A Sentimental, Late-Summer Soiree on a Historic Docked Ship in Philadelphia

​​Like many modern meet-cutes, Betsy and Sheridan found each other on a dating app. They enjoyed talking to each other so much that they decided to take the relationship offline and had their first date at 1 Tippling Place, a stylish cocktail bar in Philadelphia. After an amazing first date, the two continued seeing each other. Nearly four (beautiful) years later, Sheridan popped the question. It was at the Longwood Gardens, a public garden in Pennsylvania with more than 1,100 acres of gorgeous greenery, flowers and meadows, that Betsy said yes. 

Since the couple had so much personal history tied to Philadelphia, hosting their nuptials in the same place felt like the right move for the pair. “Our theme was ‘classic, elegant and refined meets end-of-summer garden soiree.’ Think bright colors and bold patterns,” Betsy says. They found a one-of-a-kind venue on the Delaware River that had views of the city skyline for the occasion. A famous docked boat known as the Moshulu, a restored four-masted ship built in Scotland over 100 years ago. (The boat even made an appearance in the iconic Philadelphia film, Rocky.)

For the wedding attire, the bride wore a custom couture gown by Naama Navipur that had a classic V-neckline and a large bow detail on the back, the perfect dress for a whimsical and elegant affair. The groom donned a custom black tuxedo from Indochino with a matching bow tie. Even though the couple opted for timeless looks, they still added some of their own personal style. Betsy’s wore a white pearl headband and Sheridan sported a silver box chain bracelet. 

The late-summer garden party included a blend of vibrant colors, like orange, yellow and magenta, which was a perfect representation of the end of one season and the beginning of another. These hues were used for the flowers and the custom cocktail napkins, which included the couple's names. “We had cosmos, chrysanthemums, zinnias, along with greenery and ferns. It was very wildflower garden vibes,” Betsy says.

Guests arrived from all over the country, including family members from Betsy’s home state of South Carolina. Some even ventured from Thailand to be part of the wedding. From their waterfront ceremony to a reception dinner below deck, the intimate gathering gave their guests a taste of Philly while celebrating the happy couple. Unfortunately, there were some loved ones who weren't able to attend. To show appreciation to them, the bride and groom had a memory table and designated chairs for their fathers with a special floral arrangement for each. Betsy adds: “Both my and Sheridan's dad passed away, and we wanted to find a way to honor them. The table and chairs were special to us and allowed our loved ones who had passed to be a part of our wedding day.” In addition to this sentimental touch, the bride’s maid of honor, Jessica, gave Betsy a scrapbook full of cards, letters and photos from loved ones. “As if this gift wasn't already special enough, Jessica managed to get my late father to write a letter to me for my wedding day before Sheridan even proposed,” she says. “The letter from my dad was dated September 22, 2021—he passed in January of 2022. We ended up getting married on that exact date three years later.”