Hoosier Wedding Guide 2020 | Page 4

local wedding Eleanor Hasken & Harrison Wagner E leanor Hasken had never done karaoke before her date with Harrison Wagner at the Bluebird, where he wooed her with a rendition of “Ace of Spades” and convinced her to perform on stage as well. Their first date story is a relatable one; a series of mishaps in communication through dating apps delayed the first meeting but once it occurred, they discovered they had much in common. Now, their mutual interest in the supernatural as well as the macabre has shaped much of their wedding planning. Eleanor and Harrison announced their engagement at the Mothman Festival, and originally planned to honeymoon on the UFO highway. The wedding itself will be “art deco” and Halloween themed. Eleanor’s eye for detail and background in cryptozoology have inspired her to design mini spooky scene center pieces, including the black lagoon creature. She has also Mothman pin party favors, and old school trick or treat baskets. She will be further expanding the vintage theme by using her mother’s wedding veil from the 1970’s. Eleanor states that she “always kind of knew” that they were meant to be. Though Harrison had to move to Chicago, Eleanor luckily discovered that she could complete her Folklore PhD program at IU a year early and research the Mothman in Chicago, the second best location for Mothman fieldwork. While the couple was in Chicago getting ready for the big move, the song Flesh and Blood by Johnny Cash came on. Amid all the uncertainty and stress involving the move and what was to come, they were able to find comfort in one another and in the lyrics of the song. After Harrison performed “Flesh and Blood” on a karaoke night, it became their song. The couple has chosen “Flesh and Blood” as their wedding song, because it reminds them of their commitment to each other. wg The proposal, much like the wedding, took much planning. Harrison had gotten the ring custom molded, with most of the diamonds and a sapphire from a family heirloom, due to Eleanor’s interest in antique jewelry. Harrison’s mother and sister did the design work. Harrison hid the ring in his room mate’s room, and chose Friday the 13th due to the auspicious nature of the date in Eleanor’s family, as well as the fact that it was on a harvest moon. With the details settled, he took Eleanor on a walk through Bryan Park through a row of wildflowers, and then veered off to the side, where he asked her if she would make him “the luckiest boy in the world” after a year and a half of dating. They dried off the wildflowers in the basement, and as they say, the rest is history. 4 2020 SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA WEDDING GUIDE The couple chose to include a live band to perform karaoke as an homage to those first few karaoke dates. For Eleanor, karaoke is an opportunity to “be in control and forget everything else,” while Harrison appreciates the performative aspect, as a music minor in college, and the chance to sing “silly” songs by the Cure and Billy Idol. The intimate bed and breakfast venue, Richwood on the River in Madison, Indiana, was chosen by both the bride and groom, and is located in between their hometowns, Louisville and Indianapolis.