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Lauren & Nick

tops in lex wedding
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Lauren Dugger and Nick Chitwood met as many young couples do--at a party. Nick was a Mr. Cool Delta Tau Delta and Lauren was a young, innocent Alpha Delta Pi attending the University of Kentucky. Their eyes met from across the room at a house party, and it was love at first sight… for Nick. He asked Lauren out for a date, and she turned him town.

Fate would bring them together again later, and the two of them exchanged phone numbers. The pair began dating, and it was clear that they were meant to be!

When Nick decided to propose, he wanted to make it special. Terrible at keeping a secret, Nick chose to leave Lauren clues over the course of the week leading up to the proposal. His hints culminated in an ad in a local newspaper, reading, “Wanted: Bride! Housewife, Companion… Lauren, will you marry me?”

Frustrated with a week of puzzles, Lauren was tremendously surprised, relieved and excited when Nick finally got down on bended knee to formally propose. Of course she said yes.

For their August 2, 2008 wedding, Louisville was a sensible location. Nick, a Louisville native, worked there as a commercial banker. Lauren, originally from Connecticut and working as an intern for an event planner, found the location convenient.

The rehearsal dinner was held on the famous Belle of Louisville. In its 94th year, the steamboat is a National Historic Landmark. The Belle of Louisville plays host to dinner parties and dancing on the Ohio River.

They chose to have their ceremony at the Cavalry Episcopal Church, a gothic-style stone church featuring massive stained glass windows and a beautiful carved wood interior. The bride wore an elegant Kenneth Pool gown featuring a dropped waist and beautiful rhinestone detailing. The bridesmaids carried bouquets of white roses tied with purple ribbon and wore black Priscilla of Boston dresses with a classic mermaid silhouette.

The celebration moved to the Brown Hotel, which features classic English Renaissance architecture and décor. The reception played up on the couple’s black and cream wedding colors, with deep plum accents. Bronze plates incorporated the ballroom’s grand architecture while the couple’s monogram picked up the Art Deco style of the hotel. Nashville band Familiar Faces provided music as guests enjoyed a truly elegant evening.

Kentucky is an important place to both the bride and groom. To share their love of the Bluegrass State with their guests, out-of-town guests were given gift baskets full of Kentucky Proud products and the Bluegrass Winners Cookbook. Woodford Reserve bourbon balls were favors at the reception. Frank Buttleman, the official bugler for Churchill Downs, came out to play “Call to Post” as the bridal party was announced, then surprised the crowd with “My Old Kentucky Home”. The Father of the Bride, a horse lover, was delighted. The groom’s cake was even UK themed!

Photographs by Frank Becker, Sarah Jane, Aurelia Gerardo / The Time Photography

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