Today's real wedding is just what's needed in the depths of January: an eye-popping, uber-glam, feast for the eyes to lift the spirits and get the inspiration flowing. Marty and Mike's wedding is an epic celebration full of incredible details and a bounty of gorgeous blooms. It's truly floral fantastic and the warm colour palette is the perfect tonic for these cold January days. Marty and Mike chose the stunning surroundings of the Horticulture Centre in Pennsylvania for their big day. With brightly coloured flowers adorning every inch of the space, the pair managed to perfectly balance the explosion of colour with moments of simplicity to create a truly timeless feel. Hope you enjoy this joyous extravaganza captured by M2 Photography as much as we do!
This love story began in Fort Worth in Texas as Marty was finishing her senior year in college. "Mike had recently moved to Texas from Philadelphia and was complaining to his friend Becca about the state of the dating scene in the city," Marty told us. "Not thinking much of it, Mike asked Becca if she knew of anyone she could set him up with on a date. And as a matter of fact, she did - me, her cousin. Our first date took place at a wine bar in the area. It was supposed to be one round of drinks but ended up stretching for hours until we were kicked out of the bar at closing time. We fell in love, hard and fast."
The couple "cemented their relationship" with a move to Washington DC years later where they continue to live together today.
When it came to wedding planning, this pair were focussed on ensuring their guests had a great time. "Our priority was our guests' experience," Marty told us. "We knew our guests were travelling from all across the country and we decided to focus our energies on the details that would ensure it was a special night for them too. The best way to have a great wedding is to make sure everyone you love has the time of their lives too."
To achieve this, Marty and Mike included some incredibly sentimental moments in their special day. "My dad was a musician who wrote and sung his own music," Marty shared with us. "He passed away when I was 11-years-old but listening to his music meant I always got to keep a piece of him with me. I walked down the aisle with my mom and stepdad to a song written and sung by my dad so that he was walking me down the aisle too."
Marty wore a stunning Vera Wang gown from Carine's Bridal Atelier in Washington DC while Mike wore a tuxedo from The Black Tux by Nordstrom. For the bridesmaids, their stunning green velvet dresses were from Jenny Yoo.
Marty and Mike were also keen to use their big day to give back to those less fortunate. "After the ceremony, we provided guests with tokens to make donations to one of four nonprofits of their choice," Marty told us. "Among them was the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honour of my dad."
The advice from this couple is something that can be filed under practical but it may make the process easier for couples about to plan their own wedding. "You will have invested so much into your wedding - time, money, emotions. On the day of your wedding, do your very best to enjoy it. And if you can, work a planner into your budget. It will be the single best investment of the entire wedding planning process."
A huge thanks to today's couple Marty and Mike for sharing their beautifully floral day with us and to M2 Photography for being there to capture the delight. Make sure to visit the gallery below for even more gorgeousness!
