Cope Environmental Center Stylized Wedding Photoshoot

She was standing in front of the mirror at the Cope Environmental Center as the dress slipped over her shoulders. “How do I look,” she asked? It was the second time she had seen the dress on herself, if you don’t count the day she said yes to the dress. We were prepping for a stylized wedding photoshoot to showcase Cope’s new, sustainable, state-of-the-art building as something other than an educational resource. While its a place that teaches and challenges individuals and the community to secure a sustainable future, it’s also a gorgeous building full of natural light spilling in around every corner. And it makes a fantastic place to host a wedding.

Building Amenities

The building offers extensive flexibility to couples planning a wedding. Want to get married outside but need a back-up plan in case of rain? This building and property is for you. Want an outside ceremony but an indoor reception? No problem. Looking to host a small wedding entirely indoors but with the look and feel of the outdoors? Then you need to schedule a walk through of this clean-lined, simplistic structure. The building offers access to restrooms, a classroom keenly converted into a bridal dressing room, a full kitchen, a yard area, picnic tables on a patio space, access to hiking trails and places to explore, and clean up service if needed.

The rolling dividers offer flexibility in setting up your dressing room, as well as a place to hang items.

One of my favorite features in this building are the three pull down glass indoor garage doors. Again, offering flexibility in how open you want your rooms to appear, as well as providing a sound buffer if needed. Not to mention they just look cool!

Cope is in the process of becoming the first fully certified Living Building Challenge (LBC) building in Indiana. What does this mean? The Living Building Challenge is the most rigorous green standard ever. It means that when choosing this venue, you’ll be preserving the integrity of our planet and its natural resources. Pretty cool, eh? It just take some planning ahead of time to be prepared and know what to expect. Watch here for more info: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=CCyq6w0fSF8

Again, notice the rolling divider in the background. You can keep plants on it, or use your own decorating flair to make it an accessory to your venue decor. Or, it can be removed entirely.

Best for Last

I may have saved best for last–the patio! I’m always one for Alfresco living and the patio, when it’s fully decorated, is one of my favorite spots. The sails, along with the possibility of string lights, make for cozy places to have conversations with old friends. And if you event goes late into the night, there’s a fire pit for those friends who are always last to leave. The tables with wheels offer opportunities to make delicious appetizers available to your guests. Add in a few cocktail height tables with table cloths blowing in the wind with the sound of crickets chirping away and you’ve got one heck of an evening!

There is also a place for a tent if you’re thinking of going that direction. There’s a section of grass big enough to set up your tent just to the right of the photo.

Like what you see? Spring is coming and it’s the perfect time to walk through the property and check it out.

Deets

Make up: Taylor McNutt, The Art of Hair at the Loft

Lisa Cakes: Wedding Cake

Susanna Tanner Photography: Photography

Prime Time Rentals: table, chairs and table cloths place setting

Hello Beautiful: bride and bridesmaid hair styling

Armstrong Cleaners:  tux vests