Wedding Miracle in Three Months

Paul and Marquise Photo Credit: Nick Raimondi

"Wendy turned what could've been a disaster into a dream wedding! We made the mistake of thinking we could plan our own wedding, and booked a venue on our own. We quickly got overwhelmed with everything else and hired Wendy; she took one look at our venue contract and advised us to reconsider -- we were going to double or triple our total budget by bringing in all the amenities that the venue didn't have. With only 3.5 months before The Big Day, we had to pivot! She used her vast contact list and knowledge of area venues to find us the perfect venue - we viewed it and contracted it within the week. We had a lot of unique elements in mind; she helped us retrofit them from the original venue into the new one, so we were still able to have the wedding we'd always imagined. No idea was too big or too wild; she was always confident it could be done. She responded within minutes to any communication, no matter the day or time. Her years of experience shown through -- she always was able to advise us or provide a solution. And with such a short timeline to pull everything together, she kept us on track and honest without adding to our anxiety, remaining positive and helping us keep the end goal in mind: OUR day! Wendy saved us! We couldn't recommend her more strongly!"

This is what they said about my work after their amazing wedding in the city of Philadelphia. Paul and Marquise hired me three months before their wedding, because they were overwhelmed with the decision they had made to hold their wedding in an old war fort. They thought it would be a great place to have the kind of free, entertaining wedding they were planning, but figured out there were drawbacks to this venue. Enter the wedding planner.

One look at the space and the lack of ANY amenities, including a kitchen and bathrooms. it was clear we needed to pivot. Paul and Marquise were open to any suggestions of how I could save this wedding in a three month time frame. It had to be in the city and it had to be unique. It also had to be able to hold over 200 people and have space for some unusual details for this couple.

We did three site visits, but I knew which one would be the perfect choice. When we toured Billy Penn Studios, they were blown away. There were so many possibilities there. It was clear that I had found them a winner. We booked right away. Catering was the next thing to tackle. The venue had three caterers they recommended. I got menus from two of them and Paul and Marquise decided on one. The menu needed to be interactive and cocktail party style. It also had to have a Philadelphia theme and be varied enough for vegan, vegetarian and food allergies. DONE!

Billy Penn Studios atrium

Paul and Marquise already had a photographer and a DJ. They also had someone to play keyboard in the "secret speakeasy" that was one of their requests. They wanted a Step and Repeat for guests as they entered the wedding- DONE. I sourced a few other unusual details and interfaced with the caterer to hone the menu to include the foods that were meaningful to the couple.

The day started early, with set up of the ceremony on the catwalk, complete with clouds floating underneath, the stations for dinner, the speakeasy, all the fun and different details that Paul and Marquise wanted to include and helping them be ready in time to greet their guests. It was so much fun to see this come together and to see their faces when it was ready.

Welcome sign

The welcome sign and the backdrop for the step and repeat were the Philadelphia skyline. The gift table and guest book had an old suitcase, Postcards to jot a message on for the couple and plenty of markers to sign the postcards. The ceremony happened on the catwalk above the entry to the venue. And, cocktails and 5 stations were set to start the party.

We had some tables set up in the atrium for older guests, but it was mostly a mingling type of event with high top tables scattered, lounge furniture and small room to get away and still see the party. Then, there was that speakeasy that you had to follow a votive candle path to find.

Elmo was a special guest at this wedding

The highlight of the evening was the drum corps that marched in with Elmo at the head. Guests were delighted to march along with this lively bunch of characters. Paul and Marquise had an amazing day and a memory they will carry with them forever. They were so great to work with, so trusting of my guidance and grateful that they had hired a planner to keep them from a wedding disaster. A planner was the saving grace to this wedding. And, I am thrilled to have been that planner.