Union Station Wedding Photographer Indianapolis | Adele & Louis’ Timeless Black Tie Wedding
- Cody Bailey
- 1 day ago
- 12 min read
When couples begin searching for a Union Station Wedding Photographer in Indianapolis, they’re usually looking for more than just beautiful photos. They’re looking for someone who understands the pace of downtown weddings, the logistics that come with Catholic ceremonies, the lighting challenges of historic venues, the hidden portrait locations around downtown Indianapolis, and how to help a couple actually enjoy their wedding day instead of spending it posing for photos.
After photographing more than 450 weddings (and counting) throughout Indianapolis and the surrounding area, weddings at The Grand Hall at Crowne Plaza Union Station still feel special every single time we walk through those doors.
There’s just something about Union Station that never goes out of style.
The stained glass windows. The soaring ceilings. The historic architecture. The feeling of walking into a space that already feels grand before a single floral arrangement is ever placed.
And Adele & Louis’ wedding was the perfect example of how to host a timeless, luxury wedding at one of the most iconic venues in downtown Indianapolis.
If you’re currently planning your own wedding at Union Station, hopefully this blog gives you both inspiration and real insider advice from a photographer who has worked at this venue many times.
Still narrowing down who you want to trust with your wedding day? We also put together a guide on how to choose a wedding photographer in Indianapolis, including what questions to ask, how to compare styles, and what actually matters beyond price.
If you’re still searching for someone to photograph your day, you can learn more about our approach to wedding photography Indianapolis couples love by visiting our Weddings Page and our Contact Page.
FAQ | Planning a Wedding at Union Station Indianapolis
Is Union Station a good wedding venue in Indianapolis?
Absolutely. The Grand Hall at Crowne Plaza Union Station remains one of the most timeless and visually impressive wedding venues in Indianapolis. Its stained glass windows, historic architecture, downtown location, and luxury atmosphere make it ideal for couples planning elegant black tie weddings.
Where should you take wedding photos near Union Station?
Some of our favorite wedding photo locations near Union Station include:
The stained glass windows inside The Grand Hall
The historic train cars and sleeper cars outside the venue
The Indiana War Memorial
Monument Circle
The Indiana State House
Downtown Indianapolis streets and architecture
Want even more downtown portrait inspiration? We put together a full guide to our favorite places to take pictures in Indianapolis for engagement sessions, wedding portraits, and couples looking for iconic downtown locations.
Should you do a first look for a Catholic wedding?
In many cases, yes — especially for downtown Indianapolis weddings with a full Catholic Mass and transportation involved. Adele & Louis’ timeline worked incredibly smoothly because they chose to see each other before the ceremony and complete the majority of their portraits ahead of time.
Can you get ready at Union Station?
Yes, and honestly, we highly recommend it. The mezzanine-level getting ready spaces provide plenty of room for hair and makeup, large wedding parties, and a much more relaxed wedding morning experience.
Is Union Station good for black tie weddings?
Union Station is one of the BEST venues in Indianapolis for a black tie wedding aesthetic. The venue itself already feels luxurious and elevated, which means elegant attire, timeless florals, and intentional design choices fit perfectly within the space.
If you’re currently building your timeline and trying to decide what coverage actually makes sense for your day, our complete guide to wedding photography in Indianapolis walks through timelines, first looks, coverage hours, and what couples should realistically expect.
Why Union Station Is One of the Most Timeless Wedding Venues in Indianapolis
Trends come and go.
Every year there’s a new color palette, a new décor trend, a new wedding style that suddenly takes over Instagram and Pinterest.
But some venues simply outlive trends.
That’s exactly what makes The Grand Hall at Crowne Plaza Union Station so special.
Union Station doesn’t need to try to be impressive.
It already is.
The architecture itself becomes part of the experience. The massive stained glass windows on both ends of the hall, the vaulted ceilings, the historic details, and the scale of the room all work together to create a wedding space that feels luxurious before couples ever add their own touches.
As a downtown Indianapolis wedding photographer, one of the things we love most about venues like Union Station is how effortlessly timeless they feel. You don’t have to force luxury here — the building already gives you that foundation.
And honestly, that’s one of the biggest pieces of advice we give couples planning a wedding here:
Design WITH the venue.
