Pennsylvania Weddings

We’ve seen plenty of delightful details at weddings but these just might take the cake. A beer and bubbles bar complete with a variety of toppings (marshmallows, rock candy!), sparkly lights galore, a color palette that’s chic and fresh, and the best flower girls we ever did see. Sean Cook Weddings captured every detail and more, making this gallery whimsical, colorful and so, so gorgeous. Get giddy and excited for more right this way!

From the Bride… I knew I wanted a fall wedding with rich colors and a whimsical feeling. We were really going for a sophisticated fairytale sentiment (think: a whimsical take on Robin Hood and Maid Marian’s wedding, a woodland backdrop with earth and jewel tones along with pheasant feather accents). As a wedding planner I see so many fun trends and could not resist making them all come together in one day. Our color palette was all jewel tones, and we loved mixing rich burgundy with light pink, teal blues and metallics. Although our wedding was in Pittsburgh, many of our vendors were local to Chicago where we live and work. It was incredible to have vendors that were friends helping us create our wedding day. I let our florist surprise me with my bouquet – I knew I wanted something bold with a king protea as the center. I loved giving him the creative vision behind everything and being surprised just like all of our wedding guests at the final outcome. Instead of a traditional cocktail hour we had a “beer and bubbles” bar! We served champagne with a ton of different topping options, including our favorite handcrafted marshmallows from XO Marshmallow which is local to Chicago.

Jeff wore a custom-made chocolate brown suit by Knot Standard, paired with other neutral accessories and a pheasant feather pocket square. I wore two gowns, both from designer Hayley Paige. I went with an embellished, long sleeve, ball gown for the ceremony and photos, and then a fun open-back, short sleeve option when the party got started!

Photography: Sean Cook Wedding Photography | Event Planning: Urban Allure Events | Floral Design: Ashland Addison Floral & Event Decor | Wedding Dresses: Hayley Paige | Stationery: Vista Print | Bride's Shoes: Macy's | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | DJ: Treblemonsters | Groom's Suit: Knot Standard | Wedding Venue: Hyeholde Restaurant | Bakery/Cake: Bethel Bakery | Bride's Hair Accessory: Betenna | Bride's Shoes (tennis shoes): Kate Spade | Calligraphy/Signage: Simply Scripted Ink | Champagne Station Sign: Studio M Creations | Day of Coordination: Wanderlust Weddings | Groom's Accessories: The Tie Bar | Groom's Shoes: Allen Edmonds | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Marshmallows (Champagne Bar): XO Marshmallow | Rentals (ceremony arch): Penn Rustic Rentals | Rentals (glassware): Vintage Alley

From Rachel Pearlman…

Alexa and Chris’ day was sleek and classic with a touch of whimsy (think air plants and hand-written signage). Lou Nolan, the notable voice of the Philadelphia Flyers, announced the bridal party as a surprise for everyone (arranged by the bride’s father!). This fun loving couple legitimately DANCED down their aisle after being pronounced husband and wife!

The Curtis Center is known for its Tiffany Mosaic. Alexa and Chris allowed for its black, white and green architectural details to determine the decor for the day. Lots of lucite details and an incredible mod cake designed by Jen Roach at Cescaphe flanked with succulents were notable touches.

From the Bride… Chris and I were surprisingly introduced to each other by both of our parents! From that moment forward, we enjoyed doing everything and nothing together. Although Chris and I have conflicting styles, we agreed our wedding should be fun, memorable and uniquely ours. Adding personality to the wedding was a must, so I did most of the calligraphy and decor myself and also let the bridesmaids choose their own dresses. We kept the color palette and decor modern, simplistic and classic. We wouldn’t change one thing about our wedding day – it was perfectly “us.” While it’s easy to get caught up in the fast-paced activities of the day, I can speak for the both of us that remaining relaxed allowed us to enjoy every second of our amazing and memorable wedding day.

Photography: Rachel Pearlman Photography | Floral Design: QA Designs Philadelphia | Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia | Cake: Cescaphe Event Group | Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations | Ceremony Venue: Cescaphe Event Group | Makeup: Ashley Bohl | Hair: Bella Angel, LLC | Calligraphy: Caitlin Jane Calligraphy | Officiant: Journeys of the Heart | Calligraphy for Wedding Envelope: Lewes Lettering Co. | Groom's Tuxedo: Sagets Formal Wear | Maid of Honor Gown: Jenny Yoo

As someone who got her M.A. in English Literature in Philadelphia, seeing this affair at the Free Library of Philadelphia captured by Alison Conklin Photography definitely gave me all the feels. And while I Do Wedding Consulting did an amazing job with the vintage feel to this rooftop celebration, what makes this wedding truly unforgettable is not the awesome views, but that gorgeous smile plastered across the bride’s beautiful face throughout the entire today. It’s literally impossible not to start smiling yourself.

Photography: Alison Conklin Photography | Event Planning: I DO Wedding Consulting | Floral Design: Flowers & Company | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Aux Petits Delices | Invitations: Pen And Paper | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Catering: Brûlée Catering | Makeup: Rescue Spa | Hair: Jason Matthew Salon | DJ: Aria Melody DJ | Band: All About Me | Groom's Attire: Ralph Lauren | Venue: Free Library of Philadelphia

This bride loved the idea of styling her wedding, being her own planner, and selecting small artisans and vendors to take part in her special day. And let me tell you, she absolutely knocked it out of the park! Lauren Fair Photography was there to capture all the lovingly crafted and curated details, from the ‘maids wearing an assortment of soft blue gowns each chosen to complement them best to the ceremony and reception decked out in greenery by A Cottage Gardener.

From Lauren Fair Photography… Kate and Nick’s wedding was a perfect representation of them – all the beauty surrounding them just lent itself to highlighting their love for each other, for family, and for God.

From Kate, the bride… My inspiration for the day starts with my love of September. Something about the cool yet still warm weather and the changing leaves has always captured me. Also, we were engaged in April (on Nick’s birthday!) and knew we didn’t want more than a six-month engagement, so it worked out perfectly. Last, I had fallen in love with Lauren’s photography. I emailed her and Tim as quickly as I could, and we got their last available date – September 24th! That made our wedding date decision easy ;)

In terms of design, I was looking for one that best reflected our relationship. We are laid-back and love the outdoors. We wanted an environment that made our guests feel comfortable yet that maintained an elegant flair. Wyndridge Farm provided exactly the atmosphere we were looking for, and we fell in love with the chapel view and, of course, the craft ciders!

