1. Real Weddings

A Bright, Romantic Summer Wedding at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, Pennsylvania

With it’s serene natural setting in southern Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains, rich history and stately interiors, the Bedford Springs Resort in Bed

With it’s serene natural setting in southern Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains, rich history and stately interiors, the Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, Penn. could not have been a more fitting backdrop for Kate Kooman (30 and a financial advisor) and Jeff Starkey’s (33 and a certified financial planner) classic, elegant wedding. From the cheerful color palette rich in peach, pink, red, mint and gold hues to the unique arrangements of vibrant blooms and the swinging live performance by the band Orient Express, the day struck the perfect balance of summer romance and fun. “Once we decided on a color scheme and feel for our wedding, our planner Bryan Stiffler did the rest, everything from choosing how the event should flow to selecting the table linens,” says Kate. “I couldn’t have done it without him. He was so wonderful and made the process fun and exciting.” The day started with an outdoor ceremony on the resort’s expansive lawn, where the couple exchanged vows under a whimsical curly willow arch draped in fresh ferns, roses, babies breath and ranunculuses. A close family friend officiated the ceremony and Kate’s brother and cousin, both talented musicians, performed during the unity candle lighting, details that added a personal element to the day. Guests enjoyed decadent eats, striking mountain views and the sounds of a string quintet during cocktail hour on the Bedford Springs balcony, followed by a fun-filled evening of celebrating in the Colonnade Ballroom. A duo of Roquefort and walnut-crusted beef medallions and macadamia-crusted sea bass with mango-pasilla sauce was the star of dinner, while a cookie table stocked with hundreds of homemade treats, all made by the couple’s families, went over big with guests. The band Orient Express brought down the house with their infectious energy and Kate and her father even surprised everyone with a choreographed dance. A tip for the taking from Kate: “Don’t panic if something goes wrong on your big day. You and your wedding planner are probably the only ones who know how everything is supposed to happen. No one else will know if something goes wrong, unless you tell them. Once the big day is here, just enjoy!”

Ascot Diamonds Round Diamond Engagement Ring
Upon entering Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City, Kate was unsure what exactly she was looking for in a wedding dress. After trying on everything from lacy mermaid styles to classic ball gowns, she finally came across a voluminous Pnina Tornai dress that won her over instantly. “I loved the skirt’s organza layers and the sweetheart neckline,” says Kate. “I felt like if I looked back on our wedding day in fifty years, I would still love this look.” As a finishing touch, she added a waist-defining crystal-embellished belt from BHLDN and classic pearl drop earrings.
Despite the wedding’s classic, elegant vibe, pops of bright color were woven throughout the day, infusing everything from the flowers to the bridesmaid dresses and even the photo booth backdrop with a sense of cheerfulness and vibrancy. For Kate’s bouquet, Creative Expressions Florist created an arrangement that spoke to both the day’s timeless design and festive tone through a mix of traditional and modern blooms, like hydrangeas, roses, peonies, Gerbera daisies and succulents, in a range of eye-catching colors.
Finding a line that offered a wide variety of styles was Kate’s first order of business when beginning her search for bridesmaid dresses. “I knew that I had bridesmaids of all shapes and sizes, so my first priority was finding a line that had different styles to flatter every girl,” says Kate. Amsale stood out to the bride-to-be, boasting a range of beautiful, comfortable and colorful gowns that were sure to complement each girls’ own personal style. They paired the dresses with statement earrings from J.Crew, a gift from Kate, and their own nude pumps.
While Jeff’s groomsmen donned charcoal gray Vera Wang tuxedos, Jeff decided to go custom to really make his wedding day look stand out. He had a traditional black tuxedo and white dress shirt custom designed at Brooks Brothers in Pittsburgh, Penn., pairing the ensemble for the ceremony and reception with a black and white polka dot bow tie, pocket square and socks.
As guests arrived to the Bedford Springs Resort’s balcony for cocktail hour, they were greeted by beautiful mountain views, a string quartet pumping out swinging tunes and a photo booth stocked with fun, festive props. They snacked on inspired appetizers like blackened beef with horseradish aioli on fingerling potato croutons and wok-fried shrimp wonton crisps with Asian glaze before heading into the ballroom for dinner and dancing.
Yellow Coxcomb and Dusty Miller Boutonniere
Whimsical Hand-Lettered Ceremony Chalkboard Sign
Kate had always dreamed of an outdoor wedding ceremony and the Spa Lawn at the Bedford Springs Resort offered the perfect setting for the elegant affair with its acres of lush forest and mountain views. Creative Expressions lined the aisles with vibrant arrangements of hydrangeas, peonies, succulents and more, adding a bright pop of color to the decor.
Kate and Jeff’s ceremony was anything but standard, thanks to the inclusion of several personal touches. Kate’s long-time friend and former church Young Life leader, Tim O’Brien, officiated the ceremony and her twin brother Michael, an accomplished composer, and cousin Chris Mann, a gifted singer and finalist on the show “The Voice,” performed a touching rendition of “Ave Maria” during the unity candle lighting. “It was absolutely breathtaking,” says Kate. “Our guests were blown away by their talent.”
Exchanging Rings at Bedford Springs Resort
Bright Whimsical Willow Branch Wedding Arch
Whimsical Gold Hand-Lettered Escort Cards
Lemon and Almond Sugar Flower Cake
Playing off the Bedford Springs Resort’s color palette of pink, mint and gold, Kate and Jeff incorporated the venue’s signature hues, as well as playful, summery shades of red, peach, orange and green throughout the day. Wanting the decor to reflect their classic style, while still remaining visually interesting, Kate and Jeff filled the ballroom with both round and rectangular tables and had the design team at Creative Expressions create unique floral displays for each in bold, bright colors.
Whimsical Gold Hand-Lettered Escort Cards
After deciding to host their wedding in Kate’s home state of Pennsylvania, it wasn’t long before Kate and Jeff came across the Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, Penn. Wanting an elegant, historic spot to gather all of their family members and friends, Bedford Springs was the ideal fit. Tucked away in the Allegheny Mountains, the venue boasted a serene natural setting, beautifully appointed rooms, 200 years of history and an abundance of outdoor activities and amenities for guests to enjoy throughout the weekend. “There are brides from the 1800s who ‘tested’ their engagement rings to see if they were made with real diamonds by carving their names and wedding dates into the front windows,” says Kate. “I wanted to be part of this great history.”
Only six weeks after Kate and Jeff started dating, they attended Jeff’s sister’s wedding where the band Orient Express performed. Impressed by the band’s energy and talent, the couple knew they had to have them play at their own wedding. In addition to the band’s live sets, Kate and her father surprised guests with a choreographed dance to “Yeah” by Usher. “It mimicked the scene from the movie ‘Hitched’ with Will Smith and Kevin James. Everyone was shocked — especially my twin brother,” says Kate.
Mint, Gold and Pink Photo Backdrop