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Lauren and Brad at The Boathouse at Mercer Lake

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Lauren and Brad at The Boathouse at Mercer Lake

How did you meet?
In college at Indiana University of PA through mutual friends at a bar called The Coney

How did you get engaged?
Brad took me back to IUP where we had our first date. It was called the Pizza House. After dinner we walked and looked at his old apartment then headed to the car. He stopped me in the middle of the sidewalk, proposed and said this is the spot where we agreed to give our relationship a chance. And of course I said YES!

Details of the day!
The colors were focused around my blush wedding dress. We used navy and blue to match the venue and then splashes of blush to bring out my dress. Plus Brad really liked those colors so it worked out perfect for us.
Lauren-Brad-Boathouse-Mercer-Lake

For favors, we did coffee and tea bags to go with the Pittsburgh Cookie Table ( Pittsburgh tradition to bake homemade cookies for family events) We made to go bags so people could take the cookies home as well. They were made by Brad’s family in Pittsburgh.
Lauren-Brad-Boathouse-Mercer-Lake

My flowers were white roses with splashes of dusty miller flowers in the arrangement. I wanted to contrast my blush dress and tie in the feeling of white since my dress wasn’t all white. I didn’t want much greenery as I felt it didn’t go with the overall feel.

Why did you choose your venue?
We really liked the more “nautical/beach type” setting. Brad and I are both beach and summer people so we loved the idea that the venue was along the water. We loved the wrap around porch for the cocktail hour and high wood ceilings in the reception space. Plus Brad loves the fall and wanted some of the park atmosphere with the leaves changing in our photos.

What was on your menu
We decided to do stations. We had a pasta station, turkey and beef station and salad bar. In addition we had a sushi bar which everyone LOVED and craved about. Brad and I don’t like or eat sushi but knew to keep it in the package! For cocktail hour we kept passed apprizers and a cheese display.
Lauren-Brad-Boathouse-Mercer-Lake

We did a simple cake. Vanilla and chocolate 3 tier cake. Again we incorporated the colors of blue, white, grey and blush. To be honest, we were cut close with time picking out the cake that we didn’t sample it or even know what is was going to look like. We trusted the vendor and was happily surprised on the look and flavor!

All about your gown!
My gown was from the designer Water Waters (W2) from Sposabella’s in Trevose PA. My gown was strapless with white lace at the top, a nude sash across the waist and a blush/rose gold bottom. I tried the dress on 3 times before I knew it was the one. Although it wasn’t a traditional dress ( which is what was trying on at the time) it made me feel beautiful. It fit my personality. I loved the way it looked against my skin tone and how amazingly comfortable it was! It had a simplicity, classic look to it which made me love it even more

What was your favorite moment?
Wow! There are so many! Our first look was really special. We captured some great photography during that. The entrance when they introduce us for the first time was a blast. We both love the Red Hot Chili Peppers and wanted to make a fun entrance before leading into our first dance!

Did anything go wrong?
Yes! I did the name cards and table numbers all wrong. I wrote the guests names with table numbers on the name card based on the rsvp card not realizing until my rehearsal dinner that I should of based it on the seating arrangement I created ( I ended up splitting up some family) My coordinator at The Boathouse sat with me to fix it and we just kept laughing! No stress needed. Luckily we had food stations so it didn’t cause much conflict
I also messed up the timeline with the shuttle service back to the hotel at the end of the night. A handful of us had to wait an extra 30 minutes for the shuttle to arrive.
I forgot to order flowers for the flower girl so luckily my florist dropped some off to the hotel asap

First dance song?
Future Days by Pearl Jam

Any advice for future brides?
Everyone always says this but just enjoy each moment because it really flies by. Don’t sweat the small stuff. For me, I laughed with my coordinator at the fact that my place card setting was all wrong. The best advice I was given, and Brad and I did this, is to take time aside from everything and spend that moment in the bridal suite together, or out in the park together and really cherish and embrace the fact that you are married. It is really special