A Classic Garden Wedding with Bohemian Flair at the College of Physicians in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“We used words like light, airy, bright, bold and unique a lot when talking to our vendors,” Eliza Pollack (31 and a senior program manager for innovation management) said of her and Lief Erickson’s (32 and a financial budgetary policy analyst) wedding. The result was a chic, laid-back garden party filled with gold, pale green and magenta details.

The ceremony, held outside in the medicinal garden at The College of Physicians, was loaded with sentimental and handmade touches. Lief’s father built the chuppah, which was draped with a tablecloth crocheted by the groom’s great-grandmother and a piece of fabric from Eliza’s mom’s wedding gown.

Eliza and Lief said their vows in front of a wall covered by lush ivy and under a chuppah adorned with hanging blush, peach and fuchsia blooms. The couple drank wine from a cup given to Eliza at her baby naming, and they were wrapped in a prayer shawl belonging to her grandfather.

“I never thought about wearing a true wedding suit,” says Lief, who chose a checked vest, navy tie and moss-green jacket instead. “I like mixing patterns, colors and textures.”

Bridesmaids carried bright posies of roses, ranunculus, peonies and astilbe.

Eliza and Lief grasped hands as they were hoisted up during the hora. “We really trusted our vendors and tried not to get caught up in the details,” Eliza says. “At the end of the day, we just wanted a really fun party for our family and friends.”