On November 19, 2011, events-at-refinery was proud to hold the reception for refinery director, Lindy Gault. She looked absolutely stunning on her big day, and we are all so happy we could be a part of the wonderful occasion. We not only wanted to have Lindy as one of our feature brides because she is one of our own, but she honestly had one of the most beautiful weddings refinery has ever seen! Congrats again, Lindy and Ben! We wish you a lifetime of happiness!
How did you and your spouse meet?
We met by chance at Guido’s in downtown Champaign. We were both living in Chicago but were home for the weekend to see family. A girlfriend of mine thought that Ben was someone we went to high school with and she waved at him across the bar. In sorting out her mistake, we met and hit it off then began dating shortly after. We dated for 8-9 months before going our separate ways. After 3 years without contact, we reconnected on Facebook and began dating again shortly after. The timing was just right.
Tell us about the proposal.
Ben and I knew we wanted to get married in 2011 and that we wanted the reception to be at Refinery. There was only 1 date open that would allow us enough time for planning so we decided to go for it. Ben wanted to have the ring custom designed and it took a lot longer than planned so, in the meantime he purchased a “placeholder” ring.
In an effort to make up for not having the real ring, he got me a kitten to “sweeten the deal” as he puts it. I got home from work, and Ben was there but not completely prepared for my arrival. The kitten was hiding under the couch and Ben was a bit flustered. Ben was trying to act calm, but I knew something was off. When the kitten came out from under the couch I ran to her, screaming in excitement! Ben got on one knee and said, “There’s something else too . . . and if you say ‘no’, that kitty is going to the pound!” He pulled out the ring and asked me to marry him, then said, “But this isn’t your real ring!” Haha! It was very classic Ben and Lindy.
What drew you to Refinery to be your location?
Even before I became Director of Refinery in 2007, I knew it was the place I wanted to have my wedding reception. There’s no place like it in town. The ballrooms are so gorgeous and unique and the aesthetic leaves a blank canvas for a Bride to work with. The hardwood floors and huge windows make for an incredibly versatile space that will go with any colors, themes, and decor.
How were you feeling before the wedding?
Extremely excited but in a bit of a daze. Everything the day of the wedding was happening SO fast, and I just wanted to freeze time and slow things down so that I could savor it all.
What thoughts did you have while walking down the aisle?
“I can’t believe this day has come. I can’t believe I’m getting married.” I waited a long time for the right one and for it to end up being Ben was a miracle in so many ways. I just remember smiling at him the whole way down the aisle. It was as if we were the only two people in the room.
What was the most memorable part of your day as a couple?
I don’t think I can choose only one. But for me it would probably be exchanging the personal messages we wrote for one another during the ceremony. Along with recited vows, we both read messages to one another and they were so heartfelt and moving. The ceremony was so romantic and just felt perfectly “us.”
What was your biggest fear about your wedding day?
Honestly it was probably the weather. There were a lot of rainy and windy days leading up to our wedding day, and I was pretty concerned that our day would end up that way. It rained in the morning and was breezy all day but we ended up with pretty decent weather. And ultimately on the actual wedding day, I didn’t even care what the weather was doing!
How did Events at Refinery exceed your wedding day expectations?
By really handling all the little details on the day of that a Bride just simple doesn’t have time for. If there were any problems, I didn’t know about them. Everything flowed wonderfully.
Can you give an example of an element in your day that you considered a personal touch?
Almost everything about our day was a personal touch. We really made an effort to make everything very special and personal. None of the music in our ceremony was traditional, it was all songs that meant something to us; our monogram was sketched by my sister and turned into a logo; the invitations and programs were all my concept that I had a friend bring to life; we pieced together our vows from several versions we liked; we held our ceremony at a church but in a part of the church that felt more naturally suited to us, rather than in the main sanctuary; my aunt sang during the ceremony and my brother-in-law sang during the reception; I created our seating signs and table names. Our wedding was FULL of personal touches that made the whole thing SO much more incredible and memorable.
What advice can you give to other brides who are currently planning their special day?
As much as you try to take it all in and enjoy it, the day will FLY by and you will feel as if it’s over in a blink. But take it all in and enjoy it just the same. Remember that the wedding is only the ritual and party but the MARRIAGE is what is important - don’t spend more time planning your wedding than you do your marriage. Include only the people who truly have significance in your life. This is true of your wedding party and guests. We made a point to keep our wedding party small and only invite guests that we knew personally and had a relationship with. The whole day we felt surrounded by love and a feeling of family among all who were involved. And lastly, don’t sweat the small stuff. Only you will notice if one detail is wrong and in five years in will not even matter.
