1. Real Weddings

Katie & Paul: An Outdoor Wedding in Crestwood, KY

Katie and Paul started scouting a wedding location before they were officially engaged. They immediately fell in love with the sprawling, romantic gro

Katie and Paul started scouting a wedding location before they were officially engaged. They immediately fell in love with the sprawling, romantic grounds of Yew Dell Gardens -- and booked a date for their vibrant plumeria- and marigold-colored garden gala before Paul proposed! The Bride Katie Pratt, 31, marketing manager The Groom Paul Rooprai, 34, marketing manager The Date August 30 The couple met while working in the same building and realized they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together just three months after their first date! The planning and proposal may have happened in an unconventional order, but it made perfect sense to them. The couple put the proposal on hold when Paul’s dad fell ill. He passed away three weeks later, but not before giving the two his blessing. Six months later, Katie and Paul exchanged vows in an exquisite outdoor ceremony just 20 minutes from Louisville.

Overstuffed cushions and hurricanes transformed the steps leading to the terrace dance floor into a cozy lounge area.
For the programs and invitations, Katie’s sister designed a symbol representing unity and beauty. The outer shape represented the dahlias Katie and Paul grow in their garden. In the center of the bloom, an eternal knot mimicked a Buddhist symbol that represents the interweaving of wisdom and compassion.
The bride’s favorite element of her look was the veil, handmade by her mother. She accented her Junko Yoshioka silk mikado gown with a Swarovski crystal bracelet and tightly packed white blooms collared in rich greenery.
Yew Dell’s beautiful sculpture garden served as the backdrop for Katie and Paul’s ceremony. To customize the scene, they brought in two vibrant flower sculptures to adorn either side of the altar and laced the aisles with white rose petals.
Katie and Paul topped their tables with alternating pink and orange runners. They purchased the silk in bulk in an Indian neighborhood of Chicago.
The couple wanted to incorporate Paul’s Indian and Buddhist heritage into their style, so they paired Katie’s favorite shade of pink with a vibrant marigold orange, reminiscent of the blooms used in traditional Indian weddings. The menus featured both colors and stood out against the white napkins.
The couple and their guests dined near a rustic barn on the grounds of the gardens. As night fell, the celebration continued on the dance floor under the stars.
Katie and Paul gave their guests a cool greeting (it was 96 degrees outside!) with ice-cold bottled water. They lined the wheelbarrow with bright tablecloths and invited guests in with a pink dupioni silk-covered bulletin board.
Katie and Paul cut into a cake that featured their signature pink dahlia logo. The confection was topped off with live orchids and dahlias and filled with Bavarian cream.
The guys donned khaki suits and crisp white shirts with pink pocket squares to coordinate with the women. The groom wore a custom-made sherwani from India in slate gray and silver, detailed with golden brocade and intricate beading.
The junior bridesmaids greeted guests with handmade programs and sandalwood fans to help them beat the heat. The couple tied their favorite love quotes to each fan.
The two junior bridesmaids (the best man’s daughters) wore ivory silk faille dresses with pink sashes to add a burst of color.