Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs

Erica and Matt had a classic black and white wedding at The Bridgewater Club in Carmel, Indiana. Let’s relive their special day with gorgeous photos from Ewing Studio.

Design Elements for this Black and White Wedding

The Color Palette is straightforward!

For any sort of black and white wedding, the color palette is fairly obvious. Some couples opt to add in other neutral touches, but Erica and Matt kept it really simple and clean. 

black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt

Inspiration and Event Goals

Erica and Matt’s Bridgewater Club wedding was set to be truly timeless. With the groom in a white dinner jacket, white florals, and a white cake, the accents came in from crisp pops of black.

White bridal bouquet - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Wedding welcome sign - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Bride and groom portrait - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs

From Design Mockup to Reality

Here, you can see the digital mockup I sent to the couple as part of their stationery design process. You can see each element included, at scale and in reference to the other elements.

This is part of every proof round! Then, we take what was on screen and it translates to real life.

Classic black and white wedding invitation from Leah E. Moss Designs
Invitations flatlay - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs

Invitations

Erica and Matt’s black and white wedding invitations featured a monogram emblem at the top with leaves. This was echoed on the white wax seal with the same emblem.

The whole package was wrapped in translucent vellum and a black belly band, for a modern touch.

They kept things elevated with hand calligraphy for the envelope addressing. Such a special touch for guests to receive!

Black and white invitations - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Invitations for Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs

Getting Ready

Erica and Matt each got ready to celebrate this happy day to begin their forever!

Opal earrings - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Groom's watch and shoes - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Lace dress - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
White bridal bouquet - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Lace dress with low back - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Mother of the bride dress - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Low and loose bun - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
First look with dad - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Groom getting ready - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Father of the groom - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Groom in white dinner jacket - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
White dinner jacket tuxedo - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs

First Look

Erica and Matt exchanged a first look with one another to kick off their black and white wedding day and release some nerves!

Long veil - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Outdoor portraits for first look - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Bouquet with ribbon - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Bride and groom portrait - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Couple hugging in portraits - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Kissing portrait - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Outdoor portrait - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
Happy couple - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs

Outdoor Ceremony

Erica and Matt’s outdoor ceremony was beautiful! They got a picture-perfect day and their white floral arch made for a gorgeous focal point in front of the tree where they said “I do.”

I designed a double-sided program to coordinate with their invitations. The front side had their wedding information and on the back side, they featured love stories from their family histories!

Guests were greeted by a black and white wedding welcome sign. But let’s be honest – the flower girl stole the show! You can find some adorable white heart kids’ sunglasses here, similar to what Erica and Matt found.

ceremony program - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
ceremony program with family wedding photos - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
Wedding welcome sign - Classic black and white wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs
flower girl in sunglasses - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
bride walking down the aisle with her parents - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
bride being given away - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
outdoor wedding ceremony with white floral arch - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
couple exchanging vows - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
first kiss as husband and wife - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
just married kiss - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt

Reception Design Details

Erica and Matt’s palette may have been simple but they incorporated lots of details throughout to keep the classic theme going.

Welcome and Cocktail Hour

These two selected a dirty martini as their signature cocktail — perfectly classic and delightful! I created a double layer signature drink sign, with a photo of them and a translucent top printed layer. The photo showed them clinking cocktail glasses — spot on!

signature cocktail sign with photo - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
wedding welcome sign - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt

Tabletop Decor Elements

Their black and white wedding reception tables were clean and classic with tons of white blooms and lots of greenery.

I designed a menu for each guest’s seat, personalized with their name. The menus were coded to show the catering staff which entrée that guest had selected. 

Here are the mockups of those:

wedding menu and place card - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
personalized wedding menu - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
menu for specific entree - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt

And here’s how the tables came together! Love the pop of black with the napkin and acrylic table number.

long and low white flowers at reception - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
black and white acrylic table numbers black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
white floral centerpieces - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
black napkin with menu tucked in - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt

Live wedding painter!

These two hired a live wedding painter to document their day. Such a cool, interactive experience for guests — and a treasured keepsake to celebrate their day.

live wedding painter - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt

Portraits and Wedding Party

black bridesmaid dresses - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt

These two snuck away for some alone time and a private first dance outside before entering their black and white wedding reception. Such a special moment!

wedding couple posing with welcome sign - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
closeup portrait - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
sunset portrait - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
kiss portrait - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
first dance privately with just the couple - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
couple walking in lights - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
couple dipping portrait - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt

Classic Black and White Wedding Reception

Erica and Matt’s classic reception was one for the books! They cut the cake, enjoyed the toasts in their honor, and danced the night away. Congratulations to these two lovebirds!

couple laughing during speeches - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
soft portrait - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
couple clinking glasses - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
couple cutting their cake - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
cake cutting tradition - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
white wedding cake - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
first dance - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
couple during their first dance - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
kiss during first dance - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt
first dance - black and white wedding color palette - Erica and Matt

Vendor Team

Planning & Design: Janet Houfek Events, based in MI 

Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Bridgewater Club in Carmel, IN

Photographer and Videographer: Ewing Studio

Stationery: Leah E. Moss Designs (that’s me!)

Florist: Custom Blooms Indy 

Other Rentals: A Classic Party Rental 

Cake: Market District Bakery 

Band: The Cabin Guyz , based in Detroit, MI

Live Painter: Lillian Kellam, based in Indianapolis, IN

Wedding gown: Daughters of Simone from The Frock Bridal in Bloomington, IN

Tuxedo: Louie’s Tux Shop in Avon, IN

Hair artist: Jessyca Meyer from Essy Hair

Makeup Artist: Olivia Rodriguez