Clients planning weddings at downtown hotels in the Rittenhouse Square area seem to gravitate to us…

And in many cases they also gravitate the beautiful Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square…. part because of its location – but mostly because of its beauty, history and how warm and inviting they are….

The church celebrated its 150th anniversary this past year –

One of the many interesting characteristics of this church is a beautiful nativity mural honoring The Reverend Phillps Brooks who near the end of the civil war took a sabbatical from The Church of the Holy Trinity to travel Europe and the holy land –

He later wrote a poem for his Sunday school children, inspired by the memory of his visit to Bethlehem. For Christmas season in 1868, he asked the church’s organist Louis Redner to set it to music. The result, “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” soon took its place as one of the most beloved Christmas carols.

The church also has a barrel-vaulted ceiling decorated with delicate Victorian stenciling, a 25-bell carillon, cast in Belgium, and a beautiful collection of stained glass windows…

We’ve found The Reverend Alan Neale to be warm and inviting to our clients as many have been from out of town looking for a welcoming church for the wedding ceremony; as well as unbelievably accepting of some requests to incorporate interfaith elements into the Episcopal ceremony

Recently we worked with both Reverend Neale and Rabbi Shimon Berris on a beautiful interfaith ceremony where a chuppah set up in the sanctuary.

photos by Cliff Mautner

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Nope, it’s not a blog about another blizzard wedding….

And, it’s got nothing to do with Billy Idol…

Truthfully, it’s got nothing to do with anything except …..white weddings.

Planning as many Philadelphia weddings as The Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants  team does, we get to be part of some beautiful weddings….. and see some really interesting color palettes….

We’ve done chocolate brown and every imaginable color…. a really cool blending of navy, lime grren and white…. pink and yellow, and tons of weddings with shades of pink and shades of purple….

All great, each beautiful in it’s own way, and reflecting that couple….

Recently we did a stunning white wedding…. I LOVED it – not only was the couple fun and great to work with…but it had a very timeless, classic look….

There is a big swing toward vintage, and classic in everything wedding…. everything from the elements of decor to cakes, gowns and hair styles….

Check out these images from our recent wedding by photographer Cliff Mautner

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And bigger isn’t always better…..

YES, I’m talking about weddings!!!!

Whenever we begin working with a new client we remind all those involved in the planning process that with weddings… everything grows exponentially.

Invitations for every one to two guests, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and wedding cake for each guest, linen and centerpieces for every 8-10 guests…the costs grow with your guest list.

One sure way to contain a budget can be to work with a smaller guest list….

Recently we worked with a great couple- Betsy and Jaimo – for them having a more intimate wedding with those they love around them was of great importance.

It also allowed them to have the pairings of AMAZING foods and wines that they might not be able to do for a larger wedding.

Their wedding was for 24 guests… including Betsy and Jaimo – literally half of the guests were part of the processional:

The officiant, the groom and best man, the mother of the groom and her son in law who escorted her, mother of the bride and he son who escorted her, two brides maids, an honor attendant and the bride escorted by her brother….. Yup 12….

The small group has its advantages…. The ceremony and a cocktail reception (wine, champagne and some butlered hors d’oeuvres) were held in the Parkview Suite of The Rittenhouse Hotel with beautiful orchid floral pieces by Beautiful Blooms and music the Rittenhouse String Quartet.

While guests moved downstairs to Lily’s – the private dining room at Lacroix – the bride and groom spent some time in Rittenhouse Square with photographer Jeff Dietz.

Guests were treated to a multi course tasting menu paired with beautiful wines….

Because of the size of the group Jeff was able to get some fabulous food shoots (sorry, it’s the chef in me)…

1st Course – Cured Scottish Salmon with Peaches, Miso and Wild Rice

2nd Course – English Pea Soup with Mint, Orange and Truffle

3rd Course – Hand Rolled Potato Gnocchi with Smoked Morel Mushrooms, Watercress and Apricot

4th Course – Diver Scallops with Red Pepper, Passion Fruit and Black Garlic

5th Course – a choice of:

Lamb Saddle with Cauliflower, Aleppo Pepper and Parmesan Broth (broth to be served tableside)

Line Caught Halibut with Miso – Mussel Broth

Followed by a beautiful wedding cake of Yellow Butter Cake, Raspberry Mousse and fresh Raspberries with vanilla buttercream and fondant pearls….

YUM…. The food and wine were just incredible!

So in this case… smaller definitely had its advantages….

 Visit our Recent Wedding galley for more images from Betsy and Jaimo’s wedding…

Ok, maybe not free, free… but practically free {‘cause my dad’s rule was always nobody give ya nothin’ for nothin’}

I recently had lunch with the AMAZING Lori Frankel at the Radisson Plaza- Warwick Hotel -

Not only is she a pleasure to work with as their wedding specialist – but she was also a bridesmaid in a wedding we did last fall {which really let her see what it is we do…}

OK, so FREE CARIBBEAN HONEYMOON!

The Radisson is currently offering 50% off a honeymoon in the Caribbean when you book your reception with them…

It’s good at either of their INCREDIBLE properties- Radisson St. Martin Resort, Marina and Spa

or Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino and Spa…

And by registering for a Radisson Gold Point Plus membership you can earn points for every dollar you spend on your reception as well as things like rehearsal dinners, post wedding brunches and some rooms you might be blocking….

Think of how much of the remaining 50% of your Caribbean honeymoon you could pay for with the points you earn JUST having your reception there?

The Radisson has a beautiful ballroom, attentive staff and great food…. And they will soon be giving their pre-function space the little facelift it’s needed…

An incentive program for a honeymoon, a beautifully renovated hotel with lots of charm, great food and impeccable service….

Now that’s a bargain!

You can contact Lori at: lori.frankel@radisson.com {tell her The Queen of Hearts sent you!}

Woooohoooo!

Check out today’s Philadelphia Inquirer!

The Style & Soul section’s LOVE column by Kellie Patrick Gates – features our clients Summer and Marc’s wedding on March 14th at The Philopatrian on Rittenhouse Square.

Complete with beautiful images by photographer Craig Single of Single Exposure Photography!

Special thanks to all of the local wedding professionals who made the day a success -

Officiant Miki Young-  Journeys of the Heart, The Philopatrian Literary Institute, feastivities Catering, Synergetic Sounds and Lighting, Offshoots Floral and Decor and Cake Art Studio

 

I have to say you  really made our wedding truly magical. Everything was absolutely perfect.  All your recommendations were just remarkable- you made us feel at ease and carefree throughout the entire day.

Summer -