SUBMIT WEDDING
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A Stunning Rainy Day Affair, Umbrellas Included

After a year’s worth of planning, this darling duo’s Big Day had a slightly unexpected visitor: the rain. But if you think that stopped them from celebrating their beautiful garden wedding in serious style, well… you’d be wrong.  From the gorgeous blooms from Theresa Floral Design to the mesmerizing images captured by MK Photography, this is classic elegance at its very finest. See it all in THE VAULT.

From the Bride… Only one word can describe May 14th, 2016: unforgettable! Our dream wedding was made possible with the help of our loving family, friends, and amazing vendors. But, of course, our story did not begin on May 14th. Alan and I met about six years ago on a group ski trip to Stowe, Vermont. We were immediately attracted to each other. However, our relationship started to blossom when we met again a couple of months later, when I was staying with some friends at his beach apartment after my sister’s wedding. During the week at the beach, we got to know each other and began our journey together.

Five years later, I got the most incredible proposal any girl could dream of at Stowe Mountain, where we met. We were on our last ski run when Alan suggested we stop for a picture on a secluded trail. It was lightly snowing and no one was around. He set up the GoPro, we took off our gear, and stood by the trees for a good shot. Then out of nowhere he took off his ski jacket, revealing a shirt and tie, and got down on one knee. Of course I cried and said, I DO!

We decided to take a year to plan the wedding. We slowly started to look for venues and when we visited Winterthur Museum and Gardens, we fell in love. The beautiful surrounding landscape and reflecting pond made it an easy choice. We decided to have the ceremony around the gorgeous reflecting pool and to have a tented reception on the grassy lawn outside the museum, next to a picturesque stream. We worked with Melissa Sapio and Ken Warner of Restaurant Associates, who work with Winterthur and made everything run smoothly, from vendor choices and food options to wedding day layouts. From there, we met with different vendors and started to brainstorm our theme and decorations.

One year later, the wedding day was here. Like any girl on her wedding day, I could not sleep. I was up early getting the house ready for the morning rush of all the bridesmaids getting ready, but being up so early allowed me to spend some quiet time with my dad at 6:00 am, practicing our dance and letting some emotional tears run. At 8:30 the beautifying began. We had the Newark-based Gloss Salon come to my dad’s house. They did an incredible job getting all the girls’ hair and makeup done in a timely fashion and I could not have been happier with my hair and makeup, done by Nickie Brousseau. Gloss Salon made the getting-ready-rush calm and enjoyable while giving each mother and bridesmaid a hairstyle and makeup they loved. After everyone was done, our photographer Mike Kehr and his partner arrived for pictures. We decided to go with MK Photography, which was the best decision we made. Mike and his partner kept the day on track, captured every special moment, picked out the best locations for photos, and we could not be happier with their work. After a fun photo shoot at my dad’s house we jumped in a bus and made our way to Winterthur.

It was finally the moment I had been waiting for. Alan was about to see me in my gorgeous dress and jewelry that I fell in love with at Kleinfeld’s Bridal a year prior when shopping with my mom, sister, and mother-in-law. Unfortunately, the rain started to come down right before our first look, but our photographer Mike found a perfect cove for me to stand under and wait to see my groom. Nerves started to race while I waited for Alan to come around the corner, but as soon as I saw his face they stopped and my smile did not leave my face the whole night.

The rain stopped just in time for our ceremony to be outside as planned. I could not have dreamed of such an amazing ceremony. My sister married us and did such an incredible job of portraying Alan and my love for each other, our new journey, and the commitment that lies ahead of us. My brother, uncle, and Alan’s sister also performed parts of the ceremony, making it feel so personal and unique. After saying our “I do’s” we headed to the cocktail hour and then off to the reception.

Alan and I got to take a sneak peak at the tented reception location before all the guests came in. We were thrilled to see all the decorations we had worked so hard to make on display. Almost all of our decorations—the welcome signs, a board for guests to sign, picture frames, and the centerpiece vases—were all DIY projects we’ve worked on over the past year. Our colors of light yellow and gray filled the tent along with the breathtaking flower arrangements on the tables. Our florist, Theresa Clower from Theresa Floral Design, was outstanding. Her ideas were unique, her creations were beautiful, and she made our ideas come to life. Our wish for the reception was to “bring the garden inside” and we couldn’t have been happier with how Theresa captured that theme.

Once everyone was seated at their tables, we were introduced for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Decktor! From that moment on the party did not stop. We had a delicious dinner, great speeches, and the dancing did not stop until the last song was played. The music selection was perfect thanks to our talented DJ Justin Parkansky from Synergistic Sound and Lighting. He kept the partying going and knew exactly what songs to play at certain times throughout the night. We had such an awesome time dancing, taking pictures in the photo-booth provided by Escudero Photography, and getting to catch up with so many friends and family. Our videographer, Tom Johnston from TLJ Photography, did a fantastic job of capturing the whole night and making us and the guests feel comfortable being in front of the camera with his fun personality.

The day went by incredibly fast, but we enjoyed every single moment of it and, like I said before, May 14th, 2016 was unforgettable. Alan and I are so excited to start our new journey as husband and wife and are truly blessed to be surrounded with such support and love from our friends and family.

