What I Would Do Differently {Laura}

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Childress Photography

When I found out the married Proud to Plan girls were each going to blog about what they would have done differently for their weddings, I honestly had no idea what I was going to write. My husband, Rob, and I never really had major complaints or regrets about our big day- a good problem to have, but not much material for a blog post.

We sat down over dinner one night and talked about every detail we could remember and anything we wished we could have changed. We debated little things, like our guest book and cake flavors, and big things, like whether or not we should have hired a videographer. We agreed that adding a Midnight Snack or Food Truck would have been fun, but it wasn't something we felt we absolutely needed and we definitely didn't have the budget for it at the time.

I wondered if we should have gotten all of our stationery from the same place so that it matched perfectly. Our invitations and menus both came from an Etsy shop, but everything else, from signage to programs, was a mix of DIY and contributions from family and friends. When I started looking back through pictures, I realized that I didn't care that each piece wasn't identical. I loved that they were all made by different people and had their own story.

I remembered that shortly after our wedding I was a little disappointed that I didn't do anything with my bouquet. I had seen a cool piece of art that incorporated preserved wedding flowers and wished I had at least considered that possibility before leaving mine on the kitchen counter when we headed for our honeymoon. That disappointment didn't last though. I must have mentioned it to Rob at the time, because it inspired a perfect anniversary gift for me. Every year, he has our wedding florist recreate my bouquet. It has become one of my favorite traditions and it probably wouldn't have happened if I had preserved the original.

In general, that's how I feel about most of our wedding-related decisions. Maybe we could have added this or changed that, but every choice we made led us to a day that was pretty special, so why nitpick? And who knows if those changes really would have been for the better?

In the end, Rob decided he wouldn't have done anything differently. I settled on two simple things that wouldn't have changed the look or feel of our wedding, but would have had a positive impact on our experience without costing a cent.

I would have taken off the entire wedding week instead of just two days before. From the start of our rehearsal on Friday to the end of our reception on Saturday, I was calm and happy. The week leading up to the wedding was a different story. We still had a lot of last minute things to handle and between that and work, the stress and frustration levels in our house were way higher than they needed to be. If I had just taken a longer vacation, I could have enjoyed that time a little more and I probably wouldn't have been alphabetizing place cards at four o'clock on Friday afternoon.

I also would have added a few more group shots to our "Must Take" list. Rob and I wanted to enjoy our cocktail hour and didn't want to spend the whole night posing, so we took a limited numbers of photos with our immediate family before the ceremony. While I don't regret that decision since we really got to enjoy our reception to the fullest, there are a handful of extra shots I should have asked for. A few special people didn't turn up in any of our professional photographs, and as time goes by, I wish I had made a point to have a quick picture taken with them.

It's easy to get stuck in an endless cycle of "what if's", especially since I've attended and helped coordinate some really beautiful weddings with amazing details. But I always try to remind myself that everyone's wedding is different and that's how it should be. I'm just glad that three and a half years later it's a lot harder to remember what we got wrong than what we got right.

-Laura

What I Would Do Differently {Jen}

Let me start off this post by saying that my wedding was one of the happiest days of my life. The day was incredible and I was just so happy to be marrying my husband. However, after almost 2 years of marriage, and working numerous weddings, there are a few things I would have possibly done differently. 

Hire Proud to Plan

Our wedding is perfect example of how you can't plan for everything. The day of our wedding was a crazy snowstorm...in October! I never could have imagined as we were planning our beautiful fall wedding that it would snow! It would have been extremely helpful to have the Proud to Plan coordinators onsite to assist with dealing with all this craziness...vendors that were late due to the weather, cars that wouldn't start, etc. Since we did not have a wedding planner, this fell to me, my mom, and my sister to handle. It would have been much less stressful to have this extra support. 

Photo List

There are a few family pictures that we did not get the day of my wedding. Granted, our photo process was a little crazy due to the weather and limited timing to take photos indoors at the church and reception. It is so important to have the conversation with your photographer about what pictures are important to you. I didn't even realize until after our wedding that I didn't get a picture with my parents and sister, or with my sister and 4 cousins (the 6 of us have grown up like sisters). Looking back, I definitely would have been more detailed with my "Must Take Photo" list. 

