An Indianapolis Wedding for the Books: The Wedding of Melissa Brothers Dutton and Chris Dutton

It was love at first tweet when Melissa and Chris met through mutual friends on Twitter. Even though they both went to Purdue, they had never met each other until Chris struck up a conversation through direct messages. Melissa says, “I eventually agreed and met him out in Broad Ripple with some friends. We haven’t stopped hanging out since.”

 

Chris proposed after a night of bar-hopping with friends in downtown Indianapolis. Melissa admits he tried to get her to go hiking in her favorite park earlier that day, but the plans changed. “I was totally not expecting it and the first thing out of my mouth when I saw the ring was, ‘You had that in your pocket this whole time!?!?’ I loved that it was just us two and will be an intimate moment we’ll always remember.” Unexpected proposals always make us smile!

 

Melissa and Chris hadn’t thought much into the details of their wedding beforehand, though they jumped right into the planning process! They set a date one day after Melissa’s parent’s anniversary and even included their two American Eskimo dogs, Bear and Patrick, to be part of the big day!

 

Using the Indianapolis Central Public Library as a venue was a highlight for Melissa and Chris. Melissa explains, “The ceiling is my favorite part of the entire venue. The space is so perfect, we honestly didn’t need to bring in much in terms of decor. We liked the idea of having our ceremony and reception at the same location for the convenience of guests and time's sake. I also love that we are able to casually go hang out where we got married whenever we want (during library hours).” 

 

Melissa started the search for her dress with her mother and sister, and traveled to three different bridal salons in one day to find “the one.” Melissa says, “As soon as we walked into the last salon of the day, Wedding Studio Carmel, I saw the dress on the mannequin and I knew I had to try it on. It was completely unlike any I had tried, or honestly even seen before. It was completely beaded with bell sleeves and had so many unique details…I kept noticing new parts of the dress that I loved.” 

Melissa admits that she never foresaw herself wearing sleeves for a wedding in May, but assures us that it was worth it. “On our wedding day, I had several guests tell me that they loved the sound my dress made as I walked down the marble staircase towards the altar, which is one of the most specific and coolest compliments I’ve ever received. I also had about 50 people ask me if it was heavy. Yes, it was! But it was well worth it!” We think so, too!

 

 

What we love

We adore that Melissa and Chris’s wedding day happened one day after Melissa’s parent’s 33rd wedding anniversary. The veil Melissa wore holds special sentiment to her, too. She says, “The veil I wore was borrowed from one of my bridesmaids and long-time accomplice, Kara. I was by her side at her wedding in Colorado two years ago and it meant everything to me that she was willing to return the favor.” Friendship at its finest! 

 

 

Advice from the couple

Melissa says one of her best suggestions would be to number your guest invites, so “when someone inevitably sends you one back without filling in their name, you can figure out who it is from.” Drinking water and getting a good amount of sleep a month before your wedding, she says, will also help you look your best. However, the most important thing Melissa wants other couples to know is to have fun! “Most importantly, enjoy your day! By the time your wedding rolls around, the planning is completely done. Relax, have fun and let the professionals handle the minor issues that may occur throughout the day.”

 

 

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