I took on the challenge of being my own wedding coordinator. I wanted to dig into my creative side. It was exciting to discover all the different, small vendors that contributed to our big day. I wanted to create a romantic feel that didn’t distract from the beautiful natural colors of the barn and landscape. To develop a light and airy vibe, we used primarily dusty blues and all white flowers. Kim from A Cottage Gardener created amazing lush, green table runners and a natural, elegant floral chapel display.

I chose a dress for each of my bridesmaids that they would feel most beautiful in, and used the varying colors to elicit a watercolor effect as they stood side by side. The groomsmen wore navy suits but had the option to remove their jackets and stay sharp in their suspenders and bow ties. That worked out well because it was 86 degrees – an Indian Summer!

Our favorite memory from the day was having so many friends and family come from all over the world. Just to name a few, we had friends travel all the way from Japan, China, Canada, and all over the United States. Having all these friends gathered to celebrate with me and my groom is something I will always remember. I loved looking out into the audience and seeing all of our loved ones.

My grandparents weren’t able to make it, either due to health or passing, so I tied in a few special elements to represent them into the day. On my bouquet, I had my grandmother’s pin and my other grandmother’s chain necklace. Outside the reception, there was a table featuring our family members’ pictures who have been married before us, called “Generations of Love.”

Another favorite moment was our “first look”. I was nervous to break tradition, but it was actually my favorite part of the day! It was thrilling to see Nick’s face and to have that intimate moment, just the two of us.

Above all, our focus was to honor Jesus Christ in our ceremony and to give Him glory alone for our marriage. Before our vows, we had a special time of worship, singing hymns with those around us. That is a memory we will cherish forever.

Lauren and Tim made Nick and I feel at ease. They captured our day and helped fill it with joy. We can’t say enough how in love we are with our photos!

Photography: Lauren Fair Photography | Cinematographer: Mason Ford | Floral Design: A Cottage Gardener | Wedding Dress: Hayley Paige | Invitations: Pretty Little Papers | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Groom's Attire: Joseph A. Bank | Venue: Wyndridge Farm | Bridal Journal: Manda Writes | Dried Flower Confetti: Larkspur Hill | Groom's Suspenders: Creattive Collective | Jelly Jar Favor Labels: Mavora | Program: Simply Suite | Signage: OAKYdesigns | Table Numbers: Red Clay Paper

When the gals get ready in the cutest Plum Pretty Sugar pajama sets and then emerge looking lovely in Jenny Yoo Collection gowns, and the bride dons a form-fitting lace Francesca Miranda number so perfect it could have been a bespoke creation, you know the wedding is going to be a pretty one. And Emily Wren Photography‘s pictures await you to prove it. Scroll on to see just how LJ Events outdid themselves at this affair that is heavy on two of our favorite things: whimsy and romance.

From Emily Wren Photography… From the moment I arrived on site for Madeline and Mike’s wedding, the excitement was palpable. This vibrant and outgoing pair are a blast to be around, and their fun-loving personalities are truly infectious! The bridal party looked seriously stylish with the ladies in flowing, floor-length mauve dresses and the men in sharp black suits paired with ties to match the bridesmaids’ looks. But Madeline definitely stole the show in her fitted lace gown, which looked like it had been made for the gorgeous bride!

Janet Makcrancy Weddings and Parties created a spectacular ambiance for the couple with tons of draping, romantic lighting, and dramatic floral installations. The floating boxwood wreaths and spiraling globes filled with various types of greenery were especially lovely. Elegant geometric marble place cards and table numbers hand lettered by Ashley Wrenn of Hello, Bird expertly complemented the elevated aesthetic. It was a truly magical evening for two truly magical people!

From the bride… One thing that I knew for certain was that I wanted our wedding to be very romantic and whimsical. Our venue, The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm, was romantic in and of itself, but I wanted that romantic vibe to carry through in all of our florals and decor as well as into the reception tent. I wanted our guests to feel as though they had been transported into a fairytale. I also wanted there to be a sense of softness and calm, and to me the soft palette that we chose helped bring that feeling to life.

Our day was nothing short of amazing. We had the most incredible team of vendors who made sure that everything was seamless and perfect. One of my favorite parts of the day was when my dad showed me the pocket watch my mom gave to him on their wedding day. It is inscribed with lyrics from the Van Morrison song “You’re my Woman” and says, “And it’s really real, the way I feel, it’s really real.”

Photography: Emily Wren Photography | Cinematography: Atomic Tangerine Film Co. | Event Planning: Lauren James Events | Floral Design: Janet Rosann Terman | Wedding Dress: Francesca Miranda | Ceremony Venue: Our Lady of Mount Carmel | Reception Venue: Inn At Barley Sheaf Farm | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Inn At Barley Sheaf Farm | Band: 39 Mariner | Illustration: Zoica Matei via Etsy | Paper + Calligraphy: Hello Bird | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar

Lucite and greenery are the perfect pair for this black-tie affair at Front & Palmer in Philadelphia. I use the term greenery loosely. In reality, it’s stunning white blooms intertwined with green garlands and all fashioned into statement making installations hanging from the ceiling. It’s a wow moment crafted by Wild Stems that fits right in with this modern take on a classic, fancy affair. See it all unfold through the lens of Rachel Pearlman Photography.

From the Photographer… This elegant black tie wedding is best described as classic with a modern twist. Despite getting married in mid -October, the elements and color scheme that guided Courtney and Jeremy’s day transfers to any season, and Courtney wanted her wedding to be timeless – no matter the weather prediction! After meeting the first week at Amherst College and discovering that they both had roots in Philadelphia, Courtney and Jeremy began a long courtship of love and friendship, culminating their engagement with a modern and fresh event at Front and Palmer, a former barrel factory in Philadelphia’s fishtown neighborhood. Courtney chose an intricate long sleeved gown by Amsale, and with her bridesmaids in grey she knew that her wedding would remain classic with a soft palate. Florals were black and white with hints of greenery – think white berries, lush white roses and anemone. Courtney wore her grandmother’s vintage diamond ring on her right hand and borrowed diamond earrings from her family’s jeweler in New York. The space at Front and Palmer is industrial yet inviting, and Courtney and Jeremy used the blank slate to create their dream wedding – a modern ceremony held under a floating chandelier of florals and greens, flanked by candles and acrylic ghost chairs. Guests entered the ceremony to Bittersweet Symphony and Canon in D. While they did not have a traditional Chuppuh, the couple broke glass underneath the floating centerpiece. During the reception, American Deluxe kept the party going all night while guests danced underneath market lights. Courtney and Jeremy describe their wedding as a fresh and modern fairytale!

Photography: Rachel Pearlman Photography | Cinematography: Merryweather Films | Floral Design: Wild Stems | Invitations: The Little House Shop | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Feast Your Eyes, Gourmet Catering | Hair and Makeup: Beautiful Brides Philly | Calligraphy: Lewes Lettering Co. | Lighting: Synergetic Sound and Lighting | Band: American Deluxe | Tuxedo: Suitsupply | Bridal Salon: Kleinfeld Bridal | Bride's Gown: Amsale | Ceremony Musicians: Philadelphia String Quartet | Ceremony and Reception: Front And Palmer | Photo Booth: MirMir | Vow Books: Kelsey Carpenter

Merry Christmas all! We are celebrating with the prettiest wintertime inspiration planned by Arielle Fera Events, with florals by Belovely, beauty by True Beauty Marks and images by Lauren Fair. It brings elegance to the tree farm without even an ounce of red. Instead you’ll find a warm white and green color palette and the sweetest getaway ride. Get inspired to throw the perfect winter celebration and from all of us at Team SMP, wishing you and yours the merriest of holidays. xoxo

A warm holiday setting without using the color red? That was our inspiration when designing this beautifully cozy holiday shoot, held at the always-amazing Terrain at Styers in Glen Mills, PA. The bespoke gowns from Lovely Bride NYC and BHLDN set the tone with their intricate beading and long sleeves, and Belovely Design crafted a warm white + green color palette to tie in with our vintage VW Beetle stacked high with Christmas presents. John was styling in his green suit from ASOS and Brianna’s red hair combined with her BHLDN hairpiece was so dreamy! A cozy sweetheart table was set up among the Christmas trees at Terrain, and the night ended with twirling under the twinkle lights.

Photography: Lauren Fair Photography | Floral Design: Belovely | Cake: La Linea Desserts | Ceremony Venue: Terrain at Styers | Rings: L. Priori Jewelry | Hair & Makeup: True Beauty Marks | Suit: ASOS | Venue: Terrain at Styers | Accessories: BHLDN | Caliigraphy: Charlie Whiskey | Gold Wedding Dress #2: BHLDN | Modela: Brianna + John - johndimedio and briiduffield on Insta | Paper Goods: Penn & Paperie | Planning: Arielle Fera Events | Tabletop: Anthropologie | Wedding Dress 1: Lovely Bridal Shop

When you propose with a plane and a banner in the sky, you better have some pretty fabulous engagement pics as well. And these ones from Erika Brown don’t disappoint. With smiles, sips of champagne and a sunset view, these pics are pretty much perfect!

From Erika Brown Photography… This engagement was by far one of the sweetest to date! Lianne and Tom could not stop smiling and neither could I! They had the most perfect sunset and setting… and not to mention Lianne’s outfits… jaw dropping! I’m so excited to share their beautiful and sweet session with SMP!

From the Bride-to-be…

How We Met: I was living at the beach one summer, working, while Tom was stationed in DC. We knew of each other through mutual friends, my sister! On his days off, he would come to visit “friends,” I can’t say I minded too much!

Proposal: My family tradition started many years ago in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We hadn’t vacationed there in many years, so when we planned our trip for September 2016 I was not only excited to go back, but more excited to share my favorite family tradition with Tom. My dad had made one request for the whole trip, a family photo on the beach. So here we go, down to the beach to take what I thought was a family picture. The first picture was of my sisters, mom, favorite fur sister, Luna, and myself. As soon as we cooperated for a decent picture, they began to walk away and look back at the ocean. By the time I decided to turn around and check out what all the commotion was, I saw a plane flying over the ocean and a banner floating in the salty air that read “Lianne will you marry me?” Before I had time to process all that was happening, I turned around to find Tom kneeling down with a royal blue box that held a sparkly oval solitaire. Of course I said YES!

Wedding Details: Fall 2017 in Lancaster, PA at Excelsior! Our wedding style is simple yet chic and eclectic! We decided on shades of grey with some navy, complemented with neutral tones and lots of greenery! I am most excited for our ceremony on the garden terrace and dancing to our awesome band! Tom is excited to be with his closest friends and family celebrating our big day!

Photography: Erika Brown Photography | Hair + Makeup: Salon by Dominic | Venue: Longwood Gardens Pennsylvania

Southern weddings have a certain special charm… but you don’t need to be below the Mason Dixon line to be inspired and turn it into a reality! This stellar team of vendors – including Shannon Wellington Wedding, Fresh Designs Florist and Trousseau Style – came together to create a Southern soiree complete with a boutonniere bar, seersucker hankies and of course, pie! Alex Schon captured every perfectly thought out detail and our gallery has all the pics – dive right in y’all!

From Shannon Wellington Wedding…

While we may be miles away from the Mason Dixon line here in Pennsylvania, the charm and tradition of the South still makes us swoon. Whether it’s the draping Spanish moss of Charleston, the award winning Georgian pecan pies or the horse farms of Kentucky, we wanted to bring a little taste of the south up north. We chose The Gables in Chadds Ford, a beautiful venue that happens to be a converted dairy farm. The lush green ceremony space was perfect for our couple, who got married in front of a floral draped cross. Seersucker hankies were on hand for our guests’ happy tears and an adorable boutonniere bar treated the gentleman guests to their own mini floral adornment.

The bride wore a traditional lace with an unexpected peek of a blue dip dyed hem. Delicate lace applique booties, classic pearl and a lace clutch completed her bridal look. It all paired beautifully with her groom’s handsome chambray suit and gingham bow tie. The couple was the epitome of Southern grace and style.

Guests were treated to the most beautiful paper details. From the handmade paper invitations with a map including the rolling hills and horse farms of Chadds Ford to the silk ribbon adorned programs. Each piece featured the couple’s custom monogram and crest in a dusty blue and gray palette.