Add a Candy Buffet

This is such a minor detail, but in working so many weddings, people love candy buffets! I have seen so many creative displays and I think it is such a fun gift for your guests!

Looking back, I have the best memories from my wedding day. The important thing is to remember what is important and not stress over anything that didn't go perfectly!

-Jen

What I Would Do Differently {Nicole}

I absolutely loved my wedding day. It's one of my favorite days and I have such great memories that I wouldn't want to change a thing. However, if money was no object, I think I would add a few things to make the day even better. 

Bridesmaids "Getting Ready" Outfits

I loved getting ready with my bridesmaids the morning of my wedding. I would have loved to have gotten ready with them in cute matching robes or comfy sweatpants like these: 

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Signage

We didn't do a whole lot of signage for the wedding. I would have loved to create fun ceremony signs, menus, or chair signs like these at our ceremony and reception. 

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Place Cards

We had simple place cards for our guests. I think these would have been fun alternatives. 

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Cake

We had the most delicious cake at our wedding. I would not want to change that! However, the design was simple and elegant. If I wanted to spice things up, I think these would have been some fun cake designs to have at the wedding. 

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My wedding was a great day and the perfect way to kick off married life with my husband!

-Nicole

What I Would Do Differently {Annemarie}

When my husband and I think back to our wedding day, November 26th, 2011, we remember our heartfelt ceremony, very tasty food, excellent music (the dance floor was packed the entire time), and beautiful weather. Overall, the entire day was executed exactly how we imagined it and our guests still talk about how much fun they had the entire night. We look at our pictures all the time and have a 24x36 canvas hanging in our living room with us standing on the jetty on the beach. I still can't get over how beautiful our pictures are and how perfect the day was captured.

When it comes to changing something about the day, I can honestly say I wouldn't change a single thing. I loved my dress, my jewelry, hair and makeup, the guys tuxes' and sneakers, the location, and every single vendor- when you hire the best, you get the best. However, I would add a vendor if I did it all over again- a videographer. I think being able to see a video of the entire day (even if only watched a handful of times) would bring our pictures to life. 

For example, my little sister (14 years old at the time) was my maid of honor and gave the funniest, most animated speech I have ever seen! She made everyone laugh a LOT, cry a little, and then laugh some more. Some days I wish I could listen to her speech word for word because it was that good. During the planning stages, we decided we had to decide where to spend our money and what was most important to us. At the time, we thought there was no need to spend money on a videographer because we didn't think we would watch the video more than once. Now, almost two years later, I know we probably only would have watched a video a couple of times, but I still think it would be nice to have. 

In the end, nothing will ever take away from our incredible day. Still to this day, I cannot find the words to adequately thank the vendors who were with us on our wedding day. Every single one of them helped to create our perfect day. There are just some days when I wish there was a videographer to add to that thank you list...

-Annemarie

What I Would Do Differently {Lisa}

My husband and I just celebrated our five year anniversary just a few short weeks ago and while thinking back on that day, there aren't too many things I would change. Our venue was perfect, we loved our photographers, and all of our family and friends had a fantastic time- making it the perfect day in my eyes! But, after attending so many weddings in the past 5 years and working even more weddings than I've ever attended, I have made put a few small things on a list in my head that I think I would have changed. 

The first would be lighting. I really pushed for this but we couldn't find a way to fit it in our budget so it was something we just couldn't do. I'm a sucker for candle light and incorporated it all over our reception and I think having uplighting and a dance floor wash, would have added so much more warmth to the room. You can see in the picture below that you couldn't really see anything in particular in the reception space. I think if we had some uplighting, pinspotting, or a wash on the dance floor, the room would have had a glow to it and it would have stood out more in pictures. 

The other small detail that my husband and I both agree that we wish we did, was a photo booth. Silly I know but I wanted one *oh-so-badly* and my husband couldn't justify the cost...at the time. Because if you see him at a wedding now, and there is a photo booth or station set up somewhere, he is one of the first to jump in line (I'll spare you the pictures but I do have one of him by himself in a booth with just a glass of wine as a prop). He often mentions that he wishes I would have pushed more for one because it would've been a fun addition to have at our already awesome reception! 

