Blake & Drew’s Unforgettable Wedding Reception
The downtown Indianapolis Crane Bay Event Center's bold, modern aesthetic provided the perfect backdrop for the wedding reception of event designers Blake Connolly and Drew Hoopingarner. Thoughtfully planned, beautifully styled, and full of joy, the evening reflected everything that makes Crane Bay such a beloved venue: versatility, atmosphere, and a service team deeply committed to seamless guest experience.
At Crystal Signature Events, our mission is to create celebrations that feel intentional, warm, and undeniably personal. From the first planning conversation to the final spark of the night, our team works hand-in-hand with every couple and vendor partner to deliver flawless flow, elevated hospitality, and the kinds of details that make memories feel cinematic. Blake and Drew’s celebration was an inspiring example of that collaboration at its finest.
Guest Arrival & Cocktail Hour
After the ceremony at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, guests were transported to Crane Bay, arriving to an atmosphere that felt inviting and celebratory. Bars opened immediately, along with a selection of passed hors d'oeuvres, allowing guests to ease into the evening with conversation and movement throughout the lounge-inspired space.
The cocktail hour menu featured:
- Mini Sweet Creamed Corn Empanadas with avocado crema
- Creamy Crab on Wonton Crisp with sweet chili drizzle
- Mini Korean BBQ Bao Buns topped with slaw and sriracha mayo
Signature cocktails added personality and flair, including Aperol Spritz, Cosmos, and Espresso Martinis presented during dessert service. These curated drink offerings helped set a stylish and celebratory tone while keeping service smooth and efficient throughout the night.
A Dramatic Dinner Reveal
One of Crane Bay’s most striking features is its ability to transform within a single event. At 7:00pm, the drapes opened to reveal a stunning dinner setting layered with dimension, color, and texture, planned collaboratively between the couple, their planner, and our Crystal Signature Events venue and catering team.
Guests were welcomed to a mix of round, king’s, and acrylic tables, each dressed in luxe linens and paired with sleek ghost chairs for a modern, gallery-style aesthetic. Fuchsia, royal blue, and navy tones brought vibrancy and character to the room, while candlelight and custom floral arrangements added warmth and romance.
Dinner service was formally plated, beginning with a Burrata & Brussels Sprout Salad dressed in a rosemary champagne vinaigrette, followed by entrée selections including:
- Garlic Roasted Beef Tenderloin with red wine demi-glace
- Fire Roasted Salmon with lemon-dill beurre blanc
- Roasted Cauliflower Steak (vegan option)
Our service team coordinated the entrée parade for nearly 200 guests with precision, balancing presentation timing, table sequencing, and dietary accommodations to ensure every plate arrived beautifully and every guest felt cared for.
Dessert, Dancing & Espresso Martinis
Following dinner, drapes opened again to transition into a lively, high-energy dance floor environment - a moment that always feels magical in Crane Bay’s flexible, multi-zone layout. Guests were treated to a miniature cake display, featuring individually portioned vanilla and chocolate cakes topped with white chocolate logos, both elegant and playful in presentation.
For the late-night crowd, Espresso Martinis and coffee were served at the dessert bar, which was the perfect bridge between sweet indulgence and dance-floor momentum.
Late-Night Comfort & Cheer
As the dance floor stayed full and joyful, a late-night snack offering of Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets and waffle fries made its way out, always a crowd-pleasing nod to comfort and fun. This simple but thoughtful addition ensured the night ended as strongly as it began, after all hospitality is always in the details.
The Crystal Difference
At Crystal Signature Events, we believe luxury is not just visual, it’s emotional. It’s how guests feel when they arrive, how effortlessly the evening flows, how every detail seems to anticipate what comes next. Blake & Drew’s reception was a celebration of love, artistry, and the unforgettable energy that happens when thoughtful planning meets true joy.
We were honored to bring it to life. Most importantly we thank Blake & Drew for allowing Crystal Signature Events to be part of their story. Ready to start planning your own unforgettable celebration at Crane Bay? Let’s design your moment. Contact our event team, we can’t wait to welcome you.
Vendors:
- Venue: The Crane Bay Event Center
- Caterer: Crystal Signature Events
- Décor: Bliss Event Design
- Rentals: NBE, Violet Vintage, Burns, A Classic Party Rental
- Photography: Nathaniel Edmonds
- Videography: Bob Ridge
- Entertainment: DJ Gabby Love
Blake & Drew’s Crane Bay Wedding Reception Highlights
Related Topics: Wedding Receptions, Weddings, Wedding Ideas & Inspiration, Wedding Planning