Feb 10, 2015

One Blue Hydrangea // Meghan + Brad

The holiday season is such a wonderful and extra special time to get married… and that’s just what our delightful clients, Meghan and Brad did! They chose to hold their wedding shortly before Christmas, a time when the weather is cold but hearts are warm and spirits are high. The joy and excitement of the season is in the air! Meghan and Brad’s wedding was such a spectacular event that truly overflowed with the love of family and friends, and really warmed our hearts!

They chose a black and white color scheme with touches of green for their wedding. Meghan’s bridesmaids wore matching black gowns and the groomsmen sported subtle green and white plaid bow ties. We loved the matching plaid shawls the bridal party wrapped in to keep warm in the December air during their outdoor photo and video sessions.

Meghan looked absolutely phenomenal in her wedding gown! Her Hayley Paige dress had a sparkling beaded bateau neckline and a contrasting light and billowing full skirt. It featured a gorgeous open-back design with straps that formed a ‘V’. “Something borrowed” included her sister’s wedding earrings while coveted Jimmy Choo shoes completed her glimmering ensemble!

The ceremony was held at the historic St. Augustine Catholic Church in Philadelphia. This is a stunningly beautiful church designed by the architect responsible for the Academy of Music and the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. It’s filled with amazing works of art and stained glass and features a vestibule clad in marble. It was here that Meghan began her symbolic walk with her father from the entrance to the altar to meet Brad. They recited their vows in an emotion-filled ceremony and the two even shared a spontaneous kiss in the middle!

Meghan and Brad shared a cozy horse-drawn carriage ride from the church as we were off to take video on the historic cobblestone streets of Old City Philadelphia! Alison Conklin took incredible photos of Meghan and Brad and the wedding party. Check out some of the photos on her blog!

Meghan and her bridal party held beautiful floral bouquets by Bryn Mawr Flower Shop in white and green. But Meghan’s bouquet was extra special: she had one blue hydrangea in it, a flower with very personal significance to both Meghan and Brad. On their first official date, Brad gave Meghan a blue hydrangea bloom, a flower found all over Nantucket where he spends his summers. And Meghan’s family’s shore house is devoid of landscaping save for one blue hydrangea bush planted by her grandparents, a perennial reminder that her grandparents are there in spirit, summer after summer.

The Down Town Club was the venue selected for this grand reception. Cescaphe decked out its luxurious space with winter décor as lush wreaths and bright ribbons celebrated the trappings of the holiday season. In keeping with the holiday theme, the tables were adorned with an old-world Saint Nicholas in gold and the wedding cake by Cescaphe, a perfect stack of lovingly wrapped white icing gifts topped with delicate baby’s breath.

Meghan and Brad’s first dance together was to Billy Joel’s “Piano Man”, a sentimental nod to Meghan’s father who would sing his version of this song (as “Piano Girl”) for her as she practiced this song on piano while growing up. We could clearly see that family played such a very important role in this lovely wedding.

An evening of very jubilant dancing followed! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed BVTLive!’s Back 2 Life, an eight-piece dance band playing jazz, swing, funk and R&B all evening! Then, towards the end of the celebration, the guests and guests of honor participated in a sparkler salute, a Cescaphe staple and a true favorite of everyone.

With Meghan and her dad recently running a half-marathon together, her father reminded us in his toast to Meghan and Brad that life is a marathon… He and Meghan’s mother “got to run the first half of the marathon with Meghan. Now, Brad gets to run the rest.” A beautiful sentiment, and oh so true.

Congratulations to Meghan and Brad! May this be just the beginning of a beautiful forever together.