Other than these two small things, I really can't think of anything else I would change. (Other than the weather but we all know there is controlling that and it wasn't really that bad). I married my best friend, we were surrounded by all of our family and friends, we have great memories from the day, and I didn't have to worry about a thing thanks to an awesome wedding coordinator named Erin ;) 

-Lisa

Corrie's Dream Wedding

My boyfriend Joey and I have been together for the last three years...while not engaged yet we have spent more time than probably socially acceptable discussing our possible wedding. Most guys may be afraid for a girlfriend to have the opportunity to draft their "Dream Wedding", but Joe (Joey as I like to call him) who is currently deployed serving overseas was excited and surprisingly offered a lot of opinions...

So I present you with Corrie and Joey's Dream Wedding!

Some background that will help this make sense: Joey and I met June 6th, 2010 in the JETRO Parking Lot tailgating prior to the Phillies game. We share a common friend and found our way to the same tailgate. We had a series of unconventional first, second, and third dates all of which were road trips to see Phillies away games. The Phillies would become the primary passion that we both share- and now the backdrop for our Dream March Wedding. 

Date: March 

The Phillies will be in Spring Training so we will be able to have a combination bachelor/bachelorette party in Clearwater where we have taken trips together since we first met. 

Ceremony Location: Citizens Bank Park

We will return back to the scene of the crime as Joey likes to refer to it and have a small ceremony (of just family, soldiers, and close friends). We will be married on the field by a family friend and the ceremony will be short- a request of Joe's. 

The Groomsmen

Soldiers like uniforms- but I can see them wanting to go casual for this type of affair. No doubt that they will have some character but for the most part Joe has requested for their attire to be entirely up to him. I oblige as I do not have to find myself being forced to wear the uniforms of the military throughout much of my life so when it comes to the opportunity for the guys to dress in their civilians- I let him have it. This has included a penchant for Joey to enjoy jean shorts...but I would have to draw the line here. 

The Maids

My gals will be able to choose a dress of their own as long; as they feel comfortable it's A-Okay with me. We will be doing blues, so any color blue that works for them, I am open to. 

The Dress

My dress is under lock and key from Joey but let's just say- it's awesome. 

Cocktail Hour

We will set-up a cocktail hour "Tailgate". Many guests will only be invited to the ceremony as we will only have close family/friends at Citizens Bank Park. The Cocktail Hour will begin as soon as we are scheduled to depart CBP so we will not miss much time with our guests. We will have tents with heated lamps outside in the parking lot where Joey and I first met. We will have tailgate games and catered food from our favorite local bar. 

Signature Drink

Budweiser Products. We will have a rented Budweiser Truck as you may find at key events in our life like Irish Weekend in Wildwood, NJ for guests to partake in. Guests will receive a "Corrie and Joe" inspired cup so that they can continue to refill their beverages throughout the evening. This cup will mimic that of a baseball game souvenir cup and have our "Mugs" on it as Joe likes to call it because he finds it to be humorous to have our "Mugs on a Mug"- I kind of agree with him. Let's hope it is pulled off tactfully and refined. 

Cocktail Entertainment

Our beloved Boxer, Fiona, will join us at our cocktail gate in her wedding attire (a Phillies jersey with the date of our wedding as the number). She will be available to pose with guests and sign autographs because both Joe and I believe she is this important and famous. 

From cocktail hour we will have our guests shuttled to the reception in tour buses that will be playing the video of our ceremony for those guests that were not able to attend. 

Reception

For years growing up and well into my early/mid 20's I found myself dreaming of a black tie affair- all things fancy and glitz and glamour. Now that I have found who I view will one day be the perfect groom and more so the most incredible husband- it's all out the window. We want our wedding reception to be "us". Low-key and fun!

