Melissa + Kieran’s Dreamy Carmel Wedding at BASH

On a sunny Monday evening in June, Melissa and Kieran stood before their family and closest friends for the most dreamy Carmel wedding at BASH, as they pledged to love one another for the rest of their lives.

Melissa and Kieran first met at ITOWN Church in June 2020. They were both serving in production, and while neither were on staff at the time, Melissa was going through the church’s leadership program. They were just living life and serving alongside one another, with a whole lot of ping pong games on Thursday nights with friends.

Both eventually were hired to work for ITOWN Church, and by September 2021, they started dating. They quickly fell in love and knew that they wanted to spend their lives together. When I first talked with them in February, they were not yet engaged, but they knew ultimately they were going to get married.

Kieran was waiting for the perfect moment to ask Melissa to marry him. In early April, they were out trying a new place that they may want to use for a church event, when Melissa suggested going for a walk together. Kieran knew this would be the perfect moment to ask Melissa, and of course she said yes! We took their amazing engagement session photos at Holcomb Gardens at Butler University shortly after their official engagement.

They chose to get married on a Monday evening because they wanted their church coworkers to be able to attend their big day. With ITOWN hosting several church services on the weekend, their coworkers would have Monday off. I loved how the ceremony and reception felt like a fun dinner celebration that you got to share with your most treasured people.

They started with getting ready at BASH that afternoon. Everyone was so relaxed, which makes the day that much better. We headed out to Flowing Well Park in Carmel for Melissa and Kieran’s first look. Melissa’s matron of honor Jill escorted Melissa to see Kieran for the first time. The way they looked at each other when Kieran turned around was priceless.

We explored the park for their couples portraits before their wedding party arrived. We wrapped up the portraits with their family, before heading back to BASH for the ceremony.

They went for a simple, elegant décor concept with so many of the details being handcrafted and mainly by Melissa. They used handmade hexagon centerpieces, along with the hexagon arch for the ceremony and reception. All the signage for the day was stunning, and every detail tied together perfectly. Melissa put together all of the florals, which turned out perfectly.

After the ceremony and dinner, Melissa and Kieran shared their first dance followed by their first ping pong game as husband and wife. Their groomsmen wheeled in the table from outside, and it was game on. Kieran ultimately won, but it was a hard fought game.

After cake cutting and the father/daughter dance, we headed out for some quick sunset portraits with Melissa and Kieran. Of course, we had to work in their customized ping pong paddles that said Mr. and Mrs. Drexler!

We wrapped up the evening with a few more dances, before their family and friends sent the couple off with a sparkler exit on their way to their honeymoon in Michigan.

Melissa + Kieran, what a perfect day! Thank you so much for the honor of capturing this day for you and being a part of this special moment in your lives. I hope you enjoy the sneak peeks, and all the best as you continue to fall deeper in love in the years to come!