Some bride and groom’s find the label “classic” off-putting in relation to their wedding, as they believe it implies severity or an old-fashioned styling that doesn’t reflect a modern lifestyle. Of course, none of that is true! Erica and Jeremy’s wedding at the Four Season’s Hotel in Philadelphia was  a classic, elegant event that celebrated Jewish traditions but also had a refined but appealing sense of individuality.

[Photos courtesy of Cliff Mautner]

The gorgeous bride wore a creamy silk gown and carried a stunning hand-tied bouquet of gardenias, roses, spray roses and French stock.  With the exception of her maid of honor who wore a deep claret gown, Erica chose to dress her bridesmaids in strapless black duchess satin gowns.  Each lovely lady carried a mixed bouquet of Classic Red, Bacara, Black Magic and Hocus Pocus Roses, Ruby Amaryllis, Raspberry Cymbidium Orchids, red Coxcomb and burgundy fall leaves.  The stems were wrapped in black satin to blend into the bridesmaids’ gowns to keep their silhouettes elegantly uniform.  The Grand Ballroom at the Four Seasons Hotel was first set as the dramatic ceremony setting complete with a suspended round Chuppah.  Layers of white Hydrangea, ivory and champagne Roses, white Dendrobium Orchids, red Roses and greenery covered the entire Chuppah frame all the way around so that guests seated “in the round” could admire it from all angles. The entire room was draped in a champagne fabric and soft amber lighting added a candlelit romance to the space.  After the traditional Jewish wedding ceremony ended with the groom stepping on the glass, guests sampled a wide range of hors d’oeuvres and beverages in a draped tent on the Ballroom Terrace and in the Ballroom Foyer.  An elaborate red floral tree made using hundreds or red Roses, Spray Roses, Amaryllis and Hydrangea blossoms served as the place card table.

As guests enjoyed cocktails, champagne and delicious hors d’oeuvres, the Grand Ballroom was redesigned into the dinner dance setting!  Round dinner tables were dressed with antique ivory ribbon table cloths, crystal and silver vessels filled with ivory, white and champagne flowers with pops of deep red.  Tightly composed formal table arrangements were designed using a blend of ivory, white and champagne roses, dark red dahlias, white stock, red berries and varieties of red roses in every hue.  Dark mahogany elements were placed in the room, including an antique mahogany cake table and Chivari dinner chairs. Tall vintage and polished silver taper candles mixed with cut crystal and faceted glass hurricanes on each tablescape.  Red cut glass votives added a soft glow from the surface of the tables and gave a little more red sparkle to the settings.   Just behind the bride and groom’s table sat the fondant draped three-tier wedding cake.

After dinner, guests were invited to grab a quick nibble or fill a monogrammed box of delicious confections!  We re-set the place card table with multiple silver pedestals, trays and compotes filled with tasty treats such as:  milk chocolate-covered figs, dark cherry cordials, hazelnut macarons, mini-chocolate cupcakes, monogrammed sugar cookies, swedish fish and licorice.   As the dinner dance in the ballroom came to close the bride and groom invited their guests to join them for an After Hours Party where bar snacks, a martini bar and DJ could be enjoyed.

We thank our additional event partners: The Papery of Philadelphia (wedding paper suite), EventQuip (cocktail tent), LA Stars (orchestra), Blossom Productions (documentary film), DJ Howard (after hours entertainment), and King Limousine (transportation).