Intimate, elegant, and heart-warming are words I would use to describe Lee and Tim’s wedding. It was a Friday evening in August when they said their ” I Do’s” aboard the historical Moshulu along the edge of the Delaware. The day started with a traditional tea ceremony, in which the couple presented tea to their elders, and then the elders reciprocated the love with gifts for the couple.  Later in the day as a perfect breeze blew, guests embarked the Moshulu, where the couple said their vows on the top deck.

Rose petals led the bride up the U shaped aisle where beautiful birch branches flanked each side. Once again one of our favorites, Papertini , out did themselves with the gorgeous blooms!

Lee looked absolutely stunning in her light pink strapless Jemma gown by Lea-Ann Belter! She was also dripping in unforgettable jewels. Tim is one lucky guy!

As guests arrived on deck, they were greeted by the guest book table. The table was filled with baby pictures of the couple, as well as pictures of the couples’ parents. It was also adorned with an elegant birdcage filled with flowers. It was a beautiful sight with the river in the background!

The ceremony was followed by an intimate cocktail style reception on the covered deck. White paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling, gave the reception area a fun and chic feel. The reception had a variety of small tables, where guests to choose to dine. Modest arrangements bursting with purples, pinks, and creams were placed all throughout . Overall it was a very friendly and inviting event space.

You could feel the love all around as family members shared their blessings, and showed a slideshow of the couple through the years.

Simple and elegant,the tiramisu wedding cake looked scrumptious! The paisley design even matched the groom’s tie! Moshulu provided the delicious cake, as well as the bountiful dinner stations full of fish, pasta, and even a roasted pig.

The night ended with an unexpected bang! Penn’s Landing’s weekly fireworks lit up the sky surprising the couple and their guests. What a way to end the night!

Lee and Tim’s wedding turned out to be a magical evening on board the Moshulu. It even made it into the Spring / Summer 2013 issue of Philadelphia Wedding Magazine! Pick it up on newstands now!

Many blessings to the wonderful couple! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your special day! Also many thanks to the amazing wedding professionals we were able to work with on this wedding: Moshulu, Papertini , Ben Ostroff from EBE Events & Entertainment, and Love Me Do Photography .

Amore bello!

Maria

Just a few weeks ago, on a hot sunny Saturday, I had the honor to be part of the marriage of Daniel and Sauce at the Please Touch Museum. cHill’s first same sex marriage! As I made my way to the museum, a small part of me worried that the humidity might put a damper on the day; however,  as Christina introduced me to the grooms all concern was lost. Upon meeting Daniel, Sauce, and their families, I could feel the overwhelming love and lightheartedness that would make it an evening to remember!

You could feel the excitement and nerves as the grooms parted ways to go change into their dapper suits and printed bow ties. The sweetness and affection continued to be seen as they shared their first moment together under the statue of liberty arm replica, and than later as they exchanged their handwritten vows in front of friends and family.

After the ceremony, they held cocktail hour down the rabbit hole in the East Gallery. Guests sipped cocktails and got lost in the whimsical wonderland maze. Some guests even drank tea with the Mad Hatter! Needless to say there were no shortages of photo ops, and guests had a blast!

Daniel and Sauce were all about the small DIY details that pushed their wedding to perfection! In fact, I have yet to meet a craftier couple. They made and wore charming boutonnières with printed fabric and pins of the Philly sky line. They even made some for their families to wear!  Much of the decorative details were also handcrafted by the couple. They made adorable vintage inspired bunting from the same fabric as the boutonnières to adorn the carousel and the gift table. They even hand painted frames they found at a flea market for their menu boards and seating chart.

The grand finale of the evening was the reception held in the carousel house. As soon as the guests were let into the reception they ALL swarmed to the carousel with anticipation and excitement! They all cheered as the ride began and we couldn’t help but smile (and secretly wish we were riding the carousel too!)

After a few turns on the carousel the guests enjoyed food by Brulee Catering. The cuisine of the night was Caribbean inspired and DELICIOUS!

Each table in the reception was complimented with a picture of Daniel and Sauce, and a variety of pink and green flowers thanks to Papertini!

