ADRIANNA AND PAUL- AND EMMA: A BEAUTIFUL DAY

On Saturday, Adrianna's parents walked her down the path of her aunt's home to join hands with Paul and his daughter, Emma.   The bride was radiant in her ivory, silk organza gown.  Carrying a bouquet of ivory roses from Ilonka Floral, with her proud father on one arm and her dazzling mother on the other- wearing a gorgeous ice blue silk gown, Adrianna and Paul- and Emma, begin their lives.   Getting there- well, there is a tale to be told!   From the photos, it would seem that a design team came in and transformed this incredible house and property into a lush scene.  But, the team consisted of the bride's Aunt Claudia, whose home it was, and Claudia's talented friends and neighbors- oh, and myself!!  This was a monumental task!!  Just look at how it turned out!!    

THE DETAILS:  It began 3 weeks ago with a frantic phone call from Laura, the mom.   She had been under the mistaken impression that the caterer was going to assist in the execution of the rehearsal and wedding.   When she realized that the caterer DOES NOT get involved with the DIY details or the tent that came from an outside source, she panicked!!  So, three weeks before this big event, I came on board to calm the nerves and pull the pieces together. 

When I first met Adrianna and her mother and aunt at the aunt's sprawling home, there were antique linens, vases and various other beautiful touches all over the dining room.  The yard was in transformation mode and Claudia was still accumulating things to decorate with.   There was no real game plan until the day before the wedding.   And, the linens for the tent were not arriving until three hours before the guests, there was a lot of work to be done.  

In the three weeks before the wedding, the details of the tent had to be figured out.  Many conversations and several trips out to the house later, the tent was up- with a floor, by Wednesday.   On Thursday, when I got there for rehearsal, there was still no sign of a successful execution of a wedding on Saturday.   But, as evidenced here, that was not the case on Saturday at 5PM when the guests started arriving.  

I arrived at noon on Saturday, with an assistant.   When I got there, the patio was awash with tables, garden tools, ladders and two of Claudia's friends, making arrangements to hang on the patio and on the shepherd's hooks lining the bridal path.  One of my first tasks was to make big tulle bows for all of these arrangements, while my assistant walked the yard looking for the leavings of the three dogs!   She and the bride's uncle collected several "surprises" that could have been disastrous to the the bride!   After the bows, my assistant and I set about creating the gift table, the escort card table, the table for the guest book and filling at least a hundred mason jars with candles to line the patio and steps.   At about 2PM I called to check in with the bride ( since I am usually WITH the bride at this point) and she was upset.  The florist had not made the bridesmaid bouquets the way she was supposed to make them.   I told her not to worry.   And, I sent her aunt out to get me 2 dozen pale pink and two dozen ivory roses.   When the girls arrived at 4:15 ( yes, an hour before the ceremony), I took apart the bouquets, remade them with the roses and retied them for pictures.   Adrianna was much happier!   The ceremony took place in the center photo here.  The linens on the escort table and the guest book table are family pieces.   Every flower arrangement was made by Claudia and her friends.                 



 Adrianna waited in the house, trying not to be seen by the groom.  He was not cooperating!  The girls were dressed in pewter, chiffon dresses and carried bouquets of ivory and pink roses, blue hydrangea and tied with green ribbon.  The flower girls- of which there were five, carried mini bouquets of blue hydrangea.   The ceremony was very personal and lovely, and ended with the new family sending up three white balloons into the clouds.  Emma loved this part!   Cocktail hour was on the patio and then dinner was served in the tent.   The party was very lively and sounded like Jerry Blavat was spinning records.  This was a crowd of oldies lovers for sure!!   Mixed with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin for Adrianna's Italian family and, of course, a tarantella!   Adrianna danced to a beautiful Italian song with her dad- very sweet!!  The homemade wine was flowing and everyone was on the dance floor!! 

Provence Catering did an amazing job!  The stationary hors d' oeuvres table was loaded with Italian meats, cheeses and breads.   They passed sliders and stromboli along with several other delicious goodies.  The staff is wonderful at Provence!  They are so pleasant and helpful.  And, for this wedding that was special! It took all of us to carry all the centerpieces back into the house at the end of the evening.      

The cake was delicious.  And, the dessert table was full of homemade Italian cookies and pastries, mostly made by Adrianna's aunts and grandmother.   The food alone was a picture!  Great job, Provence!   What a wonderful team of professionals!!

 There were seven little ones in the wedding party- five flower girls and two ring bearers.  They were all so darling.   Emma, Paul's daughter, was so excited.  And, the littlest one, Olivia, was  really funny!  I love this photo of them all watching Adrianna and Paul cut the cake.  And, little Olivia got icing on her nose.   After dinner, the kids made their way into the house, PJ's on and watching Cinderella.  A fitting way for little cherubs to end their big day.    
For the grownups, they ended their day on the Bocce Ball court.  This yard was incredible- and big!   I just had to take this last shot as I was limping to the car.   








All in all it was a perfect day.  There were lots of twists and turns.  There could have been some disasters.  But, with a competent planner on board ( even though at the 11th hour), it all turned out just as the bride wanted.   

Thanks to Provence Catering, Jeremy Hess Photography, Ilonka Floral and Joe Amoroso DJ's for helping make Adrianna and Paul's wedding a beautiful day! 

MEGHAN AND RYAN: A BEAUTIFUL DAY

Meghan and Ryan got married on Saturday!   What a glorious day for them- perfect weather, a beautiful bride, two wonderful families and a great party.   The day started for the girls at Salon Jolie.  They were a pretty bunch to begin with.   But, they were all stunning when they arrived at The Elkins Estate.   The boys arrived and were tucked away before the bride got there, as these two waited to see each other until Meghan walked down the aisle.   Zack, from Saget''s Formalwear was there and ready to dress the men of the wedding party- they were dazzling.  

And, I loved the soft lavender color of the bridesmaid dresses.  I can't forget to mention the little ones- two flower girls and two ring bearers.   They did a great job and they all looked adorable.

The energy in the room while the girls got ready was so positive and loving!  Both moms, all the girls and, occasionally, Megan's dad popped in to check with me.  Meghan was cool and calm- mostly!   She was nervous for the photographer to touch her dress- so cute!   But, Josh Lynn was full of jokes and SO easy to work with.   He made her laugh at herself.   And, Tom, from TLJ Studios got all on tape!   Meghan was "directing" the photography and videography the whole time we were preparing in the suite!  I know Tom got some great film!!

  The flowers, from Penny's in Glenside, were a lovely combination of lavender roses and lots of garden-y white flowers.   Meghan wanted streamers on her bouquet- good thing I had the right color ribbon in my emergency bag to make them!   Every bouquet had a brooch on the ribbon.   It was a beautiful touch.   Meghan's maid of honor, Devon, was the BEST!   It is so obvious that these two girls share a great friendship.  Devon was adorable and sweet and I just loved her.   But, all of the bridesmaids were great.   We had one mishap- one girl thought she forgot her shoes.  There was a mad search for them in several cars, before they were finally tracked down.   Who wants a barefoot bridesmaid?  I had a back up from another girl, but- crisis averted.    

    I wish I had photos of the bride and her dad in the Rolls Royce- a job that took on a life of its own in the planning process.  Meghan wanted an antique Rolls that was NOT white!   And, I FOUND ONE!!  Well, when I get the professional shots from the AMAZING and FUNNY photographer, Josh Lynn, I will show you.  So, check back in a day or two for a second post- THE PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS.  The guests and wedding party were escorted to and from church and the hotels by my good friends at Sterling Limousines.   And, I loved the way the crew from TLJ Studios worked together with the photographer to document every moment.   The church was beautiful and the service was very special.   The minister and the choir director are good friends of the bride's dad and they really made it extra special.  Afterward, lavender rice in adorable cones- made by the bride, were given to all the guests.   It smelled heavenly!

Instead of a ring pillow, the ring bearers each carried an old family bible with a ring tied to it.  What a touching tribute to two loving families of great faith.   This was but one of the many personal touches that Meghan incorporated into her day.   

 

The room was gloriously aglow with the expertise of Eventions and the beautiful centerpieces by Penny's Flowers.   Ivory damask linens draped all the tables and gold rimmed glassware finished off the elegant look.   The brilliant talent of Provence Catering served a delicious and flawless meal.   Pam and her staff are impeccable with service and quality.   There was an abundance of wonderful food- and chicken nuggets for the groom at cocktail hour.   An unusual and personal request!   But, no request is too unusual for Provence.   Dessert was a scrumptious and beautiful wedding cake from Lochel's Bakery and a crepe and cordial station at the bottom of the grand staircase.   

One of my favorite touches was the escort card table.  The guests table seating was draped over wine bottles, the favors, with a lavender ribbon.   The labels on the wine bottles were personalized with "Meghan and Ryan" on them.   It was a stunning accent to the great hall as guests arrived at the estate.              

The dance floor was crowded all night with the illustrious DJ, Rich from Cutting Edge Entertainment!   Rich kept the guests on the floor and he kept the party going without a hitch.  The couple took dance lessons for their first dance- a Foxtrot.   I love how the little ones found a spot on the floor to watch- in the background of the left side of this photo.  How cute!   

It was a perfect day for Meghan and Ryan!  And, now they are off to Bora Bora for two weeks of recuperating before they make their new home in Washington, DC.   Thanks for letting me be a part of your big day and congratulations on your marriage!!