The Wedding Story of... Emily & George Trilikis

Maybe you can’t have it all in life, but when it comes to your wedding, you don’t have to sacrifice your glamorous vision to keep tradition alive. Finding inspiration from your heritage and incorporating it into a modern celebration can bring out a style that is truly unique to you and your partner. When Emily and George Trilikis tied the knot, they embraced George’s Greek heritage and started married life in grand fashion. 

 

 

 

 

George was working as a doctor when one of the nurses told him she had found a girl he had to meet. Hesitant at first, he agreed to a date. He and Emily met in September of 2009 and it didn’t take long before they realized they had found something incredible, sharing many of the same values (and lots of laughter). In August of 2011, they were vacationing in the Greek Islands and stopped at the port on Santorini. While exploring the island’s streets and sampling the local fare, George suggested a walk down a small pathway and it was there he dropped to one knee and asked Emily to be his wife. 

 

 

 

 

Emily and George wanted to have a year to plan the wedding and chose the date based on the availability of their perfect venue: the Indiana Roof Ballroom. This gorgeous Indianapolis facility has been a premier locale since it first opened for jazz and big band groups in 1927. Styled after the courtyard of a Mediterranean village complete with stucco facades, the venue boasts a ballroom, balcony, promenade and ornate bar. A hand-painted night sky adorns the lofty ceiling and the dance floor is legendary.  

 

Emily started to peruse wedding magazines and employed the services of Boldly Chic Events as well as Four Leaf Events. She knew she wanted a dramatic mix of purple, white, green, and silver. Having always loved hydrangeas, she chose those as the base flowers in her bouquet and added Picasso Calla Lily, white roses, and accents of purple and green. After three trips to different bridal stores with her mom and maid of honor in tow, she could feel it when she put on the winning dress and the choice was confirmed as her maid of honor started to tear up. “The consultants did a great job helping me find a dress that made my vision come to life,” Emily said.   

 

 

 

 

Emily walked down the aisle at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to the music of a string quartet. Inspired by the Royal Wedding, they placed trees at the end of the aisle and the rest was lined with purple flower petals. The trees are now kept in her parents’ backyard. During the ceremony, which was said in a mix of English and Greek, the couple spoke no words at all. Steeped in symbolism, the wedding included an exchange of rings, lighting of wedding candles, crowning of the couple, drinking from a common cup and the ceremonial walk. 

 

After the newly-married couple walked back down the aisle, they stepped into an adjacent room while the guests exited the church. “It was the only moment during the whole day where it was just the two of us,” Emily said. “It seemed like time had slowed down.” After the pause for peace and reflection on their new marriage, they were back outside for the petal toss and the rest of the whirlwind day.  

 

 

 

 

More than 300 guests attended the celebration at the glamorous Indiana Roof Ballroom. While the banquet room was dramatically lit in shades of purple, pin lights highlighted each table decked in rich purple fabrics. A variety of centerpieces gave height and texture to the room. Silver candelabras draped in crystals adorned some tables while others featured tall vases with white flower pomanders and an assortment of hurricane candleholders. 

 

Following Greek tradition, the couple gave everyone a small pouch of 11 Jordan almonds, or koufeta, tied with silver ribbon. The almonds are given as a token of good fortune and happiness and the odd number signifies the union and indivisibility of the married couple. Making the favors more personal, the couple tied a tag on each pouch about donations to the Be the Match Foundation. “We wanted something that we knew would be put to good use.” A family member had been recently diagnosed with Leukemia and this charity helps sign up potential bone marrow donors. In this way, Emily and George could incorporate favors that would also be a force for good. 

 

 

 

 

The couple took to the dance floor with “Hold You in My Arms” by Ray LaMontagne. Then, every guest was encouraged to join the festivities with traditional circle dances. “Greek dancing at the reception was a must,” Emily said. “It’s really fun because the dances are all in a circular formation and are really inviting for everyone.” They sweetened the night and kept up energy levels by bringing out silver trays of baklava.

 

At the end of the night, they had accomplished a celebration both fashionable and modern, but also in keeping with cultural traditions. “Everyone tells you how fast it goes, but you don’t understand until it actually happens. It was a beautiful day, everything went so smoothly, and I really couldn’t be happier. I wouldn’t change a thing!” 

 

Check our Emily and George's fabulous wedding video by Eugene + Heather: http://eugeneandheather.com/blog/destination-wedding-videographyindiana-roof-ballroom-photos-indianapolis-in-destination-wedding-videography/