The centerpieces consisted of different types and heights of flowers in eclectic vintage vases (procured by the couple themselves), which added to the fanciful feel of the wedding.

Guests felt the Philly love throughout the wedding. The tables were named after landmarks or neighborhoods in the city. In place of a guest book, they had Philadelphia themed post cards on each place setting. The guests filled them out with messages of advice, congratulations or, love for Daniel and Sauce to read later. What a creative idea!

Everyone was also sent home with a piece of brotherly love. The couple provided each guest with one of these delicious cookies from Van Earl’s.

The couple had a small, but adorable wedding cake with two little love birds on top! They also served  coconut cupcakes. Yum!

The DJs from Roots and Groove kept everyone out on the dance floor all night! The crowd even booed when they announced the first shuttle to the hotel…no one wanted to stop dancing! They were such an energetic and fun crowd! It was hard not to hit the dance floor and join the fun!

As the night winded down, everyone was reluctant to leave the dance floor, which can only mean the night was a success!

Congratulations to Daniel and Sauce! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your special day!

Thanks again to all the awesome wedding professional we worked with to make this an amazing wedding!

For more awesome photos check out BG Productions blog. and the wedding video reel.

Amore bello!

Maria

Colorful Creations by Amy Atlas Events

Dinner has long since been served, guests have been swept away to the dance floor, and the newlyweds have managed to wash the icing from their hair. This is the point where my insatiable sweet tooth has me looking forward to the slice of wedding cake awaiting me at the table.  Many times, however, my similarly insatiable love for dancing keeps me out on the floor long past dessert time. This is why I am a strong supporter of one of the popular wedding trends this year: DESSERT TABLES. A dessert buffet allows your guests to get dessert on their own time, gives them options and can add to the décor and style of your wedding. And let’s face it, not everyone likes cake.

Amy Atlas Events

A dessert buffet gives your guests the fun option of picking and choosing from mouth watering delights. Some people do this in addition to a cake but if you aren’t a traditional couple, you could skip the wedding cake and just go for one of these confectionery conveyor belts. Or if you want to sprinkle in some traditional elements, some couples opt for a tier of cupcakes with a small cake on top. The possibilities are endless! From macarons and mini cakes, to fruit tarts and candies, you’ll be sure to have plenty of options for all your guests.

Candies and Cakes by  The Couture Cakery

Another benefit is that guests can choose from these sugary selections on their own time. A dessert table gives your guests the chance to grab some dessert AND make memorable moments. They can mix and mingle, and have dessert when they are ready to step away from the dance floor.

Photography & Floral Design by Papertini

This can also be an affordable and original way to customize your wedding and add to the visual appeal of your reception.  With today’s innovations, you can easily coordinate your desserts with your décor. Talk to your baker and have them create desserts that match your colors, patterns or themes used in other elements of your wedding (i.e. table linens, invitations, name cards). You could also have fun with how the treats are displayed. For example, use a variety of vintage cake plates and apothecary jars to create different heights and textures on the table. GET CREATIVE! No matter what direction you go, the results are sure to be SWEET!

Amore Bello!

Maria

It was a shortly after noon when I arrived at the Arts Ballroom. The weather was surprisingly warm for the first week of October and the sun had just started to peak through the clouds. As I walked into the empty ballroom I was reminded once again just how beautiful the venue is.  The crystal chandeliers sparkled above me as I made my way up the grand staircase to the second floor, where I found Tanti and her Papertini floral team already hard at work on Rita’s center pieces.  Only a few tables were set by the time Christina and I had to depart for the ceremony, but we knew that upon our return the ballroom would be transformed into a dramatic wonderland.

The extraordinary Pete Malone from 217 Photography was there to capture all the amazing moments throughout the day and he was nice enough to share some of his beautiful photographs.

The day started off with everyone getting ready at the Sheraton Society Hill. The bridal party had a blast getting their hair and makeup done, and Rita’s up-do looked perfect thanks to Natalie from Hair by Natalie. (This iwas one of Natalie’s last weddings as a stylist. We will miss you so much!)

