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Chelsea + Zachary
December 18, 2021
The Proposal
Chelsea Harlan and Zachary Merkle met senior year of high school when Chelsea slid into Zach’s Twitter DMs. Chelsea is from Texas, so Zach made the proposal special by popping the question while they were visiting for Thanksgiving so her entire family could be involved.
The Big Day
They held their wedding on a chilly, rainy day, warming family and friends with the glow of candlelight, Christmas trees and trays of holiday cookies. Having lost her father, Chelsea was walked down the aisle by Zach’s father and stepfather, and the couple recreated his grandparents’ wedding photo to display at home beside the original. Their 30-person head table included all their closest people, and a cute vintage telephone recorded personal messages as an audible guest book. As the couple glided into their first dance, the scene was captured by a live painter, creating yet another heirloom treasure from an unforgettable event full of sentiment and style.
The Details
Venue, Catering and Cake: Saucon Valley Country Club, Bethlehem
Dresses/Tuxes: Wedding gown: BHLDN; Groom’s Tux: Indochino; Groomsmen tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse, Whitehall
Hair & Makeup: Makeup by Roxy, Catasauqua
Rings: Lehigh Valley Jewelry Exchange, Allentown/Bethlehem; Etsy
Officiant/Celebrant: Pastor Kris, Union UCC, Neffs
Flowers: Ross Plants & Flowers, Orefield
Music/DJ: Wesley Works Entertainment, Emmaus
Videographer: Enchanted Celebrations, West Creek, NJ
Published as "Just Married" in the January 2023 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