Photography: mkPhotography | Cinematography: TLJ Studios | Floral Design: THERESA Floral Design | Cake: The Master's Baker | Catering: Restaurant Associates | DJ: Synergetic Sound and Lighting | Venue: Winterthur Floral Dept

Black Tie Downton Abbey Inspired Wedding

The final season of Downton Abbey is officially underway, so a wedding with a touch of that old world glamour and impeccable elegance is just the inspiration we need. Think grand, gilded decor and classic floral design, all thanks to Kyle Michelle Weddings, and a four-tier wedding cake fit for a queen. Pour a cup of tea, and join me for all of Judy Pak’s images in The Vault.

From The Bride…After Hery and I got engaged on Christmas Day, we decided to jump right into the planning process. We knew a planner was essential – I was both working and attending graduate school full time – so we quickly set up a meeting with Kyle Michelle Weddings. Because Hery and I had a clear picture of what we wanted our wedding to look and feel like, it was crucial that our key vendors understood our aesthetic and personality. Kyle Michelle Weddings immediately impressed us with their style, professionalism, and enthusiasm, and we quickly brought them on board. These ladies encouraged my attention to detail and helped execute the weekend to perfection.

Our vision for the wedding day was a black tie, historically and traditionally inspired event. More than anything, I wanted our guests to be given a relaxing and indulgent escape for the weekend. I drew inspiration from the weddings of the Kennedy’s and the Cambridge’s, with hints from Downton Abbey and Jane Austen. I quickly chose a flowing ballgown with little a long train and little additional and paired it with Louboutin peep toe gold pumps, a cathedral length veil, and diamond drop earrings. My bridesmaids complimented me with full length, chiffon blush dresses, and the flower girl in a custom design that tied in several elements from my own look. Hery wore a Ludlow tuxedo from J. Crew with a shawl collar and accessorized with items from The Tie Bar and custom Broadland velvet smoking slippers. His groomsmen looked dashing in tuxes provided by The Black Tux.

Despite the intimidating winter weather, the limos smoothly transported us to Sharon Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church that Sunday morning. Hery and I chose not to see each other until I walked up the aisle, and the moment was especially emotional, as two of our dear friends sang an arrangement of “You Have Me” by Gungor as I walked toward my future husband. The Pastor of the boarding high school I attended performed the ceremony, and Hery and I shared our personalized vows, displayed beautifully in calligraphy. As we exited to the performance of a string trio, the room had nye a dry eye. It was truly an unforgettable day.

For the décor, we chose a blush neutrals color palate, inspired by the historic Golden Ballroom of Hotel du Pont, our reception venue, with its engraved, ivory walls and grand, golden chandeliers. We love the soft romance of candlelight, so we chose to adorn the tables, decked in ivory linen, with stately candelabras accented with clusters of soft ivory and blush flowers. The escort cards, displayed on vintage, golden vanity trays, furthered the gold accents. We opted for calligraphy details, such as signs reading “avere” and “tenere” on the back of our chairs and a guest book alternative to be framed and displayed in our future home. My matron of honor designed the stationery and adhered to traditional etiquette in wording and layout. The ladies at Kyle Michelle Weddings helped me put together our favors — individual glass bottles of herb infused olive oil. Throughout the reception, there were homages to my Italian heritage, including the olive oil, the tiramisu dessert, and the use of Italian in our stationery.

Cocktail hour featured butlered hors d’oeuvres with a pianist expertly setting the mood, and the reception consisted of a 3 course, plated meal. Our red velvet and Grand Marnier pound cake featured simple pearls around each tier to match the buttons on the back of my gown and was gorgeously arrayed with fresh blooms, tying in the centerpieces and my bouquet.

The reception contained several moments I will forever cherish. Hery and I danced to Chet Baker’s “I Married an Angel”, choreographed by my cousin, a professional dancer in NYC, and my father and I dance to Frank Sinatra’s “Come Fly With Me”, referencing my dad’s career and passion for piloting. Instead of a bouquet and garter toss, we chose to gift these items to the longest married couple in the room – my paternal grandparents. The moment was especially sweet as Hery and I danced with them, a special moment, as my grandfather passed away just a few months later.

Photography was our highest priority when budgeting and planning for the wedding, and we knew we’d trust no one else than Judy Pak with capturing these precious memories. Hery and I both adore film photography, and Judy truly has mastered her art. Her photography characteristically captures light and airiness, and her eye and instinct for arranging a shot are unparalleled. We are always drawn to the story she tells in her photographs, and we were so very grateful for the opportunity to have her capture our love story.

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Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Event Planning: Kyle Michelle Weddings | Floral Design: Kyle Michelle Weddings | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Stationery: Lauren Greene | Ceremony: Sharon Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church | Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Rings: Tiffany & Co. | Bridesmaids' Dresses: JLM Couture, Inc | Makeup: Gabriella Lairson | Hair: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Calligraphy: Graceline Art | DJ: Tom Barrett | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux | Ceremony Music: Stroke String Trio | Transportation: First Class Luxury Limos | Bridal Boutique: Elizabeth Johns | Bridesmaids' Dress Boutique: Amanda's Hyde Park Bridal | Cake + Catering: Hotel DuPont | Flower Girl Dress: Sas and Asa | Groom's Shoes: Broadland Slippers | Reception + Accommodations: Hotel DuPont | Rehearsal Dinner: Terrain at Styers

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Unique Upscale Ballroom Wedding in Delaware

For those of you looking for a major dose of glamour – behold, the ideal ballroom wedding. Because this right here is the type of wedding every girl dreams about. Complete with a quintessential love story and sweet personal details, MkPhoto didn’t miss a moment of the fairytale. See it all in THE VAULT!