Rita’s romantic bouquet was covered with jewels and handwrapped in a deep brown satin ribbon. She wanted tons of sparkle at her wedding and her bouquet was no exception! Tiny crystals sat in the center of each rose, giving it that extra wow factor.

How amazing are Rita’s shoes! She went for sky high pumps and rocked them all night long.

Their “first look” moment was on a quaint cobblestone alleyway. Pete perfectly captured Chris’s anticipation and excited reaction to his soon to be bride.

Pete took the whole crew throughout society hill for some group pictures. The historic brick houses and streets made for great backdrops.

The intimate ceremony was held at The Headhouse Shambles. Floating candles lined the aisle and the couple said their vows under a archway hanging with orchids and crystals.

Once the ceremony was over, guests boarded a charter bus and made the short ride to The Arts Ballroom for the reception.

Guests were speechless as they stepped into the fairytale ballroom. The gold color of the chiavari chairs accented the orange pin-tucked table linens beautifully.

The center pieces were birch branches dripping in gems and orchids which were placed in tall cylinder vases.

Since the couple’s favorite restaurant is Stephen Starr’s Buddakan, it was only natural that they choose Starr Events to cater their wedding. The food was fabulous and the guests had tons of options for the buffet style dinner (including calamari salad my absolute favorite!) Rita found these adorable Buddha place card holders that guests could take home as favors.

After guests had their fill from dinner it was time to party! The couple’s friends were huge dancers and DJ Matt Blank from Synergetic Sounds kept the dance floor packed all night.

Rita was having so much fun that at one point she took Matt’s headphones and played DJ!

The moment we met Rita and Chris we knew that their wedding was going to be a blast. Rita’s bubbly personality along with Chris’s down to earth attitude is what makes them a perfect match. We couldn’t of  been happier to have help them plan their special day.

A big thanks to all the vendors who made the day possible!

Cheers!

Sarah

*Christina’s note: I wanted to chime in here and add my two cents about Rita and Chris’ wedding.  From the first instance I met Rita at the little coffee shop near my office, I knew we were going to be a great match.  Other wedding professionals asked if Rita was my friend, not client, because we had so much fun together!  It was great getting to know Rita and Chris, and also some family and friends that were there along the planning process.  This will be a wedding we will always remember, not just because of the fun and crazy guests or the amazing decor, but because of the beautiful couple we were all there to honor.  Thank you Rita and Chris for being amazing clients and for being a great friend! *

Photo by 217 Photography

What side should the guys wear their flowers?  Oh boy.  If I let the guys put on their own flowers for my weddings, it would not look pretty.

I once had a groomsmen show off his boutonniere to me, and he had somehow wrapped the corsage pin around the stem of the flower and rigged it onto his tux.  It looked futuristic, but not in a good way; actually it looked pretty scary!

But I digress!

The boutonniere (the flower guys wear on their tux/suit lapel) should go on the left side.  I always think “above the heart,” and is usually placed at the thickest part of the lapel.  Some men include a pocket square with their tux; yes, the flower and pocket square are on the same side.

Above is a wire flat boutonniere on our handsome groom Chris (Rita and Chris’ wedding recap to come very soon!) created by our good friend Papertini.  She is known for making modern and eccentric boutonnieres, which many of the grooms favor.  Also, her pieces use super strong magnets, not pins!  So they’re easy for the guys to put on themselves.

If you’re having a traditional boutonniere with a corsage pin, make sure you snake the pin through the back of the lapel.  This way the pin does not show in pictures.  Most florists will provide pins with black heads, others provide white pins.  If you do it correctly, the pin head could be hot pink and it wouldn’t matter because no one would be able to see it.  The flower can usually be secured using only one pin, but use a second if the head of the boutonniere is heavy.  If the boutonniere is longer (like a calla lily one) you can use the pin vertically, in the back of the lapel.  I also use this method if the lapel is thinner, especially in the newer suits.

A video is in the works  and I hope to post it soon!

Thanks to 217 Photography for the image!

I was in Junior High and I was rocking a vintage Banana Republic tshirt - when it was still the safari/rugged  style.  Only the popular older kids wore these shirts, and I had one.  Thanks to Annie!  Growing up, Annie, who was a year older than me, handed down to me her clothes and books.  I looked up to her because she was older and cooler, like an older sister I never had.  We used to have sleepovers at her home, and she introduced me to the old disney sing-a-longs and when we got older, she shared her Adam Sandler “They’re all going to laugh at you” album.

