Born and raised in Evansville, Kelsey Reker and Taylor Strange moved to Denver in 2021 but always knew they wanted to return home to get married. After their engagement, they began planning a celebration deeply rooted in the people and place they love.
Over two years, their vision grew into an extraordinary outdoor wedding held on a family friend’s private property. Kelsey, an interior designer, spent months drawing up the perfect scaled floor plan using Google Earth and SketchUp. A runway between two fields was transformed into an unforgettable hometown celebration and Kelsey’s dream DIY wedding. “Almost every single detail — and I mean every — was handmade by someone we know and love,” Kelsey says.
Kelsey’s in-laws had spent the last four years thrifting more than 500 colored glass goblets, plus vases and candleholders, and washed 65 canvas drop cloths until they were soft enough to use as tablecloths. Her dad and grandfather contributed eight hand-built farmhouse tables, a mountain backdrop reminiscent of Colorado, and an entryway of antique doors with a subtle nod to “Harry Potter.” “I’m lucky to have a dad and grandpa with a wood shop, who are both extremely talented and can build anything your heart desires,” Kelsey says.
Other special touches included an antique hutch used to display around 400 mini pies, custom signs including a “Stranger Things”-inspired LED sign developed by Kings of Neon, invitations, a cake topper featuring their dog, Whiskey, flowers grown by family friends, and a program designed like the “Daily Prophet” newspaper, another “Harry Potter” reference.
Their Oct. 5, 2024 ceremony unfolded on an 80-degree day under a blue sky. Friends provided music, transportation, parking, and even a vintage airplane for photos. The reception featured smoked ribs, a campfire, and a hayride wagon that the wedding party used as transportation to Nisbet Inn for a round of beers.
“Evansville is a pretty special place,” says Taylor, recollecting all the family and friends who made their wedding possible. “Southern Indiana has some pretty amazing people.”
Photography & Videography: Jamie Lynn Photography
Wedding Dress: Rose & Bliss
Alterations: Katelyn’s Alterations & Design
Flowers: Rexing’s Blumenhaus LLC
Florist: Donna VanWinkle
Bartending: Carriage Inn
Catering: Schnitzelbank Catering
Cake: Gayla Cake
Signage: Celery Signs
Rentals: TRU Event Rental Inc.
Invitations: Truly Engaging
Custom Neon Sign: Kings of Neon
