Once Upon A Blue Moon, This Louisville Couple Fell In Love
Once upon a blue moon, Blue Smith and Chelsea Sutton fell in love. The magic of a rare, full moon appearing twice in the same month played a role in every chapter of this Louisville love story.
Blue moon / You knew just what I was there for / You heard me saying a prayer for / Someone I really could care for.
β βBlue Moonβ by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart
When Blue Smith had an β80s-themed fundraiser to attend, but no one to go with, he turned to Kayla, his sisterβs best friend of 12 years. He asked Kayla if she had any cute, single friends who would like to go with him. Kayla had worked with Chelsea Sutton for a couple of years and showed Blue her picture, to which he responded, βI want that one!β A few Facebook messages later, the two virtually hit it off and the rest is history.
Thereβs something magical about a blue moon, which playsΒ a significant role in this coupleβs love story. Three years after their first date, Chelsea and Blue were headed to have dinner with friends, but Blue had something bigger than a dinner date brewing underneath Julyβs blue moon. Blue had asked Chelsea to be his girlfriend underneath a blue moon, and when he askedΒ Chelsea to marry him, he waited until the time was right and there was another blue moon in the sky. While Chelsea was getting ready, he went outside to outline the coupleβs entire patio with tealights. Once all the lights were lit, he called Chelsea outside. She walked outside to the tune of βLook After Youβ by The Fray, the song that was being performed live when the ball dropped on New Yearβs Day in Nashville the first time Blue told her he loved her. As she walked out, the song was crooning through the stereo and Blue was on bended knee. Chelsea couldnβt stop smiling after she said yes, and they danced to the music on their patio underneath the stars and the blue moon. When the song ended, the couple walked into their front yard, where a group of their friends and family were walking toward the newly engaged couple.
βIt was wonderful because we had that intimate moment with just he and I β¦ it was so personal and romantic,β Chelsea says. βI was so excited that so many loved ones were there to celebrate with us afterward too! My best friend, who lives in Tennessee, even came up to surprise me!β
Chelsea knew exactly what her perfect wedding dress would look like without actually seeing it anywhere. She tookΒ parts of dresses sheΒ hadΒ seen in bridal shops and on Pinterest and molded them together in her mind to create her perfect dress. Chelsea set off on aΒ mission to find a lace trumpet-style dress (the mermaid dress was not an option for this bride because they are too hard to dance your butt off in), with a sweetheart neckline, some sparkle and a little vintage flare. After trying on about 20 dresses, Chelsea began to think she wasnβt going to find theΒ exactΒ dress she wanted. Chelseaβs sister, who was also her maid of honor, planned a trip for her, Chelsea and their mom to spend a day of dress shopping in Cincinnatiβs bridal district. The first place they had an appointment was Donna Salyersβ Fabulous-Bridal in Covington, KY. After trying on several dresses, the consultant helping them suggested trying on one dress in particular that she had picked out.
βAs soon as I saw it on the hanger, I fell in love with it,β Chelsea says. βIt literally had everything I wanted on my wishlist, and nothing that I didnβt want. When I tried it on, there was no doubt in my mind that this was my dress!β
And then there suddenly appeared before me /Β The only one my arms will hold / I heard somebody whisper βPlease adore meβ / And when I looked to the moon it turned to gold.
β βBlue Moonβ by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart
Both Chelsea and Blue wanted an eclectic feel with happy pastel colors to be the features of their wedding. Chelsea knew she wanted peach, but she couldnβt decide between mint and teal as the accent color. Blue helped the decision along when he told her he wanted to incorporate the color blue into the color scheme as well. The couple discussed their options and came up with the idea to do multiple colors for the bridesmaidsβ dresses that included all of the blues and greens they wanted. Thus, mint, teal and powder blue bridesmaidsβ dresses. The flowers had ivory and green with pops of peach, working perfectly with the greenery of the outdoor venue.
Nancy Rankin with Essential Details suggested to Chelsea and her mother using Old Blue Ribbon Farm as their wedding venue. Chelsea had looked at quite a few places online, and Old Blue Ribbon Farm really struck a chord with her. When they went to look at it, Blue and Chelsea both instantly fell in love with it.
βEverything about it was breathtaking,β Chelsea said. βThe land, the barn, the pond, the house β¦ oh my goodness, the house! I felt an amazing sense of both excitement and peace there.β
Devanny Boisevert, wedding coordinator with Essential Details, helped the couple tremendously throughout the entire wedding planning process. Chelsea and Blue picked out the details and everything they liked, and Devanny brought it all to life.
βShe was there with us every step of the way and took so much stress out of the process,β Chelsea says. βShe is a God-send!β
βI was nervous for a while before the ceremony, but as soon as I stepped onto the porch and looked at this man I was about to marry, all my nervousness instantly dissolved,β Chelsea says. βListening to the sermon, looking at Blue and feeling Godβs presence amongst everything will forever be in my memory.β
Immediately following the ceremony, the couple, wedding party and immediate family took their photos. At that time, the 250 guests in attendance made their way from the front porch to the backyard of Old Blue Ribbon Farm. There were no cocktails served during the βcocktail hour.β Instead, there was a lemonade table, bourbon barrel βbar tablesβ and a photo guest book, featuring the coupleβs engagement photographs, for everyone to sign.
Chelsea and Blue went on a βminimoonβ to Chelseaβs familyβs cabin on Dale Hollow Lake right after the wedding. They couldnβt go too far because Chelsea was a bridesmaid in three weddings the following three consecutive weekends after they tied the knot! About a month after their wedding, the couple cruised off on their official honeymoon to Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas; St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands; San Juan in Puerto Rico and Grand Turk in Turks and Caicos.
βBlue moon / Now Iβm no longer alone / Without a dream in my heart / Without a love of my ownβ
β βBlue Moonβ by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart
Cheers to the happy couple!
Resources
Venue: Old Blue Ribbon Farm
Photography: Morgan Berry Gould of BG Photography & Design
Brideβs gown: Donna Salyersβ Fabulous-Bridal (designer: Essence of Australia)
Bridesmaidsβ dresses: Davidβs Bridal
Hair: Ashley Wise (brideβs hair), Dawn Moore and Que Workman (bridesmaidsβ hair).
Makeup:Β Brooke Duvall
Groomβs & groomsmenβs formalwear: Tuxes, ties and shoes βΒ Macyβs. Shirts βΒ WalmartΒ (clearance rack for $9!!)
Invitations, programs & menu cards: No programs or menu cards. Invitationsβ Wedding Paper Divas
Flowers: Blooms by Essential Details
Catering: Zack Damon (friend of the couple)
Music: Complete Music
Cake: Dara Kidd (A friend/bridesmaid)
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