Our parents were very close and I reaped the benefits of having a friend.  Once we got to college, we lost touch, especially after my parents moved away, but thanks to Facebook, we reconnected.  I learned that she was living abroad and was engaged, and she found my planning website.  I took her on as a client and helped her and Barry plan their NJ wedding while they lived in Australia and later Hong Kong.

Annie, a Korean-American girl from New Jersey, was marrying Barry, a Chinese guy from Scotland.  They met in Australia and now are living in Hong Kong.  Isn’t that crazy?! Love will find you anywhere you go.

Here are some images that depict their wedding date, thanks to Bright Smith Photo (alismith.com and joshuabright.com). 

The day started at the Westin in Jersey City.  Hair and Makeup was provided by La Sorella Bridal.  They were great!  They kept all the girls on time and looking radiant.

Usually wedding day mornings are hectic.  The girls are rushing to get dressed and the bride is nervous.  But Annie’s room was calm and happy.  Her bridesmaids were some of the most supportive people I’ve ever seen for a bride and Annie was beaming all day.

The guys got ready at the Westin as well.  Here Barry, the groom, is helping Annie’s father with his bow tie.  Annie’s dad was an integral part of the wedding planning, very supportive and reiterated many times when I spoke to him that he just wanted Annie and Barry to have a wonderful wedding.

The groomsmen rocked a signature Papertini boutonniere. 

And a snapshot of Annie’s bouquet, again courtesy of Papertini.  Tanti did an amazing job with her bouquet.  It was absolutely stunning and complimented Annie’s dress perfectly.

While the girls were boarding their van to get to the Liberty House, the guys posed for some shots.  Looking very dashing!

Annie and Barry had a private moment together before portraits and the wedding.  I always encourage this so that you can maximize your time for portraits (while there is still enough light) and also it really calms your nerves.

I really loved Annie’s dress.  It was classic and beautiful, but it functional – it had pockets!  Annie joked that she can put everyone’s cell phone sand keys in her gown pockets.

All the bridemsaids wore a fusion Korean hanbok.  It’s made of the same fabric and patterns of a traditional hanbok, but it was designed to be more like a westernized gown. In this above image, you can sneak peaks of the other colors that hid under the skirt.  Gorgeous dresses and a great pay to pay homage to Annie’s Korean background.

The girls carried light blue hydrangeas with pops of purple.  Hydrangeas are typically very fragile flowers, especially in the heat, but the amazing Papertini were able to keep them alive and well during her commute from Philadelphia to Jersey City and all day during the wedding.

Annie chose the Liberty House as her wedding venue because she always loved the NYC skyline.  The venue had a large platform which was perfect for pictures.  I love this picture of them because it shows a bit of their personalities when they’re together.

The ceremony was held outside in a private garden.  An arch adorned with flowers was erected as a background.  The ceremony was officiated by Annie’s family pastor.

At cocktail hour, we displayed the shadow boxes created by Golden Silhouette.  They included pictures of Annie and Barry has children and with their family and friends.  Guests loved looking through the three shadow boxes.  At the end of the night, we boxed them up so they can display them at their home in Hong Kong.

Although it was very windy, we held the Korean Paebaek ceremony on the platform.  I knew Annie loved the skyline, and guests were already outside for the ceremony, so we were able to host the korean ceremony outside.  It was tricky, Sarah and I held up the screen, the music was played off the balcony of the venue, and the photographers and videographers took their places on the outskirts of the platform.  Guests congregated in front of the platform while they sipped on some cocktails.

The Liberty House has a wonderful outdoor area.  Tables had firepits incorporated into the table and people could sit around the pit.  It was a great spot for guests to mingle and hang out during cocktail hour.

The main reception was held up in the main ballroom that also over looked the skyline.

The wedding cake was created by the famous Cake Boss!  Unfortunately I never got a chance to taste the cake. I was too busy catching fire… more on that later.

