Whimsical, Floral-Filled Spring Wedding at Historic Shady Lane in Manchester, Pennsylvania

Christina Varela (27 and a physician) and Ricardo Diaz (34 and the owner of a digital marketing agency) may have said “I do” in Pennsylvania, but the couple wanted their vows to transport guests to a whole other continent. “Our theme was based on romantic European gardens,” Christina says. The invites, complete with calligraphy and a wax seal monogram, served as a preview of the day’s vibe, and the Historic Shady Lane venue brought the elegance on the day-of. Christina and Ricardo marked their seats with an overflowing installation of ferns, eucalyptus, peonies, roses and more. Guests dined at tables decorated with pastel-blue tablecloths, greenery runners and white taper candles. Greenery also hung from chandeliers overhead. “Our florist did an incredible job filling the tent with flowers,” Christina says. At night, string lights brightened the room. “It felt like dancing under the stars.” Christina and Ricardo kicked off the party with “I Get to Love You” by Ruelle. “One night when Ricky was visiting, we turned on this song to see how we felt about it,” Christina says. “We both teared up and knew it was our song.” Partygoers chose between two aptly titled drinks: The Extrovert, Ricardo’s choice, made of green-tea-infused Jameson and The Introvert, Christina’s creation of Tito’s and prosecco, topped with a lavender sprig before grabbing doughnuts, cookies and other treats from the pair’s spread. Christina’s ladies wore gowns in various shades of gray. “It was important to me that everyone felt beautiful, so I let them choose,” she says. Post-reception, the pair setoff on their next journey—a honeymoon in South Africa and surprise helicopter ride in Seychelles.