Reception Location

Holiday Inn across from the stadiums. Yes, the one that's only about a 5 minute bus ride from the tailgate location. This is how short I believe Joe expects our wedding ceremony to be. If you would have asked me about four years ago if I could see myself getting hitched at the Holiday Inn, I'm not sure how I would have responded. But with many out of town guests, and because we have several memories from this fine establishment, yes, my dream wedding reception is the Holiday Inn-Stadium in Philadelphia, PA. 

Reception Theme

Baseball, Beers and a Ball and Chain. The baseball theme will permeate but hopefully not be tacky. Guests will have game tickets for their table assignments, centerpieces will be vases filled with baseballs, and table numbers will be replaced with key sections of Citizens Bank Park where Joe and my relationship has grown. He has Sunday tickets in 421 and I have Sunday tickets in 106- these will definitely be table assignments for his family and my family respectively. 

Food

Simple and easy, just like we like it. Guests will be able to choose from a lot of different options that are closely linked to meals that Joe and I like. We're not exactly sure but that's because it's not very important to us. 

Dancing

All night long. Have you ever seen Army guys cut a rug? You will the night of our dream wedding. 

Traditions

The only tradition that Joe and I hope to have at our dream wedding would be to create new ones. We are looking for the wedding to be a celebration of our past, present and future together and an opportunity for those that are most important to us across all different periods of our life to come together under one roof to share in an evening that we hope they will never forget.

After Party

The Holiday Inn will be where most if not all of our guests will be spending the night so we will have Joe's all time favorite activity of karaoke set-up for all to enjoy. Joe's idol is Pat Burrell. While this at times has been a source of contention in our relationship- it is likely that guests making it to the after party will be able to witness Joe's greatest impression of Mr. Burrell dancing shirtless on a bar/table or another structure. In addition to that the tailgating games will make a re-appearance and we hope that everyone is up to task to channel their inner Lionel Richie and let the party go "All Night Long". 

While this may not be the dream wedding that I had growing up and into my more formative years, after meeting my Joey three years + ago, I can certainly say that this is my fairytale wedding. During the long days of deployment, we are grateful to have had this opportunity to daydream a little bit of a day we are very much looking forward to after Joe returns safely home in 2014. 

-Corrie

Sharron's Dream Wedding

Being an event planner has it perks. The world of entertainment and events is constantly changing and we get to see the new styles and trends firsthand. Since the industry is forever changing, my idea of my perfect wedding is forever changing! Here is a look at my dream wedding...for now. 

Location: The Biltmore Estate- Asheville, NC

The Biltmore has been one of my favorite venues for a very long time. It represents many of the things I want to capture at my wedding: classic elegance, grand decor, and breathtaking features. If you've never been to the Biltmore, it is worth the trip to walk this amazing estate for yourself. Words don't do it justice. This property house 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, waterfalls, and views of the mountains. A glimpse into a Biltmore wedding can be seen here. 

Fun fact: You may have seen The Biltmore in Hannibal, Patch Adams, My Fellow Americans, Richie Rich, Mr. Destiny, Private Eyes, Being There, or The Swan, as these movies were filmed on their property.

Decor

What woman doesn't love that perfect Tiffany blue color? If there is one thing that is constant in my future wedding plans, it is that the decor will be that color. I love Tiffany blue with red, white, or a platinum/blingy accent. Large floral centerpieces will adorn each table; each centerpiece will be unique but will have to be tall and dramatic to match the venue. Each seat will be draped with white linen, accented with a Tiffany blue bow. I have always loved the idea of having cupcakes with a one-tier cake for cutting instead of a 3 or 4-tiered wedding cake. The display below is similar to the design I'd like to have for my Tiffany cupcakes. Lastly, guests will receive a mini bottle of champagne as a favor; the bottles would be clear with a custom blue label. 

Wedding Attire

I'm always toying with the idea of having two dresses. I know I'm too indecisive to decide on just one so I won't be able to pick between the slim-fitting mermaid and the beautiful ball gown. I saw this Tara Keely convertible dress while watching an episode of Say Yes to the Dress and fell in love. It would give me the best of both worlds but I'd want it customized to make the bottom dress longer as opposed to the mini lace pictured. My hair would be a loose up-do similar to the style Eva Longoria is wearing and finished with a long floor-length veil. OPI has a nail polish that matches the Tifffany blue almost perfectly; this nail style would be perfect for me. I love a little sparkle!

