Carla Terwilleger and Dan Cerwinske have been togetherΒ since 1996. So when Carla says their wedding was 19 years in the making, sheβs not exaggerating. The couple datedΒ on and off through high school, college and after college. They moved to Los Angeles, with Carla actually returning home to Louisville for a spell during an βoffβ period. TheyΒ reunited and she moved back to Los Angeles to be with Dan from 2010 to 2013. They both moved back to Louisville in 2013 and have been here β and together β ever since.
The couple got engaged on March 1, 2014, the same night as the annual Speed Art Museum Ball. They are museum supporters (Carla is on the Board of Governors) and enjoy going to the ball. Just like all of their dances at Sacred Heart and St. X, they always invite their parents to come to the house to take picturesΒ β just like they did in high school. This night was different. Carla sets the scene: βDecked out in black-tie, surrounded by Danβs mom and sister and my mom and dad, as we were βposingβ for our photo, Dan got on one knee and popped the question. No one knew he was going to do it but his sister, who videotaped the whole thing. Thank goodness, since I was so surprised I had to watch the video to remember the details. He had hired a driver for the night, and when we got into the car, he arranged for one of our songs to be playing β Bob Dylanβs βI Want You.β We cried tears of joy all the way to the ball and then proceeded to celebrate like the party was for us and not the museum. Every year we attend the ball since then is a little more special for us!β
Carla and DanΒ married on May 23, 2015, before 150 family members and friends. Those 19 years together made the coupleβs wedding even more special, with each part of their ceremony having special sentiment and meaning. Carla describes the affairΒ as βvery classic, but not traditional.β Their bridal party was comprised of most of the friends whoΒ introduced them in 1996. In keeping with their close-knit theme, they had the ceremony and reception at the historic home of their friends David Power and Bruce Hardy. Guests felt right at home the minute they arrived, when they were offered cocktails, wine and beer from the bar so they could sip on something during the ceremony. Carla and Danβs best friend Ryan Tracey officiated the ceremony, where they read vows that they wrote themselves. After the ceremony, guests walked across the lawn to the wedding tent, where they enjoyed aΒ sit-down dinner catered by Kingsleyβs. The guests and wedding party danced and celebrated long into the night under the stars.
PinCarla relaxes with a glass of her favorite sauvignon blanc while she starts getting dressed.PinFor years during their dating, Carla envisioned herself in a long, gold, glittery gown, not a white dress But when she tried this one on after she got engaged, she said it was THE dress for her. It was a sleeveless, V-shaped neckline, A-line dress with gold filigree to which they added a champagne-colored belt.PinCarlaβs mother and the bridal party put the finishing touches on the wedding dress. She is wearing her βsomething new,β earrings by Summer Eliason.PinCarla shares a squeeze with her sweet mom. Love the smile on both of their faces here.PinHer βsomething oldβ was a handkerchief embroidered by her great-grandmother, Loretta. Her Aunt Teresa gave it to her the night before the wedding and she wrapped it around the bottom of the bouquet. Also pictured are Carlaβs vows that she wrote for the wedding.PinCarla glows here and tells us, βIt sounds a bit mawkish, but I truly felt the prettiest I have ever felt on the wedding day.βPinDan and Carlaβs rings are displayed on gorgeous flower arrangements.PinCarla told florist Amy Streeter from Susanβs Florist to βuse whatever flowers she wanted for the bouquet. She was the artist, and I trusted her. To better explain what I wanted, I said βYou know when you go to the Kentucky Derby and see the most extravagant, gorgeous hat and wish you were wearing it? Well, I want everyone to see the bouquet and say yep, thatβs the most fabulous bouquet.ββPinYou might know Carla better as her artistic alias βTwiggy.β She paints femme fatales, each one with a signature batting eyelash and a martini. She paints these original works for many a wedding, so it was only fitting that she incorporated Twiggy into her own wedding. Each bridesmaid got a Twiggy original painting that was a perfect portrait of themselves.PinCarlaβs bridal party was decked out in navy blue as part of her βsomething blue.