1. Real Weddings

A Formal Wedding in Philadelphia, PA

The very first time that Jennie realized she was falling for Robert, he was dressed as a record. (Yep, you read that right.) The two worked at their c

The very first time that Jennie realized she was falling for Robert, he was dressed as a record. (Yep, you read that right.) The two worked at their college radio station; Rob wore the costume for a promotion. A month later, they went on their first date. The Bride Jennie Sparandara, 28, senior policy aide The Groom Robert Bauer, 28, molecular biology PhD candidate The Date May 9 Graduate school took Jennie to Washington, DC, and Rob to Philadelphia, but she eventually joined him in Philly to work in the mayor’s office. Seven years after their first date, Rob offered to drive Jennie to work, even though she usually walked there. Instead of taking her to her office, though, he drove her to Manhattan and proposed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

With flags hanging from the ceiling, the couple kept the centerpieces low to the table. Tea lights surrounded square vases of ranunculus, peonies, cymbidium orchids, and lady’s mantle.
The bride’s no-roses edict spurred the florist to create this cheerful bouquet of yellow ranunculus, white peonies and green lady’s mantle for the maid of honor.
“My peep-toe sling backs were too beautiful for words,” says Jennie of her sapphire-blue Jimmy Choos. The four-inch heels helped close the big height gap between her and 6'4 Rob.
Hints of green from the lady’s mantle and ranunculus added pops of color to Jennie’s white bouquet of peonies, hydrangeas and lilies of the valley.
Not huge cake fans, the couple focused on their dessert buffet, so they kept their cake to just two tiers. The yellow frosting and ribbons matched the rest of the day’s details.
Forsythia branches in large, metallic urns brought the couple’s colors into the outdoor ceremony space and separated guests from the altar area.
The band played Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” for the first dance. When the musicians were on break, guests heard clips of the couple as college radio DJs.
Guests got a glimpse of the recurring lovebirds motif on the programs. The long, rectangular shape of the booklets and the rows of interlocking hearts were modern touches.
Though they weren’t birds per se, Jennie did work feathers into her look to play up the bird theme. Her stylish hairpiece offset her sideswept ’do.
At the National Constitution Center, charcoal-colored linens matched the contemporary look of the space. Silver chiavari chairs with gray pads further pushed the color scheme.
Yellow cards directed guests to their seats. Different images distinguished the tables from each other and added a playful vibe to the display.
After Rob mentioned that he loves Manhattans at the tasting, the site’s catering manager surprised him by passing out the drink at the reception.