Pizza, Playlists, and a DIY Indiana Wedding
Taylor (she/her) and Kelly (she/her) spent years building a life together before they ever called it a love story. Friends first, then roommates, then business partners, they knew each other inside out long before they became girlfriends. When everything finally clicked into place, they didn’t waste time. Two months later, they were engaged.
Their wedding in Yorktown, Indiana was held in a venue that was still under construction, brought to life by friends who stepped in wherever they were needed. With customized Etsy dresses, Costco snacks, pizza for dinner, handwritten vows, and a ceremony led by their best friend, every decision reflected what mattered most: celebrating the life they’d built together with the people who chose them just as fiercely as they chose each other.
How did your friendship become something more?
We were friends, then roommates, then business partners for six years before we both deconstructed our faith and Kelly realized she was gay and had always been, just never allowed to live fully in her truth due to Christianity. Once she came out, we stayed friends for another year and a half… until she went on a date with a woman.
I realized I didn’t want her to be with anyone else, and even though I had never felt that way before, I suddenly felt something for her. It scared me so much I shut down. But when I finally told her, she was so gentle and kind and gave me space to figure it out, and she felt it too.
Within two weeks, we knew we had something special. We told family and friends and lost a lot of them, but it didn’t matter. I knew, she knew. Within two months of dating, I proposed, after buying the ring the night before our first date.
What did your wedding planning look like?
Our wedding planning was in no way smooth. We moved states, changed jobs, and lost friends and family along the way, but once we settled, we leaned on our network to bring everything together.
Kelly’s best friend purchased a venue and told us it was available for us, and we fell in love with it. It was still under construction, so we got married outside and it was gorgeous!
Our dresses came from Etsy and were customized by Sanctuary Tailoring. Mine was finished the morning before, and that was my first time trying it on. Our day-of coordinator and videographer both backed out last minute. We had to pivot constantly, but that’s something we’re really good at.
Our friends and chosen family stepped up in every way, helping finish the venue, filming on our phones, coordinating the day, and somehow it all came together so we could simply enjoy it.
How did you make your budget work?
We price checked everything, and if something didn’t fit our budget, we found another way to do it.
When our videographer backed out, we spent $40 on phone stands and used our phones. Instead of a DJ, we paid $150 for a speaker system and curated playlists for months, and instead of catering, we had pizza from Cousin Vinny’s Pizza delivered and served it nicely. It was a hit and we saved $3,500!
Be realistic, use your network, and be creative!
How did you find the right photographer?
For photography, we specifically wanted a woman-owned small business, with a mix of film and candid moments over anything too staged.
When we found Carter Teal Photography, we knew she was exactly what we needed. Our absolute perfect hype woman! She brings the energy!
What was on the menu?
We did bar snacks from Trader Joe’s for cocktail hour and pizza from Cousin Vinny’s Pizza for dinner. We skipped alcohol because of the cost and because we’re not big drinkers anyway.
After talking to a caterer, we knew it was way out of budget, and pizza just made sense (and made really cool photos). Plus, we wanted the “chipper chicken” (father of the bride).
For dessert, we celebrated with cake from The Cake Bake Shop.
What did your wedding day feel like?
Our wedding day was dreamy.
We started it the way we always do: just us, grabbing iced coffee, before heading to the venue to get ready and exchange gifts. It was so thoughtful. She found a replica of my grandmother’s ring and gifted it to me.
There were a few hiccups and we ended up an hour late, but it was a perfect day to be late. We kept things simple with just our sisters as maids of honor. I walked down first, then them, then my bride. I didn’t think I would cry but seeing her felt like my whole body was going to burst.
We wrote our own vows, jumped the broom, and were married by our best friend. The rest of the night was photos and dancing, and we ended with one last private dance before our exit where everyone sang “going to the chapel” in multi-part harmonies and sent us off!
Who went above and beyond on the day?
There were so many standout vendors and people.
Our photographer, Carter Teal Photography, was the ultimate hype woman, and our hair and makeup team, Brittney Judhan and Becky Judhan, stepped into so many roles throughout the day. We just love them!
Cousin Vinny’s Pizza even gave us a huge discount and delivered outside their usual delivery zone when they found out it was for a wedding.
Our venue stayed up countless hours to get everything ready for us, and our friends captured content all day instead of us hiring a videographer. Honestly, they could make a career out of it!
How did you make traditional wedding moments feel like your own?
We kept it very simple. No bridal parties, just our sisters as maids of honor, and so we both got to walk down the aisle. I went first, then my sister, then hers, then my bride, all to the same song.
Our chosen families sat in the front row and said a blessing over our rings, and our best friend married us. We skipped parent dances but asked our chosen parents to give the speeches instead.
Captured by Carter Teal Photography
Cake The Cake Bake Shop
Caterer Cousin Vinny’s Pizza
Dress Etsy & Sanctuary Tailoring
Florist Trader Joe’s
Hair & Makeup Brittney Judhan & Becky Judhan
Rings Etsy
