Romantic Wedding at the Colonial Dames in Philadelphia

Garden meets glam with a little DIY thrown in for good measure – this wedding captured by Redfield Photography is the whole shebang. Tucked inside this beautiful gallery by Redfield Photography is detail after detail of darling personal and elegant touches that will no doubt make your heart melt, so join us in swooning over every moment right here.

Colors

From the Bride…My husband and I were married exactly seven-and-a-half years from the day we started dating. College sweethearts, we had achieved so many milestones together: college degrees, first jobs, my graduation from law school and passing the bar, promotions, adopting the most amazing puppy, and the icing on the cake: our engagement and unforgettable wedding.

Once we visited the National Society of the Colonial Dames, we knew it was the perfect venue for our big day. It is an oasis inside center city Philadelphia: the building maintains a rich, historical character and the outside garden transports you away from the chaos of the city. Playing off the gorgeous blue walls of the Colonial Dames’ main room, we chose pale pink and gold for our wedding colors. The theme of our wedding was romantic and elegant: lace, chiffon bridesmaid dresses, lush flowers, simple stationery. We wanted to complement and enhance the character of the space.

While we quickly decided on the general theme of our wedding, many of the details did not come into place until a few weeks before the wedding (I do not recommend, ladies!). Because I am incredibly indecisive, I looked at, without exaggeration, over 250 pages of photographs on Style Me Pretty to achieve our look (along with countless magazines and pinterest pins!). After seeing styles from other real weddings, we decided that we wanted our bridal party to complement one another, but not to look exactly the same. For the maids, each got to choose a different style, short blush chiffon J.crew dress, and wore tan or pale gold shoes. For the groomsmen, each wore their own navy suit, cognac shoes, and a tie with blush and navy. Given the shade of pink, we ultimately purchased more than 30 ties (2 of which were purchased the day before the wedding!) before we were able to find the right colors! For our flowers, I fell in love with gorgeous pink and coral garden bouquets that were featured in a Style Me Pretty spread. We had our florist modify the shades to complement our wedding colors. Already way over budget, we made our own centerpiece vases from gluing together bowls and candlesticks from the Dollar Tree. It cost less than $2.50/centerpiece all said and done!

We also tried to add our own personal touches where possible. I created and printed all of our stationery myself based on a template I fell in love with. Rather than hire a calligraphist, we asked my mother-in-law to address our invitations and escort cards. My mother and I put together welcome bags for our out-of-town guests, which included my husband’s and my favorite snacks. For an alternative guest book, I cut paper hearts for our guests to sign (which will later be framed and displayed when we buy our first home). Our wedding favors were homemade cupcakes using a special recipe from my husband’s late-nana. To ensure our beloved pup was part of our day, we also had a friend create large cardboard cut outs of his adorable face that our guests used in the Photo Booth. Last, with the help of my mother-in-law, I had a handkerchief in my husband’s clan’s tartan made with the hope that our children and our children’s children will each carry it on their own wedding day.

Overall, our day was filled with so much love and happiness. We had just shy of 100 guests: our most important people. It was a priority of ours to have an intimate day. Our ceremony was held in the back garden and included classical music that was beautifully performed by the Philadelphia String Quartet. Although very nerve-wracking, we recited our own vows before we exchanged rings and officially became Mr. and Mrs. Wanting to maximize use of the outdoor space, the cocktail hour was also held in the garden. Despite the chill in the air, our guests enjoyed drinks and hors d’oeuvres that showcased a compromise between my husband and my culinary tastes: comfort and foodie. Our caterer, J. Scott Catering, did an impeccable job in creating and executing the amazing bites and ensuring the day ran smoothly. Following a delicious dinner, we and our guests danced the night away.

I believe our photos really capture the love we share with each other and our family and friends. We could not have asked for a more perfect day!

Photography: Redfield Photography | Floral Design: Elegant Stems | Wedding Dress: Marisa Bridals | Cake: Bredenbeck's Bakery and Ice Cream Parlor | Ceremony Venue: National Society Of The Colonial Dames | Reception Venue: National Society Of The Colonial Dames | Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: J. Scott Catering | DJ: Ambiance DJs | Grooms Attire: J.Crew | Ceremony Music: Philadelphia String Quartet | Accomodations: Tudor Arms Hotel | Bride's Jewelry: Nadri | Bride's Wedding Rings: Barksy Diamonds | Groom's Wedding Ring: Jewelry By Johan | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Giorgio On Pine