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From The Bride…Over the past seven years Jamison and I have grown to know we are more alike than different. We were both born in Wilmington, Delaware and attended the same high school. Our love for each other, family and friends contributed to our bridal party of twenty. My family and I attended Immanuel Church in Wilmington, Delaware for ten years. At the age of eight I told my parents it would be the place I would get married and eighteen years later I did. God’s presence in our life and in the church touched our heart and we hope the hearts of others. Some special moments of the ceremony included the classic hymn, How Great Thou Art, and my cousin singing during the lighting of the unity candle.

The evening continued at the reception in the historic Gold Ballroom at the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, Delaware. The French neoclassic venue featuring gilded rosettes and glittering chandeliers was the backdrop to our fairy tale. Our perfect wedding included anything blush, gold, and sparkles. Needless to say, my “superman” was super flexible.

The sparkles from the swarvoski crystals on my Pnina Tornai wedding gown and veil were a favorite. We also included a trending theme of ombre to our wedding cake. The custom monogram made by our wedding planner was used on our stationary, dance floor and ice sculpture which tied it all together.

We enjoyed dancing the night with family and friends including some hit songs played at the bachelorette party in Miami, Florida. The “fire kept burning” with bananas foster flambé which originated in New Orleans, Louisiana where the bachelor party was held. My parents’ thoughtfulness during the wedding planning process allowed us to enjoy every moment of the night… a dream come true.

The Delaware beach is our favorite getaway. On the morning of May 25, 2014 Jamison and I took my dog, Bandit, for a walk to the bay. As the sun was rising, Jamison asked me to marry him. Jamison said he knew he wanted to “grow old with me” after watching The Wedding Singer. While Bandit was the only one to witness the proposal, we enjoyed celebrating with our friends in Dewey beach that evening.

The bride’s was the rosary beads wrapped around my bouquet. They were my grandfather’s (Nonno) rosaries made out of seeds he planted in his garden. Unfortunately, he could not be with them on that day but he felt close to her heart.

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See even more ballroom weddings in THE VAULT! 

Photography: mkPhotography | Cinematography: McKenzie Miller Films | Event Design And Planning: Afflair Events | Floral Design: Green Meadow Florist | Wedding Dress: Pnina Tornai | Stationery: Envelopments | Ceremony Venue: Immanuel Church | Reception Venue: Hotel DuPont | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | DJ: Schaffer Sound | Ceremony Music: Trio Classica

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Traditional Garden Wedding with a Scottish Flair

Traditional, elegant and completely lovely – you’re about to find just how enjoyable Hayley and Nick’s Scottish infused garden wedding is to look at! We’re especially taken with the Bride’s ah-mazing veil and those oh-so-chic creamy blooms! It’s the type of pretty that you’re going to want to replay, and thanks to MK Photography, we’ve got every image from the day in THE VAULT.

From The Bride…During the Spring of 2008 Nick and I were studying for our undergraduate finals in Dundee, Scotland. Everyday I could be found in the library sitting at the same desk. Every afternoon, like clockwork, Nick would stop by and encourage me to procrastinate but trying to charm me with his funny stories and jokes. At the time all I wanted was to be left alone so i could focus. Then, one day, Nicholas didn’t stop by and i missed him. His best friend (now his best man) gave me his mobile number and I decided to be brave and send the first text. It turned out that Nick missed me too because he had sent me a email the evening before, I just hadn’t checked it yet! He was off on a holiday but asked me to join him for a post-exam drink when he returned. I agreed. After a few G&T’s, the Graduation Ball and a summer apart, we became Nick & Hayls. We both achieved our Masters and in 2009 and started the transatlantic part of our relationship. For three years we lived apart, Nick was in London and I was in Philadelphia. It was a emotionally trying time with many ups and downs, but when you’ve found The One it seems that even the Atlantic Ocean isn’t enough to keep you apart, Finally, in 2012, I moved to London to be with Nick. In March of 2013 we went on our first holiday, just the two of us. We were heading to the Austrian Alps to hit the slopes. As we navigated our way to the airport through London rush hour on the Tube with 2 sets of skis, boots and suitcases, Nick remained remarkably upbeat and unfazed by the chaos. I should have suspected something then, but I put it down to a happy holiday spirit. We arrived in St Anton and there was Champagne on ice waiting in our room. Nick pulled me into his arms and held me close. While looking deeply into my eyes and telling me how much he loved me and what amazing things we were going to achieve together, he started to get down on one knee. The man I adore and love with all my heart was asking me to be his wife. With a ring on my finger, tears in our eyes, and a glass of Champagne in our hands, we began telling our family and friends the news. After 7 years of long distance and two international moves to be with each other, we were finally getting married! Love and perseverance conquers all.

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See even more garden weddings THE VAULT! 

Photography: mkPhotography | Floral Design: Bloomsberry Flowers | Cake: Crown Jewel Cakes | Stationery: Minted | Bride's Shoes: Ivanka Trump | Jewelry: Nadri | Hair And Makeup: Saiko Salon | Band: Ebe Amsterdam | Venue: Greenville Country Club | Bridal Boutique: Jennifer's Bridal | Engraved Glasses: Oriental Trading Company

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Vintage Wedding at Greenville Country Club

This garden wedding, at Greenville Country Club, has just the right balance of traditional elegance and vintage charm. A 100-year-old lace gown with ribbon sash. Soft roses in antique silver tea kettles. It’s the perfect design of old meets new, and thanks to MK Photography, it’s all sitting pretty right here.


