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Kathi + Brandon
June 17, 2023
The Proposal
Brandon Bartholomew ran into Kathi Mello in 2020, someone he’d known since 7th grade, and noticed she no longer wore a wedding ring. The two proud Penn Staters went on to get engaged at the foot of the Nittany Lion Shrine before a tailgate—he’d asked each member of their soon-to-be-blended family for permission to marry!
The Big Day
A second wedding for both, they celebrated “Life 2.0” with endless homages to their alma mater, from Penn Staters running the mobile bar and the music to a grand entrance from the Nittany Lion to rouse the party into a round of fight songs. The couple even replaced a wedding cake with Penn State's renowned Grilled Stickies and ice cream. Live streaming allowed the groom’s parents to join this joyous occasion all the way from Florida as the couple was wed in a heptagon representing their newfound family of seven.
The Details
Venue: Rodale Institute, Kutztown
Catering: Mike Geary of Old School Sandwich Company, Allentown
Cake: PSU Ye Olde College Diner Grilled Stickies with Penn State Berkey Creamery Ice Cream
Dresses/Tuxes: Monique Lhuillier and Jos. A. Bank
Hair & Makeup: Hair – Alicia Rindock, Apotheca Salon & Boutique, Bethlehem; Makeup – Roxy Jackson Makeup Artistry, West Reading
Rings: Parkway Jewelers, Whitehall
Officiant/Celebrant: Pastor James Gottwald, St. John's UCC, Laurys Station
Flowers: Styer’s Peonies, Chadds Ford; wildflowers from Rodale Institute, Kutztown
Music/DJ: David Duong
Videographer: Live stream by John Schlegal
Transportation: Rodale Institute golf cart
