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We knew Sweetwater Farm was “it” the moment we pulled onto the property for the first time.  It had that fabulous farmhouse feel without skimping on any of elegance we wanted on our wedding day.  From the gorgeous stone exterior, to the rolling hills, to the animals out back we were sold.  When we toured the inside of the property we fell even more in love.  Some of my favorite photos of our wedding day are the ones Heather took inside the main house!

There was no competing with such a beautiful location so we simply looked to compliment it.  Our bouquets and floral arrangements were bright pinks and oranges courtesy of Marcus Hook Florist.  The roses and daises added so much color when contrasted to the black bridesmaid dresses and tuxedos.  Gordon and the groomsmen all wore bright fuchsia ties with miniature floral detail from Thomas Pink.  My Lazaro dress and handmade “birdcage” veil were the final touches to inject the glamour I wanted into the day.

We were married on a cloudy late September afternoon by a friend of Gordon’s family.  Our “look” and the setting, complete with farm animals, made for the perfect combination of country charm and days gone by elegance.  After the intimate outdoor ceremony, and a cocktail hour complete with “dressed up comfort food”, guests moved into a tent for the reception.  We strung white Christmas lights around the perimeter and added lots of DIY touches.  Guests place cards hung on a clothesline strung with fabric squares and tables were numbered by matching handmade fabric frames.  Along with floral centerpieces, we stacked glass bulbs in our colors inside tall glass vases.  Candlelight helped everything shimmer.  Feastivites dressed up the food stations to match our old country elegance theme and just thinking about the gourmet burgers and Asian stations makes me hungry!

Photography: Heather Fowler Photography / Venue: Sweetwater Farms / Caterer: Feastivities Catering / DJ: Synergetic Sounds / Florals: Marcus Hook Florist / Cake: Bredenbeck’s Bakery / Wedding Gown: Lazaro / Bridesmaids: Lazaro / Hair and veil: Salon Royale Court / Makeup: Carie Brescia / Ties: Thomas Pink / Tuxes: Ventrescas of Doylestown

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bredenbeck's Bakery, Carie Brescia, Chadds Ford, Feastivities Catering, Heather Fowler Photography, Lazaro, Marcus Hook Florist, Pennsylvania, Salon Royale Court, Sweetwater Farm, Synergetic Sounds, Thomas Pink, Ventrescas
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Real Weddings

from Heather: The ceremony was in Rittenhouse Town, part of the Wissahickon woods. We could only invite immediate family and a handful of our oldest friends. To see every one’s smiles after the ceremony was the best part of the day!

My stepfather, Paul, drove me up to the ceremony in a 1932 Ford pickup he built himself from pieces. I was so proud to ride in it and loved that it matched the time period. He started building it while my mother was still alive and she never got to take a ride, so getting into it for the first time on my wedding day was an emotional roller coaster, so happy, but also sad. We were both bawling when I arrived to the sounds of the bagpiper playing “Here comes the bride.”

Did I mention everyone was crying at the ceremony!? My best friend Sarah read a passage from the Velveteen Rabbit about what is “real”. Jason, Shawn’s brother, read the last paragraph from “The Road” by Cormick McCarthy. After the ceremony Jason said a beautiful toast about how I have always been a part of the family, but it was good now to make it “official” and again I cried!

The reception was at the Sedgwick Theatre on Germantown Avenue in Mt. Airy. It is an art deco movie theatre built in 1928. I love the fashion and styles of that period so it was really important to me to have “vintage” hair and a cocktail dress.

The reception was a blast! I did not want a formal wedding reception, just a big party. It was a representation of us and our loved ones. We had a pool table and games for the kids. I also had a dress up photo booth for guests to take their own photos. On the center stage, there was a slide show running of my photographs from the past 14 years of our friends and family. The kids had fun jumping around on the stage and dancing in front of the photos! There was theatrical lighting to add to the ambiance. We had an Irish trio play at the cocktail hour who actually knew my mother, she played traditional fiddle in her life time. I also had the redware pottery she made put out on the tables. After cocktails the dj took over with a great assortment of country, indie rock, 80′s music videos played on the screen, hip hop and lots of dance music from our generation. It was overwhelming seeing every person I know and love in one room, all there just for us! I am so lucky to have met Shawn 14 years ago and gained so many friends and family.

These fabulous photos were taken by Sarah Miller, her friend and frequent second-shooter. For more of Sarah’s work, check out her website and blog!

LOVE the vintage-styled wedding touches that Heather executed flawlessly! Isn’t she totally gorgeous!!?

Heather has written about her wedding on her own blog and has provided a list of recommended vendors. It’s a really comprehensive list with great comments about each one. She’s also included the sources for her veil, shawl, dress, etc… There are a few photos taken by other photography friends of Heather’s and their names are also credited on her blog.

True vintage glamour ~~~

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 22 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Art Deco, Bagpipes, Birdcage Veil, Hair Accessories, Heather Fowler Photography, Mt. Airy, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Photo Booth, Rittenhouse Town, Sarah Miller Photography, Vintage Hairstyle, Vintage Style, Wissahickon
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Vintage Chic

LOVE the huge amaryllis blooms!

What a romantic ring shot!

A pop of color from the yellow school bus … pure fun …

It was a picture perfect night for a festive reception at the Merion Cricket Club.

Not only did it snow … but Josh and Susan stole away for a few minutes to play in the snow.

Josh got romantic and etched his own message for Susan!

Awwww … what a guy!

And what a way to end the 2008 year of weddings! A huge thanks to Heather at Heather Fowler Photography for allowing us to bring you Josh and Susan’s tremendous wedding!

And from all of us here at Style Me Pretty … be safe … and have a wonderfully Happy New Year !

Heather Fowler Photography

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Amaryllis, Christmas, Christmas Ornaments, Color Palette Red, Heather Fowler Photography, Merion Cricket Club
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance