Work at SMP long enough and you’ll start to believe in fairy tales. Those true love stories that start with chance meetings and end with luxurious fétes set against a stunning barn backdrop. This, loves, is just that story. Think romantic florals from Garnish Event Design, the breathtaking stylings of JPC Event Group and brilliant images from Joey Kennedy. See them all right here in THE VAULT.
From JPC Event Group… Vintage decor and lush florals ruled this rustic luxe wedding. Rich hues of navy and marsala provided an enchanting palette set against various locations on Rustic Acres Farm in Volant, Pennsylvania. An unexpected weather event was the surprise of a lifetime for this South Florida couple – an early October snowfall! When the early autumn snow fell it created a magical backdrop that turned Rustic Acres Farm into a winter wonderland. The snow ended up being the perfect backdrop for Garnish Event Design’s mixed florals with hints of burgundy and cream, the warm wood and sparkling lights of the Farm creating a snow globe effect straight out of a woodland fairy tale.
Casey & Alex were such a sweet couple. They really wanted to make sure the entire event was cohesive and captured their own personalities from the ceremony and reception décor and details to the food! Their love for each other was encapsulating and so contagious, that not a person in attendance could deny that they are soulmates.
From the Bride… Alex and I met the first morning of orientation for medical school at the University of Florida. As chance would have it, Alex was sitting directly behind me during one of our morning sessions. I overhead him talking to a classmate about being a brother of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, and turned around to see if I recognized him. We started to talk about Greek life and later figured out that we both grew up in South Florida. The two of us continued to hang out during orientation, and spent most of the social events that week getting to know each other. Fast forward a few weeks later when Alex took me out on our first date, since that time we have remained inseparable. During our final year of school, after spending many months away from each other for interviews, Alex proposed on New Year’s morning. The only thing that could top a perfect proposal was the surprise brunch celebration that Alex planned later that morning, with our closest friends and family in attendance.
When considering our wedding style, Alex and I knew that we wanted to have an intimate and romantic celebration. The two of us ended up moving to Pittsburgh to complete our medical residencies, and found the perfect venue just outside of the city to have our wedding at. We fell in love with Rustic Acres Farm’s rustic barn; with its hanging chandeliers, complete with a wrap around deck with views of rolling fields. We decided on a more neutral color scheme, as to not overpower the natural beauty and fall foliage present on the farm. Garnish Event Design by JPC Event Group executed our vision perfectly with floral arrangements consisting of ivory and pale pink flowers, and a touch of burgundy. Gold candelabras and table numbers added to the romance of the lush florals. The beautiful willow tree provided a magical setting to hold our ceremony, and we were married standing underneath a chuppah that was built by Alex’s father.
Our venue provided the caterer, Savor Fresh Catering by JPC Event Group, and they whipped up a feast that we continue to dream about. Our guests still rave about the most delicious doughnuts and pies at the dessert table. Having a live band was extremely important to the both of us. The Bachelor Boy Band kept our guests dancing the entire night, even during a brief power outage. Our amazing photographer (Joey Kennedy) and videographer (ShoFilms), captured the wedding perfectly and treated us like family.
Alex and my favorite parts of the wedding day were the Havdalah service and Ketubah signing, which took place prior to our wedding ceremony. Surrounded by our immediate family in a candle lit room, we were able to sign our marriage contract in an intimate and special way.
Cool Anecdote: An unexpected cold front passed through Pittsburgh the week of our wedding, leading to snowfall right before our outside ceremony began. Although it was freezing cold, the snow added a magical touch to our special day. Many of our guests had traveled north from Florida, and were good sports regarding the unexpected weather. My advice to other brides is you cannot prepare for everything to go perfectly on your wedding day! Even though our weather was not ideal, it did lead to some breathtaking photographs in the snow. Who would have guessed that it would snow mid- October?!
Photography: Joey Kennedy Photography | Cinematography: ShoFilms | Floral Design: Garnish Event Design | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Cake: Bella Christie & LiL’ Z’s Sweet Boutique | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: JLM Couture, Inc | Catering: Savor Fresh Catering | Hair: Beauty Justified | Band: Bachelor Boys Band | Groom's Attire: Vera Wang | Officiant: Rodef Shalom Congregation | Venue: Rustic Acres Farm | Bridal Boutique: Anne Gregory For The Bride | Coordination + Event Planning: JPC Event Group | Groom's Shoes: Toms