All paper pieces were done by Golden Silhouette and florals designed and created by Papertini.  All the tables were named after places that Annie and Barry have visited or lived in.  For such a well traveled couple, they had plenty of locations left over after we assigned the tables.

*Both mosaic images provided by Carryn Golden of Golden Silhouette.

Here are some details shots!

Each place setting had Scottish Shortbread and Chinese Happiness candies to commemorate Barry’s background (Chinese-Scottish).

The wedding was a blast!  Annie and Barry were such gracious hosts of their wedding, welcoming friends and family from all over the globe!  I think there were more guests from overseas than from the US.

Planning their wedding was a great experience and I was so blessed to get to know Annie all over again and to get to know her wonderful husband.  My night was totally made when Barry gave a speech and thanked me and Tanti (of Papertini)!  

The wedding went off without a hitch, and cHill Weddings was on fire!  Literally.  I leaned over the head table to speak with Barry and I didn’t realize that one of the votive’s flames had caught fire onto my blazer.  Yeah, I was on fire.  It was awesome.

Thank you Annie and Barry for including us in your beautiful wedding day! It was an honor to work with you both and I hope we see each other again real soon!

Here are some other wedding professionals that helped rock this wedding:

Film: Orange Films

Transportation: ETA Worldwide

Entertainment: Cafe Wha (awesome)

String quartet: The Dolce Ensemble

I remember the very first time I heard from Melissa.  I was at the gym and was about to hop onto the elliptical.  *Beep* Ooh, new voicemail!  Of course, being the workaholic I am, I had to check my voicemail at the instant.  Melissa left me a sweet message telling me how much she loved my website and one wedding in particular and wanted her wedding to be just like that, but with their own personal touches.

I called her back right away and set up a time to meet with her, her fiance Ken, and her mom when she was in town.

It’s not unusual for me to help plan a wedding for a couple who live outside of Philadelphia, however this was the first time I had the bride and groom on opposite coasts!  Melissa was residing in DC while Ken was in LA.  Despite the distance, they made the planning work and I was lucky enough to see them a few times throughout the planning process.  We actually planned their wedding in 7 months!

So without further ado, here are some amazing images from the very sweet and generous Brook Bready of Brook Bready Photography, along with my commentary…

The girls started the day at Melissa’s mother’s home getting their hair done by the very talented Natalie Pagano of Hair by Natalie.  Then they went to the King of Prussia mall Nordstroms to get their makeup done.  This worked out really well because the girls were able to visit their favorite makeup lines. 

Then the girls came to the Glen Foerd Mansion to finish getting getting ready.  Glen Foerd has a beautiful bridal suite room that really lends to great pictures and makes you feel like you’ve stepped back into time.

Melissa is so beautiful and so it was only fitting that she had an equally beautiful gown. 

Melissa originally wanted black and white anemones in her bouquet but they were not in season.  Papertini, who I can never rave enough about(!!), created a custom flower to achieve the same look. She took a rose and thistle, which she painted black) and created a new flower! How creative!

How stunning is she?!  I get comments that all my brides are gorgeous.  Yes they are.  I am so lucky to work with beautiful people all the time! (and they’re all amazing people too).  Melissa works for the government in health care – at the time she was working in the White House! 

Beautiful bride surrounded by her beautiful friends and Jr. Bridesmaid.  Melissa picked out black feather hair pieces to go along with the victorian look.  The groomsmen had feathers in their boutonnieres to match.

Ken is not too shabby himself!  Ken also used to work in the White House as counsel and is now a partner in a law firm in LA.  Since the wedding, Melissa has relocated to LA, but I’m sure I will be seeing both of them again very soon!

*here is proof that I do work at weddings!*

The ceremony was held outside despite the wind.  The rain stayed away (as it usually does for all cHill Weddings!), but we did have to make some changes to prevent the “alter” pieces from falling over in the wind and we also couldn’t line the rose petals perfectly in thick rows as originally planned, but it was all still so beautiful.

The ceremony were hand assembled by Dulcetta Designs, along with the escort apples (below).  The programs included details and explanation of the Filipino cord and veil ceremony that took place.

