Sarah & Brendan's Sparkling Philly Wedding at The Lucy

It was just an ordinary day for Sarah.

She ran out to do some errands, did yard work and had a simple dinner out with her boyfriend. But Sarah’s life changed forever, when they got home after dinner and uncorked a bottle of wine. She was knocked off her feet when her boyfriend of seven years, Brendan, got down on one knee and asked her to marry her.

After all, how do you surprise the girl who grew up down the street from you?

If he did anything out of the ordinary, Sarah would have sensed it, she says. She doesn’t remember anything he said, because she was in total shock. It was truly a surprise!

Pretty soon, they were planning their dream wedding at The Lucy in Philadelphia.

They knew the way to enjoy this process the most was to start early. That way, they wouldn’t be stressed out and could enjoy being engaged.

Sarah recalls her favorite part of wedding planning was the hunt for the perfect gown.

She started out her process by just trying to enjoy it. “At first, I tried on anything and everything for fun! I remember thinking initially: this is going to be so hard, because they are all so pretty!”

Sarah searched everywhere for the perfect dress. She knew she wanted something classic, but there was a twist. She wanted a two-dress look, without needing to buy two dresses.

And after seven different bridal boutiques, she found the perfect gown: a classic, strapless wedding dress from Eddy K. It was just the kind of gown you could look back on for years and not regret! The moment she found the dress, everything pulled into focus and wedding planning felt real.

She completed the look with an elegant lace topper by Ti Adora Bridal, which was perfect for her ceremony to reception change. After she said, “I do,” she could take off the long-sleeve lace top and get ready to party!

The finishing touches were just icing on the cake for her wedding look: a beautiful cathedral length veil by Bel Aire Bridal and delicate crystal earrings from Thomas Knoell Jewelry Designs.

The day of was a dream for Brendan and Sarah.

They were lucky that the rain held off, no matter what the foreboding clouds threatened.

“I did my best to stay positive and kept reminding myself that my photographer [could] pull off something either way,” she said. But the rain stayed at bay and the day went on, just as they imagined.

The couple “kept it old school,” opting out of doing a First Look. They wanted the first time they saw each other that day to be during the ceremony. It was a dream moment, seven years in the making.

“I’m usually the emotional one, so it was no surprise that I cried more overall,” Sarah said. But she got a surprise when she watched her usually “stoic” fiancé tear up as she started walking down the aisle toward him.

After their picture perfect ceremony, the guests moved to the reception at The Lucy for more celebrating. The dance floor was packed all night with help from EBE Entertainment, and they spent their night surrounded by their closest friends and family.

“It is a surreal feeling that I think no one prepares you for,” Sarah said. “Your emotions are so high and full of so many different feelings, I still don’t even know how to put into words other then … ALL THE FEELS!”

Sarah’s Advice for Future Brides:

“My biggest advice would be to have fun in the process!! It is meant to be an exciting time in your life and not stressful. It is your wedding and no one else’s. So, don’t let the opinions of other people sway you and try to stay grounded as to what the day is all about.”

Her Look:
Dress: Eddy K
Top: Ti Adora Bridal
Veil: Bel Aire Bridal
Earrings: Thomas Knoell Jewelry Designs