Joe and I both attended Bloomsburg University. We had many mutual friends in common but had never met. His fraternity and my sorority planned a weekend together in Atlantic City. We met at the bar and spent the rest of the night talking to each other.
Joe and I planned a two week European vacation (Paris, Monte Carlo, Switzerland and Barcelona). Our first stop was Paris. We spent the first day exploring the city and our first night sipping champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower. The next day we got dressed up to have professional photos taken. While we were posing, the photographer instructed me to look to my left. At the same time, Joe’s father, who was hiding, walked up to Joe with the ring box. I turned around as he was walking away. I was so shocked that I barely recognized his father. Joe then got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. Of course I said “yes!” As soon as I did, the rest of our parents also walked out from their hiding spots and came out to congratulate us. Joe had flown them out to Paris to surprise us! It was magical and unforgettable.
Our theme was traditional glam, we kept our colors scheme gold and blush pink. For our flowers, we used Sweet Eskimo roses and white hydrangeas as the centerpieces and mixed in tall floating candles and short votive candles with loose rose petals. My bouquet had all ivory roses in classic ball design wrapped in ivory ribbon and rosary beads. My bridesmaids had nude dresses, and carried nude, ivory and pink roses in a classic ball design wrapped in ivory satin ribbon. For boutonnieres, Joe and the groomsmen had nude roses wrapped in ivory ribbon. Â Out sweetheart table was a gold arch set with fresh flowers across the top of it and white fabric draping behind it. For favors, we gave out mini gold Verdi bottles with black satin bows and thank you sticks.
The venue fit our theme perfectly. It is modern, elegant and glamorous. There are chandeliers everywhere and it feels very regal and extravagant!
The silhouette of my ball gown has a full hoop princess skirt and cinched at the waist. Swarovski crystals trim the neckline and continue down the middle of the gown. I customized my gown by elongating the train and adding Swarovski crystals around the whole hem of my gown. I also customized my veil. I knew the dress was “the one” as soon as I tried it on. I’ve always wanted a princess gown and love bling. It was the perfect gown for me!
One of my favorite moments of the wedding, was when the DJ unexpectedly called Joe and I out to the dance floor. He told us to take a look around the room which was filled with all of our friends and family. He asked that we take a moment to look around and take it all in. This was an unplanned moment that I found so special.
The florals and floor wrap-they transformed the whole room!
First dance song?
“Perfect Symphony” by Ed Sheeran and Andrea Bocelli. We had a live harpist who performed the music while we “danced on the clouds”.
Any advice for future brides?
It is so important to keep all of your information and contacts organized from the beginning. Also, always keep in mind that if something were to go wrong, no one else will notice because they did not plan the wedding!