An Artistic Affair

Rachel Hungerbuhler marries Brandon West

By: Tonya Abeln

Published On: December 28, 2011

When Rachel moved to Louisville as a student at UofL, she never dreamed she would end up dating someone from her small home town of Corbin, Kentucky. While Brandon and Rachel were acquaintances who graduated high school together, their eight-year courtship did not begin until their college days in Louisville. The adventurous duo set out for a road trip in December 2010 that took them from Memphis to Austin, ending in New Orleans. One night, as Rachel prepared for their dinner reservations in the French Quarter, Brandon called to say he had lost his key to their room. When she opened the door to let him in, she found her beau on one knee amidst candlelight, pink rose petals, and two glasses of wine. The romantic night ended at the Spotted Cat on Frenchmen Street as they listened to jazz and began making plans for a fall wedding.

In search of a unique venue, both Brandon and Rachel fell in love with the Speed Art Museum. When they discovered that October 1 was available, a special date to Rachel since it was her grandmother’s birthday, they knew that it would be the place they exchanged “I dos.” The couple creatively incorporated the art theme into their wedding with mini canvases and easels decorating tables and an art poster for guests to sign instead of a traditional guestbook. Of course they also added a touch of whimsy and nostalgia to the affair by assembling wedding programs in the shape of the childhood game “cootie catcher” to rave reviews from the guests.

Amidst a decorative backdrop of jewel tones accented with peacock feathers, the couple cherish the moment when they saw each other for the first time that day as “exciting and surreal.” Then, they admit, they could not wait to hit the dance floor to the music of their DJ, Matt Anthony of WFPK, and the band Heath Hayne & the Hi-Dollars out of Nashville. The dance floor was full all night!

The couple loves to take advantage of all the city has to offer while giving back to the community around them. Rachel is on the board for the Kentucky Chapter of Wish Upon a Wedding and the event planning committee for the Humane Society’s Tuxes & Tails Gala. Together, they are members of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth.