Local Love

EMILY & MITCHELL

Occupations Emily is an esthetician and makeup artist; Mitch works as an audio visual fabricator by day and a musician by night.

Wedding date September 10, 2017

Number of Attendees 100 people

How You Met Mitch and I had met each other seven years ago through mutual friends. He was locked out of his apartment with his puppy Alley Gator, who had just been rescued behind a dumpster two weeks prior. We had lived only three blocks away from each other in Charles Village. I went over to his house with some girlfriends to keep him company while he was locked out. After we left he had asked for my number from one of my friends and he asked me out on a date. We moved in together a few months later and have been together ever since.

The Engagement Mitch and I were on vacation in Puerto Rico for the second time. We had been staying in different Airbnb’s all over Puerto Rico and the last part of the trip we stayed on the very first beach that we had been to the first time we went there. After dinner we were taking a walk on the beach around midnight. I was walking a little bit ahead of him collecting sea shells and when I turned around he grabbed my hands and got on one knee and asked me to marry him!

Wedding Design Inspiration Above all else I wanted to be comfortable in my dress and I wanted it to reflect my personal style. Something soft and romantic with a 70’s vibe. I got my dress from BHLDN. It was the third dress I tried on and I knew it was the one before I even looked in the mirror. My entire dress shopping experience took a total of 45 minutes.

What Was Unique and Special About Your Wedding Day Our entire wedding was very DIY. Something that made my wedding unique was that my mother and my aunt helped me by doing all of the flower bouquets. I had grown most of the greenery, (the eucalyptus, thyme and rosemary) in my garden all summer long. All of the greenery in my hair was grown by me and picked from my garden that morning. My mother-in-law did all of the decor on the tables including the flower arrangements. She also did all of the flowers over the arch that we were married underneath. All of my family helped us and worked all morning to set up the tables and chairs and decorated the mantels in the mansion. We are extremely grateful for our families hard work (and physical labor) to make our day so special. Within the six months of our engagement we planned the entire wedding. The venue we chose was the only venue I looked into. We knew it was right after making one short trip to check it out. Everything came together so easily.

Favorite Details My favorite details were the beautiful bouquets that we had put together ourselves, the eucalyptus boutonnieres that the groomsmen wore from my garden and the way all of the bridesmaids dresses were different. Of course the full sun and 75 degree weather didn’t hurt either.

Most Unexpected Event On Your Wedding Day My father and my bridesmaids gave us really heartfelt speeches that blew me away. I was in awe of the time they took in writing those words. It was deeply touching to feel all of that love from family and friends that I’ve known for decades. It’s my most favorite memory of that day

Piece of Advice My best advice when planning a wedding is to stay true to your yourself and to not let other people influence you into doing things that are “standard or customary.” Keep it authentic to what best represents you and your partner. I would also advise people to not sweat the small things and to keep your day fun and stress free. Mishaps happen, things go wrong, stay grounded and flow with whatever situations that may arise. Your wedding day is a celebration of the beautiful relationship you and your partner have created together, so keep your focus on enjoying every second!

Cake We decided to keep it simple and just had a small cake for Mitch and I and a dessert spread for our guests. We had a carrot cake from Grauls Market that my family had decorated with greenery from our bouquets Caterer Biddle Street Catering Flowers Most of what we used was grown in my backyard aside from a few flowers that I bought from a local florist in my neighborhood of Hamilton. My mother in law did all of the floral arrangements on the tables and the flowers on the arch we got married underneath Honeymoon Aruba. It was amazing Invitations My invitations were designed by one of my closest friends, and bridesmaid, Lauren Diliberto Location Cylburn Arboretum Music DJ Rob Macy, Save Your Soul, vintage rock, soul, r&b, funk dance party, all played on vintage vinyl Officiant Natalie Tyler with Weddings Quick and Sweet Photographer Caitlin Taylor of Coral Dove Photography Transportation Uber (haha) Wedding Dress BHLDN

My Favorites