Karla, originally from Chile, met Peter in Granada, Spain while traveling abroad. So, it was very important to the couple to incorporate as much of Latin American culture into their wedding day in Columbia, Indiana. The vibrant, outdoor celebration was planned by Christina Burton Events and held at Peter’s grandparent’s private estate. The day was filled with tailored details like a Brazilian music band during cocktail hour, a first dance to a salsa song, Alfajores and sandwiches as midnight snacks, Chilean wine flowing all night and a large neon signs that read Los Laskey (The Laskeys in Spanish) above the DJ stand. Florals by Woven Blooms added bold color at every turn and we’re loving ALL of it in these images by Sharin Shank Photography + Becca Novak.
What made the wedding special and unique?
Because I am from Chile, it was very important for us to incorporate as much of Latin American culture into our wedding as possible. That’s why we choose to have a Bossa Nova (Brazilian Jazz) band play, a tequila shot toast instead of a champagne toast (with handmade traditional Mexican Talavera glasses for each guest), a Spanish tasting meal with lots of saffron, Chilean wine served throughout the festivities and even had my mother bake and decorate Alfajores, Chile’s national dessert biscuit. Since the wedding was outdoors in Peter’s grandparents’ home, we tried to incorporate the woods and nature into our celebration, encouraging guests to enjoy the lake and views during the cocktail hour and having our dance be under the stars.
Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!
It look me about a year to gather each piece of my look. I first purchased my Louvienne gown from a boutique store called Lovely Bride in Chicago. The gown is very simple and classic, it has a silk bustier top and a matte stretchy bottom with a long tail and silk buttons down the spine. From the beginning I knew that was the look I wanted for the party but wanted to accessorize with a topper for the church ceremony. A few months later I found Anna Campbell and her amazing hand-beaded toppers and gowns and I immediately fell in love with her work. I ended up purchasing the Anna topper, a very delicate hand-beaded top modeled after the designers´ own wedding dress. Each topper is made at request in Australia and shipped months after placing the order. At Alice in Ivory in Chicago I got my beautiful cathedral length veil made by Sara Gabriel, a Colorado based designer. One of the hardest things for me to settle on were my shoes. I knew I wanted something comfortable but I also love high heels, so after purchasing and returning some 5 different pairs of shoes I decided to go with a very bold blue velvet block heel from Sam Edelman. It ended up being the perfect choice as I was super comfy and they also allowed to express more of my style, which is less traditional.
What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?
Every single part of the wedding was personalized. All stationery from the invitations to the menus and escort chart were hand written with guest’s names as appropriate. Our processional song was a live piano cover of Yellow by Coldplay. We mixed English and Spanish throughout the wedding ceremony and had family members from both sides do readings or speeches in our native languages. We had a Brazilian music band play during cocktail hour, a large cheese and bread table to bring out my family’s French background, a large American flag waving above the bar, we carefully tailored the music that our DJ played for it to combine Latin American and American songs, had our first dance to a salsa song, had Alfajores and sandwiches as midnight snacks, Chilean wine flowing all night and a large neon signs that read Los Laskey (The Laskeys in Spanish) above the DJ stand.
What was the most memorable part of the day?
The actual ceremony, when we made our vows, was the most beautiful and special moment. We did not expect to feel so deep in love and emotion at that moment but it was truly a magical experience of overwhelming peace. Saying our vows in front of our loved ones and God was the reason we were all there that day and that intention of love and commitment was palpable throughout the rest of the day and night.
Tell us how you met and became engaged.
Peter and I met in Granada, Spain while we were both studying there in 2012. When we returned to the US later that year we were living in different cities and and did long distance for over a year. Peter ended up moving to Chicago where I was finishing school and we lived together for one year before he proposed. We were on a trip back home to Chile where my entire family lives, when in a remote town in the south of the country Peter asked me to marry him. It was perfect.
Photographer: Sharin Shank Photography + Becca Novak // Event Planner: Christina Burton Events // Florals: Woven Blooms // Invitation Designer + Calligraphy: A Fabulous Fete // Getting Ready Venue: Hotel Indigo Columbus, Indiana // Ceremony: First Baptist Church // Reception Venue: Private Lake House // Brides Gown: Louvienne from Lovely Bride in Chicago // Beaded Top: Anna Topper by Anna Campbell // Catering and Cake: Kahns Catering // Shoes: Sam Edelman// Veil: Alice in Ivory Chicago // Hair & Makeup: Lesley White // Groom + Groomsmen Suites: The Black Tux // Equipment Rentals: Violet Vintage Rentals // DJ: Looby Music and Event Service // Videographer: Toast Films // Live Music: Rio Bamba Band // Tables, Chairs and Tents: A Classic Party Rental