Anna and Andrew held their wedding on a rainy Saturday in December. For many couples, this would be incredibly disheartening. Somehow I manage to get the most amazing couples in the world, the kind that take it all in stride and carry on with big, beautiful smiles. Anna and Andrew wowed me.
Everything from the getting ready prep to the reception happened at the Union League of Philadelphia.
Anna and her gals happily chattered while getting dolled up in one room while the gents were throwing it back in another.
Anna was dressed to the nines in a dreamy sweetheart, A-line Watters gown with loads of lace and some bling around her waist. It was the very first dress she tried on. The finished off her do with some silvery Jimmy Choo peep-toe pumps and her grandmother’s brooch worn in her hair.
The two planned a first look before the ceremony to take advantage of the time and grab more pictures before the ceremony (a great idea, if I do say so myself). Seeing Andrew’s reaction to Anna elicited all the feels. Smiles so big you could see them from Jersey.
Despite being together forever, the happiness and love between these two simply radiates. The millions of times he kissed her hand throughout the day… The way her eyes get soft and her smile widens when she snuggles into him…
We made use of a few of the nooks and crannies around the Union League including the staircasess, bar, kitchen, library, and wine cellar. The place is magnificent.
Anna and Andrew regrouped on the front porch of the venue for a pair of VIPs – their dogs, Seamus and Jackson (you may remember them from the engagement session as well), in bowties.
The time came for the ceremony to begin in the Meade Room. The low lighting, candlelit aisle and a stunning vine chuppah with full bunches of white flowers at the front of the room was enough to make you gasp as you walked in.
Though technically the marriage was self-uniting (thanks to PA for being Quaker!), the ceremony carried so much emotion. Several important people participated with readings, quotes, and blessings. Andrew surprised Anna with secret lessons before the wedding and read his vows to her in French, handing her a cheatsheet. The inside of her ring read “Je t’aime” and his read “Ti amo” (they were engaged in Italy where Anna had studied).
Being the jetsetting couple that they are, their guest sign-in table was decked out with vintage suitcases for receiving gifts and cards, an antique camera, and an old globe for guests to sign. I admit that I’m kind of crazy over the sequined tablecloths.
There was an area set up for old pictures of couples from each side of the wedding with marquee letters spelling “LOVE.” So many amazing touches.
The reception in the Lincoln ballroom was spectacular. Big centerpieces of white orchids, lilies, roses, and hydrangea sat atop each round guest table. The super long wedding party table was specked with smaller arrangements of silver and white.
The two never actually finished their dance classes before the wedding but I swear they looked as smooth as Fred and Ginger. They danced their first dance to “Amazed” by Lonestar.
Guests laughed, hora’d, mingled, toasted, and danced throughout the evening.
During sister, Julia’s, toast that night, we learned that Anna has a penchant for the dramatic (wearing a wig, pearls, heels, and gloves to the grocery store). This isn’t to be mistaken for being a drama queen, mind you. It’s the fine line that creates an extravagant and incredible wedding with a bride who I could easily have seen grinning ear to ear in a teensy living room wedding in the middle of a blizzard. That’s Anna.
Anyway, back to the dramatic: partway through the reception, Anna snuck off to change into dress #2 and surprise Andrew with a slinky beaded number that made his jaw fall off of his face.
The night continued on with cake, an ice cream sandwich station, a lot of fun on the Oh, snap! Photo Studio, and hot chocolate favors (drawing blood, sweat, and tears from Anna).
It was a memorably gorgeous day.
I don’t know how you do what you do
I’m so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I wanna spend the rest of my life
With you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby I’m amazed by you
~ Lonestar, “Amazed”
