ALISON MAE

The Journal

Sanctuary on Penn Wedding

filed under:

Kelsey and Tom’s Sanctuary on Penn Wedding Day

The Sanctuary on Penn sits nestled amongst the city sidewalks in downtown Indianapolis. Ivy crawls up the sides of the brick walls, stopping only to frame the bright red doors and stained glass flawlessly. This former church building is full of surprises and has a charm all its own. Just like Kelsey and Tom. Their Sanctuary on Penn wedding day was the perfect reflection of their love story and it was a joy to capture!

The Sanctuary on Penn Wedding Venue in Indianapolis

Ivy growing on the side of The Sanctuary on Penn Wedding Venue in Indianapolis

Blue cameo sitting in a bed of white flowers

Bride's Victoria's Secret Bombshell passion perfume sitting in white flowers

A close up of the jeweled detail on Blue Manolo Blahnik wedding shoes

Bride getting ready with the help from her mom at The Sanctuary on Penn in Indianapolis

Kelsey and Tom got ready separately. Tom with the help of his brother and parents. He looked handsome in a dark blue Calvin Klein suit. Kelsey prepared for the day with the help of her sweet mother. Her floral printed gown accompanied her bouquet of fresh white lilies perfectly. For her shoes, Kelsey opted for the iconic blue Manolo Blahnik heels. They added the perfect pop of color to her wedding day look! She was radiant!

Bride at The Sanctuary on Penn in Indianapolis

Groom getting ready with the help from his family at The Sanctuary on Penn in Indianapolis

Once they were ready for the day, Kelsey and Tom shared a private first look before heading two blocks down for their wedding portraits. Kelsey and Tom are one of those couples who can find the humor in anything, so watching them laugh their way through the day was a blast! And once we connected with the wedding party for their photos, the laughs continued! What a great group of friends!

A bride and groom walk down the steps of the War Memorial in downtown Indianapolis on their wedding day. The groom is wearing a blue suit and is very tall. The bride is wearing blue Manolo Blahnik heels and has long brown hair.

A bride and groom at the War Memorial in downtown Indianapolis on their wedding day. The groom is wearing a blue suit and is very tall. The bride is wearing a long floral dress and has long brown hair. She is carrying a bouquet of white lilies.

A bride and groom at the War Memorial in downtown Indianapolis on their wedding day. They are both looking down. The groom is wearing a blue suit and is very tall. The bride is wearing a long floral dress and has long brown hair.

A close up of a brides hair. Her hair is long, brown and in loose curls. A gold leaf clip can be seen in the back. Her eyes are closed and she is looking over her shoulder.

A close up of a bride and grooms hands. The bride's hand is on top and you can see her engagement ring.

A bride and groom share a kiss at the War Memorial in downtown Indianapolis on their wedding day. The groom is wearing a blue suit and is very tall. The bride is wearing a long floral dress and has long brown hair. She is carrying a bouquet of white lilies.

Groom in blue suit smiles near steps of the War Memorial in downtown Indianapolis

A bride is wearing a long floral dress and has long brown hair. She is carrying a bouquet of white lilies and standing on the steps of the War Memorial in downtown Indianapolis.

A bride is wearing a floral dress and has long brown hair. She is carrying a bouquet of white lilies and standing on the steps of the War Memorial in downtown Indianapolis.

Groom in blue suit sits on steps of the War Memorial in downtown Indianapolis.

A bride resting her hand on her collar bone, showing off her engagement ring

Bride with her bridesmaids. Bridesmaids in light pink with white bouquets and eucalyptus. They are standing on the side walk in downtown Indianapolis across from The Sanctuary on Penn.

A wedding party in downtown Indianapolis. The groomsmen are all wearing dark blue and the bridesmaids are wearing light pink and holding white bouquets.

Groom and groomsmen wearing dark blue suits standing with their hands folded, smiling at the camera

Bride laughing with her bridesmaids, a close up of the bride.

Bride with her bridesmaids who are all wearing light pink. They are standing on the side walk in downtown Indianapolis across from The Sanctuary on Penn.

Groomsmen all standing on the sidewalk wearing dark blue suits. They are laughing and holding the bridesmaid's bouquets.

Bride with two of her bridesmaids. The bridesmaids are wearing light pink bridesmaid dresses and the bride is wearing a floral wedding dress.

Groom and his best man smile while wearing dark blue suits

Wedding party gathered loosely together, with their arms around one another smiling. The groomsmen are in dark blue suits and pink ties. The bridesmaids are in light pink dresses with white bouquets.

Kelsey and Tom’s ceremony was gorgeous. Lit by candles and the stunning light streaming in through the stained glass windows, it was a lovely place to begin a marriage!

The Sanctuary on Penn wedding ceremony space. Candles run down the dark wood aisle and a large wooden arch frames the stage. A white curtain brightens the space. Guests are in their seats waiting for the ceremony to begin.

A sign standing in the entry to The Sanctuary on Penn welcomes guests to the wedding. It is covered in greenery and white flowers.

Wedding officiant standing on the stage during wedding ceremony. He is wearing a dark blue suit and has long black hair. He is holding an ipad.

Groom wearing a dark blue suit escorts his mother down the aisle during Sanctuary on Penn Wedding. She is wearing a sparkly blue dress and has short blonde hair.

Bride walks down the aisle on the arm of her father at The Sanctuary on Penn. She is wearing a long floral dress and carrying a bouquet of white lilies.

