We recently met with an engaged couple who were guests at a stunning wedding we designed last summer in Center City Philadelphia. Lucky for us, the couple went on and on about the event they attended, remembering details and moments of the day that simply “stuck with them” enough that they just had to give us a call when their own engagement became official.  EXACTLY what makes us do what we do!  As we listened to them recount their experience, we realized, we never posted photographs of the wedding on our blog!  “You really should! It was so beautiful!” the bride-to-be said emphatically.  So, here goes.  A little look back on Mary and Joe’s gorgeous wedding celebration at the Catholic Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia.  [Photos by Ron Solimon]

The traditional, full nuptial Catholic wedding mass would take place in the later morning.  Which meant, an EARLY rise for the bridal party who would all need hair and makeup services prior to the wedding ceremony.  Thankfully, having chosen the Four Seasons Hotel as their wedding reception venue, they would only need to walk across the street to get to the church on time!  The bride wore an elegant strapless Badgley Mischka wedding gown, a gossamer cathedral length veil and Chanel open-toed stilettos.  Keeping the overall silhouette monochromatic, we designed her bridal bouquet using classic blooms such as delicate white Akito Roses, Lily of the Valley and Stephanotis.

As the wedding guests entered the church, they were handed a vintage gold fan-shaped ceremony program that featured an illustration of the church.  In such a glorious space, with its high ceilings and marble floors, the mood created by the strings, choir, candles and floral fragrance was magnificent!

After the ceremony, the bride and groom had plenty of time to tour the City of Brotherly Love with their photographer.  Using one historic property after another from one side of Philadelphia to the other, Ron Solimon managed to capture some of the most dramatic wedding photographs we’ve ever seen!

The wedding reception was held at the Four Seasons Hotel starting with cocktails in the Courtyard, then moving to dinner and dancing in the Ballroom and ending with After-Hours in a tent on the Ballroom Terrace.  In every space, we provided elegant decor and flowers that echoed the bride and groom’s color theme:  Crisp summer white with pops of hot pink and magenta.  The cocktail reception had traditional linen-covered high and low tables as well as upholstered white highbacked armchairs with hot pink dupioni pillows, vintage mirror tables and statuesque glass vases filled with monochromatic displays of summer flowers.  The weather was incredible and guests got to enjoy an extended cocktail party filled with passed hors d’oeuvres, multiple cocktail bars and savory food stations.

When the cocktail reception is able to take place outside in the hotel Courtyard and on the overlooking terraces, we are able to use the Ballroom Foyer as a dramatic location for the placecard table.  In this case, we designed a 16-foot rectangular table covered with layers of butter-colored silk holding tall vases filled with delphinium flowers, lilies and mini calla lilies; as well as vintage cut glass pillar stands with white pillar candles.  Hand-calligraphed place cards were carefully placed on both sides of the table for easy access.  Later in the evening the place card table was re-set with the couple’s delicious wedding favors!

Inside the Ballroom we covered square dinner tables with butter dupionique linens to the floor which were overlaid with ivory floral applique organze linens.  A variety of elegant centerpieces were used across the room, some high and some low, but all using the same flowers to provide a cohesive look and scheme.  Classic glass urns held stems of white orchids, others held crystal and vintage gold candle stanchions surrounded by lush flowers.  Gorgeous white and ivory blossoms from local farms and around the globe were used and included peonies, hydrangea, lilies, miniature calla lilies, orchids, roses, stock and delphinium. Here and there we added pops of hot pink or magenta flowers as a dramatic accent.  The entire ballroom was bathed in layers of light, from the textured deep pink lighting on the walls and dancefloor, to the sharp pin-spots on the centerpieces and cake table.

The groom chose to change into an elegant white jacket for the party (which we loved!) and the stunning couple not only danced like a dream together on the dance floor, they got silly in the photobooth with the friends and playful with each other with the cake cutting!

Event Partners:  Four Seasons Hotel; EBE London; Ron Solimon, Truli Confectionary Arts; Uncommon Events; MJW Calligraphy; Lavon Films; Tiffany & Co; Boyds; The Wedding Shoppe.