Although this stunning wedding took place on a gorgeous Pennsylvania autumn day, we felt Valentine’s Day was the perfect day to share it with you – for so many reasons. The gorgeous colors that allude to the day of love throughout. The sweets galore (because who doesn’t love a little cake or carmel apple today?). Then there is the couple at the center, captured by Sweetwater Portraits, who had their first date on Valentine’s Day so many years ago – their love is so obvious we’re all in fits of swooning around here. Happy Love Day LBBers! Click here for more!
Jeff and I are college sweethearts. We shared our first official date on Valentine’s Day as sophomores at the University of Pittsburgh (talk about a high-pressure first date!). I still remember the sleeveless black dress I wore to the Italian restaurant in the midst of a frigid Pittsburgh winter. I was so excited that I could barely eat. We had become good friends before dating, but for me it was definitely love at first sight. Almost seven years later, Jeff proposed in front of a waterfall on an October hiking trip. This time, he was so nervous that he could barely speak.
We both love autumn in Pennsylvania – the cool air and colorful leaves. We knew we wanted our wedding to be local, which for us is just northwest of Philadelphia, with pictures capturing the fall foliage in Valley Forge National Historical Park. Tom Fowler of the Phoenixville Country Club won us over with his enthusiasm, obvious wedding planning expertise and charming British accent. He went above and beyond to track down Jeff’s favorite craft beers to offer our guests and didn’t bat an eye when I changed our napkin color for the third time.
Throughout the planning process, it was fun finding ways to incorporate all of the simple things we love about fall, like the bright red, yellow and orange colors, caramel apples and pumpkin ale. We were definitely budget-conscious while planning our wedding and I found a lot of unique and inexpensive touches on etsy.com, including custom table marker luminaries and handmade pearl earrings. We are so blessed to have such generous, creative family members and friends, who helped in creating everything from the church programs to the hotel gift bags. A very talented baker friend made our gorgeous wedding cake. I hand-addressed our invitations and seating cards myself.
I loved looking at Style Me Pretty daily for inspiration and found I gravitated towards weddings with bright colors and elegant touches. My bridesmaids wore gorgeous scarlet red dresses with accents of black and silver. Jeff and the groomsmen all wore traditional black tuxes with handkerchiefs hand-sewn from scraps of the bridesmaids’ gowns. My dress was custom-designed by a bridal boutique near my parents’ house in Bucks County. It had lots of pearls, glass beading and embroidery. I took a risk with a classic red lip and ended up loving it! Jessa of Sommerfield Designs did an amazing job on all of the flowers – elegantly tying together all the colors of fall to add the perfect pop.
Our photographer, Julie Melton, captured the sheer happiness and joy of our wedding day and I couldn’t be more grateful to relive each moment over and over again through her beautiful pictures. Marrying Jeff was everything I have ever dreamed it would be and more. Our wedding was the absolute best day of our lives – thanks in huge part to our wonderful, supportive family and friends and our amazing vendors!
Photographer: Julie Melton, Sweetwater Portraits / Flowers: Sommerfield Designs / Ceremony Location: St. Ann Roman Catholic Church / Reception Location: Phoenixville Country Club / Music: Synergetic Sounds / Invitations: Invitations by Design / Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Dress: Custom by Anne Bailey / Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff / Hair: Up Your Do by Jill Kozar / Make-up: Dylan Michael Cosmetics by Cindy Singer / Bridesmaid Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar Lingerie / Favors: Daffy Apple Co.