Father gives bride away at The Sanctuary on Penn. She is wearing a long floral dress and carrying a bouquet of white lilies. He is hugging her and kissing her cheek. Her groom looks on.

Bride and groom climb steps onto stage at Sanctuary on Penn Wedding. Her dress cascades down the steps, showing off the lilly pattern.

Wedding ceremony at The Sanctuary on Penn in Indianapolis

Bride and groom exit The Sanctuary on Penn in downtown Indianapolis.

Bride and groom share a kiss in the courtyard behind The Sanctuary on Penn. Flowers grow on the fence behind them.

Bride and groom celebrate in the courtyard behind The Sanctuary on Penn. Flowers grow on the fence behind them.

The Reception

When it was time for the reception, Kelsey and Tom danced the night away with one another. Guests enjoyed donuts from Quack Daddy donuts, a favorite of ours from our hometown of Pendleton! Tom’s family circled around to take turns dancing with Tom’s grandmother and somewhere in the crowd a cowbell and a tambourine could be found. Finally, Kelsey and Tom shared a sparkler exit with their closest friends. It was the perfect way to end the night!

The Sanctuary on Penn set up for a wedding reception. Black tablecloths and black chair covers and glass candle holders are the decor.

Bride and groom enter their reception at The Sanctuary on Penn while their guests look on. They are dancing and holding drinks.

Small white wedding cake with gold glitter stands on a wooden cake stand. A Harry Potter cake topper that says "Always" is visible.

Bride and groom cut their small white wedding cake together.

A small donut wall with donuts from Quack Daddy's Donuts holds various donuts. It reads Holy Matrimony and is covered in colorful donuts

Two donuts on a white surface. One is sprinkled and one has pink icing. The pink icing donut has a bite taken out of it.

Bride and groom sharing their first dance during Sanctuary on Penn wedding. They are kissing.

Bride and groom sharing their first dance during Sanctuary on Penn wedding. They are laughing together while their guests look on.

Guests mingle while standing during Sanctuary on Penn wedding

Bride and groom dance with one another during reception at Sanctuary on Penn wedding

Sparkler exit at Sanctuary on Penn. Bride and groom are walking down the stairs while their friends gather around holding sparklers and cheering. A bright red door is in the background.

Sparkler exit at Sanctuary on Penn. Bride and groom are sharing a kiss while their friends gather around holding sparklers and cheering. A bright red door is in the background.

Click here to view Kelsey and Tom’s Lockerbie Square engagement session!

Creative Team

Venue: The Sanctuary on Penn

Hair and Makeup: Clipzone

Flowers: Post Road English Garden

Dress: Nancy’s Bridal
Suit: Men’s Wearhouse, Calvin Klein

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

I’m Alison. Photographer behind Alison Mae.
Usually behind the camera. Occasionally not.

learn more →

The LATEST

about the BLOG

Recent work, travels, and things worth noting. Collected from life and work along the way.

Browse by Category

Weddings

Lifestyle

Travel

Engagements

Resources

Personal

Featured Posts

An Omni Severin Wedding in Downtown Indianapolis

Grace and Jeremy’s wedding day began at the Omni Severin Hotel on a sunny November afternoon in downtown Indianapolis. The Monumental Marathon had closed the streets, including the shuttle route to the church. So they walked instead. As New Yorkers, it felt completely normal. Suits, dress, city streets and all.

READ THE POST

Featured Posts

A Rainy Goodstone Inn Wedding in Middleburg, Virginia

Middleburg, Virginia feels like a town written in cursive. Stone walls curve along the road, meadows stretch toward the Blue Ridge, and everything moves at a slower, more deliberate pace. There’s hay in the air, history underfoot, and a sense that nothing here is in a rush. Along the way, a hand-painted sign mentions an old cat crossing. The kind of detail that only exists in places like this.

READ THE POST

Featured Posts

Indiana Statehouse Engagement Session

I’m always a little surprised that the Indiana Statehouse is… in Indiana. It’s grand and detailed, filled with natural light but still moody in the best way. Gilded chandeliers. Marble everywhere. Sweeping staircases that feel more Europe than Midwest.

READ THE POST

Featured Posts

5 Signs You’re Planning the Kind of Wedding We Love to Photograph

We’ve photographed a lot of weddings. And while every one is different, the ones we love most tend to share a few things in common. They’re not following a formula. They’re not trying to impress anyone. They just feel good.

Here are a few signs you might be planning that kind of wedding.

READ THE POST

Featured Posts

Our 2026 Wedding Wishlist

The best weddings don’t feel overly planned. They feel well loved. The timeline exists, but no one’s staring at it. The details matter, but no one’s stressing about them. People are present. The energy is good. The shoes come off at some point.

READ THE POST

Featured Posts

How Family Photos Can Feel Calm Instead of Chaotic

Family photos tend to get a bad reputation.
Too many people. Too much noise. A sense that everyone is waiting on someone else.

But they don’t have to feel that way. And when they don’t, they photograph beautifully.

READ THE POST

Behind the Camera

Alison & Zach

We’re Alison and Zach, a husband and wife photography team who care deeply about how a wedding day feels. Alison brings calm guidance and a steady eye, while Zach is always close by, catching the moments that might otherwise slip past. Together, we show up ready to support you through the big emotions and the quiet ones, creating photographs that feel honest, natural, and beautifully real.