A New Year's Eve Wedding in Kentucky with a Burgundy Color Palette

JoAnna is a former wine professional and self-proclaimed "forever wine lover" so for her December 31, 2016, wedding to Jay (a manager of fleet operations), the couple chose a color palette associated with varietals and styles of that beloved drink—burgundy, rosé, and champagne. Wine tones weren't only just part of the aesthetic, they were also incorporated into the New Year's Eve reception, which reflected the couple and some of their other favorite things by infusing special touches like Chinese cuisine, custom cocktails, a vinyl-spinning DJ, and a heartfelt ceremony written and performed by a close relative.

Though they live in Austin, JoAnna and Jay returned to the bride's hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, for the occasion and chose The Pointe, an event space in the Butchertown neighborhood. 150 guests joined them for the holiday soirée. JoAnna wore a dress made for dancing, the night concluded with a ball(oon) drop to usher in the new year. 

Aesthetics in Jewelry created the oval engagement ring set with diamonds along the band. The couple worked with the same designer for the wedding bands—his, a traditional gold number, and hers, a curved companion comprised of seven rubies.   

Darling and Pearl designed the letterpressed invitation that set the mood for JoAnna and Jay's celebration—tying in the wine colors, adding a pop of gold with the envelope liner and calligraphy, and finishing the suite off with a collection of vintage postage.

Jay wore a J.Crew shawl-collared tuxedo, paired with a black bow tie, black cummerbund, and his grandfather's vintage gold cufflinks. JoAnna found her dress while visiting a pal in New York City and checking out Houghton's options. "I had never seen it before I tried it on and didn't know it would be my dress," she says. But the lightweight silk fringed number won her over.

JoAnna's bouquet of peonies, sweet peas, roses, amaranthus, spray roses, scabiosas, and chocolate cosmos was created by Jaclyn Journey and had a naturally-gathered feeling.

"The fringe was a lot of fun and I loved the way it moved with me," says the bride, who paired her Houghton dress with burgundy Valentino rock-stud pumps. Wanting a shoe she could wear forever, she went with something more fun and less traditional. Wedding planner Jaclyn Journey also told JoAnna that she wears her wedding shoes on her anniversary each year. "I thought that was such a great idea!" says the bride.

JoAnna always wears her hair down, and her big day was no exception. Stylist Carley Randall gave her soft waves for a classic look to pair with her nontraditional dress.

"My father offered the best advice at our engagement party," JoAnna says. "He said that most people think marriage is 50/50, but it isn't. It's 100/100. Meeting someone halfway, you have to give it your all." Here, her dad, Paul, walks her down the aisle to "Lover's Carvings" by Bibio.

Burgundy draping hung from the ceiling of the Atrium, anchoring the ceremony space. JoAnna's cousin, John, wrote and conducted the ceremony—which was hilarious at times but also a tear-jerker. The laughs first came right at the start of the short service, in which John remarked that cocktails were only 11 minutes away. More laughter followed, ending with a burst after the pronouncement of marriage John exclaimed that Jay may "now kiss thine bride."

The ceremony was the groom’s favorite part of the day. "Watching JoAnna walk down the aisle, exchanging vows, and staring at each other while our families and friends observed—I’ll never forget it,” Jay says.

JoAnna's younger sister, Christina, served as maid-of-honor (Chris's older brother, Jeff, was the best man), and joined the couple and her parents for a quick photo outside. "We were hoping for snow, but it rained," JoAnna says of the day's weather. "But it's good luck, right?" Everyone stylishly fended off the lower temps with warm jackets and big smiles.

A Champagne tower was a highlight of the night for the newlyweds. "We just started pouring into the top glass and hope it all worked out," JoAnna says of the stack of coupe glasses. And it did!

Cocktail hour offerings included customized Negronis, martinis, and Old Fashioneds, and the sounds of top 40 hits played by their DJ, setting a low-tempo, feel-good vibe.

Farm tables were set in the venue's Atrium, with swags of sheer voile drapery softening the industrial space and adding a bit of romance. 

Among all the white in the room, a pop of color was needed. So Jaclyn Journey added burgundy taper candles and plenty of garden roses arranged in brass containers along with olive branches.

Dinner kicked off with table-side dim sum—vegetable tempura and steamed pork buns—because it's one of the couple's favorite type of restaurant to explore back in San Francisco. So chopsticks were placed at each seat. "It was fun watching everyone eat Chinese food all dressed up in their black-tie attire," JoAnna says. 

The meal continued with a ginger salad, followed by family-style entrees including grilled bok choy, sticky sesame chicken with green onions, and lo mein with tofu and vegetables.

Wine pairings were offered, highlighting some of JoAnna's favorites: Robert Moncuit Brut Champagne, Copain Tous Ensemble chardonnay, Love & Squalor Riesling, Domaine Mee Godard Grand Cras gamay, and Domaine de Pallus Messanges cabernet franc.

"Austin has a lot of neon and we just had to include it," JoAnna says of their custom "you me oui" sign they got from Noble Gas Industries, back home in Texas.

The black-tie-clad guests enjoyed themselves that night—which was what the bride sums up as "the most magical and boozy evening ever spent with loved ones."

"Harvest Moon" by Neil Young played as the newlyweds danced together. Their DJ spun vinyl records, with tunes spanning every decade and genre—keeping guests dancing until it was time to leave.

The three-tier wedding cake boasted three different flavors: Italian cream, tiramisu, and a champagne-and-raspberry combination. Made by family-friend and retired cake maker, Missy Vonderheide, the confection was covered in buttercream and dressed up with a few flowers and some greenery.

Three guests had birthdays on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, and were given cupcakes with candles to blow out.

At midnight, dozens of gold balloons in a mix of different shapes and sizes dropped over the dance floor to usher in the new year. To end the revelry, friends and family created a tunnel with sparklers as "La Ritournelle" by Sebastian Tellier played. The couple walked through the tunnel to their getaway car, a vintage Rolls-Royce.

Photography, Nina & Wes Photography

Location, The Pointe

Flowers and Event planning, Jaclyn Journey 

Stationery, Darling and Pearl 

Music, DJ Blackcircle 

Rentals, Canvas Event Furniture; Reliable Rentals

Bride's dress, Houghton 

Bride's accessories, Cindy Borders Jewelry earrings; Valentino shoes

Hair and Makeup, Carley Randall

Maid-of-Honor's dress, Parker 

Groom's tuxedo, J.Crew

Transportation, Royal Transportation