A Bride’s Day

By: Features, Lehigh Valley Style January 2015, Inspiration, Wedding Inspiration, Lehigh Valley Style

Before any bride walks down the aisle, she'll make hundreds of decisions: which shoes, what to serve, inside or outside? But today is the day, as months and months of flurried activity come together to create a day the bride and her beloved will remember forever.

Hair & makeup provided by J. Morgan Salon and Home, Easton. Team: Jayson Morgan, co-owner and lead stylist; Susan Romano, hair stylist and Ashley Newhard, makeup artist | Bride and groom models were courtesy of Image International, Allentown

Getting Ready

Whether to steady a hand or find a hair out of place, the choice of a reliable bridesmaid is essential.

Furniture Rentals: Allium Design (Adorned Grey Table). Fox & Finch (Vintage Chair). Flowers: Allium Design (Arrangement in vintage brass pitcher with local dahlias and grasses, seeded eucalyptus, ranunculus, acacia, agonis and spray roses) (Floral crown with ranunculus, heather and spray roses). Details: Mirrored tray (Fox & Finch). Attire: Bride's robe, Linea Donatella, ($42) Bridesmaid's robe by Jezebel, ($48) both available at area Bon-Ton. Tea rose flower girl dress by Bill Pesce for Sweet Beginnings of organza with ruched bodice accented with side florets and wide shirred straps, available at Bridals by Sandra. Shoes: Jessica Simpson Slater Taupe Rocker in Snake Skin Print, ($98) available at area Bon-Ton.

The Details

Sometimes it makes sense to hire a specialty provider like a calligrapher to make details such as invitations and place cards pop!

Floral Design: Sharon Hamilton for Allium Design. Florals: amaranth, dahlias, cockscomb, sedum, grasses, plus roses, spray roses, seeded eucalyptus, huckleberry, stock, lemon leaf, agonis. Calligraphy/Invitation: Aqua Juel Design (aquajueldesign.com). Tabletop: Wood plates by Suite One Studio available at food52.com were gold-dipped by Allium Design. Flatware, tinted glassware and napkins from Allium Design's private collection. Cake: Apple pecan cake with cinnamon mascarpone filling, decorated in pleated plum and “chalkboard” fondant with gold accents provided by Cozze Cakes.

The “I-Dos”

While having an outdoor ceremony may be a gutsy call, Mother Nature cooperated for our blissful bride and groom and set the stage for the most memorable recitation of vows on a romantic, scenic hillside.

Location: Olde Homestead Golf Course. Officiant: Alisa Tongg, tonggweiler@gmail.com. Attire: The bride is wearing a Sottero and Midgley blush pink over champagne lace bridal gown. This silk satin slip-style dress features an English net overlay and is embellished with embroidered blush lace and Swarovski crystals, available at Bridals by Sandra, ($2,899). The groom wears a grey stripe 'Madison' Perry Ellis Evening suit available at C.E. Roth. Arbor: Fox & Finch Antique Architectural White Arbor dressed with locally grown amaranth, dahlias, plus grapevine, seeded eucalyptus, agonis, pepperberry, ranunculus. Bouquet: Locally grown dahlias, sedum, amaranth, cockscomb plus seeded eucalyptus, acacia, agonis, protea, pepperberry, ranunculus, scabiosa, garden roses, spray roses. All florals by Allium Design.

The Cocktail Hour

Some of your closet friends and cherished family members will be there as you start your life together and make those first toasts. Our couple chose to make the setting all their own for the cocktail hour.

Caterer: 14 Acre Farm (appetizer plate of Delicata Empanada with Sweet Chili Sauce, Seared Yellowfin Tuna on Wonton Chip with Pickled Asian Greens, Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Crème Fraîche on Potato Crisp, and Pulled Pork Sliders with Braised Purple Cabbage was accompanied by a Bourbon-based Boulevardier cocktail provided by the Hamilton Kitchen. Click here for Boulevardier Cocktail recipe details) Bar/Furniture: Fox & Finch (Industrial metal shelving, barrister bookcase, suitcases).

Reception

Your first formal dinner as Mr. & Mrs. deserves a tabletop designed for form and function. A simple substitution for place cards begins with a thrift store tabletop painted with chalkboard paint and then adding a touch of calligraphy to assign seating. A lush, gorgeous table runner of flowers is dramatic, yet practical since you can easily converse with guests over it—and what a conversation starter!

Floral Design: Sharon Hamilton for Allium Design. Florals: amaranth, dahlias, cockscomb, sedum, grasses. Additional florals: roses, spray roses, seeded eucalyptus, huckleberry, stock, lemon leaf, agonis. Chalkboard Calligraphy: Aqua Juel Design (aquajueldesign.com). Tabletop: Wood plates by Suite One Studio available at food52.com were gold-dipped by Allium Design. Flatware, tinted glassware and napkins from Allium Design's private collection. Clear glassware graciously loaned by The Hamilton Kitchen. Furniture Rentals: Fox & Finch (Blackboard table, matching chairs). Allium Design (Vintage chalkboard frame).

Fond Farewell

Our couple chose to say goodbye in style with a vintage automobile and some special touches to let everyone know that these two are “Just Married!”

Attire: Bride's going away dress from CB Couture in raw silk taffeta featuring a portrait V-neckline and pleated bodice. Baby doll styling with Swarovski crystals and seed pearls on trim, cummerbund waist, available at Bridals by Sandra ($500). Shoes: by MICHAEL Michael Kors, Guiliana Patent-Leather Ankle-Strap Claret Pump, available at Bon-Ton ($140). Auto: Private collector. Floral Roping: Local dahlias and amaranth, plus spray roses, seeded eucalyptus and roses. Vintage Luggage: Fox & Finch. “Just Married” Calligraphy Signage: (above) Calligraphy by Aqua Juel Design (aquajueldesign.com). Chalkboard sign provided by Allium Design

Details & Resources

Officiant: Alisa Tongg | 570.369.3955 | alisatonggcelebrant.com
Florals: Allium Design | 978.884.7712 | alliumfloraldesign.com
Calligrapher: Aqua Juel Design | aquajueldesign.com
Bridals by Sandra | 610.759.5156 | bridalsbysandra.com
C.E. Roth Formal Wear | 610.432.9452 | ceroth.com
Cozze Cakes | 610.746.9175 | cozzecakes.com
Caterer: 14 Acre Farm | 484.661.1458 | 14acrefarm.com
Fox & Finch Vintage Rentals | 610.554.1207 | thefoxandthefinch.com
The Hamilton Kitchen & Bar | 610.433.3535 | thehamiltonkitchen.com
Image International Modeling & Acting Center | 610.391.9133 | imageintl.com
J. Morgan Salon and Home | 610.258.3480 | jmorgansalon.com
Olde Homestead Golf Club | 610.298.4653 | oldehomesteadgolfclub.com

A Little About Olde Homestead

Considering having your wedding dreams come true at Olde Homestead Golf Club in New Tripoli after seeing these gorgeous photographs? With years of experience, the staff aims to provide a personal, one-of-a-kind experience for brides. Located throughout a large, spacious golf course are three different venues to choose from such as the Carriage House, the Historic Barn and the Cathedral Windowed Tent with flooring. Different tents can fit as many as 350 guests, so no worries about limiting your guest count. Onsite ceremonies are also available at the skyline terrace set high atop the Valley under a beautifully landscaped pergola. Family-owned for almost 20 years and located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, incredible views are an added bonus. A list of preferred vendors and accommodations are provided for brides to choose from. Conveniently located, the facility is easily reachable and simple to find for guests coming from Philadelphia or New York.