Since they started dating, Dan and Ashley have done a whole lot of traveling. They’ve enjoyed new restaurants and foods; they’ve sampled new spirits and cocktails; and they’ve enjoyed countless adventures together.
And, on Saturday, November 19, 2022, Dan Giangiulio and Ashley Sipe became lifelong adventure partners with the most lovely Iron & Ember Events wedding in Carmel, Indiana. Now, I’m so excited to share Dan and Ashley’s big day on the blog!
From beginning to end, Dan & Ashley’s Iron & Ember Events wedding was classic, elegant, & just amazing.
Since meeting Dan and Ashley about a year ago, I’ve been in awe of how poised, well spoken, and just incredible this VRP bride and groom are. And, after learning about their wine and bourbon preferences, witnessing their perfect engagement photo outfits, and getting to know this darling pair, when I think about Dan and Ashley’s style, the words “classic” and “elegant” instantly come to mind.
As a result, I shouldn’t have been at all surprised that Dan and Ashley’s Iron & Ember Events wedding—which was planned by the incredible Magical Moments Event Planning—was nothing less than classy, elegant, and fun.
Dan and Ashley’s wedding day started with the two of them and their bridal party getting ready at Iron & Ember Events. While the bridal suite certainly is stunning, I do have to give a quick shout out to Iron & Ember for having the BEST groom suite. I mean, the suite includes a virtual golf simulator. Based on past conversations, I know Dan could not wait to get to enjoy this amenity on the morning of his wedding, and it was clear he, his groomsmen, and his and Ashely’s dads thoroughly enjoyed it.
That said, as much as Dan loved the golf simulator, I think it’s safe to say that Dan’s highlight of this magical day was seeing his bride. After a fun, joy-filled-teared morning of getting ready, Dan and Ashley shared the sweetest first look in their ceremony space.
Then, when Dan and Ashley were ready, we moved on to bride and groom portraits. And, just like during their engagement session, they killed it! I mean, between their classic style, their genuine smiles, and Ashley’s gorgeous bouquet and perfect veil, you’ll understand exactly what I mean when you scroll to see Dan and Ashley’s portraits!
Following Dan and Ashley’s bride and groom portraits, we moved on to both bridal party and family photos in the ceremony space. And, I have to say that it was so much fun to get to know Dan and Ashely’s families and closest friends. I mean, wonderful people are typically in community with other wonderful people, so it’s not surprising that Dan and Ashley have the most kind and thoughtful family and friends.
Wondering who should be included in family photos on your wedding day? Find a sample family photo shot list here!
Now, really quick, I can’t help noting one more amazing aspect of Iron & Ember Events. This wedding venue in Carmel, Indiana has incredible natural light! And, from a wedding photography perspective, this is a huge bonus, because it allowed us to take many of Dan and Ashley’s photos indoors, which I know they, their bridal party, and families greatly appreciated.
After bride and groom, bridal party, and family photos were completed, Dan and Ashley’s guests began to arrive for their ceremony. As guests trickled in, you could feel the joy and excitement in the air. While Dan and Ashley by no means had a small wedding, it was evident that each and every person present truly knew Dan and Ashley and how perfect Dan and Ashley are for one another.
As if the fact that Dan and Ashley were getting married didn’t already make their ceremony sweet, their ceremony was made even sweeter by the fact that one of their closest friends served as their officiant and Dan and Ashley’s perfectly written vows. While Dan and Ashley certainly made traditional promises to one another, they also both promised to always support and help the other reach their dreams and goals. And, if you know Dan and Ashley, you know how seriously they have already and will continue to take these words.
Following their ceremony, we took a few frigid bride and groom portraits outside—which I hope Dan and Ashley feel was completely worth it when they see their previews. Then, it was time to party! Dan and Ashley value quality time with one another and their loved one above almost all else, and you could tell that their family style meal and packed dance floor was exactly what they’d hoped their big day would be.
Like I said before, from beginning to end, Dan and Ashley’s wedding day was classic, elegant, and just so much fun! And, this was thanks to who Dan and Ashley are as people, their loved ones who were thrilled to celebrate Dan and Ashley, and the planning of Lora of Magical Moments Event Planning.
Dan & Ashley are truly committed to helping one another live out their dreams & reach their goals.
From their work ethic to their kind hearts, there’s so much to admire about Dan and Ashley. But, as is evident when you get to know Dan and Ashley, as they both shared in their vows, and as was mentioned in every speech that was given on their wedding day, an oh-so-admirable quality that Dan and Ashley share as a couple is the fact that they are truly committed to helping one another achieve their goals and live out their dreams.
I mean, they didn’t know this was going to happen, but in their vows, both Dan and Ashley talked about their experience swimming with dolphins. They were on vacation, and swimming with dolphins is something that Ashley has always wanted to do, so Dan made it happen and scheduled the excursion.
The only issue was that Dan can’t swim.
While Dan was nervous and thankful to wear a life jacket, he put aside his fears to allow Ashley to live out one of her dreams.
And, this is a great example of how Dan and Ashley have chosen to build their relationship. Whether it’s in regards to their careers, passions, or even their wedding, Dan and Ashley both prioritize the other’s hopes and dreams and make moves (both big or small) accordingly.
This is such a big part of Dan and Ashley’s relationship that this quality even shined through on their wedding day, and I think their friends and family will agree that this was an honor to witness.
Congratulations, Mr. & Mr. Giangiulio!
Dan and Ashley, congratulations! From beginning to end, your Iron & Ember Events wedding was just perfect. Just like the two of you, it was classy and fun. I can’t imagine a more perfect way for the two of you to kick off the rest of your lives together.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting me to be your wedding photographer. It was such an honor to both photograph your big day and to get to know the two of you over the last year.
While I hope you love these previews from your Iron & Ember Events wedding in Carmel, Indiana and that Hawaii is incredible, I hope you’re loving married life even more. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Giangiulio!
Oh-so classy. Ashley’s dress fit her and her personality so perfectly! 
Like I mentioned above, an incredible aspect of Iron & Ember Events is that there is so much natural light inside. This allowed us to keep Dan, Ashley, their bridal party, and their family inside for most of their portraits. It was rather frigid and windy on Dan and Ashley’s big day, and I think it’s safe to say that they and their loved ones were thankful to be warm in this beautiful space! 
I’ll never stop being impressed by Special Occasion Designs Floral Studio’s work. Chrissy creates incredible bouquets and boutonnieres, and her statement installations—like this one—are always jaw dropping. If you’re looking for a florist in the Indianapolis area, be sure to check out Special Occasion Designs Floral Studio! 
Don’t Dan and Ashley just have the most classic style? They made such elegant attire choices that their wedding photos will never go out of style! 
Want to see more of Dan and Ashley? Check out their engagement photos at The Palladium and Urban Vines Winery!
Creative Team
Wedding Planner: Magical Moments Event Planning
Venue: Iron & Ember Events
Florist: Special Occasion Designs Floral Studio
Signs & Invitations: Noteworthy Expressions
Caterer: A Cut Above Catering
Baker: No Label at the Table
Transportation: Avant Garde Limosines & Coach
Photographer: Victoria Rayburn Photography
