When choosing a wedding date, there are many aspects to consider including, who will be able to come if I don’t host on a Saturday? Perhaps a more low-key Sunday wedding would be easier since the reception tends to wrap up a bit earlier–or if you’re like Mr. and Mrs. Hershman, you’ll choose a Friday and get a great start to the weekend by being married!
Cara and Tyler met a few years ago through a mutual friend. Little did they know that their friend would ultimately not only introduce them but bring them closer together than they’d ever imagined. You see, while Cara and Tyler had seen each other from afar a bit, it wasn’t until their best friend, Jake, who had cystic fibrosis, had passed that they drew together in their grief of their mutually best friend. Out of death came a new life together and while Jake was not physically present at their wedding–he lives on in their hearts, their minds, and in Heaven.
Cara and Tyler’s Friday afternoon lodge wedding was the perfect mix of both of their eclectic personalities including their love of 80s rock, the perfect mix of elegant and rustic, and Cara’s love for the TV show Friends. While all of these moving pieces are very unique, Cara and her team implemented them in a seamless and beautiful way that encompassed the perfect wedding day for she and Tyler.
Getting married in Indiana in the earlier or latter months isn’t always a guarantee for great weather. Thankfully, Cara and Tyler’s wedding had beautiful sunny (and breezy) weather! Although we did not get to celebrate outside for their ceremony, we spent a lot of it gathering images outdoors and keeping most of the guests warm and free from the spring winds.
While Cara and Tyler are some of my dearest friends, making every moment special, there were a few standalone moments that stood out to me as a photographer. First, since Jake was unable to be present at their wedding, Tyler carried Jake’s guitar down the aisle with him making him that much more present. Not too long ago, Cara’s grandfather had passed away from cancer. Being someone whom she was very close with, she honored his memory and Jake’s by donating all of the money from their dollar dances to research for cancer and cystic fibrosis. This money was divided by the two with Tyler’s side collecting money for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Cara’s for The Purdue Center for Cancer Research. Their totals together were over $500 in just 15 minutes! While this money could help them on their new journey as husband and wife–they selflessly are donating it to improve the lives of others afflicted with the same struggles as both Jake and Cara’s grandfather.
Thank you, Tyler and Cara, for having me and my second photographer, Sarah, come out to photograph your perfect day! I couldn’t have imagined it any other way and I am so glad that you two have one another for now and for always. All of the love to you both and I hope that when you return from your Gatlinburg, Tennessee honeymoon that we can all go out on a nice double date as married couples!
Venue: Stone Creek Lodge – Crawfordsville, Indiana
Caterer: Mitchel’s Mexican Grill
Videographer: Parable Productions
Hair: KJ Nutt & Friends, Salon and Spa – Whitney Bell
Makeup: KJ Nutt & Friends, Salon and Spa – Sage Harrington
Day of Coordinator: Emerald Lotus Events – Felicia Dale
New Adventure Productions is owned by Nate Dale, a Lafayette, Indiana wedding and elopement photographer. We travel nation and worldwide to capture beautiful and intimate weddings and elopements while providing a guidance, love, help along the way.
He is married to the love of his life, Felicia with their two doggies, Pika and Princess.