Special Touches

I'm always thinking of different ideas that would make my wedding unique for my guests. A signature drink is a must, everyone knows about my love for a great cocktail, but I'm definitely always thinking of different ideas to make that day memorable. One thought is to use a customized music CD for a Save the Date instead of a magnet or postcard. I would also like to offer some sort of snack related to my favorites or a Philly staple such as Rita's Water Ice truck, a donut or Philly pretzel truck, or even a truck serving Philly cheesesteaks. That last little something is important for me to have to thank my guests for participating in our day. 

Ultimately, my dream wedding is a day that will perfectly mesh my vision and my likes, with his. I want a ceremony and reception that people walk into with amazement that captures who I am, who he is, and who we are as a couple, in the details. 

-Sharron

*All images found via Google 

Melanie's Dream Wedding

Frankly, I was never one of those girls growing up fantasizing about who I would marry. I also never imagined what my wedding day would ultimately look like. I can't even remember a childhood play date that revolved around a pretend wedding. So I was behind from the start, but that's not to say that nowadays I can't appreciate the beauty and allure of all the details that go into a wedding. Unlike most, my dream wedding has only just begun to manifest itself over the past few years. 

Theme/Season

After attending the August wedding of a college friend in a Minnesota state park, I decided that an "Indian Summer" would set the perfect tone for a rustic wedding. Seeing as Mother Nature is fickle, I'd opt for early Fall, hoping that the weather would be warm with only a light chill in the air. Rich colors like dark purple, moss green, and raspberry red, would complement the season and my fair complexion. I'm not a country girl, but the idea of a rural backdrop for friends and family to take in throughout the day seems peaceful and inviting. 

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Venue

Growing up, my family and I attended outdoor craft fairs and frequented state parks for hiking trips. I guess it's fitting that a barn or covered bridge would be the first place to come to mind when setting the scene for my wedding. I don't consider myself very religious so I'd like for the ceremony and reception to take place in the same location. The dual setup also makes it incredibly easy for guests traveling from out of state. I've also never liked the downtime between ceremony and reception, so this would solve that problem too.

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An outdoor area would also provide ample room for guests to spread out and mingle for the ceremony and throughout the festivities that would follow. The barn would house the seats for dinner/dessert and the dance floor. A deck with lounging space would be ideal since some family and friends may not be interested in dancing. Guests could sit, wrap themselves in flannel blankets and relax under the stars into the wee hours of the night. 

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Decor

Sticking with the rural theme, the barn would be decorated with hanging lanterns or strings of lights stretching across the width of the room. Any exposed beams within the barn could also be wrapped with strings of lights to keep the room well lit. I wouldn't want much else cluttering the space. The natural look of the wood would give off a down to earth feel. 

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My parents always decorated our home with trinkets like old fashioned glass milk jugs, which I think would be perfect to hold bundles of wildflowers at each table and throughout the barn. Tea lights could also be placed in miniature jugs to give a more intimate feel at the tables when the natural fades as evening comes. Mason jars would serve as drinking glasses. Refinished wood tables would look amazing spread out throughout the barn. I've never really thought about seating arrangements, but I like having family and friends intermingled. It's a day of celebration, so what better time to mix people up a bit. 

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The final touch would be floating lanterns as a sendoff at the end of the evening. This is honestly something I've stumbled upon in the last couple of months, but I've fallen in love with the idea of having the night sky lit with these lanterns as a cap to the day. 

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Entertainment/Food

As much as I'd love a live band, I just don't think my dizzying music taste would be handled by anyone better than a DJ. Plus, some of the best pictures come from the dance floor, so I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to catch those I love losing all inhibitions as they cut loose to any song their heart desires. 

Coming from a large family, I can't think of anything better than buffet style food tables. This way guests can help themselves throughout the night. I myself can eat all day, so the thought of being able to pick and nibble over the course of a few hours sounds wonderful. Realistically it may be a bit of overkill, but seeing as this is my dream wedding I'm going with an unlimited supply of finger foods available. The buffet would continue through dessert. Mini pies, tarts, cheesecakes and other single-serving sweets would be spread out for guests to enjoy at their leisure. 

