My sister Lauren got married last October, and I just realized yesterday that I never even showed you guys any photos from her big day! So obviously I pushed my scheduled post for today so that I could share them. Her wedding was a beautiful 300 person black tie affair in Philadelphia and couldn’t have been more different than my more casual, intimate, ocean-side wedding in Newport six years ago.
I loved what she did because it was so much fun and so her. When she described the vibe she wanted to florists and lighting vendors, she used the phrase “spooky romantic” and I think they nailed it. There were Game of Thrones vibe candles and market lights everywhere along with simple greens mixed in to soft white florals.
Lauren and her now husband Mike have more friends than anyone I’ve ever met in my life. They have so many friends, in fact, they only had their siblings in their bridal party because they couldn’t pare it down to under 16 best friends each. They are both incredibly loyal and fun to be around, not to mention beautiful human beings, and everyone understandably wants to be in their orbit.
Their wedding reflected this with a thoughtful, sparkling ceremony at a cool, downtown, almost industrial venue, Front & Palmer, fuss-free Italian food including a cannoli cake with an art-deco inspired topper in place of a traditional wedding cake (genius), an incredible band that had us all dancing the night away, and late-night masquerade masks for the guests because it was Halloween weekend.
Everything was beautiful and perfect, especially my sister who looked like she was glowing from the inside out. Her hair, make up, and dress were elegant and old school glam. Literally she could be a bridal model IMO. She definitely had a few jitters in the morning (cured by Philly cheesesteaks) but the second she walked down that aisle, she looked happier than I’ve ever seen her. A smile never left her face all night.
But, like every wedding (yes, every wedding!) there were a few snafus. If you’re getting married and think it will go off without a hitch, think again! Something will go wrong, but if you can go with the flow and not let it get to you, you will still have an amazing night. Most of the time, no one else even notices.
The flower girl was in a sour mood. Amalia was the flower girl, but was overwhelmed by all of the people and being out of her element, plus I hadn’t started my anxiety medication yet so I was still feeling anxious and I know she picked up on that. She refused to let me do her hair or wear her entire dress so it basically looked like she was in a slip and tights, but I was so busy running around with MOH duties, that I didn’t push it. Sometimes it’s just not worth it!
Lauren’s dress. Speaking of dresses, my sister had another dress that we had bought a year in advance at BHLDN where my dress is also from. About a month before the wedding, she picked it up from the tailor and realized that it just wasn’t right. The craziest part of this story is that the exact same thing happened to me except that my tailor botched the dress and it was only two weeks before my big day! I got really lucky because Mark Ingram was having a sample sale and I scooped up a Monique Lhuillier for 60% off which is basically unheard of.
Lauren also got lucky and found a store in San Francisco that sold samples off the rack. TheRomona Keveza dress she ended up wearing was perfect for her and her body shape. It was simple, elegant, and timeless and I’m so glad she ended up in it!
The weather. It poured for most of the day and all night which would have really stressed me out on my wedding day, but Lauren loved it, thinking that it made the night extra spooky which is exactly what she wanted.
The time we got stuck in the limo. Family photos ended up taking way longer than we had anticipated for many reasons, but we were late getting to the venue by about 30 minutes. Because of that, guests were already starting to arrive and my sister and I sat in the limo in front of the door for 45 minutes waiting for a break in the stream of guests to go in. When 300 people are all arriving through one door at the same time, there aren’t many opportunities it turns out! Finally there was a break and two of her friends and I grabbed her dress, held an umbrella over her head, and ran her into the venue and up the stairs without anyone catching a glimpse.
But despite these little mishaps, we were able to enjoy the night and laugh about them to stay sane. So without further ado, here are some of my favorite pictures from my baby sister’s wedding, a night that our little brother Jackson deemed the best of his life.
Photos by Ashley Gerrity Photography.
Beautiful! “Spooky romantic” turned out perfectly!
