Real Wedding Pennsylvania
Planner: Lynda Barness, MWP™, I DO Wedding Consulting,www.idoplan.com, lynda@idoplan.comTime in Industry: More than 12 yearsPhotographer: Rebecca Barger Photography, www.rebeccabarger.comBusinesses Involved: Congregation Rodeph Shalom (ceremony), Feast Your Eyes, Inc. (catering), EBE London Bridge (band, photobooth, videography, lighting), Amaranth Florist, Kleinfeld’s (gown), WToo (bridesmaids’ dresses), Beautiful Brides Philly (hair and makeup), Etsy by BusyBridesStationery (invitations)Wedding Date: Oct. 15, 2016Guest count: 229The couple: The bride, Logan, is from Philadelphia and the groom, Yoni, was born in Israel. Though unknown to them when they met, both are third generation Holocaust survivors. Their grandparents survived the concentration camps. Says Logan, “Although this may seem like a dark topic to include in a wedding description, it is truly bittersweet as our survival and union, represent a continuation of our lineage and a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit.” The bride and groom chose the oldest Ashkenazi synagogue in the western hemisphere for the ceremony and reception. The bride’s parents were married there, under the same chuppah.
Involvement: Full consultingInspiration: The bride wanted the wedding to feel organic with an emphasis on greenery.“Aha” Design Moment: The bride is a doctoral student at Columbia University and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. She chose the lighting—a wall of the moon and stars as a result of her studies and interests.Most Unique Design Element: A large moon and stars was projected onto the back wall. Combined with the centerpieces of branches, greens, and dangling candles, it created a forest-like atmosphere.Color palette: Navy and gold.Budget: PrivateStaff Hours: 40 plusPlanning Time: 3 monthsNumber of Meetings: 5 in-person meetings, numerous calls
Set up/Strike Details: The reception was in the lower level of the synagogue and the entire room was draped. The company, EBE, spent much of the day prior assembling the pipe and drape and steaming it.Revenue Breakdown: 100% planningBiggest challenge: The synagogue’s auditorium needed transformation. Because there were so many details, I called several meetings with the production company, caterer, mother of the bride, synagogue representatives, and florist so everyone knew their responsibilities and could give input.
Learnings: Months before the wedding, the bride’s mother told me that the bride had five bridesmaids and 25 friends she wanted to have walk down the aisle. She asked for suggestions, and on the spot, I suggested that she have them walk down the aisle, each holding a single bloom. There were two vases near the chuppah, and the “honor guards” placed their flower in one (left side in left one, right side in right), and then went to their reserved seats. This solution worked well! WPM