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Dress

Monique Lhuillier. Those two words just about sum it up. She's a genius and all of her gowns are absolutely jaw dropping. Anything concerning lace would make me ecstatic. The cut really depends on my mood, it's changed several times while planning out this post, but elegant and simple always wins out in my mind. 

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Weddings are ultimately supposed to celebrate the love and commitment of a couple. With that being said, I can only hope to have a day that is filled with laughter, joy, and memories that will last a lifetime. 

-Melanie

Stephanie's Dream Wedding

When Erin told us we would be doing a dream wedding post for the blog, I immediately got to work! I thought to myself, how perfect, as this is something I have been planning for as long as I can remember. My boyfriend and I have been together for three years. We met in college; he is the love of my life and best friend and I cannot wait to marry him. Although not engaged yet, I have already begun putting together those special touches and intricate details for my wedding day. 

The Theme

Simplistic Elegance. I have always thought myself to be a person of simplistic taste. I am not drawn to extravagant colors and over the top designs. I picture my wedding to be very traditional with soft colors and elegant lighting and decor. 

The Ceremony

I find one of the most romantic places to be Napa Valley. A vineyard displays such a rare, natural beauty that you do not find too often. I've traveled to Napa Valley once before and would love to return. There is something about a vineyard that is so relaxing and puts your mind completely at ease, something that is so important for a bride on her wedding day. My dream wedding ceremony would be outside in late September or early October; that perfect time when it's still warm, as Summer ends and the transition into Fall begins. To personalize my ceremony, I'd walk down the aisle to a classical rendition of "With or Without You" by 2Cellos. Ideally, I'd like a small, intimate ceremony followed by a reception of only my closest friends and family. 

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The Flowers

I'd have an infinite flower budget if it was up to me! Flower arrangements are so beautiful to me and in my eyes, they can brighten up/change the look of any room. I like the colors white and mint. For flowers, I like hydrangeas, white roses, and tulips so I'd like those incorporated into my flower arrangements. 

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The Dresses

My Wedding Dress

The dress is the most important piece of the wedding for me. I want a dress that expresses my personality and style and something I can feel comfortable in for the entire evening. A classic and simple, yet elegant dress--with blue shoes of course! Much like the gown pictured below; all over lace, form fitting, to the floor with a small train but nothing too over the top. 

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Bridesmaids Dress Color

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The Venue/Reception

For my reception, I would move it indoors or in a tent space. I'd want lots of natural lighting on the tabled sourced by candles (votives and floating candles) with a soft, neutral color scheme. 

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The Food

Coming from a Food and Beverage background, I critique the food I'm served everywhere I go, so I want my food to really wow my guests. If you're traveling to Napa for my nuptials, you deserve to be spoiled! I want a variety of hor d'oeurves, specialty cocktails, and champagne (lots of champagne!) passed at my Cocktail Reception. I want food stations also set up. When guests enter a room, I want a different food and drink to be available so everyone is constantly trying something new. For dinner, I want a traditional sit down meal with a first and second course. Being in Napa, I'd love to have sommeliers traveling around to each table pouring the perfect wine complement to each course. 

The Cake

No one loves cake more than myself and if one thing had to be the most extravagant piece of my wedding, it would be the cake and dessert table. I dream of a multiple tier chocolate chip wedding cake with buttercream icing and subtle decorative touches. 

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In addition to the cake, French macarons are my absolute favorite, and I want a slew of them, of all different colors and flavors at my dessert table!

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-Stephanie

Christie's Wedding

My dream wedding took place a short time ago on September 22nd, 2012 when I married the love of my life, Sean, on a gorgeous fall day in the Philadelphia suburbs. 

Our ceremony took place at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Doylestown, PA, where I walked down the hydrangea and lantern-lined aisle to the beautiful sounds of Shaw Strings, lead by Sean's cousin playing viola. 

