Photo: Asya Photography
City brides, take note: get hitched at a venue filled with beautiful contemporary art, and the rest of the wedding will take care of itself! That's what Mariana, 32, and Brian, 36, learned when they set out to find a unique venue for their October 26th, 2013 wedding in Philadelphia. When they stepped inside the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts — the very first venue they looked at — they knew they'd found the perfect place. "We loved that it's in the center of the city," Mariana says. "Our guests were surrounded by beautiful art and the city that we both love." They brought the grand space to life with a stunning, colorful affair complete with autumnal flowers and a breathtaking gold-brushed cake. See Asya Photography's snaps of their elegant city bash below!
Mariana fell instantly in love with her Anne Barge gown. She played up its easy glamour with a white fur stole, since the temperature suddenly dropped a few days before their wedding. Could there be a more chic last-minute addition?
Photo: Asya Photography
The bride and groom maximized the grandeur of their venue by holding their ceremony right on the stone staircase. "The building's architecture speaks for itself, so we kept our décor simple, focusing on the chuppah that a friend built for us," says Mariana. She carried a bouquet of orange calla lilies, her favorite flower, and walked down the aisle to classical selections by a string quartet.
With the help of Truly You Events, Mariana and Brian transformed the rotunda of PAFA into a golden-toned autumn oasis. Amber-colored lighting washed the room in a sunset-hued glow, and a branch pattern illuminated the dance floor. Plus, who could ignore the master paintings lining the walls?
Guests walked in to find gold organza linens under centerpieces of hydrangeas, free spirit roses and calla lilies in eggplant, rust and gold, lit by votive candles.
Photo: Asya Photography
The couple's cake, designed to look like it had been painted gold, was vanilla with buttercream. Mariana and Brian also served custom sugar cookies made to look like the tile floors inside PAFA's landmark building.
Med school delayed their honeymoon plans, but couldn't keep the newlyweds from enjoying their time together. "The wedding itself was an amazing day, but the planning process was a really special time too!"
Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts || Wedding Planner: Truly You Events || Bride's Wedding Dress: Anne Barge, from Elizabeth Johns || Hair: Nadine Manne of Richard Nichols Salon || Makeup: Beke Beau Collection || Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo || Florist: Petals Lane || Invitations & Paper Goods: Paper on Pine, LoveLeigh Invitations || Music: ceremony - Siena Strings, reception - The Vibe Tribe || Catering: Jimmy Duffy || Cake and Cookies: Whipped Bakeshop || Videography: Rose Tree Films || Photography: Asya Photography