Margaret and Zach didn’t choose their venue because it was trendy or because a wedding blog told them to. They chose it because it hit them in the gut in the best way possible. Their Indiana Flight Center wedding happened in the maintenance hangar where Zach works, and since they met in aviation maintenance school, it wasn’t just a cool location. It was part of their story. That’s the kind of “unique” you cannot fake.
Why They Chose An Indiana Flight Center Wedding
They toured other venues that were objectively gorgeous, but none of them gave them “the feels” people always talk about. Then Zach’s boss offered the hangar at Indiana Flight Center, and that was it. A hangar wedding is bold, personal, and a little rebellious in the best way. You’re celebrating your marriage surrounded by aircraft and the work that helped shape your relationship, and it feels like the venue is telling your story with you. One important note they shared with us for the space was simple: don’t touch the aircraft. Fair rule, and honestly, just being that close to planes already feels like a movie set.
Getting Ready At Hotel Elkhart
Both Margaret and Zach got ready at Hotel Elkhart, which kept everything streamlined and easy. Zach had a few sharp details ready, including cuff links and a tie clip, and we love when people care about the small stuff because it makes the final gallery feel complete. Their “fun topic” answers also told us exactly what kind of day this would be. Zach’s crew could talk forever about Star Wars, hunting and fishing, sports, and Legos, while Margaret’s side was all about travel, camping, hiking, and, most importantly, embarrassing their significant others.
A Ceremony Moment They Waited For
They chose to wait to see each other until the ceremony, and that decision always adds an extra punch to the first moment. Margaret said they were both most excited to see each other for the first time down the aisle, in front of everyone they love. When we asked what moment would last with them forever, they came right back to that feeling, including seeing Maggie walk down the aisle. It’s a reminder that the moments you think are “small” while planning often end up being the ones you carry for decades.
Portraits With Personality
When they described the photo vibe they wanted, it was the perfect mix: romantic and cozy, playful and silly, sometimes serious and sometimes not, with creative lighting and plenty of natural moments. They wanted some direction, which is exactly how most couples feel. You want to look good, you want it to feel real, and you don’t want to spend your wedding day wondering what to do with your hands. That’s our job. We guide, we prompt, we keep things moving, and we leave space for the stuff you cannot script.
Hangar Reception Energy: Dinner, Desserts, And A Dance Floor That Went Off
Their reception leaned into heavy hors d’oeuvres instead of a traditional sit-down dinner, which kept the vibe social and moving. From there, it flowed right into desserts, cake, speeches, and dancing, and their first dance song was “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli. It fit the romantic energy perfectly, especially in a space as unexpected as a hangar. Then the night turned into the kind of fun you can’t plan on paper. Margaret’s biggest surprise was her dad’s dance moves during the father-daughter dance, and they somehow ended up with a mosh pit on the dance floor, which is iconic. One of Margaret’s favorite moments was giving Zach a surprise dance, right before he got lifted in the air on a chair. That is the kind of chaos that turns a wedding into a legend.
Personal Touches That Made It Theirs
Their black-and-white palette looked clean and bold, and it paired perfectly with the hangar setting. Margaret added bouquet charms with photos of her grandparents and family members, which is one of our favorite ways to keep loved ones close all day. They also had guest book moments that were actually worth keeping, like a heart-shaped frame where guests wrote notes and dropped them in, plus a large prop guest book that Zach’s mom Jill surprised them with. They have it hanging in their living room now, which is exactly how it should be. If you’re going to do a guest book, make it something you’ll actually want to see every day.
What They Remember Most After The Wedding
By the end of the night, they said they felt exhausted and accomplished, and proud they made it through. When we asked what they would change, Margaret’s answer was simple: nothing. It was perfect. They also said stress is inevitable, and looking back, it kept them humble. That’s a real take, and it’s true. The goal is not “no stress.” The goal is not letting it steal the day. Their advice for future couples was the kind you want to screenshot and keep: take time to check in with your partner, sneak away for a moment together, and remember the day is for you and about you.
Quick Planning Tips For Your Indiana Flight Center Wedding
If you’re planning an Indiana Flight Center wedding, make the space work for you. Hangars are massive, which is awesome, but layout matters, so think about where the dance floor lives, where food flows, and where people naturally gather. If you’re not doing a first look, plan portraits with intention so you’re not rushed and you can actually enjoy the reception. Choose guest book options you’ll keep, like frames or props you can display, because a book that disappears into a drawer doesn’t hit the same. Most importantly, give yourselves one private reset moment, even if it’s only five minutes. It changes how the rest of the night feels.
Margaret & Zach’s Wedding Day Vendors
Photography: @WestleyLeonStudios // Venue: Indiana Flight Center // Ceremony: St Vincent De Paul Catholic Church // Officiant: Father Bob Garrow // Bride’s Attire: Mira Couture // Groom’s Attire: Nicholas Joseph // Rings: Van Horne Jewelers // Groom’s Boots: Thursday Boot Company // Florals: Flowers by Anna // Bakery: Macri’s Bakery // Rentals: Burns Rentals // Catering: Sugarellas // DJ/Band: The BBQ’s // Stationery: Greenenvelope // Coordination: Joseph Sanchez, JCreations // Hair: Uni-q Haircuts Salon and Spa (South Elgin, IL) // Makeup: TBD // Dance Lessons: Windy City Dance Studios // Photo Booth: Westley Leon Studios
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