From the Bride…I knew the wedding would be perfect as long as the weather was nice, since we were married in a garden. We had a huge thunderstorm the night before, but it cleared up and we had a beautiful, sunny day with fluffy white clouds in the sky.

Our table numbers were maps of places Connor and I have traveled to or lived in together – like Crested Butte, CO (where we lived during summers in college); Burgundy, France (where we went on a cycling/wine drinking tour); and Philadelphia, PA (where we bought our first home). The flowers were set into vintage family silver pieces.

It was fun to see my grandmother’s cocktail shaker on one table and Connor’s grandmother’s tea set on another. It reminded us that the wedding wasn’t only about us, it was also the joining of two wonderful families together.

We had a display set up on the piano with pictures of everyone who had worn the dress before me – my great-great-aunt Margaret, my great-aunt Sissie, my aunt Trish, my mom and a picture of me too. My mom also had a small book made detailing the history of the dress that our guests could read. It was pretty amazing that the dress has survived so long so we wanted to highlight that. I wore a vintage wedding dress that my great-great-aunt Margaret Costello made in 1906. She was an apprentice for a Parisian designer in Philadelphia, and she imported the lace from France and sewed it together herself. The dress was passed down through the family – I was the fifth person to be married in it! When the dress was originally sewn, it had long sleeves and a large collar around the neck. By the time my mom wore it, the sleeves had been shortened and she added a piece of ribbon around the waist.

The most memorable moment from my wedding day was probably the exchange of rings. The jeweler had recommended that we size the rings up to be sure they would slide on easily the day of the wedding, but I wanted it to fit snugly (I have a tendency to lose rings easily). When Connor went to put the ring on me, I could see in his eyes he was afraid it wouldn’t fit – but it went on fine, and he gave a Tiger Woods-esque celebratory gesture with a loud ‘Yes!’ Everybody laughed, and it brought lightheartedness to the whole ceremony.

Photography: mkPhotography | Floral Design: Sweet Peas Of Jennersville | Hair And Makeup: Salon 828 | Venue: Greenville Country Club | First Dance: "Just The Way You Are" By Billy Joel | Music: CTO Dance Bands

Greenville Country Club Wedding

Shane Carpenter of Readyluck has captured a true gem that will forever grace the pages of SMP as one of our very favorites (and this is it!). A tent filled with gorgeous flowers and lots of love made the perfect spot for this former wedding planner to celebrate her marriage!


From the stunning bride… When you’re a former wedding planner and you get engaged, you might not expect to be as excited as the next bride-to-be. After all, when weddings are your job, and you’ve seen ten times as many as a normal person, can you be that eager? That absorbed in all the details and all the personalized moments? Take it from me – you can. I found the lead up to my wedding to be exciting, fun, and (as cheesy as it sounds) magical.

Skelly and I met three years ago, having been introduced through a mutual friend. In May we were married in Wilmington, Delaware, the city where I grew up. The decision of when to get married was easy because I have been in love with peonies for as long as I can remember. Between their availability and the weather in Wilmington, it had to be a spring wedding. (The flowers weren’t in just the bouquets and the centerpieces either – they appeared on the cake and on most of our paper goods!). The location was a simple choice for us as well – I’d envisioned my wedding at the Greenville Country Club even before I joined the industry. Skelly agreed that with its vintage charm and hidden, picturesque details, it embodied the timeless, elegant, romantic feel we were trying to evoke.

I really had fun putting together the team of vendors that would create my wedding day and relied on my planning experience to help me select them. I’ve always loved Shane’s work and knew there was no one else I would want to capture my wedding. And, since it was important to me that all our guests have a great time on the dance floor, hiring The Hudson Project was a no-brainer. People say that the vendors make the wedding and I have to agree. A real highlight – definitely the most magical one for me – was shopping for my dress at the Vera Wang store in New York City. My stylist at Vera Wang on Madison was amazing. She helped me narrow my vision down to 5 dresses and once I tried on the Georgina that was it! It was amazing to finally experience that ‘pinch-me’ moment that all the brides I had helped with their weddings had told me about.

It was my goal for our guests to be comfortable, have fun, and see Skelly and me in every detail of the day. From the welcome bags when guests arrived, to the matches, drink stirrers, and coasters, it was all about the custom and personal details. I knew they were really going to make the day “ours” and we put real thought into having them all reflect us as a couple. I have a real love affair with paper products – invitations, maps, save the dates, place cards, programs, welcome notes, menus, coasters, drink stirrers – it was all custom and I loved every piece! I loved working with our amazing vendors to create beautiful pieces, and got so many compliments on every aspect.

The moment I think I’ll never forget from our day (rather, one of the many!) is walking down the aisle with my dad. Even having planned and been to countless weddings, I found myself nervous and shaky standing at the top of the aisle. I asked my dad to distract me and calm me down. His response? “Walk slow. People are going to want to look at me.” Having worked so hard to put my wedding together, it was perfect to be able to laugh as I walked down the aisle. After the ceremony, Skelly and I took a vintage Rolls Royce limo to meet our guests at the reception. Under a sailcloth tent on the grounds of the Greenville Country Club we danced the night away at a wedding this former planner was proud of.

