Jessica and Chelci knew they wanted a wedding day full of laughter and a lot of heart. Their September wedding at The Wilds in Indiana was an uncompromisingly beautiful celebration full of both, and today on the blog, we are thrilled to share our real brides interview with Jess and Chelci. Our conversation is full of sweet details and great advice, you don’t want to miss it!
The Wilds: Hello, Chelci and Jessica! Thanks so much for chatting with us today to share some details about your gorgeous Fall wedding at our venue. We would love to start with your meet-cute – tell us about your first date and the proposal!
Chelci: We met on Hinge, a dating app whose slogan is “the dating app designed to be deleted,” implying that you’ll find “the one.” In our case, it certainly lived up to the promise—I found my one! We started talking at the beginning of the year but didn’t meet in person until the summer. Our first official date was at Big Woods in Speedway, where we sat at the bar and played miniature Monopoly. On my Hinge profile, I had claimed that nobody could beat me at Monopoly—but that night (and every night since), Jess has bested me.
Four months after meeting in person, I asked Jess to marry me in the front yard of her house on our way to a masquerade. I was incredibly nervous that day (VERY SWEATY), but she said yes! We chose to have an extended engagement to continue strengthening our relationship and getting to know each other even better. We were engaged for 672 wonderful days, and every single day was incredible. I truly met my forever wedding date and best friend on an app—and it worked!
The Wilds: Your spirits of fun and joy are so apparent in your love story and were absolutely apparent on your wedding day. What were your biggest priorities for the big day? Were there any non-negotiables?
Jess: A meaningful ceremony, a fun and safe environment where our guests can truly be themselves, the perfect venue (which, without question, is The Wilds), being present and fully in the moment, capturing our memories through a skilled photographer, maintaining thoughtful timelines, and incorporating personalized touches.
The Wilds: That’s so kind, and we’re so glad to hear that we were able to be a part of protecting those priorities for you two! We’re sure that over an extended planning season the anticipation could build to a higher degree, how did you two relieve stress and stay anchored?
Chelci: We were married on September 6th (9/6). Throughout our engagement, we kept a countdown calendar on our kitchen counter, and I vividly remember watching the numbers shrink—each day bringing a mix of excitement and stress. When we first started the countdown, we had roughly 400 days until “I do.” We made a pact that on day 96 (9/6), we would let out a collective scream to release some of that tension—and we actually did! We both experienced our fair share of nerves leading up to the big day, but it was truly worth every moment.
The Wilds: The day really felt like an authentic representation of you both and what you love. What was the inspiration behind your aesthetic choices for your wedding day? Did you have a specific theme or style?
Jess and Chelci: We knew from the beginning that we wanted a fall wedding. While we initially selected an October date, we ultimately chose September based on scheduling and overall timing. Our inspiration for the day was rooted in the rich colors of early autumn—specifically the hues you see in Indiana’s trees just before the peak of fall. From that palette, we layered in warmth and personalized details to bring our vision to life.
The Wilds: Let’s talk about your wedding day looks! How did you choose your outfitting – both personal and bridal party?
Chelci: We actually spent quite a bit of time discussing outfits. We had seven bridesmaids, all with different shapes, sizes, and ages, and we knew from the start that comfort was our top priority. We selected the color—black, for a clean, sleek contrast against the fall palette—and chose the material, but ultimately allowed each bridesmaid to choose her own dress. It worked out absolutely perfectly, and we couldn’t have been happier with the result.
I also wore black to coordinate with the bridesmaids, while Jess wore a stunning cream/sparkle ensemble. The combination pulled everything together beautifully. With the colorful yet understated details throughout the venue, we wanted our outfits to feel just as elegant, without overshadowing any of the other elements of the day.
The Wilds: What are you most looking forward to about your married life together? Where do you see yourselves in 50 years?
Chelci: What I am looking forward to most is continuing to live, learn, and grow alongside Jess. We’ve already shared so many experiences together, and I honestly cannot imagine a more beautiful life without her by my side. We have many dreams and ambitions for our life together, including our most recent aspiration: starting a business that combines Jess’s dream of a bookstore with my dream of a cookie bakery.
Eventually, we hope to move away from Indiana and explore new places, though not until the kids are grown. Regardless of timelines, as long as she is by my side, I will be forever happy and excited for all the days we have ahead together.
The Wilds: Your wedding day had some really thoughtful handmade and bespoke details as well. Can you tell us about the DIY and personalized details that mattered most to you two?
Jess: We chose to keep the overall aesthetic simple and elegant rather than overly busy, but did incorporate a select number of DIY and custom details. Our favorites were:
Our guest book:
We used the house from the Disney movie Up as our guest book. Each guest signed a balloon and placed it above the house, creating a meaningful and whimsical keepsake.
Our rainbow fans:
Representation is incredibly important to us, and the rainbow holds deep significance in our relationship. Every guest received a rainbow celebratory fan with our initials, which added both color and meaning to the day.
Personalized notes for each guest:
We wrote individual notes for each of our approximately 130 guests and placed them at their seats, which also doubled as part of our seating chart. Although it took considerable time to write each one, the heartfelt feedback we received made it more than worthwhile.
Custom embroidered details:
All our bridesmaids, our son, and the two of us wore personalized shoes, each hand embroidered by me. This touch added a unique, meaningful layer of connection and style to our wedding attire. I also embroidered handkerchiefs for Chelci, her mom, her aunt (they were embroidered on handkerchiefs from their dad), my parents and David. I’m a serial craft hobbyist and really enjoyed showcasing those skills on our big day!
The Wilds: Do you have any wedding planning advice that you’d like to share with other couples planning their day?
Jess and Chelci: Start early and avoid leaving tasks until the last minute. For example, when selecting your wedding colors, pick out paint sample swatches from a store like Lowe’s and make several duplicates. These are incredibly helpful for coordinating with your cake decorator, florist, and other vendors to ensure color accuracy.
Before choosing a venue, research and compare lodging options for your guests, as hotel costs can be surprisingly high. Planning ahead can prevent unexpected expenses for both you and your attendees.
Consider creating a dedicated email address specifically for all wedding-related communications—caterers, venue staff, DJs, florists, etc.—to keep everything organized and in one place.
Most importantly, remember that this is a journey you are sharing together. It’s easy to get caught up in the details, but try not to let small frustrations affect your relationship. Focus on enjoying the process and supporting one another along the way.
A big thank you to Jessica and Chelci for sharing their wedding day with us, it was an honor to host you and your loved ones!
Want more inspiration from real weddings at The Wilds? Check out the Real Weddings tag on our blog to see wedding magic year-round at our Indiana wedding venue.
