An Organic & Authentic Wedding at Goodman Community Center | Sam & Janine

When they moved into their freshman-year dorm at Butler University as roommates, Sam & Janine found not only a friend, but a lifelong love and companion. Though they clicked instantly, they built a strong friendship first, not dating until a few years later, when graduation and life after college began to feel more real.

A couple of years after their first date, both Sam & Janine knew they had found their forever. While on a trip to Banff, Canada, with Sam’s family, Janine planned a scenic helicopter ride through a national park. Working ahead with the pilot, she asked to make an additional stop in the middle of the mountain range, surrounded by natural beauty and open skies. Janine got down on one knee and asked Sam to marry her—all while the pilot captured the moment on video. They later celebrated at a local farmer’s market, where Sam excitedly shared the news with her family and began planning a wedding day that felt as beautiful and grounded as their love.

Sam & Janine took their time getting to the aisle, advising other couples to enjoy their time being engaged and all of the decisions that come with this unique time in your relationship. During their three-year engagement, they attended expos and did considerable research to find the dream wedding team to bring their organic & authentic wedding vision to life. For them, that meant choosing vendors that openly supported LGBTQ+ couples and small, women-owned businesses.

The couple reflected,

As evident in Janine’s choice of proposal location, honoring the beauty of the natural world was a priority in the couple’s venue, color palette, fashions, and florals. They began with stationery in white, green, and gray, with leafy motifs on their invitations that set the stage for abundant greenery throughout their overall wedding design. Rhonda Rogers Photography photographed the stationery alongside jewelry and accessories, including rings, favors, custom flower crowns, and Sam’s bridal flats with colorful embroidered vines and flowers.

Goodman Community Center prides itself on six core principles: community, equity, integrity, respect, care, and trust. Diversity and inclusion are their top priorities when hosting any event, including weddings, which drew the brides to the industrial venue with scenic, natural backdrops.

Sam found her dream dress at Flora & Lane, opting for a twist on a traditional white gown. Her A-line dress featured a V-neckline, whimsical short sleeves, a corset bodice with ribbon tied in the back and, perhaps most importantly, wildflower embroidery in understated shades of green, purple, and pink.

Luna Bridal Artistry provided hair and makeup services for the day, crafting a variety of looks for the brides and their wedding party. They kept makeup soft and understated, and hair formal yet approachable.

Janine wore a custom dark gray suit from Richard Bennett Custom Tailors with an embroidered monogram on the inside. She also wore a white dress shirt with dark buttons, a floral boutonniere, and brown dress shoes.

After they finished getting ready, a first look and private vow exchange were among the most memorable moments for the couple on their wedding day. Private vows have become more common in recent years, as couples value the time to step away from the excitement and jitters, slow down, and just be together.

Sam & Janine wrote, “We loved our private first look and exchanging of vows. It was special to spend time individually before the ceremony and take time to recognize why we love each other.”

Sam & Janine’s color palette continued to shine as they posed for outdoor photos with their wedding party, dressed in sage green or gray.

Melody Rose Designs provided rental items, floral arrangements, and bouquets across the ceremony and reception, leaning into a natural aesthetic of leaves, stems, ferns, and foliage. Many floral arrangements, including those carried by the wedding party, were composed purely of textured greenery, while Sam carried a hand-tied bouquet that also included plentiful, organically placed, white blooms.

The brides tied the knot in a light-filled, indoor ceremony at Goodman Community Center, surrounded by their closest friends and family. Their wedding backdrop included two floral and greenery arrangements on wooden pillars, potted plants, and lush grounded greenery, all set against industrial windowpanes, cream brick, and glowing overhead lights.

To honor Janine’s family heritage, Sam & Janine tied many Greek traditions into their day, including crowns placed on their heads during their ceremony to symbolize unity. They continued to wear the crowns throughout the rest of the night—even while dancing a traditional Greek dance with all of their guests—and later preserved them as wedding keepsakes.

Photographer Rhonda Rogers Photography made sure to capture golden hour portraits of Sam & Janine, as they soaked in the ethereal light, fresh air, and beautiful weather in the outdoor space surrounding Goodman Community Center before heading to their reception.

Personalized details, guest experiences, and delicious food defined the brides’ reception once back inside. Guests wrote well wishes on an interactive card deck guest book, took selfies in front of a welcome sign mirror, and found their seats at the reception tables with centerpieces of stacked books.

Salvatore’s Catering served a plated dinner, and vegan bakery Level 5 Donuts served donuts in chai and churro flavors (favorites of the brides!), and Papagalino’s Bakery brought traditional Greek pastries for dessert.

The night concluded with heartfelt speeches, a full dance floor, and DJ services from Polished Entertainment.

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