Photography: Readyluck | Flowers: Wild Thyme | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Invitations: Dauphine Press | Ceremony Venue: Christ Church | Reception Venue: Greenville Country Club | Wedding Shoes: Arte Latica | Jewelry: Cartier | Jewelry: Fred Leighton | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Makeup: Houppette | Hair: Robert Cris | Calligraphy: Molly Jacques Illustration | Lighting: Eventions Productions | Transportation: THG Transportation | Transportation: Buker Limo | Tent: Eventquip | Bowties: Collared Greens | Bridesmaids Dress Boutique: Bella Bridesmaid | Bridesmaids' Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Cake and Dessert Table: Hotel DuPont | Custom Crest: Happy Menocal | Custom Map: Laura Hooper Calligraphy | Day-of Wedding Paperie: Haute Papier | Groom's/Groomsmens' Attire: Alton Lane | Linens: Special Occasions Linens | Photobooth: Wilmington Photo Booths | Reception Music: Elan Artists | Rehearsal Dinner Invitations: Bella Figura | Save The Date: Smock | Vintage Stamps: Verde Studio

Classic Wilmington, Delaware Wedding

The bride had a dream of classic elegance, and that is just what was brought to life in this Wilmington ballroom wedding. With MK Photography behind the lens, she will have timeless images to pass down to her grandchildren one day, and I can only imagine their reaction will be the same as mine – speechless awe.


From the photographer… Angie and Stephen, both actuaries, met in New York City at an actuarial exam seminar and they had their first date in the rain in Philadelphia. Angie, who is from Fairhill MD, and Stephen, from north Jersey, certainly have the mid Atlantic region of the U.S. covered! They decided to marry in Wilmington, DE as a good middle ground for their friends and family to meet and the two reside in Philadelphia.

The wedding was gilded in gold! From the ballroom itself to the opulent invitations and wedding programs, Angie and Stephen kept the colors subtle to compliment all of the gold and really make the white wedding gown center stage.

From the stunning bride… Steve and I first met at just about the least romantic setting you can imagine…a seminar to prepare us for our upcoming actuarial exam. Fortunately for both of us, we quickly discovered we had more in common than just studying for exams. As we both lived within a few miles of each other in Philadelphia and worked in the same building downtown, our friendship quickly grew over almost daily lunches and exploring our Manayunk neighborhood. By the time Steve finally asked me on our first official date, little did he know that he had already won me over with his big heart and sense of humor. Nearly four years later, we were trying to decide where to go on vacation. Since I had never been, he insisted we go to Disney World. On our first day there, Steve surprised me with a couples’ massage and a seven course meal. However, the biggest surprise came at the end of the night when he proposed on a private beach during a firework show. I was so overwhelmed with emotions that I barely remember that moment, but I’m sure it will be a trip I’ll never forget. After two years of planning, we tied the knot at the beautiful Hotel du Pont, a venue which epitomized my wedding vision of classic elegance. Our entire day was truly magical, but we will always remember our friends lifting us both up on their shoulders during the final song for one last kiss to cap off the night. Thank you to everyone who helped to make our dream wedding a reality!

Photography: mkPhotography | Flowers: Carl Alan Of Philadelphia | Hair & Makeup: Perry Anthony Salon | Venue: Hotel DuPont | Music: Silver Sound

Brandywine Valley Wedding from mk Photography

Have you ever noticed how wonderful mk Photography‘s images always, always are?  They are gorgeous + classic, capturing the love in a way that no one else does. Needless to say, we’re fans. This Wilmington wedding was nothing short of mk Photography’s usual genius, due in part to the beautiful images, and due in full to the absolutely stunning soiree at center. Promise me you’ll hop into the gallery when you’re ready, and I’ll promise you that you won’t be disappointed!

Click here to see the full image gallery!

Sean and I joined the South Jersey Rowing Club in 2003 while we were in high school. We were friends from the start but really bonded during the team’s trip to the Canadian Henley a few years later. Shortly after, Sean reluctantly left for the Citadel, a military college in South Carolina, but we remained pen pals. Our friendship began to blossom into something more through the exchange of letters, and when Sean returned for Thanksgiving, we were anxious to spend time together. We began dating in December 2005, and Sean transferred to Saint Joseph’s University in the spring semester. We managed to make a relationship work throughout college despite being 2 1/2 hours apart, members of Division I rowing teams, and a semester spent abroad. Distance means so little when someone means so much.

After I graduated college, we moved in together in Philadelphia, but just a year later, I relocated to Baltimore for medical school. One weekend Sean came to visit me in Baltimore and brought pumpkins to carve. I carved a devil cat, aka our cat Cody, and Sean carved, “Marry me?” Everyone always asks me how I didn’t know what Sean was carving, but if you know me well, you know I’m rather competitive and very focused on whatever I’m doing. Needless to say, Sean’s pumpkin was definitely the best that night, and I happily accepted his proposal!

The first decision we made in the wedding planning process was the location. We searched online for venues in the greater Philadelphia area that had an outdoor setting, and Winterthur stood out above the rest. As soon as we stepped foot in the beautiful gardens, we knew that we wanted to get married at Winterthur. On that visit, we also stopped by the Inn at Montachannin Village. The inn was a perfect compliment to Winterthur because of its rich history and beautiful setting, so we booked the inn for the wedding weekend. From there, everything else just fell into place.