Because they had less than 150 guests, we were able to have the entire reception in the conservatory.  Guests enjoyed the wine tasting in the wine cellar downstairs and the art gallery upstairs, then they were ushered into the conservatory by traditional Korean drummers.

The tables had green apple linens with black and white damask runners.  We had two sets of center pieces – floating orchids with candles and damask wrapped cylinders with candles and hydrangeas.  The design was created by cHill Weddings and Papertini, a collaborative effort.

This was the ceremony piece which was later moved to the stage on both sides of the DJ from Magical Sight and Sound.

Beautiful cake by Conroy Catering.  Conroy Catering has also been AMAZING with the food.  Since Melissa is Filipina and Ken is Korean, they wanted to showcase food from their cultures.  The chef recreated some awesome traditional dishes for the dinner stations along with some other dishes, and it was a huge hit!  Special thanks to the chef and Bridget H for taking such good care of my clients!

Here is the escort card table… we really played off the green apple theme but added the crystal to add the vintage look.

Once the drummers entered the conservatory, it was followed by a few other Korean dances, including the solo fan dancer below.

Later in the evening, we had the always adorable Mutya Phillippine Dance Company.  We’ve worked with them for two of our other Filipino couples, and they’re always so good!

Here are some more pictures of the beautiful couple!  Thank you Brooke for the great images!

Thank you so much, Melissa and Ken, for allowing me to be such a big part of planning your wedding!  I felt like I made new friends in the process! 

Photo by Jim Cottingham

Papertini’s tree was festive but elegant, yet children would appreciate it too! Tanti snuck in a some treasure around the tree which corresponds to a story in a book Tanti created. It was such an innovative idea for a tree that Daisy Martinez, celebrity chef and also the Festival of Trees auctioneer, went on and on about her tree. She loved it! As did lots of other people, especially the people who bid and won Papertini’s tree!

image by Philly Chit Chat source

Beautiful Tanti Lina in a hanbok, Dr. Lydia Sit, Kathy Ko, and moi.

Thanks Tanti for inviting me to come and help you decorate your fabulous tree! It was fun to attend the cocktail party and watch people bid on it. I hope they enjoyed the tree this Christmas!

Jackie and Nathan’s beautiful celebration of marriage reminded me of what is most important about weddings.  It’s not the flowers and the food, but it’s the company and the memories.

I first got a call from Jackie, who was referred to me by the awesome Kelly from the Down Town Club.  Jackie told me that she was leaving the country the next day, so we’d have to meet in February when she returned.  Little did I know that everything was going to change for them and their wedding plans.

Shortly after they returned, their original June wedding date was pushed up to March, and Jackie and Nathan planned their wedding in a few short weeks.  I remember those few weeks being crazy.  Jackie and Nathan were going their friends’ weddings on the weekends and living at home to be with her father during the week.  I remember going to her parents house for a meeting and they had literally just pulled up to the house from a weekend away for a wedding.  Despite everything they were going through, they were both so amazingly graceful.  She was incredibly strong and later at the wedding, I would see that it was a trait that ran in the family.

So the time came and it was wedding day.  It was a rainy Sunday in March, and I came to the hotel room with Cindy Guessford and Jen Cleary, her second shooter.  It was calm, and I remember thinking that this day will go smoothly even if it kills me.

Much of the day was up in the air.  Her father did make it to the wedding, but he rested in a private room and came out when he was ready.  We knew this day was very important to him, so we wanted to do all the special moments when he was able to watch. 

The ceremony was a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony.  Nathan’s sister is a rabbi and she officiated the ceremony alongside Jackie’s rabbi that was present at her bat mitzah years before.  I love Jewish wedding ceremonies and one of my favorite details is the walking down the aisle with both parents.

It really is a wonderful way to pay respects to both your parents in raising you, by having them escort you down the aisle together.

The highlight of the night was when her father stood up from his wheelchair to dance with his daughter on her wedding day. 

It was such a touching moment and there wasn’t a dry eye in the touch.  This wedding was a very joyous day but it was also a day rooted with deep emotions.  To see all their friends and family come to be a part of this wedding in such short notice was a testament to the relationships Jackie, Nathan, and their families keep in their lives.