When you plan a wedding, you and your partner hand-select vendors who can bring your vision to life! You’ll have a long period of contact and a more personal relationship with many of your vendors (like your wedding photographer and planner), while others you may only talk to once or twice and just use their services on wedding day. It’s important to hire vendors you trust and get along with, as well as ones who provide amazing client experiences from start to finish.
This is my vendor recommendation list for engaged couples searching for other vendors in Louisville and Southern Indiana in 2024. These are vendors I have enjoyed working with in the past and highly recommend to my clients! Reach out to each vendor via the link listed to inquire about your date and other pricing through their websites.
Louisville + Southern Indiana Hair and Makeup Artists
A hair and makeup artist can make you look and FEEL like a million bucks on your wedding day! Do not go cheap on a hair and makeup artist because you are going to be in every photo, and your guests are going to be looking at you all day long!
Color in the Ville – Kayla did my hair and makeup for my wedding ceremony and headshots! She also styled models for the cover of Kentucky Bride, in addition to making so many past wedding parties of mine look absolutely stunning! She’s got a well-trained team to help with bigger wedding parties, which is a huge plus.
The Fenley Studio – Siera is yet another talented hair and makeup artist with a team who always gets raving reviews from brides, boudoir clients and more!
Makeup by Brooke Duvall – specializing in makeup application, Brooke and her team will make you feel like a glamorous model. When she did my makeup, I absolutely loved her airbrush foundation coverage that stays put all day with a dewy glow. Brooke is the sweetest person and I highly recommend her!
Autumn Sharp Makeup – did a beautiful natural look for 2022 bride Emily!
Videography
It’s important to have a videographer who can work in harmony with your photographer to create an incredible wedding film and photo gallery that tell the complete story of your wedding day!
Films by Tatiana – I absolutely loved working with Tatiana – she creates films that are cinematic and beautifully edited. Check out her social media highlight clips or her website to see her wedding videos.
Farris Films – Trent composes really natural and artful films and is super easygoing. What I love about working with him is that he steps back and allows the moments to unfold naturally, and it really makes couples feel like they can be themselves!
Fleck Films – Hollie is so great at what she does! When you watch her wedding films, you can tell she truly captures the essence of each couple’s connection.
Venues
If you’re looking for an inclusive space that is welcoming to all your guests, and architecture that is truly stunning – you need to check out this historic church in Old Louisville for your wedding or elopement! The photos below are from a sweet microwedding there that was so special.
Hazelnut Farms
Hazelnut Farms is one of my all time favorite venues in Louisville! It was thoughtfully designed for weddings, has ample parking, two getting ready spaces, indoor and outdoor ceremony options, and is extremely spacious for larger events. Sunset photos here are to die for, and the on site event coordinators are so helpful with anything you or your guests may need.
The convenience of being able to host all your events in one location, and even the possibility of staying on the grounds the night before your wedding is truly invaluable.
Nouvelle Bar and Bottle
Another great option for a micro wedding or elopement, or even a day after brunch, you can rent out Nouvelle for any of these wedding related events! The outdoor patio space is filled with greenery most of the year, and the indoor space is very upscale.
Here are some of my favorite pictures from Tara and Phillip’s brunch wedding at Nouvelle!
Wedding Cakes and Desserts
Annie May’s Sweet Café made the cutest, and most delicious allergen free cake for Rachel and Alex’s wedding! Just because you or your guests have food sensitivities, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality and flavor.
Plehn’s Bakery
Several couples whose weddings I’ve photographed have had a cake from Plehn’s Bakery, a local favorite! Rachel and Branden’s cake which had a vanilla almond flavor with raspberry filling was one of the BEST cake flavors I had, and it was beautifully decorated for their New Orleans themed wedding!
Calligraphy
For couples wanting timeless, elegant signage, invites, vow books or other custom items, you need to hire Apoorva with Lighthouse Calligraphy! She has the most beautiful script that will elevate your wedding decor with ease.
Catering
True North Catering: Carlie Cornett is an AMAZING person and chef – she is always traveling and adding more creative ideas to her menu! Here are some pictures from a brunch wedding she catered at Nouvelle, it was so tasty!
Mayan Café is one of Louisville’s best known restaurants (their lima beans are famous)! Did you know they offer catering for weddings, too? It’s true! We all know the typical “wedding dinner menu,” so give your guests a culinary experience that will fill them with delicious food and fuel them up for the dance floor!
Masterson’s: I always do a little happy dance when I attend a wedding or vendor event with Masterson’s Catering! From the classics to unique upscale options, they’ve got so many options to wow your guests.
United Catering LLC offers full service catering and bar options you’ll love. Their food menu features everything from meats, seafoods to vegetarian and vegan entrees so that everyone’s dietary preferences are catered to.
Wedding Planners and Coordinators, Event Design
All of the planners, coordinators and event designers are the people who make the magic happen. They and their teams do so much work behind the scenes so that everything goes flawlessly on your wedding day. Whether you decide to have a day of coordinator or full on event design, do yourself a favor and get an expert to help you so you can enjoy your day stress free!
Christina Burton Events
DJs
A DJ/MC keeps the flow of your wedding going from ceremony to last call. Finding someone who can keep your guests on the dance floor all night is a talent! They will also announce reception entrances, provide dance floor lighting, speakers, and in some cases dance floor rental!
Entertainment
I love when couples plan for unique entertainment at their receptions! From live music to audio guestbooks, to live painters – there are so many great ideas here!
Electria Strings, a wonderful group for ceremony music and cocktail hour
Kudmani Band will keep the party going all night long with classic hits to contemporary music!
After the Tone audio guestbook
Live painter Hannah Jo Burkhart
Florists
It goes without saying that stunning florals require talent and an amazing professional who can bring your vision to life! Here are a few of my favorites I’ve worked with and some samples of their work:
Rings and fine jewelry
Lackadazee – a local jeweler that specializes in ethically sourced, sustainable rings, permanent bracelets, and so much more. Woman-owned, inclusive, and located right on Frankfort Avenue – what’s not to love?
Wedding Attire
Anytime I ask brides about wedding gowns I love, they always got them from Rebecca’s!
LGBTQIA+ Wedding vendor directory
Looking for other vendors? Check out this free directory from Inclusive KY Weddings! I’m a proud member of this amazing organization that features wedding vendors. All are vetted to ensure they are queer friendly to provide a positive and welcoming experience for you and your guests.
Conclusion
That’s the list for now, I’m sure I’ll have plenty more to add throughout the year! Are you a past wedding client? Want me to add one of your favorite vendors to this list? Send me an email or comment below so I can update my referral list.
Johanna Hribal is a Louisville wedding photographer who enjoys documenting engagements, weddings, destination elopements, anniversary sessions, boudoir, and proposals. Visit my website to find out more about wedding photography collections!
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