As a wedding photographer, I’m always hoping, wishing, and crossing my fingers for good weather. I’m sure I’m not alone on this one. More than that, as a traveling wedding photographer who often times will catch a flight to a different city for a wedding, the last thing I want is inclement weather. Especially, I don’t know, a hurricane.

So of course, it’s September 25th, 2024 and there’s a hurricane – and it’s headed directly toward Florida. Naturally, your instinct would be to panic (I did). Ricco + Jessica’s wedding fell on the 28th, so I miraculously changed my flight to leave a day earlier and headed out with little to no issue.

I thought I was out for good. I was ready for a sunny fall weekend in Indianapolis full of love and dry grass and sunshine. And then Hurricane Helene said hold my beer and followed me all the way to Indiana.

Regardless of all the weather mishaps, the pouring rain, and the unforgiving wind – nothing could stop the light and love that emanated from Ricco + Jessica’s wedding day.

The Omni Severin hotel is where Ricco, Jessica, and all their loved ones stayed during their wedding weekend. A historic hotel in downtown Indianapolis, right down the block from St. John the Evangelist, where their ceremony would take place.

I knocked on Jessica’s door to her bridal suite, where I could hear her and her bridal party chatting and giggling away with excitement.

Her details were some of my favorites.

I will always always ask the bride if she wants a photo of her and her bridal party in their getting ready outfits before it’s time to put on her dress. Because how freakin’ cute are these?!

Before we knew it, it was time to get ready.

Getting Ready

Jess got ready with her mom, Jo Ellen, and younger sister, Erin. These are some of the sweetest photos from the day. The love is ever present.

The First Look

We originally planned to have their first look and private vows inside the Omni, but when we realized Ricco had an entire private balcony overlooking downtown Indianapolis, the choice was clear.

The Ceremony

St. John The Evangelist was a quick five minute walk from The Omni – a light rain had begun to fall as everyone walked over. As much as we had all hoped for the sun, there was something so romantic about a rainy wedding day in the city.

A quick snap of everyone before R+J got married! You could feel the excitement in the air.

Jessica’s bridesmaids helped her get her cathedral veil in right before her ceremony – a wise option, especially if you’ve got a long veil.

After Ricco + Jessica had officially tied the knot, their wedding party met them at the back of the chapel where they erupted in cheers and laughter.

The Reception

The King Family Farm is where Ricco + Jessica’s reception was held – we boarded a bus as the rain began to come down and drove an hour south of Indianapolis to celebrate (and party obviously). Jessica flew in a few days before their wedding to help her family set up for their reception.

Personalized tequila labels and a checkerboard dance floor? Sign me up. These details were everything!!!

After speeches were made and shots were had – it was everyone’s favorite part of a reception. Cake.

The Gargoyle

I will never forget this moment.

We’re dancing. The drinks are flowing. Chapel Roan’s HOT TO GO had just come on, and all of a sudden… Jessica darts off into the night, followed by all of her guests.

Obviously, I had to follow them.

Where did we end up? At the gargoyle.

A little backstory: Every time they are at The King Family Farm, they take a picture with the gargoyle on their property. It’s tradition! I was practically crying from laughing so hard – these photos are absolutely priceless.

How About Some Fireworks?

When we were in the beginning stages of planning their wedding, Jessica mentioned something about a fireworks show at the end of their night. As we got closer to the day, I was informed the fireworks probably wouldn’t happen because of a burn ban.

You can only imagine how excited I was when Brian, Jessica’s dad, came up to me and told me that fireworks were ON. Because of the insane amount of rain Indiana had received, it was safe to light them up.

& light them up we did.

Talk about going out with a bang.

This wedding was something out of a dream. A rainy, muddy, windy, sparkly, perfectly imperfect dream. Thank you to everyone who put so much time, effort, and love into this incredibly special day. It was truly an honor to witness and document Ricco and Jessica’s love story.

See y’all in the next one!

xo, Casey

VENDORS:

• Photographer: Casey Ann Photo | IG: @caseyannphoto_
• Wedding Content Creator: Claire with Wedding Content Co. | IG: @WEDDINGCONTENTCO
• Hotel: The Omni Severin
• Ceremony: St. John The Evangelist | IG: @stjohnsindy
• Dress + Dress Shop: Pronovias | IG: @Pronovias
• Suit: Bonobos | IG: @bonobos
• Hair + Makeup: Blush & Bobby Pins | IG: @blushnbobbypins
• Rings: Brilliant Earth | IG: @brilliantearth
• Cake: Sweet Escape | IG: @sweetescapecakeco
• Caterer: Grafton Peek
• DJ: TK with Higher Love Entertainment | @higherloveentertainment