a personal connection to Sun King’s founder, so it felt meant-to-be when we found a way to bring this love of theirs into the wedding.

A Rare Beer with a Perfect Backstory

The opportunity came in the form of a limited-edition Cake Bake Shop & Sun King raspberry cream ale. A collaboration that couldn’t have been more perfect for Abbie and Brett. Cake Bake Shop is known for its whimsical, glitter-dusted confections and romantic pastel branding. Sun King, of course, is where their first date took place and remains one of their favorite spots.

The can itself was pale rose gold with shiny gold accents. It perfectly blended both brands while reflecting Abbie and Brett’s palette and overall design. Of the only 500 cans ever made, we were lucky enough to secure 144 for their day.

The beers became an unforgettable escort card display, framed by the playful phrase “have our cake and drink it too.” Guests found their seats by picking up their can, which tied together their story, their colors, and their favorite local spot in one memorable moment.

cake bake shop & sun king raspberry cream ale escort wall

Sweetness in Every Form

Abbie isn’t a cake lover, she’s an ice cream girl through and through. And with their July wedding falling just after National Ice Cream Day, the theme practically chose itself. But we still found a way to make a cake feel like it belonged. Inspired by the beer, the wedding cake was a raspberry cream flavor with super pale pink icing and Cake Bake Shop’s signature iridescent sparkle. The couple cut into it privately during their first look, and it was already perfectly cleaned up by the chef by the time guests saw it.

We also served jarred cakes in a variety of flavors, including one full of colorful sprinkles that had guests talking all night because it looked like ice cream.

cake bake shop wedding cake - cake cutting

little jars of cake for indianapolis artsgarden wedding

The Ice Cream Moment

If there was one design surprise that truly stole the show, it was the ice cream cart. Abbie thought she was getting a standard setup with plain white cups. Instead, we revealed a custom pastel stripe wrap, coordinated cups, and a sign reading “All You Need is Love and Ice Cream” against a pink wall.

The flavors were thoughtful and seasonal:

Raspberry Cream (tying in the beer and cake)
Cake Batter (in honor of the wedding cake)
Lemon Ice (a refreshing non-dairy option for a July day)

The couple shared a “first scoop” with a custom ice cream scoop. A fun twist on the traditional cake knife moment.

all you need is love & ice cream pink sign

ritter's frozen ice cream cart "first scoop" wedding photos

An Epic Ceremony at the Indianapolis Artsgarden

The Indianapolis Artsgarden was the perfect stage for their ceremony. Abbie wanted florals that were bold and different—not in shape, but in color and energy. Gina from Pomp & Bloom created a runway-style seating arrangement that framed a dramatic altar bursting with a sorbet rainbow palette.

The flowers weren’t just for the ceremony. We repurposed them later for the dance floor space, adding extra height and vibrancy.

A Reception Full of Color and Charm

The celebration flowed seamlessly from ceremony at the Indianapolis Artsgarden to dinner at the Conrad, then back to the Artsgarden for dancing. During cocktail hour, guests were greeted by the beer escort wall and the already-cut cake display.

Inside the ballroom, we layered details to create warmth and elegance:

Three subtly different yellow patterned linens that read as one cohesive tone from afar.
Pink chargers (a surprise for Abbie) that tied in her sorbet palette.
Menu cards with a melted ice cream effect, echoing the invitation design.
Tables mixed between long banquets and rounds, each set with gold chargers, white plates, blue napkins, gold flatware, and blush glassware.
Florals in coral, orange, pink, yellow, and pops of purple and blue, arranged in both tall and low centerpieces.
A DJ booth with a repeating multi-color logo of their wedding date (another design surprise for Abbie).
A bar front we had wrapped as a surprise in the same melted sorbet design as the invitations.
Life-size cutouts of their dogs that made guests smile all night.

The sweetheart table was especially lush, with flowers spilling down to the floor. Blue taper candles in glass holders added a romantic glow.

When guests returned to the Indianapolis Artsgarden for dancing, the space had been transformed with vibrant floral watercolor linens, pink lounge seating, and, of course, the ice cream cart.

Upstairs, only during dancing, we surprised Abbie with oversized, whimsical “ice cream cone” arrangements on the balcony overlooking the dance floor. Large pink blooms served as the “scoops,” and finished with red carnation “cherries.” They were huge, playful, and a little wild. Something we could only pull off for her. She thought they were hilarious.

reception & dance at the conrad and artsgarden

The Heart of It All

Abbie and Brett’s wedding was about more than color, flavor, or flowers (though it had plenty of all three). It was about a couple who love their friends, adore their dogs, and fully trusted their team to bring their story to life. That trust gave us the freedom to add layers of personal, intentional details that elevated every moment.

At the end of the night, their guests didn’t just leave with memories of a beautiful wedding at the Indianapolis Artsgarden and Conrad, they left having experienced Abbie and Brett’s love story in full color. And that’s exactly what we hope for every time.