We wanted an elegant, romantic wedding with a subtle bird theme woven through the decor. My mom has always called us the “Lovebirds” and Sean actually bought me a lovebird one Valentine’s Day, so we thought it was very fitting. My mom was instrumental in helping Sean and I plan the wedding of our dreams. Being in medical school, I didn’t have a lot of free time for wedding planning, so we absolutely couldn’t have done it without her help.

The wedding turned out perfect, just how we envisioned, and we had an amazing time celebrating with all of our family and friends! Since the wedding, Sean has relocated to Baltimore and was able to transfer jobs within his company. We are really excited to start our new life together as husband and wife and to never have to be apart again!

Photographer: mk Photography / Wedding dress: James Clifford / Wedding shoes: Dior / Headpiece: Sara Gabriel / Bridesmaids’ dresses: Donna Morgan / Bride’s and bridesmaids’ jewelry: Etsy / Invitations: BRIDES / Programs, place cards, table numbers, and menus: Blush Paperie / Venue: Winterthur / Bridal Party Preperations: Montchanin Inn / Flowers, lighting, and draping: Beautiful Blooms / Wedding cake: Liz Marden / Officiant: Rev. Patricia Painter, Vows of the Heart / Ceremony and cocktail music: Shaw Strings / Reception music: Jack Faulkner Orchestra / Videographer: CinemaCake / Thumb print guest book: Leaf Your Love / Favors: I’ll Be Dipped

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Greenville Country Club Wedding from mk Photography

You know what I love about this wedding? The feeling you get when scrolling through the beautiful images from mk Photography. You can almost feel the warm summer air and smell the fresh flowers. I can’t help but smile a ridiculously cheesy smile when I see just how much the couple loves each other. You can totally tell this is the kind of soiree you would have done anything to attend… except maybe give up your piece of that gorgeous cake. Click here for more!

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It was the summer of 2008. Unknown to Kasey, Ryan was working that summer as a summer associate at her father’s law firm in Delaware. Just weeks before Ryan was set to return to NYU School of Law, he attended an end-of-the-summer party for the law firm held at Kasey’s parent’s house. Upon arriving, Ryan noticed Kasey but he was hesitant to approach her knowing that her father was a partner at the law firm Ryan was working for that summer. However, Ryan threw caution to the wind and after taking the entire evening to build up the courage to approach her, he introduced himself to Kasey. Ryan and Kasey started talking that evening and have been together ever since.

Over the next couple of years, while Ryan finished law school in New York, Kasey and Ryan would often travel between Delaware and New York by train to see each other. After Ryan graduated from NYU, he accepted a job as an associate at Hogan Lovells in Washington, D.C. and Kasey accepted a position as a first grade teacher at St. Veronica Catholic School in Chantilly, VA. It was there, in D.C., that Kasey and Ryan would begin their lives together after Ryan’s proposal on December 4, 2010.

Over the weekend of December 3, 2010, Ryan and Kasey traveled to Washington, D.C. to visit friends and enjoy a weekend in the city together. D.C. held a special place in their relationship because it was there that Ryan asked Kasey to be his girlfriend. On Saturday, December 4tth, Ryan proposed to Kasey in a park along the Capital Mall. Kasey eagerly accepted! After the proposal, as Ryan and Kasey walked along the Potomac River to return to the hotel, they met the legendary Paul McCartney, who congratulated them on their engagement. Although meeting this musical legend wasn’t in Ryan’s plan, he did have another surprise for Kasey. What she thought was a special dinner between the two of them at one of their favorite downtown restaurants to celebrate the day, turned out to be a dinner with both of their families! Ryan had arranged for Kasey’s parents and his parents to meet them at the restaurant that night to celebrate. Kasey, Ryan and their parents enjoyed a great night of joy and happiness together!

Because both of us were born and raised in Delaware, we wanted to choose a reception area that represented this fact. After we first visited the Greenville Country Club, a former DuPont mansion, we knew that we wanted to celebrate our special day there. We fell in love with the views, the outdoor patio, the atmosphere, and the history of the location. It was a perfect day in a perfect place.

Photography: mk Photography / Reception: Greenville Country Club / Cake: Liz Marten / Cinematography: Brock Pemberton / Flowers: Way’s Florist / Bride’s Shoes: Benjamin Adams / DJ: Rich Buchanan / Bride’s and Bridesmaids’ dresses: Irini’s Originals / Music: Wilmington String Ensemble / Video Booth: Escudero Photography / Invitations: Apropos / Tuxedos: Jos. A. Bank / Church: St. Joseph’s on the Brandywine

DIY Wilmington Wedding from Sweetwater Portraits

You may want to close your office door for a moment. If you’re anything like me, in about 2 minutes, you’re going to be scrolling through a gallery to the sweetest wedding we’ve seen with a huge, goofy in love grin on your face. Sweetwater Portraits sent in this charming soiree, and since it hit my inbox, I’ve been developing my crush on these two sweethearts, their stunning handmade fête, and the gorgeous images. Click here to commence the crush!

The best and most unique part of our wedding is how much of it was customized and hand-made to fit our style and personalities. We are generally, non-traditional people who like to stand apart from the rest. Pete’s Mom made the hand-made fabric bunting/flags. My parents created wooden signs for the wedding and our chairs. My sister made the table numbers and every place card. My best friend sang at the wedding. Our next-door neighbor (who’s house is literally connected to ours) married us. Pete’s friend supplied our Mason Jars for Sangria (my personal favorite recipe that was used). We wanted everything to stand out, and not look so expected or typical, hence the bridesmaids in off-white/Ivory. We had our friends and family read letters/cards/poems during our ceremony that we had written to each other over the 7 years that we had been together. All of our friends and family came together to help make everything so hand-on, creative, and special.

