Carla Terwilleger and Dan Cerwinske have been together since 1996. So when Carla says their wedding was 19 years in the making, she’s not exaggerating. The couple dated 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 “off” period. They 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 — and together — 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 pictures — just like they did in high school. This night was different. Carla sets the scene: “Decked out in black-tie, surrounded by Dan’s mom and sister and my mom and dad, as we were ‘posing’ 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 — Bob Dylan’s “I Want You.” 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!”
Carla and Dan married on May 23, 2015, before 150 family members and friends. Those 19 years together made the couple’s wedding even more special, with each part of their ceremony having special sentiment and meaning. Carla describes the affair as “very classic, but not traditional.” Their bridal party was comprised of most of the friends who 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 Dan’s 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 a sit-down dinner catered by Kingsley’s. The guests and wedding party danced and celebrated long into the night under the stars.
Carla relaxes with a glass of her favorite sauvignon blanc while she starts getting dressed.
For 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.
Carla’s mother and the bridal party put the finishing touches on the wedding dress. She is wearing her “something new,” earrings by Summer Eliason.
Carla shares a squeeze with her sweet mom. Love the smile on both of their faces here.
Her “something old” 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 Carla’s vows that she wrote for the wedding.
Carla glows here and tells us, “It sounds a bit mawkish, but I truly felt the prettiest I have ever felt on the wedding day.”
Dan and Carla’s rings are displayed on gorgeous flower arrangements.
Carla told florist Amy Streeter from Susan’s Florist to “use whatever flowers she wanted for the bouquet. She was the artist, and I trusted her. To better explain what I wanted, I said ‘You 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, that’s the most fabulous bouquet.'”
You might know Carla better as her artistic alias “Twiggy.” 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.
Carla’s bridal party was decked out in navy blue as part of her “something blue.” Carla chose her favorite hot pink peonies for the bridesmaids’ bouquets.
Meanwhile, in another part of the house, Dan gets dressed.
Dan 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.
Dan reviews his vows before the wedding. The couple wrote their own vows in navy and gold “vow” books gifted to them by Carla’s 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: “I will love you with all my heart and soul for as long as we both shall live.”
In 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.
Right 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.
Carla describes their long relationship like this: “Like magnets, we found it tough to stay apart. However, for us, timing was everything.” This photograph is such a sweet sentiment between the bride and groom.
The bride and groom right before the ceremony that has been 19 years in the making.
Dan 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.
A Twiggy original, this is a modern creative twist on a guest book — it’s a guest book painting. “On the dress or the coat, sign your name or write a note!”
A closer look at the signatures and notes on the guest book painting, which is customized for their wedding with their likenesses and wedding date
Photographs of loved ones prominently displayed at the wedding
Rose petals line the aisle, located on the grounds of this historic home.
Dan stands with the couple’s best friend Ryan Tracey, who officiated their wedding.
Carla walks down the aisle with both of her parents escorting her.
This is a most stunning outdoor venue for a wedding, with a backdrop naturally full of flowers, big trees and lots of green space.
You may kiss the bride!
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Cerwinske
An impromptu kiss on the walk back generates a reaction from the crowd!
Gang’s all here!
All you need is LOVE … balloons, that is.
Carla designed the seating chart for the dinner.
The tables were in the colors of the wedding: navy, green and gold.
A closeup of the simple, elegant tables
The dinner and reception were held in this tent, with bubbly gold lanterns throughout.
Carla says: “There couldn’t be two people with bigger sweet teeth than Dan and I, but one thing I was very against was the tradition of ‘cutting the cake.’ 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.”
Dan and Carla danced to Frank Sinatra’s “Oh! Look At Me Now.” This was a favorite song of Dan’s grandfather.
Carla and her father danced to Ellie Goulding’s “How Long Will I Love You.” Look how dapper her father is in his tan linen suit after he had threatened to wear a leisure suit to the wedding!
A 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: David’s Bridal
Hair: Janis Harvey of Studio 151 and Melissa Graven
Makeup: Becky Duncan and Melissa Graven
Groom: Custom suit from Tom James
Groomsmen’s accessories: Tie Bar
Invitations, programs and menu cards: Designed by Tim Ofcacek with direction by Carla Terwilleger
Seating chart: Carla Terwilleger
Flowers: Susan’s Florist 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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