Inside, the guests’ tables were nestled beneath trailing Spanish moss and fluffy cotton branches. Delicate linens, handmade paper menus and individual cotton blossoms completed the tablescape.

Back outside, while the couple frolicked on the moss lined tree swing, guests found dessert. And what would a good Southern wedding be without pie? Our pie bar featured five different types of pie, sure to please every sweet tooth.

When creating our version of the Northern Southern wedding, we kept the focus on one of the South’s best qualities, their hospitality. As wedding professionals, we get to participate in our couple’s biggest show of hospitality, their wedding day. Incorporating ideas that take care of the couple’s wedding guests: hankies, boutonnieres, plenty of pie (!) we truly felt that the spirit of the South was alive and well in Pennsylvania!

Photography: Schon Photography | Event Planning: Shannon Wellington Wedding | Floral Design: Fresh Designs Florist | Wedding Dress: Jaclyn Jordan New York | Stationery: Papertree Studio | Shoes: Bella Belle | Jewelry: L. Priori Jewelry | Hair + Makeup: ONLO | Suit: Bonobos | Venue: The Gables At Chadds Ford | Bridal Veil: BHLDN | Fashion Accessories: Hair Comes the Bride | Fashion Stylists: Trousseau Style

Celebrating your one-year anniversary with a photo sesh is always a good idea. But when you add in a cute idea like this? It becomes so, so meaningful. Lauren and Grant read their message-in-a-bottle notes written by friends and family from their wedding, how sweet?! Trousseau Style added their pretty touch and Celia Ragonese snapped it all up, right here.

From Celia Ragonese Photography… For Lauren and Grant’s first-year anniversary session, Philadelphia’s rich and vibrant architecture in the Old City neighborhood created the perfect backdrop for their classic style as husband and wife. From the iconic columns of the First Bank of the United States to the cobblestone streets in Old City, the city’s dusky summer hues created a warm and neutral color palette that went perfectly with Lauren’s millennial pink dress and Grant’s chambray blue shirt. During their early morning session, they shared laughs as they remembered their wedding day in Oregon and reminisced about their favorite moments with friends and family. For their home session, we continued the warm neutral vibe with pops of pink and blue that was highlighted by a beautiful vintage bottle and flower motif that Lauren created in their bright and airy home. With their wedding cake 2.0 from Nutmeg Cake Designs at the ready (traveling 3,000 miles with cake is a tricky endeavor) and a bottle of rose, Lauren and Grant read their message-in-a-bottle notes written by friends and family from their wedding. I love photographing married couples and one of my favorite aspects about Lauren and Grant’s anniversary session was watching their faces light up and their warm laughter fill the room as they shared stories and read these advice notes together. I always say it’s an honor to capture memories for couples, and it was truly a special day with this wonderful couple that will be remembered for a long time.

From the couple… Most of our love story takes place in Philadelphia – we met, dated, fell in love and live in the city. However, after getting engaged on vacation in Oregon, we decided to return to Oregon for our wedding and engagement photos. We thought our year anniversary would be the perfect opportunity to capture a little bit of our Philadelphia love story.

We started by visiting some of our favorite neighborhood locations in Old City. We had so much fun walking about the city and remember our first year of marriage! Next, we headed home for some cake, rosé and to read the “messages in a bottle” our guests left for us at our wedding. We laughed and cried reading through the funny, thoughtful and some cryptic messages (too much wine?). It was such a meaningful way to celebrate our first year of marriage and we’ll cherish these photos forever.

Photography: Celia Ragonese Photography | Wedding Cake: Nutmeg Cake Design | Fashion Stylists: Trousseau Style

This wedding editorial brought a little bit of Italy to Pennsylvania, and every photo is oh-so-yummy. I don’t even know where to start – the perfectly lit images captured by Erika Brown Photography, the swoonworthy long sleeve Hayley Paige gown (the same one the designer wore to her own nuptials!), the perfectly rustic tablescape provided by Paisley & Jade, or the abundance of lavender and olive branches in the florals by Porter & Ives. Every single thing about this editorial will make you feel like you’re in the Mediterranean, so I can’t think of a better way to start your weekend than to grab a glass of wine and get lost in this gallery.

From Erika Brown Photography… The inspiration for this editorial shoot came from the beauty and romantic nature of the Italian coast. Olive leaves, architecture, flair, and wine (mostly wine) helped us to re-create a shoot filled will all of the things that make Italy exceptional. There wasn’t a better place to host the shoot than The Inn at Grace Winery. The estate design resembled Italian construction, and the winery addition was definitely a perk! It was a picture-perfect backdrop for the story we had envisioned.

Our models (and real life couple), Vincenza and Matt, are both Italian and fit the role perfectly. Not only is Vincenza a former pageant girl, she is also the owner of a fabulous Italian family bistro, V & M Bistro. V&M Bistro embellished the shoot by providing authentic Italian cuisine – a heart shaped pizza pie, Italian bread, Italian sub sandwiches, and cannolis.

Vincenza donned two dresses during the shoot, both by designer Hayley Paige. The A line, fuller Hayley Paige gown was unique in that Hayley Paige wore the same design on her very own wedding day! Custom jewelry pieces made by Lindsay Marie Design added delicate detail to Vincenza’s entire bridal look. To top it all off, the shoes that Vincenza wore were by designer Sergio Rossi, and they were absolute show stoppers!

The two tiered cake was created by the talented The Master’s Baker and was inspired by classic Italian stucco found in a lot of architecture around the country. Topped with grapes and petite flowers, the cake was the perfect blend of rustic and ethereal.

Porter and Ives dreamed up the whimsical floral design for the entire shoot. Lavender and olive branches were two “must haves” – not only did they look great in the design, but they also smelled wonderful and created an atmosphere that made us feel like we were actually in Italy! The bridal bouquet was one of our favorite details of the shoot and absolutely blew everyone away.

This Italia-inspired shoot came to life right before our eyes thanks to all of the talented vendors who participated. The venue was gorgeous, the models were iconic, the food looked and tasted great, the flowers were flourishing – and, for a split second, in the midst of all the shoot chaos, we had to pinch ourselves to remember that we weren’t actually at a villa in Italy.