You don’t need to overcomplicate a Union Station wedding.
Instead of fighting the space with overly trendy décor or trying to completely transform it into something else, the couples whose weddings feel the most timeless here are the ones who lean into the elegance that already exists.
Adele & Louis did this perfectly.
Their wedding was classic black tie from start to finish.
Adele wore a simple, elegant, form-fitting gown that honestly made a statement by NOT trying too hard. Sometimes the most powerful dresses are the ones that don’t scream for attention. Instead, they allow the bride herself to become the focus.
Louis kept things timeless as well with a traditional black tuxedo and bow tie for the ceremony before changing into a white dinner jacket for the reception — something we honestly wish more grooms would do.
One thing the wedding industry occasionally overlooks is that this is HIS day too.
We love seeing grooms incorporate their own style and personality into the wedding experience, and the white dinner jacket was such a clean, classic touch for the reception.
Even their décor choices complemented the venue instead of competing with it.
One of our favorite details from the entire day was the overhead patio lighting Adele brought into the reception space. Strung across the mezzanine level, the lighting visually lowered the massive ceiling height just enough to make the room feel more intimate and romantic while still preserving the grandeur Union Station is known for.
It was one of those additions that subtly transformed the atmosphere without ever taking attention away from the architecture itself.
That’s the sweet spot.
A Photographer’s Insider Tips for Planning a Wedding at Union Station Indianapolis
One of the biggest advantages of hiring a photographer familiar with Union Station is understanding how the venue actually functions on a wedding day.
Not just where the pretty photo spots are.
But how timelines flow.
How traffic impacts the day.
How lighting changes throughout the venue.
How to navigate downtown Indianapolis on busy event weekends.
And how to create an experience that feels calm instead of chaotic.
Adele & Louis’ wedding day happened to land on one of the busiest weekends downtown Indianapolis had seen in quite a while.
The city was simultaneously hosting:
A Morgan Wallen concert
The Indy Mini Marathon festivities
A Fever home game
A large convention downtown
Ongoing construction around Union Station
Trying to move a wedding party around downtown Indianapolis under those conditions — especially with buses involved — could have easily become a disaster.
But because the timeline was intentionally planned around those realities, the day flowed incredibly smoothly.
One of the biggest reasons?
They chose to do a first look.
Why Adele & Louis Chose a First Look (And Why It Saved Their Wedding Timeline)
We know first looks can sometimes feel controversial in the wedding world.
And honestly?
Every couple should do what feels right for THEM.
But for downtown Indianapolis Catholic weddings specifically, we often recommend at least considering one.
Especially when:
Transportation is involved
Portrait locations are spread across downtown
You’re planning a full Catholic Mass
Your ceremony has strict timing requirements
You want to actually enjoy cocktail hour and your reception
For Adele & Louis, it absolutely saved the day.
They chose to see each other at Union Station before heading to the Indiana War Memorial for portraits and eventually making their way to St. John’s Catholic Church for their full Mass ceremony.
Because they completed the majority of their wedding party and couple portraits before the ceremony, the rest of the evening became dramatically more relaxed.
And honestly, that matters.
Their ceremony timeline required everyone to be out of the church by 5:30.
Had they waited to do all portraits afterward, they would have spent the majority of cocktail hour and reception time taking photos instead of actually experiencing the wedding they spent months planning.
Instead, they were able to spend more of the evening with the people they love.
That’s becoming a major shift we’re seeing in weddings lately.
More couples are realizing that wedding days are not meant to become 8-hour photo shoots.
That mindset honestly aligns perfectly with the way we approach documentary style wedding photography — creating intentional, meaningful portraits while still allowing couples to spend the majority of their day actually living it with the people they love.
They want beautiful imagery.
But they ALSO want to be present.
They want to hug people.
They want to dance.
They want to experience their reception.
And honestly?
We completely support that.
That shift has changed the way we approach wedding photography as well.
It places more importance on efficiency.
More importance on intentional timelines.
And honestly, more importance on doing an engagement session before wedding day.
Engagement sessions allow couples to become comfortable in front of the camera BEFORE wedding day. We learn what feels natural to them, what poses they love, how they interact together, and how to create portraits quickly without making the wedding feel like one giant production.
