Just about 4 years after they first met, Stacy and Mike tied the knot this past May at the historic Stotesbury Mansion (also known as The Philopatrian Literary Institute or “The Philo”). You may remember them from their engagement session I posted earlier this year. Wedding coordinator, Amanda, of AM Events and Clive from Stotesbury made sure everything went off without a hitch.
Stacy’s bridesmaid, Heather, played a double role as make-up artist.
Stacy wore a birdcage veil, some smoking gold heels, and a gorgeous v-neck sheath dress from J. Crew that was accented with jewels at the waist.
Meanwhile, the gentlemen gathered in the awesome billiards parlor to pass the time before the ceremony.
Mike gave Stacy a wedding day gift of instructions and a box of notecards, all blank except for one. The instructions read that each year on their anniversary they are to write a note to each other about all of the positive things that happened the previous year and feelings about their marriage. They are to read aloud the previous year’s notes as reminders of past happiness. Mike started them off with the very first note. The instructions ended, “I look forward to spending my forever with you.”
I really feel like Stotesbury Mansion was made for Stacy. Her vintage look coupled with the fantastic architecture, rich wallpaper, luxe drapery, and altogether elegant, vintage feel fit perfectly.
And trust me, Mike is quite the looker too…
Stacy and her ladies were a blast, signing and dancing while they were getting ready and altogether making the day so much fun. The girls wore v-necked tea-length navy blue dresses with sequins at the waist (the navy blue is a bit of a shout out to Mike’s alma mater, UVA). Stacy’s bouquet from Kremp’s Florist was a lovely spring blend of blues, whites, and magentas.
The ceremony was held in the lavish ballroom. The room felt so luxurious with gold accents everywhere – columns, ceiling decoration and scrollwork, and those lovely chandeliers. The room also had the Dolly Madison fireplace purchased from the White House in 1890.
While the guests mingled in the front parlor, Stacy, Mike, and I made use of the fantastic building. We shot around in the billiards room and in the sweet vintage elevator. Stacy and Mike probably remember how giddy I was when I first saw it a few months prior during a walkthrough.
And because we were right around the corner, we strolled on over to Rittenhouse Square for some outdoor images. We had some great light and the weather was just right, albeit a little windy.
The reception was so much fun. Rather than a traditional sitdown dinner, Stacy and Mike impressed their guests with appetizer stations and scrumptious passed hors d’oeuvres by Max & Me Catering.
DJ Adam Levy from Roots & Groove Entertainment kept the guests on the dancefloor. Stacy changed into some electric blue patent leather ballet flats later. Mike is well known among his group of friend to be all about his sneakers. Janelle, Stacy’s maid of honor, told us all how Mike had somehow transformed Stacy from being a basketball-loving (Pistons), high heel kind of gal to a soccer-loving, sneaker-wearing gal.
Stacy and Mike, congratulations! I was so happy to have been able to capture the beginning of forever for you two.
I’m, I’m so in love with you
Whatever you want to do
Is alright with me
‘Cause you make me feel, so brand new
And I want to spend my life with you
~ Al Green, “Let’s Stay Together”