Photography: Erika Brown Photography | Floral Design: Porter & Ives | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture | Cake: The Master's Baker | Engagement Ring: Susie Saltzman | Makeup: Kelley Unthank Makeup | Hair: Pretty Weird Hair & Makeup Artistry | Calligraphy: Allison Dee Calligraphy | Venue: Grace Winery | Artisan Gifts: Marigold & Grey | Bridesmaids' Dresses Boutique: Jennifer's Bridal | Event Planning+ Design: Kelsey Ann Events | Hair Adornments: Lindsay Marie Design | Model: Vincenza Carrieri-Russo | Painter: Larkspur and Laurel | Rentals: Paisley & Jade

Can we all agree lakeside weddings are always a win? Maybe it’s something in the air – all we know is we can’t stop smiling at this boho chic soiree by the water, executed to perfection by DPNAK Weddings, Femina Photo + Design, and Buttercup by Jeffrey A. Miller Catering. Scroll on to see the pretty details, like the Bride’s off the shoulder gown from Lovely Bride and cascading bouquet, and you’ll be smiling, too!

The term “classic beauty” is not only the perfect way to describe this radiant bride but also her entire wedding. Set at the Glen Foerd Mansion, the couple’s Philadelphia venue laid the foundation for an idyllic garden party affair and the every detail followed suit. Lovesick kept the post-vows party going and Emily Wren Photography documented the entire day from beginning to end.

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From Emily Wren Photography… Cortney and Greg held their sweet and elegant wedding at the always enchanting Glen Foerd Mansion in Philadelphia, PA. The classic architecture and pristine rose gardens were the perfect backdrop for this spring wedding.

Cortney was a classic beauty in her Corsica gown by Eddie K and a simple yet elegant updo by Nicole Drouillard let her natural and radiant beauty shine. Pops of blue could be found in details throughout the day including beautiful hand painted signs, her dip-dyed cake by Jamie Hollander gourmet, and a few subtle but perfectly placed blue bonnets in the gorgeous bouquets by Devon & Pinkett Floral Design. Her bridal party also wore a beautiful shade of blue which just completed their perfect spring color palette!

During their reception, Greg surprised Cortney by performing an original song dedicated to his new wife, accompanied by all his groomsmen. And as the evening drew to an end fireworks were set off over the water – a perfect end to a perfect wedding day!

Photography: Emily Wren Photography | Videography: Emily Wren Photography | Floral Design: Devon & Pinkett | Wedding Dress: Eddy K | Catering: Jamie Hollander | Hair: Hair and Makeup by Nikki D | DJ: Lovesick | Dress Boutique : L & H Bridal

I didn’t know I loved coral tuxes until today. Arielle Fera Events put together this fresh and stylish wedding inspiration session in warm pink hues with an incredible team of vendors, and Emily Wren Photography brought it all to life with her skill behind the lens. Trousseau Style absolutely nailed the wedding fashion with the Groom’s statement ensemble, the Bride’s elegant Erin Cole gown, and her lace Bella Belle shoes. May I suggest forwarding your Groom this stunning gallery as a subtle style hint?

From Emily Wren Photography… For this styled shoot, we wanted to highlight Tyler Gardens – a new wedding venue in Bucks County, Pennsylvania – and its elegant charm. The historic mansion and 3-tiered gardens drip with old world charm, surrounded by wrought iron gates, elegant statues, stunning fountains, and romantic landscaping. A fairytale venue to say the least – especially when it is covered with florals by Faye and Renee Floral Design!

It was also really fun working with Olvia Caridi (you might recognize her from last season of the Bachelor). I loved how perfectly Olivia’s soft blush Erin Cole Bridal wedding gown and the Groom’s coral toned tux matched the rich warm hues of the garden’s stone walls and staircases! Every last detail of this styled wedding shoot flowed together and perfectly fit our warm summer color palette.

Visiting this historic garden is like taking a step back in time to an era of elegance. Our sweetheart table looked just right nestled into the multi-tiered landscaping at Tyler Gardens in the golden evening light! I loved the hand dyed table runner by Hello, Bird. and the wild climbing florals by Faye and Renee Floral Design, which were perfectly and organically styled by Arielle Fera Events! We were simply overwhelmed with the beauty and variety of locations to shoot, and despite the 90 degree heat, we spent hours running around capturing it all and loving every minute of it. It was such a joy working with an incredible group of wedding vendors!

Photography: Emily Wren Photography | Event Planning + Design: Arielle Fera Events | Floral Design: Faye and Renee Floral and Event Design | Wedding Dress: Erin Cole | Cake: Suga Groovy Deliciousness | Shoes: Bella Belle | Jewelry: L Priori Jewelry | Hair and Makeup: Makup My Mind | Calligraphy: Golden Hour Paper | Hand Dyed Fabric Runners: Hello Bird | Location: Open Aire Affairs | Location: Open Aire Affairs | Model: Model Management Agency | Model: Olivia Cardi | Rentals: Faye and Renee Floral and Event Design | Ribbon: Adorn Company | Veil: Melinda Rose Design | Wardrobe Styling: Trousseau Style

Londoner Alex met Sarah when she was a student studying abroad in his city. The two fell in love and it wasn’t long before Alex moved to Philadelphia to be with Sarah. For their Pennsylvania nuptials, the couple paid homage to the three countries most meaningful to them – England (his heritage), China (her heritage), and the States (their current home). From the English Pimms signature cocktail to the Chinese writing on the paper goods to the historical venues, the end result captured by Ashley Bartoletti Photography was perfectly “them” and perfectly beautiful!

From Ashley Bartoletti Photography… Sarah and Alex met when Sarah was a student studying abroad in London where Alex lived at the time – eventually he moved to Philadelphia to be with her. They got married on the grounds of a historical cathedral in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, followed by a reception next door at Cairnwood Estate. The wedding is beautiful with lots of pretty florals and portraits on the grounds of the amazing properties.

From the Bride… We wanted a classic but not stuffy wedding that reflected our personalities and heritage. Our color palette was pinks and peaches to fit with the venue. I wanted it to be romantic but not too girly or cheesy. We wanted to pay tribute to both his English and my Chinese heritage, so we tried to include elements of each: English and Chinese verses for the ceremony, Chinese writing on invitations and menus, and English Pimms cocktails as our signature drink. We had a big Chinese banquet the night before (with so much karaoke!), so we served a traditional English menu at the dinner (rack of lamb and stuffed Cornish hen).