Trying to figure out where to start? We also put together a guide on what to wear for engagement photos to help couples feel confident, comfortable, and prepared before stepping in front of the camera.
For couples who are nervous in front of the camera (which is honestly most people), an engagement session helps us learn what feels natural, what poses feel authentic, and how to make wedding day portraits faster and less stressful.
That allows us to create shorter, more intentional portrait sessions throughout the day while still delivering the timeless imagery couples want.
The Best Wedding Photo Locations at Union Station Indianapolis
One of the biggest benefits of working with a photographer familiar with Union Station is knowing how to fully utilize the venue for portraits.
And honestly, there are far more photo opportunities here than most people realize.
The Stained Glass Windows
This is the iconic location everyone immediately thinks about — and for good reason.
The stained glass windows at both the north and south ends of The Grand Hall are absolutely stunning and photograph beautifully throughout the day.
Depending on the time of day and available natural light, these spaces can create dramatic, timeless portraits that instantly feel recognizable as Union Station.
The Grand Hall Architecture
Sometimes the best portraits here are actually the simplest.
Wide architectural shots that showcase the scale of the room work incredibly well because the venue itself becomes part of the storytelling.
This is another reason black tie weddings photograph so beautifully here.
The attire naturally matches the elegance of the space.
The Historic Train Cars
Honestly, this is one of our hidden gem locations.
The historic sleeper train cars outside the venue create SUCH a unique backdrop for groom portraits and wedding party photos.
Not every photographer utilizes them well, but when incorporated intentionally they create a completely different visual feel from the ballroom interiors.
Indiana War Memorial
Adele & Louis chose to do the majority of their portraits at the Indiana War Memorial, which continues to be one of our favorite downtown Indianapolis portrait locations.
For couples planning a downtown Indianapolis wedding, we also love pairing locations like the War Memorial with an Indiana State House engagement session for a timeless, editorial feel that still feels uniquely Indianapolis.
The stone architecture, stairs, columns, and surrounding city feel work beautifully for luxury weddings while still keeping couples close to Union Station.
If you’re looking for additional downtown portrait inspiration, we also put together a guide featuring some of our favorite places to take pictures in Indianapolis.
One of the Most Underrated Parts of a Union Station Wedding
One thing we absolutely love about weddings at Union Station is the opportunity for couples to experience their reception space privately before guests enter.
This honestly becomes one of the most emotional moments of the day.
Couples spend months planning florals, rentals, lighting, linens, signage, seating charts, candles, and countless tiny details.
But at many venues, couples never actually get to see the finished room empty.
By the time they arrive at the reception, guests are already inside.
The room is busy.
The energy has changed.
The reveal moment disappears.
At Union Station, couples often have the opportunity to either see the room before leaving for the ceremony or privately during cocktail hour before guests are invited in.
And honestly?
Watching couples see all of their planning come to life for the first time is one of our favorite moments to document.
The Small Details That Made Adele & Louis’ Wedding Feel So Personal
As grand and luxurious as Union Station feels, what really made Adele & Louis’ wedding memorable had nothing to do with architecture.
It was the way they treated people.
The couple wrote personalized letters to every single one of their 260 guests.
Every guest.
Every table.
Every seat.
In a wedding world where couples are constantly trying to create “experiences,” this was one of the most meaningful examples we’ve seen in a long time.
Their guests didn’t just attend the wedding.
They felt intentionally welcomed into it.
And honestly, that theme carried throughout the entire day.
From the way family members interacted during portraits, to the energy on the dance floor, to the emotional speeches later in the evening, the entire celebration felt centered around people rather than production.
One of the most emotional moments of the reception happened during Adele’s father’s speech.
At one point, he looked over at Louis and said:
“I think you’ve known this for a while, but I think it’s time I officially say it… I love you.”
Louis immediately stood up and hugged him.
There are moments during weddings where you can physically feel an entire room reacting emotionally together.
That was one of them.
Why the Right DJ Matters More Than People Realize
We’ve photographed a LOT of weddings.
And honestly?
One of the fastest ways to completely change the energy of a reception is the entertainment.
Fred Lockstar from DJ Lockstar absolutely crushed this wedding.
