I’ve already introduced you to Anne and David through their engagement session. Now let me tell you about their beautiful wedding at Philly’s Colonial Dames!
Anne’s absolutely gorgeous but she’s so low key and simply a blissful person. She was so happy and calm the entire day. They were staying at the Radisson Warwick but I met them to get ready at Colonial Dames, right by Rittenhouse Square. Her sapphire necklace was a gift from David’s family. Feeling the need to have an old and borrowed, she used her sister’s bobby pin. Love it!
It was my first time at Colonial Dames (technically the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America) and I loved it! Unlike traditional “wedding venues”, the building is a historic estate with several rooms and so much character. Nestled down a small side street, you’d never know it was there unless you were looking for it. We arranged a first look in the perfectly manicured gardens and wrought iron gates. Anne was a vision in her wedding gown with (about a hundred!) tiny buttons down the back.
The day was nice enough for the outdoor ceremony on the back lawn. The minister for the service has known Anne’s family since she was a little girl, which made it all the more special. They had a rose ceremony to honor their mothers as well.
We can’t forget about, Noe, the flower girl.
Guests mingled on the back lawn during the cocktail hour.
The hors d’oeuvres by Feastivities were superb!
The upstairs ballroom was prepared for the reception. The windows and light coming into the room was gorgeous. I loved the apples and fall pumpkins on the table for centerpieces. Beautifully simple.
I love this quiet shot of the two before entering the reception.
Guests poured in and waited for the newlyweds. They danced their first dance to Lauryn Hill and Bob Marley’s “Turn Your Lights Down Low”.
The toasts were easly one of the highlights of the day. Anne’s mother read a letter Anne wrote to herself when she was 15 about what she wanted for her future and showed off a spectacled teenage Anne for added effect. Anne’s “future” included wanting to be 5’6”, having a million dollars so she could go to a good college, and a new violin case. David’s friends came up with what he might have written at that age. It was hilarious!
The reception had fabulous elements that I had never seen at a wedding before. Like the hula hoops that came out (apparently their mothers both take hula hooping classes).
And yes, dinner was just as attractive.
I was also introduced to a game called Farkle that ends with the loser eating a pickled egg.
Of course we had to recreate the family jumping shot that they always do.
And then there was the traditional line dance that Anne’s mother tried to orchestrate near the end of the night that included so many moves that the room was reduced to confusion and laughter.
It was such a great day and night and I was so happy to be a part of it all.
Anne, and David, congratulations on such a fun and incredible wedding.
Loving you is a like a song I replay
Every three minutes and thirty seconds of every day
And every chorus was written for us to recite
Every beautiful melody of devotion every night
This potion might, this ocean might carry me
In a wave of emotion to ask you to marry me
And every word, every second, and every third
Expresses the happiness more clearly than ever heard
~ Lauryn Hill with Bob Marley, “Turn Your Lights Down Low”
