Rachel and Andrew - September 21, 2008

Over due... I KNOW!

Rachel sent me such a wonderful Thank you card last week, and I wanted to wait to post about the wedding until I finally had it scanned... so here it is!

The beautiful Bride and Groom: Rachel and Andrew

Rachel found me online and after she knew I previously worked at Cescaphe, we knew we just had to work together. I also helped her sister plan her bridal shower a few months earlier.

Rachel and Andrew reside in NYC, but they came to Philadelphia for the wedding since their families live in the area. Their love story is the cutest ever! They ran into each other while she was abroad for school and he was visiting a friend. A while later, they reunited, then broke up, and later, Andrew wanted her back. Rachel made him wait! And now, years later, they are married and wonderful.

So without futher ado, here are some images courtesty of Lafayette Hill Studios:

Her mother, Helen, and I helped Rachel with her gown. There were lots of little buttons and hooks, but as a team, we got it right.

Beautiful stephanotis bouquet, created by Alicia at Il Fiore Bianco.

Bridemaids bouquets... again created by Alicia.

They took pre-ceremony portraits in the city.

The set up of the ceremony which took place at Cescaphe. During cocktail hour, the room was flipped for the reception.

The ballroom while the band set up and Rachel and Andrew practiced their dance.

Detail shots:

The centerpieces were completely amazing. One of the most stunning weddings I coordinated.

Awesome cake provided by Cescaphe. Her dad pointed out to me that the cake didn't have enough roses at first. He said, "Christina, I saw the picture of the cake, and it was overflowing with flowers. I think we should have more flowers." So, more flowers were had. :)

The Horas!

There were many different horas and performances throughout the evening. This one pictured above is called the crowning. The parents of the bride were crowned by their daughter and her new husband, and also by their older daughter and her family. It is to symbolize that they have officially married off both their daughters and are now being honored by their families.

Here is the most hora you will see at most Jewish weddings. After the bride and groom are lifted, the parents are then lifted.

This hora was called the Entertaining the Bride and Groom. Different guests and band members came up to entertain Rachel and Andrew as they sat and watched. Afterwards, they each had to entertain each other while all the guests watched. Here, Rachel did a great dance and had so much fun.

Andrew was a bit more subdued, but he still danced with the napkin.

At the end, all the guests grabbed a ribbon, and danced around a maypole as the couple sat in the middle. It was so wonderful and unique to see ALL guests participating in this ritual, and it was really beautiful.

And here are the fabulous guests:

The band, Sally Mitlas Band, was absolutely jaw-dropping. The BEST band I've heard yet so far. They were truly interactive, without being annoying or disruptive, and really had the crowd going all night. Although the night was filled with their Jewish and Russian traditions and less dancing, it was the most fun I've had while working at a wedding. I laughed and cried along with the guests and it really was a memorable night. The families were amazing and so sweet.

It's so rewarding to work with such fabulous people. Working with people like Rachel and Andrew really make it worth while for me to keep doing what I'm doing.

Congratulations Rachel and Andrew! I wish you both the happiests of all marriages!