Pete and I met while I was forced to take an EMT class (thank God), by my 3rd year of PA school (undergrad). My instructor and classmate were from Pete’s hometown and knew him through the Volunteer Fire Co, where Pete volunteered as an EMT/Firefighter back then. I used to coach field hockey camp down at the DE beaches, and so it was set up for us to meet; a blind date, if you will, to “study” for the EMT boards. I knew right away when I met Pete, there was something special about this guy! The following week when I came back for my second week of hockey camp, we met up every night, often staying up until 3, 4, 5 am (camp began at 8 am)…and as they say, the rest is history.

Pete’s proposal was about a 6 month long torturous process! From about February 2010 until August 2010 (when he finally propsed), Pete would ask me “proposal-like” questions on at least a weekly basis for everyday life questions. “Alaina, I have something very important to ask you, will you……grab the laundry?” Finally, August 15, 2010, we were on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, heading from a friend’s beach house in NJ, to go visit Pete’s parents in DE to celebrate their anniversary with an annual Crab Feast. Pete proposed on the deck of the Ferry, asking me to “pick a hand”, implying the “ring” might be in one of his hands (a trick/joke he had been using for months….never a ring present). I picked a hand…empty. Some greater power that be came over me, and I said “Can I try again?” Low and behold…there was the ring…in the other hand.

We currently live in Wilmington, DE where we bought a house in 2008. We have a ridiculously awesome Siberian Husky named Kai. I am a Physician Assistant and Pete is an Occupational Therapist, degrees that we both received from Philadelphia University, but completely separate from each other, and often that is how people think we met. We honeymooned in Australia, which was an incredibly unique experience, and in fact, we ate Kangaroo!

Photography: Sweetwater Portraits / Ceremony Venue: North Lawn at Rockwood Park / Reception Venue: The Carriage House at Rockwood Park / Caterer: The Greenery Caterers / Flowers: Bloomsbury Flowers / Invitations: Letter C Design / Music: D&J DJ Services / Hair: Fabrizio Salon & Spa, Carmen / Makeup: Fabrizio Salon & Spa, Kim / Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Dress: J.Crew / Rings: Tiffany & Co. /Bride’s earrings: Kate Spade / Bride’s bracelet: Banana Republic / Bridesmaid bracelets: Kate Spade

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Wilmington Country Club Army Wedding from mk Photography

It’s no secret that military weddings hold a special place in my heart, and when this Army wedding landed in my lap, I was obviously smitten. Captured by mk Photography, the Delaware affair is perfectly chic – with darling details done by the bride and her loved ones, a fantastic neutral color palette, and a couple tying the knot in uniform. You won’t want to miss all there is in the full image gallery, so make sure to pop over there when you’re ready!

John and I first met in the bleachers overlooking an intramural soccer game, where my floor mates and I were cheering on our “brother floor” during the first few weeks of freshman year at Wheaton College. What followed were two years of college experiences that led us to develop a deep friendship. We had the same friends, were in the same classes, went on the same road trips, and studied at various coffee shops together.

Our dating relationship actually began one spring evening in 2009 as we sat on a bench on the Riverwalk in Naperville enjoying some Red Mango frozen yogurt. About two years later, on February 25, 2011, John asked me to marry him at the same exact place. After dinner at our first date spot, a hole-in-the-wall Senegalese restaurant in Chicago, and after seeing Les Miserables at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, we took a short walk through snow flurries, ending up at “the bench” where our relationship had begun and where so many important conversations had happened. Our favorite frozen yogurt was there waiting for us (Thank you, Chicago weather, it was still very frozen). John got down on his knee and said some wonderful things and asked me to marry him – and the rest is history!

Due to John’s pending Army career, we had limited options when setting a wedding date. We settled on Labor Day weekend of the same year, leaving us about five months to graduate from college and plan a wedding. Because John grew up in Costa Rica, we planned to get married in Delaware, where I grew up.

Spending the summer running around to countless venues and vendors with my mom was a blast! After looking at several beautiful potential wedding sites throughout Delaware and Pennsylvania, we decided it would be most meaningful and special to have our wedding right in the Delaware Valley. Our ceremony and reception venues were both specially chosen. Old Swedes Church, dating from 1699, is a cool, old, stone historic building in downtown Wilmington. It’s not the church my family attends on a regular basis, but it seemed like the perfect place due to my Swedish heritage and its fun setting. We also liked that it was in Wilmington because of our passion for urban culture and development. From there, our guests drove about fifteen minutes to Wilmington Country Club in Greenville, the site of my parents’ reception twenty-eight years earlier.

I’ve never been a fan of bright colors because I change my mind so easily, so our goal was to create an elegant evening by choosing more neutral and classic colors with a few unique elements that would add some modern flair. John and his groomsmen who are also in the military wore their army service uniforms and capped off the ceremony with the saber arch. The rest of the groomsmen wore traditional black tuxes, and the bridesmaids wore long grey dresses from Priscilla of Boston that were flattering on everyone.