There were so many favorite moments from the day – two of my favorites were definitely the toasts and first dance. Also, my parents hand made the favors. It is traditional in China to give out wedding candy, so my aunt brought the candy from China, and we wrapped it in colorful Chinese double happiness boxes.

Choosing the flowers was my favorite part of wedding planning. We loved using all local, small-business vendors. Everyone was so great to work with!

My advice to Brides-to-be would be to enjoy every moment as it will go by in a blur. Also plan extra time for hair and makeup as things will inevitably run late!

Photography: Ashley Bartoletti Photography | Floral Design: Posey Hill Flowers | Wedding Dress: Judd Waddell | Cake: Ciao Bella Cakes | Ceremony Venue: Bryn Athyn Cathedral | Reception Venue: Cairnwood Estate | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: Karen Spire Catering & Events | Makeup: InTouch Hair and Spa | Hair: Intouch Day Spa | Band: The Untouchables | Groom's Attire: Calvin Klein

If you find yourself panicking over the mere thought of getting those engagement + wedding photos taken, know that you are not alone. Freeze face happens to the very best of us, and if you’re more than ready to conquer those awkward poses and staged kisses, the uber-talented Bethany Rees of DOLA Photography is here to tell us exactly how it can be done. Cozy on up for a lesson in oh-so-natural wedding photos below.

TRUST YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

When it comes to capturing natural images, I love to keep couples moving and doing things, so that they almost forget they are being photographed. Even small amounts of movement can make photos look less posed and stagnant. It’s great when couples are up for whatever I ask, like leading one another through a field or walking quickly together down a set of stairs, trusting that I will always make them look good. Even if they are just standing in one spot for me, I’ll ask them to sway, almost slow dance with each other, so there is always movement. A good photographer knows how to give direction to get natural looking photos out of anyone, no matter what their personality is like.

IGNORE THE CAMERA

My style is also very photojournalistic, so outside of the time we do portraits together, I am constantly scanning the room on a wedding day looking for small moments – glances, laughs, hugs… those are the best candids. Sometimes I even hold my camera up and wait. I can see the photo in my head and I just need something small to happen, or someone to move into the frame to get it perfect, and it happens so quickly that if I didn’t already have my camera ready at my eye, I would miss it! For those photos I need people to ignore me – a lot of times when people see a camera they want to pose or smile, which is great, but normally my favorite candid photos happen when people are just being present, enjoying themselves at the party and ignoring me.

ENJOY YOURSELF

Consider doing something that is just for the two of you. It doesn’t need to be something major, but a small moment or activity together gives an opportunity for me to just document what you’re doing together in an unscripted way. Get coffee, have a glass of champagne together, go off and eat your cake while watching the sunset. Give yourselves extra down time in your wedding day schedule to really allow yourself to relax and for spontaneous things to happen. Those in-between moments are always some of my favorite and the most natural looking photos! For engagement sessions, too, I recommend getting your hair and makeup done so you are feeling fabulous and confident… treat it like you’re going on a fun date!

You want your wedding day to rock, so finding a photog that can ease your mind and help you feel natural in front of the camera is key. Bethany Rees, studio owner of DOLA Photography, is one of those talented photographers, using her years of experience to snap images that are modern, timeless AND gorgeous… and all with an unobtrusive and laid-back style that will sooo put you at ease. We are all kinds of obsessed with her photojournalistic style, and her ability to snap those moments you didn’t even know were happening. Do yourself a favor and contact her today for a wedding album filled with heart-tugging images you’ll cherish for always.

Photography: DOLA Photography

This stunning wedding was at a super unique venue in Lancaster PA. The venue is a one-of-a-kind historic building with multiple levels, each having its own unique look. There are catacombs in the basement, a terrace and garden courtyard draped with string lights, and an awesome “top secret” floor with chippy, peeling paint, raw cement, and red bricks with tons of natural light pouring in! The bridal party was in navy, dusty blue, and mint and the florals were gorgeous! From The Bride:

1. What is your color scheme and why did you pick those colors? Our colors are navy blue, mint green, pewter grey, and gold. I had always dreamed of a navy and mint wedding (and had a pinterest board before John and I were even together titled “my impending navy and mint wedding”… Haha). We loved that combination with the gold and pewter added in because it’s subtle, vintage-inspired, and elegant. It complimented the rustic-vintage theme of Excelsior, and especially the mint green paint around some of the windows and on the walls. The gold sparkle touches were just too much fun to pass up! 2. Why did you choose your wedding venue? We fell in love with Excelsior the moment we walked in. We had visited a few other venues in Hershey (where I grew up) and had driven to Lancaster that day to see another site that ended up not working out, but they recommended that we take a look at Excelsior, which wasn’t yet open. We knocked on the front door and almost walked away, but one of the owners answered (in the midst of sanding and painting in preparation for opening before their first wedding in 3 weeks!!) and showed us around. It had everything we wanted in a wedding venue – beautiful, spacious, and unique, even completely unfinished and covered in dust. We especially loved that the entire venue and all its spaces were ours for the night, so we could use it all however we wanted. Kelly and John, Excelsior’s owners, were so warm and kind. We loved them instantly and their vision for Excelsior was so clear, even still in the works. The decision was easy! 3. What flavor is your cake? Vanilla with buttercream frosting.. John and I are purists when it comes to cake! 4. Description of your gown? Why was this “the one?”

