Tony Edelen and Jessica Holloway were strangers the night they both went to the same engagement party but he noticed her the minute she walked in. Later, he told her that he got butterflies when he saw her that first time. Though they didn’t actually talk until later that night, they have talked every single night since. And as it turns out, they had several mutual friends, including her sister and her cousin, which proves that some things are definitely meant to be … so meant to be, in fact, that they made the mutual decision to get married.
They celebrated their engagement in June of 2014, planning a date night with dinner at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, followed by plans to see “The Book of Mormon.” And although there was no surprise engagement, Tony did surprise her by inviting some friends and family to dinner before they saw the play.
After a year of planning with the help of wedding planner Ellen Shaheen Fox, the couple were married on June 6, 2015, at Middletown United Methodist Church in front of 260 guests. The reception followed at the The Seelbach Hilton Hotel, a natural place for Jessica to have her reception. She had loved that hotel since she was a little girl, and her parents reminisced that they’d had their first kiss there. Whenever Jessica visited for brunch or a special occasion, she would take a picture on the grand stairwell — and it all came full circle when she was taking her wedding pictures on that same stairwell many years later.
Pictured on the grand stairwell, Jessica wore her mother’s pearl earrings, which she had loved since she was a little girl and that served as her “something borrowed.” A piece of lace from her mother’s wedding dress placed around her bouquet was her “something old.”
The bride shares a tender moment with her parents before the ceremony.
The sapphire ring on the left is Jessica’s “something blue.” It was a present from Tony when they were dating, to celebrate their one-year anniversary. The ring on the right is her wedding ring.
The bridesmaids’ dresses were designed by Shoshanna, and the bride’s wedding dress was designed by Carrafina and purchased at Couture Closet.
White orchids were the headliner flower in the bride’s bouquet from In Bloom Again.
The ivory lace wedding dress was designed by Carrafina, with an A-line design, a sweetheart neck and a belt to set it off. For the ceremony, Jessica had a special piece made with some extra lace of the dress to cover her shoulders and chest. This became a a make-shift jacket, and Jessica removed it for the reception so there would be no interference with her dancing.
Right before the first look
Arrangements adorn the altar and custom runners adorn the floor of the church.
The altar was awash in flowers.
Here comes the bride! Jessica is calm and poised on the loving arm of her father.
A view from the back, with the bride arriving at the altar with her father
You may kiss the bride!
The ceremony was held at Middletown United Methodist Church at 5:30 p.m. with more than 260 guests attending. The altar was a sea of beautiful flowers arranged by In Bloom Again.
After the ceremony, the reception began at Seelbach Hotel. The couple posed for the classic grand staircase picture before joining the wedding party and their guests at the reception.
Coming full circle, the bride poses on the grand stairwell with her husband, the same stairwell she posed on many times as a little girl, dreaming of her wedding day.
The guests enjoyed cocktails in the magnificent and historic Oak Room, where a lavish charcuterie display was served that included a selection of local Kentucky meats, cheeses, freshly baked bread and was garnished with almonds, figs and grapes. Hors d’oeuvres of mini Hot Browns, Caprese salad skewers, blue cheese-stuffed dates with bacon, and shrimp cocktail shooters were passed during the cocktail hour.
Entrance to the famous Oak Room with a grand flower arrangement and place cards for the guests
Gold writing graced the place cards for each guest.
The dance floor awaits.
The central color of the wedding was gold, with navy accents throughout the reception room. For Jessica, navy and gold together seemed regal and elegant. Wayne Esterle from In Bloom Again and Ellen Shaheen Fox of ShaFox Weddings & Events took these colors and made them a royal reality.
A room fit for royalty at the Seelbach
The bride and groom had a seated dinner that began with Kentucky Bibb lettuce and endive salad, topped with bourbon-spiced pecans, roasted beets and Boursin cheese mousse — followed by a dual-plated entrée of medallion of beef tenderloin and egg-dipped chicken, accompanied by Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, glazed carrots and Southern-style green beans.
Menu cards at the wedding describe the feast details.
A view from above, showing the incorporation of gold and navy throughout the table
Flowers, glass, crystal, china and flatware provide a rich texture for the tablescape.
A towering cake from Merts Cakes was a sight to behold! Guests were offered three choices of wedding cake: chocolate truffle, strawberry and Mammaw’s Butter Cake with Pineapple Filling — a Merts specialty.
We love the “J” and “T” on the front of the wedding cake.
The couple danced to the first song Tony ever played for Jessica on the piano, something she will never forget. He still jokes that’s how he wooed Jessica! It was “Faithfully,” by Journey.
Tony and Jessica share a giggle during their first dance.
The Downtown Band gets the crowd going at the Seelbach.
A picture is worth a thousand words, with a sax player wearing green goggles at the end of the evening. A good time was definitely had by all!
Cheers to the bride and groom and our best wishes for a lifetime of love and happiness!
RESOURCES
Ceremony Location: Middletown United Methodist Church
Reception venue: The Seelbach Hotel
Photography: Amy Shepherd
Videography: Two Rings Wedding Videos
Ceiling drape: The Event Company
Custom Linens: ShaFox Weddings & Events
Bride’s gown: Couture Closet
Bridesmaids dresses: Shoshanna
Hair & makeup: Ana Crane
Groom’s & groomsmen’s formalwear: Macy’s
Invitations: First Impressions, (502) 894-9678
Custom letter-pressed programs, escort cards & menu cards: ShaFox Weddings & Events
Flowers: In Bloom Again
Catering: The Seelbach Hotel
Music: The Downtown Band
Cake: Merts Cakes
Gold chiavari chairs: 50 Chairs
Do you love weddings? Check out our weddings here and get inspiration! We will be publishing a new wedding the first Wednesday of each month, so don’t miss out on reading about all the latest trends and nuptials here.
And for one more wedding to check out today, this wedding that took place in the rain … well, grab some tissues. It’s quite a story! Read all about it here.
