Weddings: A Million Dreams

Amid planned perfection, couples are allowing fate to have a hand in their wedding day, opening the way for unexpected and wonderful things to happen. Some moments are beyond their wildest imagination.

The Brightest Colors

When the crew of a dozen from West Chester-based We Are Wildflowers arrived at Philadelphia’s Morris Arboretum, the rain was pouring down. The group unloaded vans filled with ladders, carts to carry beams for a chuppah and 2,000 stems of glorious blossoms. The happy couple decided to continue with the reception in a large tent, but exchange their vows near a pedestal fountain surrounded by extraordinary gardens and blooms despite the weather.

So, the floral team donned raincoats and went to work. Orchestrated by Wildflowers’ owner, Jess, some assembled the chuppah, then covered it with a rainbow of local flora: greens, rare coral-colored Moab roses, blue delphinium, pink and orange gomphrena, white cosmos, yellow zinnias and creamy marigolds. While another group placed floral centerpieces on reception tables, yet another created gardens of pink, peach and blue bouquets along the aisle. Others tied escort cards to bud vases of dahlias and zinnias — one for each guest to collect during cocktail hour and guide them to their table for a wedding feast.

Rain, with occasional rays of sun peeking through clouds, continued on and off throughout setup and after. Guests and the bridal party gathered under umbrellas. And then it appeared — a rainbow that lasted nearly an hour, including when the bride and groom exchanged vows. It was the wedding of a million dreams.

Their occasion wasn’t the only one that had its ambiance enhanced by nature. With help, West Chester harpist Elyse Rubin carried her gear along a wooded path under drizzling skies to play for a different outdoor ceremony at the Pump House near the Pocono Mountains. The mist added a sublime fairytale feel to the forest wedding as Rubin played ethereal harp music on the banks of a stream.

Destination: Pennsylvania

This year, many couples are forgoing nuptials in faraway lands for the convenience of hometown or nearby locations, easily accessible and affordable for loved ones. They’re also recognizing the utility of extra helping hands.

Jane Darnell, managing director of a new local venue, The Arches in Coatesville, provides guidance and resources for couples to turn their designs into reality at the beautifully renovated historic and former St. Cecilia’s Church. Against the Swiss Gothic backdrop of white walls, sweeping arches, spectacular cathedral ceiling and a brilliant rose window, couples can go as modern or Victorian, and colorful or black-and-white, as their hearts desire.

Darnell helps coordinate vendors, suggests floor plans for movement, advises the best location to place a flower arch and shares ideas for additional flowers on beams or cascading over the balconies. She recommends the perfect placement for a sweetheart table — an intimate space displaying personal items where newlyweds can take a few peaceful moments to celebrate their new marriage, eat, take in festivities, and later enjoy visits and photo ops with guests.

For a charmed weekend with stunning outdoor views, book the eco-friendly Pump House near the Catawissa Creek outside Bloomsburg. It offers 85 acres of mountains, miles of hiking trails and a charming 1908 brick reception hall. Opportunities for magical images abound: the sleigh bed in the bridal suite, the bridal party by (or in?) the babbling brook or fun at the creekside firepit. Or an image of a ladder against a tree to celebrate an earlier elopement at a subsequent multi-day celebration.

Something New

Mother-daughter duo Rene and Sarah dreamed of building a space that could be used in every season while capturing nature’s beauty. After many moons of planning and construction, this spring their dream came true when Westwynd Gardens in Honey Brook held its first wedding.

The venue has scenic spots in every direction and for every memorable moment of a wedding celebration: a suite with floor-to-ceiling mirrors where the bride can prepare for a long awaited “reveal” in her dress, a foyer with two grand staircases and two stone fireplaces for cocktail hour pictures, and a walking path through wildflowers that leads to a hill overlooking a pond — and sundown — for breathtaking ceremonies. A greenhouse sets the stage for watching summer storms or winter snowflakes that become part of a wedding story and album.

Easy as a Piece of Cake

Behind the scenes of a gorgeous wedding cake, there’s a baker with a wealth of expertise and experience who makes the process seem simpler than it is. Taking into account a couple’s wishes, the process starts with a design and template on parchment, measurements and a map of icing patterns including swags and swirls.

Then comes mixing, baking, refrigerating, marking, frosting, and creating garlands, freehand scrollwork or drop-down pearls. Finally, the baker delivers the cake — a work of art fortified with internal dowels so nothing shifts during travel — for someone’s dream day.

Amanda is one of those experts at Bakers of Buffington in Downingtown. Showstopping cupcakes and tiers of pound cake with raspberry or cookie filling are still favorites, she said. Another trend has returned to the scene — vintage-flair Lambeth cake. Enjoyed in England for centuries and popularized in the United States in 1934, it’s a white-on-white confection with ornate piping. Covering the couples’ favorite flavors are buttercream garlands, ruffled borders, shells, bows and swags with rose tips reminiscent of an enchanted ballgown. A Lambeth cake for two with some to freeze for a first anniversary is one way to have your cake and eat it, too.

The More the Merrier

One of the best parts of a wedding — a reason to turn many tasks to a coordinator, emphasized Darnell — is spending time with cherished family and friends.

When the guest list grows, West Chester’s new Hotel Indigo — opened on New Year’s Eve 2024 — offers blocks of rooms with convenient dining, shopping between wedding events and town entertainment for guests who need more space than a friend’s guest room or pullout sofa bed. With an elevator and rooms with roll-in showers, beloved Gram can relax in style without climbing stairs or maneuvering Aunt Eleanor’s slippery clawfoot bathtub.

After the day is over and wedding dreams are fulfilled, the opening is there … for a life together with another million dreams.

Happily Ever After

County Lines’ 2024 Wedding Issue told the story of Abigail and Harrison’s wedding plans. We caught up with Abigail — now married for nearly half a year — to find out about her special day.

“It was everything I hoped for,” Abigail said. All the pieces fell beautifully into place. The date and time — chosen for the couple’s love of winter and sunset — were perfect. Terrain’s grounds still had a lovely layer of snow, but with a few blankets and handwarmers for guests, the temperature was warm enough to exchange vows outdoors.

Abigail’s gifted Cinderella-style iridescent heels with crystal bows sparkled at their engagement party. Heels with pearl bows accompanied her down the aisle to harp music and a pair of “I Do” slippers kept her comfortable for the bridal dance and reception.

Just after a glowing sunset, the newlyweds left to a sparkler sendoff at dusk, as the four brightest planets began to appear, aligning in the sky.