A Glamorous Black-and-White Wedding in Kentucky

Megan and David

Megan and David should have met long before they did. They both grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and Pittsburgh, yet their paths didn't cross until 2006, when they clicked at a mutual friend's party. Years went by, and the two would run into each other; without fail, one of them would be dating someone else. An opportunity finally presented itself in 2010, when single Megan and single David spent Thanksgiving weekend with friends in upstate New York. They were engaged 10 months later. Then, on September 15, 2012, the pair wed at the 21c Museum Hotel in downtown Louisville at a cocktail party–inspired celebration that featured a stark white and black palette punctuated with elegant silver and gold touches, a bourbon-fueled cocktail hour, and a lively penthouse afterparty that lasted until sunrise.

01 of 20

The Stationery

After Megan designed the suite (inspired by a featherlike design she found on marthastewartweddings.com), stationer Bella Figura foil-stamped the invitations and letterpressed the reply notes onto white card stock.

02 of 20

The Bouquet

The bride's creamy clutch combined dahlias, David Austin roses, gardenias, freesia, seeded eucalyptus, white lisianthus, and dusty miller.

See More Real Wedding Bouquets

03 of 20

Gifts for the Gals

Though there were no official bridesmaids, Megan gave her BFFs gold Erica Weiner Jewelry infinity rings in customized boxes.

Get the Gift Box Clip Art

04 of 20

The Fashions

Megan, in a silky David Fielden sheath, and David, who donned a crisp J.Crew tux, took a stroll on the brick-paved sidewalks of downtown Louisville.

See More Wedding Dresses

05 of 20

The Bride's Accessories

Megan's side-swept 'do was accented by a feather clip that echoed the day's stationery design.

See More Accessories

06 of 20

Family Time

Megan and David posed with their families outside just down the block from the venue.

07 of 20

Gilded Magnolias

Crafts-store-sourced magnolias were sprayed gold and tied to the chairs that lined the aisle at the ceremony. In terms of other decorations, "We didn't have to do much," notes David of the 21c. "The atmosphere was already there."

08 of 20

Golden Decor

A 30-foot-tall golden replica of Michelangelo's "David Statue," a temporary installation that happily matched the day's palette, stood guard outside the 21c.

09 of 20

The Seating Cards

The featherlike flourish Megan designed adorned escort cards.

See More Escort Cards

10 of 20

Golden Tablescapes

In a tribute to their Kentucky roots, horse figurines, sprayed gold, stood mid-trot above each setting. Other table ornamentation included mercury-glass votives and porcelain blooms.

See More Glamorous Wedding Ideas

11 of 20

The Cocktails

Partygoers toasted the newlyweds with a trio of signature bourbon-based libations: the Manhattan, the Lazy Eye, and the Ambassador's Wife.

See More Signature Drinks from Real Weddings

12 of 20

Penguin Portraits

Red penguin sculptures, by the Cracking Art Group, were on display throughout the hotel-gallery. The penguin sculptures were such an integral part of the day that "my mom gave us a mini one that she bought there as a keepsake," says Megan.

13 of 20

Dressed to the Nines

Some penguins, like this one, got "makeovers" courtesy of enthusiastic guests.

14 of 20

For the Kids

Derby City–centric coloring books, metallic crayons, and Louisville slugger baseball-bat key chains kept kids entertained.

See More Good Things for Kids

15 of 20

The Cake

The bottom tier of the vanilla-and-almond cake was covered in edible silver leaf and adorned with a sugar magnolia.

See More Sugar-Flower Wedding Cakes

16 of 20

Sweet Treats

Guests also noshed on chocolate semifreddo or mascarpone cheesecake (or both!).

17 of 20

Notes for the Newlyweds

A card-and-lacquer-box station invited attendees to jot down their well-wishes.

See More Unique Guest Book Ideas

18 of 20

Local Favors

The couple thanked guests with mini bottles of Maker's Mark, which is distilled 55 miles south of Louisville in Loretta, Kentucky.

See More Real Wedding Favors

19 of 20

Takeaway Trinkets

Though technically not favors, guests snatched up the gold horse figurines that decorated dinner tables. "I loved that they took them home," says Megan. "I wanted our décor to be as 'keepable' as possible."

20 of 20