Our flowers were natural whites and greens; mine were primarily whites while the girls’ had more greens. The simple yet sophisticated centerpieces of dendrobium orchids and willow branches, set off by beautiful grey linens and enhanced with hanging votives, added a wow-factor upon entering the ballroom.

My long-time friend and bridesmaid who studied design in college spent many long days and nights over the summer helping us with the fun diy elements. She created a monogram for John and me that was at the top of our menus, sewed pennant flags made out of various grey fabrics that were strung around the country club, and designed chalkboard menus for the bars, and we worked together to create our eight foot tall seating boards. A family friend sewed a unique ring bearer pillow, we displayed family wedding photos for a personal touch, we assembled our programs ourselves with the help of some friends, and we made our table numbers out of slate tiles from Home Depot with green ribbon tied around them.

One of our desires for the evening was that people would have lots of fun celebrating one of the most important days of our lives with us, and also that there would be opportunities for guests to catch up and talk and enjoy each other. Wilmington Country Club was the perfect place to accomplish this because it allowed for fabulous dancing and entertainment by the Vincent James Band in the ballroom while the candlelit patio, which was still open to the ballroom, provided a quieter setting for relaxing conversation.

We added some special touches with a dessert bar (cake was served as dessert, but John and I aren’t big cake people, so the dessert bar on the patio featured some of our favorites like peanut butter truffles and mini apple pies). I am known for my love for coffee, so we also splurged to hire a barista for the night; she set up on the patio as well and created custom espresso drinks for our guests.

John and I have never wanted to be doing so many different things at the same time! There just weren’t enough hours in the evening to spend sufficient time dancing with friends, catching up with two hundred of the most influential people in our lives, sipping coffee on the patio, and enjoying our favorite foods. Everything came together so much more beautifully and perfectly than we could have hoped, and fun, special moments from the day continue to be topics of conversation. We are now living in Hawaii where John is stationed, and we are enjoying exploring all that Oahu has to offer. We are loving life as a Mr. and Mrs. and can’t wait to see what the coming years will hold!

Flowers: Belak Flowers / Cake: Liberty Lane Bake Shoppe / Photography: mk Photography / Videography: AOV Productions / Invitations: Apropos / Hair & Makeup: Salon by Dominic / Ceremony: Old Swedes Church / Reception: Wilmington Country Club / Dress: Janell Berté from The Wedding Shoppe / Sash: Jennifer’s Bridal / Monogram, Chalkboard Menus, Pennant Flags & Seating Boards: DIY by Bride & Karen Demaio

Glamourous Wilmington Ballroom Wedding from mk Photography

Something about the quickly approaching winter season has all of us really craving some great ballroom weddings. And you lovely LBBers are satisfying our taste for gorgeous, indoor weddings – that’s for sure. Take this Delaware wedding, captured brilliantly by mk Photography. It’s just the perfect mix of luxe, grandeur, love, and magical details to compliment our peppermint mochas. And we love it! Make sure to pop into the gallery to see the rest of this lovely affair.

Drew and I met on a blind date in December 2009. We met for sushi and closed the place down! It was no surprise then that we were both interested in seeing each other again. For our second date, we ended up visiting a Meals on Wheels client of mine in the hospital and then went to dinner afterwards. That’s when I knew that Drew was different from anyone I’ve ever dated.

We spent the next year getting to know each other better and it wasn’t long before we realized that what we had was very special. A little more than a year after we met, on December 18, 2010, Drew surprised me with an engagement proposal! We had made plans with my mom and brother to go to the Cleopatra exhibit in Philadelphia. On the way there, we coincidentally found out that Drew’s brother and wife were at the Philadelphia Art Museum. So, he decided that we should stop by and see them! Little did I know, he had a big surprise planned. As we climbed the steps of the Art Museum and we took turns taking pictures of each other doing the ‘Rocky’ pose, I found Drew and I at the top of the stairs, looking down at our own personal paparazzi. At this point, I still had no idea what was about to happen but thought it was funny how our family was standing in front of us and side by side taking our picture doing the ‘Rocky’ pose. Figuring that they were done taking our picture, I started to walk away until Drew called my name to get my attention. As I turned around, he went down on one knee and asked me to marry him! Of course, I said YES! While we were dating, Drew and I had many great times and memories in Philadelphia. I’m not an easy person to surprise, so by making plans for us in Phildelphia, Drew figured it was his best bet! There’s actually a video of the proposal on YouTube.

It was important for us to bring a little bit of my culture into our wedding. We added Middle Eastern hor’dourves and desserts to our menu. Our favors were a set of Middle Eastern tea cups and our guests will probably never forget our surprise bellydancer performance!

Thoughts about wedding planing to share with other brides would be that everyone has their opinions but at the end of the day, do what makes you and your husband-to-be happy! Remember that the two most important opinions are yours and his! You may not be able to stay within a budget so try to decide and prioritize what is most important to you. Some things that you’ll spend a fortune on, or that you’ll spend a lot of time debtaing about, will never even be noticed the day of your wedding. Lastly, and most importantly, be sure to stop and take it all in. Don’t miss out on one of the happiest days of your life.

Photography: mk Photography / Brides Dress: Private Label By G / Brides Shoes: Enzo Angiolini / Bridesmaids Dresses: Bill Levkoff / Bridesmaids Jewelry: Charter Club / Flower Girls Dress: Jordan / Stationary: ESpecial Day / Venue: Hotel du Pont