{click here to see the full wedding}

Chris and I first met in college through one of our mutual friends. I, the serious, preppy girl with big dreams, he the city boy with a contagious sense of humor. We developed a strong friendship in college. I moved to NYC to follow my dreams and he from city to city to follow his. Our close friendship developed into a love greater than most. He taught me to be more spontaneous and for that I am grateful. I taught him to be more cautious and for that he is not. Almost 10 years later Chris is still my best friend and now husband.

We both have lived in multiple cities and now settled in Los Angeles with our yorkie and mini socialite, Ella. Chris and I thought the best place to have our wedding was in the city of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. Coincidentally we both grew up there and my mom would be there to help us with, well……everything.

Our inspiration mostly came from Style Me Pretty and other style blogs, swooning over each and every creative mind that illustrated his/her vision so perfectly. Since we lived so far away, we wanted our wedding to feel like one big dinner party where we could truly spend time with each and every guest. We found the perfect venue, an old estate outside of Philadelphia that felt warm and refreshing and would be the canvas to our vintage/chic feel. I loved the idea that this was once someone’s home and it felt as though we were entertaining in ours. The fireplaces gave the night a familiar warmth and the dimly lit library a fantastic place for conversation and laughter amongst friends/family. I wanted to juxtapose the bold elegance of the estate with a whimsical romantic feel surrounded by candle light and the simplicity of all white flowers.

Our photographer, Amanda Kraft completely got our vision from the start. Having only had met her on the day of the wedding, we just clicked and she was really able to capture our happiness and love for one another. Her talent is amazing and personality is truly contagious. She was our sanity throughout the day.

We wanted to make sure our guests were able to notice our personal touches. We used that as a window into our lives together including our affinity for music and all things sweet. Chris and I hand stamped everything from programs to place cards. We illustrated our mutual love for music with custom stamped CDs including our favorite playlist. As a surprise for Chris, my mom put together a vintage candy bar display for guests to enjoy. Our dog Ella, although she couldn’t make it in person, joined us on our wedding cake as a cake topper and we had our guests sign a coffee table book of vintage LA photos.

Vendors: Photography by Amanda Kraft / Music by Janis Knowlan Band / Flowers by Poppy Florist / Dress by Ramona Kaveza / Tux by Calvin Klein / Feather Hair Piece by MJ Trimmings Bridal Salon / Venue: Aldie Mansion

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 33 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Aldi Mansion, Amanda Kraft, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

I am obsessed with those earrings. If you haven’t already, check out Twist Style (the source for the jewelry)…they have some great options!

Thank you so much to Amanda Kraft for sharing this gorgeous wedding!! I love the sweet simplicity of the affair and the overall elegance that seems to pour through every element. And to the bride and groom…congratulations on an absolutely beautiful day!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Accessories, Amanda Kraft, Bouquets, Twist Style, Wedding Details, Wedding Hair
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Traditional Elegance

From Melissa, the bride…

The theme of the wedding was a shabby-chic garden wedding with ivory and muted greens and blues as the primary colors.  It was very important to match the existing atmosphere of Lauxmont farms, as well as show my own antique, shabby-chic taste.  The ceiling of the rotunda (ceremony site) is green and ivory striped, which was perfectly tied in with the centerpiece containers painted green and white (found on clearance at Michaels, already painted!!) Planning was done by Melissa Rau of the Event Planning Network.

Our favors were personalized coozies with our monogram and wedding date. We served beer from a local brewery to give visitors a taste of Lancaster.

My earrings were made by a Richmond artist, Maryellen Kim of TwistStyle, and incorporated  pearls with a blue stone drop for her something blue.  Rob’s Aunt embroidered a handkerchief for me and my mother, aunt, and grandmother with the “tree of life” and personalized monogram, which all carried during the ceremony. 

The cake was made by Bellamanse and included blue buttercream frosting with fondant lace decor to coordinate with the bride’s gown.  The flavors included chocolate with chocolate filling (my favorite) and white cake with blueberry filling.
 
Flowers were done by Kelly Steadman from All Things Beautiful. My bouquet included white roses and stephanotis with pearl accents and the bridesmaid’s bouquets included blue hydrangea and sweetheart roses.  It was very important to me to have very small bouquets that were easy to handle with little-to-no greenery.

My wedding dress was designed by Mon Cheri, a cap-sleeved ivory lace gown with a fitted bodice and a victorian feel.  The dress was a one-of-a-kind and was bought off the rack over 2 years before the wedding day! The tuxes were men’s warehouse with traditional cummerbunds, and bowties by Peter Blair, Richmond VA.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: All Things Beautiful, Amanda Kraft, Bellamanse, Event Planning Network, Wedding Cakes, Wedding Details
Post categories: Casual Elegance, The Blog, Traditional Elegance

Here are some details from Melissa, the bride…

Rob and I exchanged vows at Laxmount Farms in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania on May 25th, 2008. After meeting at a college party we began dating and after two years, Rob proposed to me just before we returned to my hometown for the holidays.  It was a total surprise!  Another two and a half years would go by before we would finally tie the knot!

Because Rob is from Raleigh, NC., I really wanted to share my hometown of Lancaster, PA with his family.  Lancaster is a small town built on traditions and values, and I included those aspects in the wedding with a horse-drawn carriage ride for the Bride and Groom to the reception and the setting amongst beautiful Lancaster farmland.  The wedding was held on a Sunday during Memorial Day weekend so that everyone had plenty of travel time.
 
We chose our officiant as a recommendation from friends, who were married in August 2007.  After getting to know Ted (Reverend Edward Mingle), we realized what a blessing he was! Not only did he lead a thoughtful and personal ceremony, he inspired many in the audience with his message. His personal relationship with us was instrumental in my parents becoming members of his church! He answered our family’s prayers in many ways.

Our wedding was all about a casual, but elegant feel with a true expression of our personalities and backgrounds.  We had the perfect weather – 75 degrees and sunny- and we took advantage of that by having the ceremony and cocktail hour outdoors, and all of the guests commented on the amazing view.

So much more to come!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Amanda Kraft, Laxmount Farms, Wedding Hair
Post categories: Casual Elegance, The Blog, Traditional Elegance