Our wedding party wore deep turquoise with gold accessories. I also wanted to include a touch of my favorite color, so I donned turquoise peep toes, reflecting my bright and outgoing personality. Our bouquets were all ivory hydrangea and ranunculus, and each was wrapped in a different vintage silk scarf, all in coordinating ivory and gold tones. My bouquet also contained a very special gold leaf shaped brooch which was once a gift from my grandfather to my grandmother. 

Throughout our traditional Roman Catholic ceremony we wove in several personal touches, including a unity candle ceremony, and a ring warming ceremony in which our guests passed around our wedding bands tied to a leaf charm, blessing them as they went from person to person. Once we were pronounced husband and wife, we headed outside the church doors, where we released a dozen white doves to mark the beginning our of new life together. The doves were also foreshadowing of our rustic and nature-themed wedding reception, which featured various branch and love bird decor. 

Unexpectedly, we found an awesome rustic red barn right near the church for formal photo ops captured by Shari DeAngelo Photography. 

The bridal party and guests headed over to an outdoor cocktail hour at the Knowlton Mansion in Northeast Philadelphia. Everyone enjoyed delicious appetizers and drinks including seasonal soup shooters and a signature fall drink we named "Caramel Apple Kiss". The talented members of CTO Grand Central set the scene by playing background music during our cocktail hour, including an acoustic guitar on the patio and a pianist playing inside the mansion. Paper by Proud designed beautiful custom invitations and matching signage and menus, creatively displaying our nature theme.

Our guests raved about the lovely, historic grounds of Knowlton Mansion and everyone thought it was one of the most unique wedding locations they had ever experienced.

The rustic, natural, and romantic theme of the night carried through to the reception, which featured elaborate willow branch, river rock, and lantern centerpieces complemented by beautiful hydrangea flowers designed by Petals Lane. We chose to install draping which made the reception area seem very intimate and allowed us to showcase an entire wall covered in romantic ivory pillar candles. Amber uplighting and a branch design dance floor wash, provided by Synergetic Sound and Lighting, really added to the warm, intimate atmosphere. 

Everyone raved about the delicious food prepared by Conroy Catering, especially the desserts, which included an extensive ice cream sundae station and a beautiful bananas foster torte wedding cake showcasing a simple, rustic buttercream design. 

The incredible artists of CTO Grand Central kept the dance floor packed as we celebrated by dancing the night away. Sean and I had a few very intimate slow dances to some of our favorite songs, including our first dance to Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" and our last dance to Jason Mraz's version of "I Won't Give Up", in which all of our friends and family members gathered around us in one of my favorite moments of the evening. 

Another unique feature of Knowlton Mansion is its underground wine cellar, which is entered via an iron spiral staircase just off of the reception room. We lined the entire cellar with romantic pillar candles and invited guests to enjoy a wine tasting while being able to socialize in a quiet, intimate setting away from the dance floor. We also showed our love of wine by using split bottles of a Chardonnay from a local Bucks County vineyard as favors for the evening, which also functioned as seat assignments with rustic wood-burned tags. 

By far, the most special part of the day for me was being surrounded by all of our closest friends and family members, all there to celebrate the love that Sean and I have for each other. Another favorite moment was when Sean and I wrote love letters to each other and read them aloud privately, which was captured stunningly in our wedding video. Overall, our wedding was more beautiful and perfect than I ever could have wished for. The entire day ran so smoothly, in large part due to hiring Proud to Plan as my wedding coordinators. Erin and Lisa devoted so much attention to help us plan and prepare for our big day and contributed so many creative design ideas as well as suggestions regarding logistics. Sean and I were easily able to relax and thoroughly enjoy ourselves knowing that all the details of our wedding were in excellent hands and that our special day would turn out exactly how we had dreamed!

After our dream wedding, we celebrated with an amazing honeymoon at Zoetry in Los Cabos, Mexico. We really enjoyed the beautiful, private resort, which was all-inclusive with some of the most delicious food, frozen drinks, and the best spa in the region. Aside from relaxing on the gorgeous beaches, we also loved our time golfing, zip-lining, mountain biking, riding dune buggies, and all of the other adventurous activities Cabo has to offer!

-Christie

If you'd like to see our recap of Christie and Sean's wedding, you can go here.