Louisville Bride magazine is Louisville, Kentucky's premier bridal publication, featuring photos of wedding gowns and listings for Louisville reception halls, caterers, wedding planners, photographers, and other wedding service providers.
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S p r i n g | S u m m e r B R I D E 2 1 The Wedding of September 5, 2015 Hollywood Hitch Caren Handley & Kris Blair Ages : She's 44; he's 49. Occupations : She's a product specialist, model and singer; he's a corporate trainer. How they met: After two and a half years of dating in high school, two unsuccessful marriage proposals and 23 years spent apart (Caren left Louisville to pursue her singing career in Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York), the two reconnected after Kris' mother passed away. Caren couldn't make the funeral, so she called Kris and they began talking again. Engagement : On the river at Captain's Quarters, August 8, 2013. Wedding: Caldwell Chapel at Louisville Seminary. "Having my nephew, who's like a son to me, walk me halfway down the aisle to meet my dad was sweet. My husband's son was his best man. And me singing Whitney Houston's 'Nobody Loves Me Like You Do' was the icing on the cake. Nobody knew except the musicians and the wedding planner," Caren says. Guests: 300. Reception: Kentucky Center for African American Heritage. Wedding theme: It's never too late for happily ever after. "It was a story right out of the movies," says Caren. "We had the red carpet for our guests to walk down and have their photo taken as they entered the venue. Our save-the-date card (a play of the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith) was hung in a huge marquee at the entrance." The couple also used a vintage Plymouth Mayfower from the 1932 movie Scarface as their transportation. Personal touches: "Being a singer, I was really focused on all the music aligning with our love story, so every song, including the pre-music, was catered to that." Each guest got a copy of the couple's favorite romantic comedies as a wedding favor. Caren sent out copies of each guest's red- carpet photo in their thank-you cards. Menu: Upscale Southern, featuring baked and fried chicken, brisket, mac 'n' cheese, garlic smashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. Really glad that they: Did their second dance to "Lady in Red." Caren danced in a red dress to the frst song they danced to 25 years ago. Hollywood ties: Bartenders served signature drinks named after the couple's three favorite actors, Julia Roberts, Robert De Niro and Halle Berry. Day in three words: "Hollywood in Louisville." Honeymoon: St. James Resort, Montego Bay, Jamaica. Vendors Ceremony: Caldwell Chapel, Louisville Seminary Ofciant: Reverend Billy Curle, bride's cousin Catering: Sincerely Yours Catering Bartenders: McClarty's & Associates Wedding coordinator: Splendid Events Flowers and decorations: Millennium Events Transportation: Extreme Transportation and CAAL Limousine Photography: Marybeth Clouser Videography: Starlight Photos Red carpet photographer: Kevin Gunn Bride's and maids of honor dresses: Rebecca's Boutique Bridesmaids' dresses: David's Bridal Tuxedos: Men's Wearhouse Flower girl dresses: Marley Designs Hair: Brandi Alderson DJ: DJ John Q (Quinton Jones) Violinist: Maestro J Pianist: Trey Lathan Vocalist: Marcus Todd Makeup: Keisha Mink Registry: Macy's and Bed, Bath & Beyond