After more than 450 weddings, we can confidently say he’s one of the most entertaining DJs we’ve ever worked alongside.
The transitions were seamless.
The energy stayed high.
The dance floor never died.
And that matters.
People don’t just want background music anymore.
They want an experience.
They want packed dance floors.
They want momentum.
And having a DJ who truly understands how to read a room and mix accordingly completely changes the feel of a reception.
Why Experience Matters When Hiring a Union Station Wedding Photographer
There are a lot of photographers who can take beautiful photos.
But there’s a huge difference between someone photographing Union Station for the first time and hiring a seasoned Union Station wedding photographer who already understands the lighting, hidden portrait spots, timeline flow, downtown logistics, and how to navigate a busy wedding day without adding stress.
But venues like Union Station require more than just technical camera skill.
They require:
Timeline management
Lighting knowledge
Downtown logistics experience
Vendor collaboration
Calmness under pressure
Problem solving
Efficient direction
Venue familiarity
Sometimes being a wedding photographer means more than just taking pictures.
Sometimes it means helping a nervous bride finally eat something before getting into her dress.
One of our favorite personal memories from Adele & Louis’ wedding day honestly had nothing to do with a photograph.
Adele had been moving nonstop all morning.
Like a lot of brides, nerves had kicked in and she really hadn’t eaten much.
Before getting into her dress, we rounded up water, snacks, trail mix, and a sandwich because once that dress went on, it was going to be HOURS before dinner.
And honestly?
That’s part of the job too.
Wedding photography has never just been about showing up with a camera for us.
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer Indianapolis couples trust to help with timelines, logistics, vendor recommendations, and creating a day that actually feels enjoyable instead of overwhelming, experience matters more than most people realize.
It’s about helping couples feel cared for.
It’s about making the day easier.
It’s about allowing people to feel present.
And we think Adele summed that up perfectly during their engagement session experience when they shared:
“Only an engagement session, but when we were looking for photographers the meeting with Cody sold me instantly. For me I felt like he genuinely was happy to be getting business and really wanted to work for us and not just a paycheck… a lot of the photographers we talked to seemed like they genuinely didn’t want to be talking with us, or we were an inconvenience… not Cody. He was great.”
That means more to us than almost anything else.
If you’re currently comparing photographers and wondering what coverage realistically looks like for a downtown Indianapolis wedding, you can also explore our wedding photography pricing and coverage options for weddings throughout Indianapolis and Indiana.
Final Thoughts on Adele & Louis’ Wedding at Union Station Indianapolis
Adele & Louis’ wedding was the perfect reminder that luxury weddings don’t have to feel disconnected or overly produced.
Yes, the venue was stunning.
Yes, the details were beautiful.
Yes, the ballroom felt grand.
But what made this wedding memorable was ultimately the people inside it.
The handwritten guest letters.
The emotional speeches.
The packed dance floor.
The intentional timeline.
The focus on actually experiencing the day instead of performing for it.
And honestly, that’s exactly how weddings should feel.
If you’re currently planning your own wedding at Union Station, The Grand Hall at Crowne Plaza Union Station, or another downtown Indianapolis venue, we’d absolutely love to help you navigate the process and create imagery that feels timeless, emotional, and true to your experience.
You can learn more about our approach to wedding photography Indianapolis couples trust throughout the city by exploring our Weddings Page or reaching out through our Contact Page.
If you’re planning a wedding at Union Station, downtown Indianapolis, or another luxury venue in Indiana, we’d love to hear more about your plans — contact us here.
Our approach to documentary style photography is built around helping couples feel comfortable, present, and genuinely connected throughout the day — while still creating timeless imagery that will matter for decades.
Vendor Team
Planner: Bethany Hill | Bethany’s Classic Events
Photographer: Cody Bailey | Rogue Image Photo
DJ: Fred Lockstar | DJ Lockstar
Live Saxophone: Cecily Terhune
Cake: Cake Bake
Florals: The Flower Boys
Makeup: Faith Forcier Creative LLC
Rental Décor: Ace Party Rental
Party Bus: Indy Joy Rides
Photo Booth: Indy Photo Co.
Ceremony Venue: St. John Catholic Church Indianapolis
Reception Venue: The Grand Hall at Crowne Plaza Union Station Indianapolis