My dress is an ivory lace sweetheart-neck mermaid gown with a mauve-colored ribbon sash around the waist that ties into a bow and falls down the back of the dress. The dress has almost a pink glow in the light! It was the perfect combination of vintage and sparkle, and elegant but fitted all the right places. From the few times I made John watch “Say Yes to the Dress”, I knew that he couldn’t stand shapeless wedding dresses (or “bags” as he called them) so I wanted something that accentuated my body a little! 5. Advice for other brides planning their wedding? Don’t procrastinate – take care of everything you can take care of early in your engagement so that you can have some down-time before all the details kick in during the last few months. There’s no way to avoid some stress near the end, so don’t make it worse than it has to be! ! Also – don’t forget the point of the wedding and why you’re doing it all. In the last few weeks I’ve reminded myself over and over that I have a dress, we have food and alcohol, everyone we love will be there, and at the end of the day I get to marry John, so everything else is really extra. 6. Where are you going on your honeymoon? We’re going on a Mediterranean cruise! Flying to Venice the Saturday after our wedding and stopping in Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia, Olympus and Athens, Greece, and Ravenna, Italy, and spending a few days in Venice after the cruise before we come back to the US. We’re so excited!!!! 7. What are some of the unique items that you will be incorporating in to your wedding? I love chalkboards – you will see calligraphy-d chalkboards all over the place! I had fun learning calligraphy for those! The Ketubah that we’re signing before the ceremony was created for us by a designer that I worked closely with through my job who lives in Chicago. We wrote most of the text ourselves and are so excited for that special moment with our grandparents before the ceremony begins. The glass that we will share wine out of during the ceremony was given to and engraved for John’s great-grandparents for their 25th wedding anniversary, so it’s over 100 years old. A piece of lace from my mom’s wedding dress will be wrapped around the stems of my bouquet. 8. Describe your florals/bouquet

Our flowers are lush and vintage-inspired with lots of green leafing (eucalyptus and olive branch) and cream, ivory, and light pink flowers, with hints of mint green and light blue. The bridesmaids will have long mint green ribbons hanging from their bouquets. My bouquet is relaxed and unstructured, with lots of peonies and roses to offset the dark green leaves beneath them. In addition to the bouquets, you’ll see this style across the top of our chuppah, on our cake, and in a variety of centerpieces during dinner – 8 tables will have high arrangements on a 4-post gold stands, and the other 12 tables will compliment that with lower arrangements to give the room some depth. 9. What part of the wedding are you most looking forward to? Having everyone we love together in one room – and other than that, we’re so excited for the moment we see each other for the first time!

For a good part of my childhood, I grew up right next door to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Since, I’ve visited my sister there on several occasions. What I love most about this locale? It’s historic charm. It truly does boast some of the loveliest restaurants and venues. Case in point? Today’s fete captured by Something Blue by Susan Elizabeth at the Excelsior Lancaster. Layers upon layers of blush and mint coziness. See it all here in the full gallery!

From Something Blue by Susan Elizabeth… This stunning wedding was at a super unique venue in Lancaster PA. The venue is a one-of-a-kind historic building with multiple levels, each having its own unique look. There are catacombs in the basement, a terrace and garden courtyard draped with string lights, and an awesome “top secret” floor with chippy, peeling paint, raw cement, and red bricks with tons of natural light pouring in! The bridal party was in navy, dusty blue, and mint and the florals were gorgeous!

From The Bride… Our colors are navy blue, mint green, pewter grey, and gold. I had always dreamed of a navy and mint wedding (and had a pinterest board before John and I were even together titled “my impending navy and mint wedding”…haha). We loved that combination with the gold and pewter added in because it’s subtle, vintage-inspired, and elegant. It complimented the rustic-vintage theme of Excelsior, and especially the mint green paint around some of the windows and on the walls. The gold sparkle touches were just too much fun to pass up!

We fell in love with Excelsior the moment we walked in. We had visited a few other venues in Hershey (where I grew up) and had driven to Lancaster that day to see another site that ended up not working out, but they recommended that we take a look at Excelsior, which wasn’t yet open. We knocked on the front door and almost walked away, but one of the owners answered (in the midst of sanding and painting in preparation for opening before their first wedding in 3 weeks!!) and showed us around. It had everything we wanted in a wedding venue – beautiful, spacious, and unique, even completely unfinished and covered in dust. We especially loved that the entire venue and all its spaces were ours for the night, so we could use it all however we wanted. Kelly and John, Excelsior’s owners, were so warm and kind. We loved them instantly and their vision for Excelsior was so clear, even still in the works. The decision was easy!

My dress is an ivory lace sweetheart-neck mermaid gown with a mauve-colored ribbon sash around the waist that ties into a bow and falls down the back of the dress. The dress has almost a pink glow in the light! It was the perfect combination of vintage and sparkle, and elegant but fitted all the right places. From the few times I made John watch “Say Yes to the Dress”, I knew that he couldn’t stand shapeless wedding dresses (or “bags” as he called them) so I wanted something that accentuated my body a little!

We’re going on a Mediterranean cruise for our honeymoon! Flying to Venice the Saturday after our wedding and stopping in Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia, Olympus and Athens, Greece, and Ravenna, Italy, and spending a few days in Venice after the cruise before we come back to the US. We’re so excited!!!!

Some of our wedding details… I love chalkboards – you will see calligraphy-d chalkboards all over the place! I had fun learning calligraphy for those! The Ketubah that we’re signing before the ceremony was created for us by a designer that I worked closely with through my job who lives in Chicago. We wrote most of the text ourselves and are so excited for that special moment with our grandparents before the ceremony begins. The glass that we will share wine out of during the ceremony was given to and engraved for John’s great-grandparents for their 25th wedding anniversary, so it’s over 100 years old. Our cake was vanilla with buttercream frosting… John and I are purists when it comes to cake! A piece of lace from my mom’s wedding dress will be wrapped around the stems of my bouquet.

Our flowers are lush and vintage-inspired with lots of green leafing (eucalyptus and olive branch) and cream, ivory, and light pink flowers, with hints of mint green and light blue. The bridesmaids will have long mint green ribbons hanging from their bouquets. My bouquet is relaxed and unstructured, with lots of peonies and roses to offset the dark green leaves beneath them. In addition to the bouquets, you’ll see this style across the top of our chuppah, on our cake, and in a variety of centerpieces during dinner – 8 tables will have high arrangements on a 4-post gold stands, and the other 12 tables will compliment that with lower arrangements to give the room some depth.

Having everyone we love together in one room was amazing – and we loved seeing each other for the first time!

Some advice for other Brides: Don’t procrastinate – take care of everything you can take care of early in your engagement so that you can have some down-time before all the details kick in during the last few months. There’s no way to avoid some stress near the end, so don’t make it worse than it has to be! ! Also – don’t forget the point of the wedding and why you’re doing it all. In the last few weeks I’ve reminded myself over and over that I have a dress, we have food and alcohol, everyone we love will be there, and at the end of the day I get to marry John, so everything else is really extra.