Right? They really nailed it IMO!
I ended up having to carry my daughter down the aisle as well as a flower girl. She just wasn’t having it with all those people and lights, and to be fair she had just turned 2.. The pictures are so beautiful. Don’t you just love a great wedding? Now that I’m getting “older”I feel like I attending fewer and fewer compared to my 20s and I just missed them!
Amalia looked at all the people and was like “nope, not happening mom!” so I just scooped her up. She looked shell shocked the whole time hahah. And yes I miss weddings too!
So beautiful! All the dresses are gorgeous! Looks like a fun time!
It really was! All night dance party 🙂
looks like a gorgeous wedding, everyone looked stunning! loved your hair!
Thanks! I loved it too, especially from the side.
Absolutely stunning! Such a beautiful bride and a lovely family.
That first picture of Amalia though – she’s pulling a face like Jim from The Office!
Hahhaha so true OMG.
You have a beautiful fam!! I love all of these pics, just so gorgeous!!
xoxo Libby
https://premedwearspearls.blogspot.com
What a gorgeous wedding! So many great photos, but that B&W portrait of your sister in the fur stole gazing out the window is absolutely stunning!!!
I also love little Amalia’s grumpy face – I think often that the little snafus make for the best stories later. Thank you for sharing these!
She looks so beautiful in that photo I feel like it should be in a magazine. And I agree, no one else noticed the “problems” and they’re fun to talk about now!
Everything looks beautiful! And a grumpy Amalia still looks precious.
Hahah she’s lucky she’s so cute 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous and looks like so much fun! 🙂
Beautiful pictures!! Your sister and I had the same wedding dress!! I fell in love with it for all the same reasons, simple, timeless and elegant
OMG no way! It was such a beautiful dress and so timeless.
What a STUNNING wedding! Thanks for sharing, Julia.
I remember you posted a few pictures from her wedding weekend. Your sister is beautiful and radiates happiness. Both of you look like you’re having such fun the entire wedding! And of course, Jackson looks in his element during his speech. I admire your modern family!
Aww thanks so much! Jackson’s speech was a cameo in mine and he NAILED IT which surprised no one. Definitely stole the show!
I was wondering if you had forgotten to share these, what a beautiful wedding!!! Your sister looks stunning and so happy which is very special! I love your breidesmaids dress, you looks beautiful in it!! Thanks for sharing! ☺️
Been waiting to see these photos! What a gorgeous fam! Dying to know what your little brother said in his speech!
I let him take over halfway through mine to welcome Mike to our family. When he was pointing in that photo, his line was “Mike, you’re a lucky guy!” LOL
Thank you for sharing this post! It is a beautiful moment between Austen’s and it makes me look forward to the day my sister gets married (and neither of of us are close to that since we are both single lol)
Hello ! LOVE LOVE LOVE this post ! I’ve been dying for the photos to come out! I’m a huge fan of yours and pretty much everything you do I have a new obsession for J. Crew now thanks to you!! lol I am a Philly Bride on Halloween weekend! I am getting married November 1st and just wanted to ask you a couple of quick questions since these photo’s are so great! Where did you guys have the rehearsal dinner? Who did your sister use for hair and makeup? You all look stunning !!! We were thinking about doing end of evening masquerade masks for the guests to give the party an extra fun touch! Do you happen to know where she purchased all the masks ? One more question what hotel did you all get ready and stay in looked beautiful !
Look forward to hearing from you !
OMG congrats!!! Shoot me an email and I’ll have her answer all of this 🙂 julia@lemonstripes.com
Gorgeous photos! Loved the story about her dress – girl knows what she wants!
Hahah seriously!
I never comment but thank you so much for sharing. Looked like a beautiful day and so special how they got the chance to and chose to incorporate their siblings and family!
Beautiful wedding! Great photos! I think my favorite pic is of your mom helping your sister with her dress. Oh and your brother of course (right in his element)!