Weddingbee bios

I am an elementary school teacher.  He is an accountant.   I enjoy reality TV, hiking, camping, cooking (not baking) and scrapbooking.  He enjoys reading, WWII history, movies, and video games.  We both love the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies!  He has a daughter from a previous relationship that I adore!  We enjoy spending time with our family.

 

I had recently moved back to the East Coast after spending 10 years on the West Coast.   After a few months being back home, my mom encouraged me to try eHarmony. I thought about it for a while and thought, what did I have to lose?  I joined and right away I was matched with some nice guys that I started to communicate with and then there HE was.  I was matched with a cute guy about one hour north of where I was living.  I read his profile and immediately sent my communication request.  Then I waited.  I almost closed him for no communication, but then he responded.  We started their guided communication process.  In one week we were emailing daily.  I was waiting for each one with giddy anticipation.  I felt like I was in high school all over again.  The first time we talked on the phone, we were on the phone for hours!  We decided to have our first date about three weeks after our first communication.  We enjoyed dinner and because we didn't want our date to end, we went into the city for a comedy show.  We ended the night with a hug and a kiss and he said, "We fit nicely together." I was hooked, stopped receiving matches and never looked back!

I was sure that I was going to know when I was getting engaged because we had picked out the ring together and I knew he had it in his possession.  He really wanted it to be a surprise.  I told him it would never happen.  He had the ring in Februrary, so I played the waiting game.  I felt sure that any time that he asked me to go out to a nice dinner it would be the moment.  Several weekends came and went and we just did our usual things.  He needed my parent's blessing before he could ask me to be his wirfe.  On Good Friday, when we were down visiting my parents, he asked my dad for my hand in marriage.  My dad told  him we had my parent's blessing to marry.  He asked my dad to keep it a secret and my dad told NO ONE including my mom!  Shortly after Easter on an ordinary Wednesday night it happened!

We got together one night during the week, every week during our dating relationship.  That night, we were going to grab a quick bite to eat and then pick up some end tables that I wanted. He took me out to dinner at the Inn of the Hawk in Lambertville, NJ. We decided to walk across the bridge into New Hope, Pa. About half the way across, I stopped to look out across the water. (I do this every time we cross the bridge.) We were looking out across the water and Mike pulls me back a little to lean against him. He has his one arm around me. He whispers in my ear, "I just wanted to know if you would marry me and be my wife." I turned my head to look at him and in his hands was my ring. Of course, I said yes and started tearing up. He put the ring on my finger and I haven't stopped smiling since. Needless, to say we didn't pick the end tables up that night!

It was the perfect place for us to get engaged as that is where we fell in love.  I have a framed watercolor of that bridge on my wall.

We opted not to get professional engagement pictures.  We saved money for a killer photographer who offers us an album and a framed picture from our wedding.  Here are some pictures taken my friend and bridesmaid J.

When I first started looking for dresses for the flowergirls I couldn't find anything I LOVED.  Sure, there are lots of cute dresses out there, but none that spoke to me.  Until I saw this... The only problem there was no more available.  Thanks to my sister and MOH we got them handmade by the designer!

Photograph by Leapfrog Photography

 

Our flowergirls in a photo by my MIL

I thought I would have a half up do for my wedding, but then I saw a picture of a braided wedding hairstyle.  I fell in love.  I had an updo on my wedding day. My hair was done by Jennifer at Rae and Co in Ardmore, Pa.  Jen is the best!

Images by Leapfrog Photography

It took a long time for me to find the perfect wedding shoes.  I wanted something comfortable that I could wear all night. I also wanted something fashionable (that can mean not comfortable).  I wanted them to be purple.  I wanted a little bling.  I wanted a peep toe or open toe shoe.  I thought I had found them.  I ordered a sling back open toed shoe from Nine West, only to be told a week later that they were sold out.   I was upset but not undeterrred.  I shopped and shopped when I got a tip from a worker at Payless. (I was looking at their dye-ables.)  She said try David's Bridal.  I went and there they were.  Marissa was their name, they were on clearance and could be dyed purple!  SOLD!  Here they are:

Photograph by Leapfrog Photography

My florist was Dianne from Way's Florist in Kennet Square.  She was the one florist that we met with the "got" my vision - earthy and romantic.

My bouquet was hand tied and consisted of deep purple and lavender lisianthus, purple anemones, lavender sweet peas, purple waxflower, purple freesia and purple ranunculus.

My bridesmaids carried hand tied bouquets of purple hydrangea, lavender doulbe lisianthus and purple sweet peas.

Images by Leapfrog Photography

I bought Mason jars and told my florist to create centerpieces that looked like she picked the flowers in her yard and put them in some water.  I loved them.  She was given carte blanche to use what ever flowers fit the theme and color scheme.  Strogus Flowers in Pottstown, Pa made the centerpieces.

All imagaes by Leapfrog Photography

We got our cake from Baker's of Buffington.  They make a great cake.  We chose buttercream frosting. Yum.  The cake topper was a present from my mom and dad and is by Willow Tree. 

Images by Leapfrog Photography

The only two things I knew I wanted from the beginning of our engagement were a barn and BBQ.  Luckily, I got both.  We feasted on BBQ ribs, fried chicken, cornmeal crusted catfish, roasted potatoes, macaroni and cheese with stewed tomatoes and corn on the cob.  Mike from Great Valley Catering/Meredith Manor did an amazing job.  Everything was delicious!  All of our guests raved about the food!

All images by Leapfrog Photography

My plate of BBQ goodness.

My guests were served family style.

And yes... I ate every bite!

I knew I wanted a barn for my reception site.  My mom stumbled upon Meredith Manor online.  We decided to visit and I fell in love.  I was standing by their fish pond and I saw myself and my husband there and that was the end of the search.  We couldn't have picked a better place.  Mimi and Mike did a great job to make our reception perfect.  I would highly recommend them to anyone!

Here is the barn and tent:

Here is the courtyard:

Here is the fish pond:

Here are the grounds:

 

The Ceremony:  Saints Philip and James Catholic Church - Exton, PA

The Reception: Meredith Manor - Pottstown, PA www.chestercountywedding.com

The Rehearsal Dinner:  The Ship Inn - Exton, PA www.shipinn.net

Invitations and Thank You Cards: Papeterie www.papeteriestore.com

Photographer: Geoffrey Horowitz - Leapfrog Photography, Media, PA www.leapfrogphoto.com

Cake: Bakers of Buffington - Downingtown, PA

Centerpieces: Strogus Flower Shop - Pottstown, PA

Personal Flowers: Way's Florist - Kennet Square, PA

DJ:  Musical Expressions - Gilbertsville, PA

Transportation: New Rhodes Transportation, Inc - Douglasville, PA

Hair: Rae and Company - Ardmore, PA

Makeup: Avante Salon - Exton, PA

Men's Pampering: Shaving Grace - Exton, PA

 

 

The Attire:

The Bride's Dress: The Wedding Touch, Inc. - Frazer, PA www.theweddingtouch.com

Shoes: David's Bridal - Conshohocken, PA

The Bridesmaids' Attire: David's Bridal (various locations)

The Maid of Honor's Attire: Nicole Bridal and Formal Shoppe - Jenkintown, PA www.nicolebridal.com

The Groom's Attire: Men's Warehouse - Exton, PA

The Groomsmens' Sport Coats: Men's Warehouse - Exton, PA

The Groom and Groomsmens' Ties:  Macy's

The Ring Bearers' Attire: The Children's Place - King of Prussia, PA

The Jewelry:

Bride's Engagement, Wedding Bands, Wedding Day Gifts: Jared - King of Prussia, PA