Ladies, do we have a treat for you today! The lovely Sofia Negron Photography has shared Sarah and Al’s stunning wedding with us – and not only is it packed to the brim with amazing details, great traditions and oh-so-pretty decor, but we are l.o.v.i.n.g. Sarah and Al’s cute courtship story! Read on for all the deets!
Love is all around in Sarah and Al’s wedding at the Philadelphia Franklin Institute . Their lifelong romance began as a blind-date beginning four years ago… Set up by their families, Sarah and Al’s first date lasted for a grand total of thirty minutes. Much to their surprise, the brevity of their date was due to time constraints and not a lack of connection. In fact, things seemed to click so well that, Al, ever the romantic, flew back to Chicago just weeks later to see Sarah…
Unfortunately, Sarah was hesitant to continue a long distance relationship. Sitting down with Al on a bench by the Chicago River, she proceeded to try to crack down on Al with an extensive list of reasons why he shouldn’t date her. A marker of his perseverance, Al continued to visit Sarah anytime he was in town. He knew Sarah was “the one”.
Sure enough, two years, one four hour brunch, Sarah finally saw the light and realized what she was missing. “I’m a slow learner,” she likes to joke. A year later in 2011, Al proposed on that very same Chicago bench. This time Sarah was singing a much more joyful tune.
Sarah and Al’s wedding ceremony was held at the Arch Street Presbyterian Church , and their reception followed at the Philadelphia Franklin Institute .
The Franklin Institute provided a fun vibe for the reception. The Institute’s tall Corinthian columns and grand exterior and interior halls aptly reflected the elegance that the couple desired at their wedding reception. The festivities were bathed in a fuchsia lighting that gave the cool marble interiors a much-needed warmth, and that was nicely offset by the golden dinner settings and rosy floral settings arranged by A Rose Bouquet.
To incorporate their Korean heritage, the couple also held a PaeBaek Ceremony at the reception. This is a traditional Korean bowing ceremony in which the bride and groom are dressed in traditional Korean wedding garb, and bow in unison to pay their respects to their elders. It was originally intended as a way for the bride to honor the groom’s family as she was formally accepted into his family.
And to end the evening, the couple was sent off with a double aisle of sparklers!
Vendors:
Wedding Ceremony: Arch Street Presbyterian Church
Wedding Reception: Franklin Institute Wedding Ceremony Coordinator: Cindy Lee
Wedding Reception Coordinator: Aimee Wiltz
Wedding Officiant: Rev. Becky White Newgren
Wedding Dress Designer: Enzoani
Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Nanette Lepore
Groomsmen Designer: Perry Ellis
Shoe Designer: Jimmy Choo
Hair and Make-up Artists: Daneene Jensen & Associates
Florist: A Rose Bouquet
Cake Artist: Frog Catering
DJ: DJ Ricochet
Video: Martin’s Accent Wedding Videos
All photos courtesy of Sofia Negron Photography
