A love of books and a particular Japanese author brought Lauren and Eric together six years ago. They soon found themselves chatting about the books they were reading by Haruki Murakami. This mutual love of books continued throughout their relationship, and four years later, Eric proposed to Lauren. Wanting to incorporate books into their wedding day, Lauren and Eric spent a year scouring bookstores to handpick meaningful books for each guest, later turning them into a beautiful seating chart display. Other parts of the wedding day included quotes, literary references, and protagonists of the books they read.
Picking a venue to host their wedding came easy to the couple. Welkinweir holds a significant place in their hearts and fond childhood memories. Lauren, who grew up nearby, would come to Welkinweir with her family while growing up to explore the grounds. Eventually the couple even referred to the venue as their “Secret Garden,” which naturally became the theme of their wedding.
Our Advice: Build moments into your timeline for just the two of you. The day goes by in a blur, but you’ll remember the times that you took a step back and soaked it all in. Right after our ceremony, we went back to the groom’s suite, just the two of us, sipped our signature cocktails and reflected on what just happened. At dusk, we asked our photographer to steal us away again for a few golden hour photos and then we took a moment alone to look back at our reception tent filled with all our loved ones dancing the night away.
Pressed flowers were placed on the cake and used in the table number frames. Wanting to bring the indoors outside, a Victorian-style lounge was set on the lawn along with a few tables and chairs, so guests could mingle and enjoy the scenery. Leaves from memorial trees planted in honor of Lauren’s late father and brother at the venue were included in the bouquets and reception decor. These florals were later donated to be repurposed and given to the patients at the hospice center who cared for her father. Wanting something special for Eric amid all the florals, Lauren surprised her groom with a vintage arcade game with the two of them as the characters.
In honor of their home city, Philadelphia, a soft pretzel station was provided during cocktail hour. Homemade limoncello favors were also made to honor Eric’s Italian heritage, which they learned to make while in Italy where they became engaged.
Lauren and Eric went above and beyond to make sure every part of their wedding day was meaningful to them. They incorporated their shared love of books, hobbies, and Philadelphia, and they carefully found ways to honor their loved ones as well. Because of their thoughtful planning, they created an unforgettable wedding day for each other and their guests, and we have to admit we keep returning to it, too.
“Our wedding was held at Welkinweir, a beautiful nature preserve just a few miles down the road from my childhood home, and a place where I spent a lot of time with my father and brother. As children, it was a magical place with meandering trails that led into a garden nestled within the ruins of an old barn. We used to call it our “Secret Garden” It was so beloved to our family that when my father and brother passed away in 2019, my mom and I spread their ashes there and planted two memorial trees in the arboretum in their honor. When Eric proposed in 2022, our venue was already set – our wedding would be at Welkinweir so that my late dad and brother would be there with us. It was special to be married in a place that is meaningful to me and my family, and for Eric and his family to become a part of that story.”
Their vendors
Photographer | Delaney Dobson Photography
Videographer | Merryweather Films
Venue | Welkinweir Estate
Floral Design | We Are Wildflowers
Floral Donations | Petals Please
Catering + Cake | JAM Catering
Rentals | Lilac and Lace Co.
HMUA | Aleksandra Ambrozy Makeup + Hair Artistry
Dress Boutique | Agnes Edmunds Bridal + Formals
Dress Designer | Lillian West
Groom’s Attire | Suit Supply
Groomsmen/Groomsmaid | The Black Tux
Bridesmaids Dresses | Azazie
Shoes | Loeffler Randall
Rings | Love Locked // Populent
Stationery | The Knot
Vintage Stamps | The Little Postage House
Ceremony Music | Dan Spollen Acoustic Guitar
DJ | DJ Electra
Photobooth | Sure Shot Photo Booth
Custom Arcade Game | Big Day Games
Transportation | Sterling Limousine
Officiant | Reverend Sean Patrick Coady
Read their feature in our magazine below
