Tree-lined driveways, weeping willow trees, lake-views and a beautiful bridal suite sound like the setting to a Hallmark movie with a princess (who, of course, finds the perfect knight in shining armor). At The Norris Estate, located in Nappanee, Indiana, all of those amenities and more are available, because let’s face it - it’s your wedding day and you should feel like royalty.
While Jane and Todd are not technically royalty, we’re certain they are both well-prepared for that role. Jane works with Premier Arts, an Elkhart-based performing arts company, as a costume coordinator and ballet teacher. Todd is a firefighter for the city of Elkhart who knows a thing or two about theatre because he also works as a technical assistant at The Lerner in downtown Elkhart, which just happens to be the home of Premier Arts.
This Elkhart couple had just one goal in mind when it came to their reception: create an environment where guests could relax and enjoy the evening. Oh, and DANCE!
By having a harpist play during the ceremony and cocktail hour, Jane and Todd started their wedding with a fairy-tail-setting. For their reception they wanted to step up the vibe and selected the Gold entertainment package with DJ Iceberg.
A great feature about The Norris Estate is they allow couples to choose their own caterer (but don’t worry, they can provide a list of preferred caterers that meet the needs of everyone’s budget from a 7-course sit down dinner to a more casual affair with a buffet or BBQ). Jane and Todd chose authentic Italian from Elkhart-based Per Bacco Ristorante Italiano. Carb-loading is a strategy used by athletes, and because they wanted their guests to dance all night long, this was the perfect choice!
We’ve said over and over Jane and Todd wanted their guests to dance, and dance they did! We really love when couples want the evening to be fun for everyone, and with classic can-even-pull-your-grandma-out-on-the-dancefloor favorites like Sweet Caroline, Cha Cha Slide, Shout and the YMCA, every age was having a blast.
Elkhart-based photographer Dave Thompson of Dave Thompson Photography was on-hand all night to capture all of the special moments including highlights like the father-daughter dance, mother-son dance and the anniversary dance. But one unique moment of the whole night was when the men in Jane’s family all sang “You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin’” - it’s a family tradition and this is, after all, a theatre-lovin’ family!
And just like the ’80s hit film Top Gun, this happy couple “flew off into the sunset” and started the rest of their life together with great music filling the background and smiling faces filling the camera lens.
Reception song selections:
Grand Entrance: Forever Now – Kristian Bush
Cake Cutting: All Of Me – John Legend
First Dance: I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing - Aerosmith
Father-Daughter Dance: What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
Anniversary Dance: Can’t Help Falling In Love - Elvis
Bouquet Toss: Single Ladies - Beyonce
Garter Toss: Another One Bites The Dust - Queen
Vendors:
The Norris Estate
Per Bacco Ristorante Italiano
Dave Thompson Photography