Photography: Susan Elizabeth Photography | Event Planning: Planned Perfection | Floral Design: Petals with Style | Wedding Dress: Alfred Angelo | Bakery: Schat's Bakery | Invitations: Little Spark Creations | Reception Venue: Excelsior Lancaster | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Rings: David Yurman | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Catering: Jimmy Duffy's | Hair and Makeup: downstreet salon | DJ: Klock Entertainment | Mens Attire: Tommy Hilfiger | Brides Robe: Plum Pretty Sugar | Bridesmaids Robes: Love Meets Craft | Jeweler: Jared | Lighting + Furniture: Shumaker PDT

This couple shares a love of the great outdoors, so when they began planning their Pittsburgh summer wedding, a whimsical day designed with wildflowers and natural greens was an obvious choice. They fully embraced in-season blooms and Mt. Lebanon Floral delivered in every way. Peek at their reception space (and entire day!) photographed by Joey Kennedy and you’ll leave utterly inspired.

From the bride… Cary and I met in college down in South Carolina where we both shared our love for adventure and outdoors. A year or so after graduation, Cary proposed to me when we were at home for Christmas. It was wonderful to have my whole family around to celebrate this exciting event. Shortly after we were engaged we made a big move from South Carolina to Colorado, so we could continue sharing our love of outdoors together.

The wedding was inspired by our love of the outdoors, plants, and the mountains. We had the wedding in Pittsburgh where my immediate and large extended family all reside since we are a close knit group.

We were planning the wedding while living in Colorado, so my mother was a huge help in orchestrating everything. Our vendors were absolutely wonderful, and we thank our florist, Carmel, for her creativity. We told her we wanted a somewhat whimsical and bohemian feel that really showcased the local, in season wildflowers and greenery. She came through and brought us more than we could have imagined. The tent, flowers, lighting, music, and photography all came together wonderfully to create the unique and colorful day we had imagined. It had a beautiful woodland feel with a relaxed atmosphere, just like we wanted.

Photography: Joey Kennedy Photography | Cinematography: Nate Sherer | Floral Design: Mt. Lebanon Floral | Catering: Rania's Catering | Band: Keynote Band | Venue: Frick Art Museum | Tent: Party Savvy

Between its historic, neoclassical Water Works venue and the bridesmaids in light blue attire of different styles (including a jumpsuit!), this Philadelphia wedding inspiration shoot reimagines traditional elements by giving them an unexpected twist. A team of local vendors – including Rachel Pearlman Photography, Trousseau Style, Cottage Flowers, and Laurel and Elm – created this masterpiece, which is one part modern and one part classic. So whether you’re a modern or a traditional bride, visit this stunning gallery for endless inspiration!

When the opportunity presented itself to shoot at Philadelphia’s Water Works, our vision of reimagining traditional elements with a fresh, modern twist using a local team of talented vendors became possible.

The Fairmount Water Works, historically and architecturally speaking, is a classic and unique venue, famed for its neoclassical style and its location with views of the city and the water. Our aim was to create something that was one part classic and one part modern, appealing to both the traditional and modern bride. By changing either the color or the design of an element, we demonstrated multiple ways that brides can easily recreate this look on their own. We also wanted to highlight in the design the blues seen in the skyline and river, and our bridesmaids’ gowns by John Paul Ataker were the perfect way to do this.

Clear details like vellum pieces for the invitation suite and handwritten calligraphy by Lewes Lettering Co. on acrylic slabs brought a freshness to the overall vision. For the jewelry, L. Priori mixed timeless jewels with contemporary pieces. The bride’s classic, six-prong solitaire was made new with a v-shaped wedding band and mixed metals. Her right hand sparkled with estate pearls worn with an edgier pinky ring. The bridesmaids wore a mix of heirloom quality estate pieces and modern jewels – we think that family jewels look coolest when styled with fresh diamonds!

We concentrated on having all of our metallics match perfectly, so the flatware, napkins, and centerpiece vessels were all the exact same shade of gold, as if they were all from someone’s personal collection. As a rule of thumb for real weddings, according to Laurel and Elm, never have the linen color match the bridesmaids’ dresses to allow your special guests to truly stand out when seated for dinner! Since all of the bridesmaids were in different dress styles of the same color, we planned to make blue an accent on the table. The color looks like it belongs there, but it doesn’t overwhelm. Pops of soft blue in the floral design also help to tie in the color of the skyline, the water, and the bridesmaids’ attire.

Incorporating soft and natural elements is something that will always be timeless, and we continue to see these elements in lots of modern designs today. The natural leaf place card and the watercolor plates were a great way to join those two worlds – modern and timeless! The traditional layout of the table and shape of the centerpieces mixed with the faceted vases (a nod to the geometric bridesmaid’s dress), modern flatware, and unique salad plate also worked to balance our theme well while keeping everything looking cohesive.

For ​the florals,​​ Cottage Flowers focused on bright colors and fresh designs that blended traditional elements – think classic gold urns filled with punchy pinks and ​standard whites and ​greens​. ​To go with the acrylic chivari chairs, a sweet collection of cascading greenery (mixed with pinks and blues), tied everything together. To add a modern look to the tabletop, geometric pieces accented with floral elements were used as decor. We complemented the classic jewelry created by L. Priori by adding some gorgeous florals to the gold cuffs, mirroring the bridesmaids’ bouquets!

​Hair and makeup for our bride was classic, but a poppy pink lip elevated the look and blended with our bouquet perfectly. Each bridesmaid showcased a different, yet tailored beauty style – from the bridesmaid wearing the geometric gown to the bridesmaid wearing the pantsuit​​. ​

We hope couples will continue to incorporate a mixture of styles – from classic to modern – to make their day as truly unique as they are!

Photography: Rachel Pearlman Photography | Event Planning: Laurel & Elm | Floral Design: Cottage Flowers | Wedding Dress: Anna Maier | Cake: Queen Bee Pastry | Bride's Shoes: BHLDN | Jewelry: L Priori Jewelry | Hair and Makeup: ONLO | Invitations and Calligraphy: Lewes Lettering Co. | Men's Attire: Commonwealth Proper | Venue: Cescaphe Event Group | Bridal Boutique: The Wedding Pavilion at Van Cleve | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Stylist: Trousseau Style