β Carla chose her favorite hot pink peonies for the bridesmaidsβ bouquets.PinMeanwhile, in another part of the house, Dan gets dressed.PinDan wore a custom suit from Tom James, that consisted of an off-white suit coat, black pants and black bow tie. His boutonniere was hot pink to coordinate with the bridal party flowers.PinDan reviews his vows before the wedding. The couple wrote their own vows in navy and gold βvowβ books gifted to them by Carlaβs best friend, Carly. Although they were not given any direction or a format to follow, they ended each of their vows with the same line: βI will love you with all my heart and soul for as long as we both shall live.βPinIn keeping with the color theme of navy and pink, the groomsmen could choose their own suits as long as they were navy. Ties and pocket squares from the Tie Bar.PinRight before the first look, the bride and groom stand on opposite sides of this beautiful historic home, owned by their friends David Power and Bruce Hardy.PinCarla describes their long relationship like this: βLike magnets, we found it tough to stay apart. However, for us, timing was everything.β This photograph is such a sweet sentiment between the bride and groom.PinThe bride and groom right before the ceremony that has been 19 years in the making.PinDan and Carla pose with their friends, the homeowners, Bruce Hardy (left) and David Power (right), who so graciously offered their home as the wedding site.PinA Twiggy original, this is a modern creative twist on a guest book β itβs a guest book painting. βOn the dress or the coat, sign your name or write a note!βPinA closer look at the signatures and notes on the guest book painting, which is customized for their wedding with their likenesses and wedding datePinPhotographs of loved ones prominently displayed at the weddingPinRose petals line the aisle, located on the grounds of this historic home.PinDan stands with the coupleβs best friend Ryan Tracey, who officiated their wedding.PinCarla walks down the aisle with both of her parents escorting her.PinThis is a mostΒ stunning outdoor venue for a wedding, with a backdrop naturally full of flowers, big trees and lots of green space.PinYou may kiss the bride!PinMr. and Mrs. Dan CerwinskePinAn impromptu kiss on the walk back generates a reaction from the crowd!PinGangβs all here!PinAll you need is LOVE β¦ balloons, that is.PinCarla designed the seating chart for the dinner.PinThe tables were in the colors of the wedding: navy, green and gold.PinA closeup of the simple, elegant tablesPinThe dinner and reception were held in this tent, with bubbly gold lanterns throughout.PinCarla says: βThere couldnβt be two people with bigger sweet teeth than Dan and I, but one thing I was very against was the tradition of βcutting the cake.β I have never understood the tradition and, after looking at the long schedule for the day, really wanted to not have to stop the dancing to partake. We had a couple of large, white sheet cakes with white icing and decorated with pink peonies from my florist. Everyone thought it was delicious, but I never even got a piece.βPinDan and Carla danced to Frank Sinatraβs βOh! Look At Me Now.β This was a favorite song of Danβs grandfather.PinCarla and her father danced to Ellie Gouldingβs βHow Long Will I Love You.β Look how dapper her father is in his tan linen suit after he had threatened to wear a leisure suit to the wedding!PinA picture of EVERYONE is so appropriate at this personal, heartfelt wedding.
Congratulations to the happy couple!
RESOURCES
Venue: The private home of David Power and Bruce Hardy (friends)
Photography: Beth Moser Photography
Bridal gown: Davidβs Bridal
Hair: Janis Harvey of Studio 151 andΒ Melissa Graven
Makeup: Becky Duncan and Melissa Graven
Groom: Custom suit from Tom James
Groomsmenβs accessories:Β Tie BarΒ
Invitations, programs and menu cards: Designed by Tim Ofcacek with direction by Carla Terwilleger
Seating chart: Carla Terwilleger
Flowers: Susanβs FloristΒ by Amy Streeter
Catering: Kingsley Catering
Music: HAY DJ
Guest accommodations: Louisville Marriott Downtown
Wedding planner: Jenifour Jones at Go Get It Events
Bridal gifts: Custom-made earrings by Summer Eliason Jewelry and custom Twiggy original paintings by Carla Terwilleger
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