Italy Inspired Indoor Garden Wedding
Melissa and Saverio knew from the start of their wedding planning journey that they wanted to stay true to who they are as a couple. Their love for outdoors, high ceilings, and Italy were the main sources of inspiration for their wedding. After experiencing for themselves the honest work cultivated within the Cescaphe Event Group they followed their vision and chose The Atrium at Curtis Center as their venue. With an “Italian Garden” theme they incorporated lemon tree centerpieces and limoncello favors which were the brightest details of their celebration! Anastasia Romanova vividly shares this couple’s story through her own artistic eye and every bit of love on this day can be felt through every photograph.
From the Photographer, Anastasia Romanova: “Melissa and Saverio’s wedding day was one that is hard to forget and hard not to admire. The morning of preparations started off at Philadelphia Kimpton Hotel Monaco with the wedding ceremony following at St. Monica Church in Philadelphia. Melissa was one of the most fabulous brides I’ve ever seen. It was a very special moment to document when Saverio saw Melissa for the first time walking down the aisle. When planning their wedding day timeline, Melissa and Sam allotted almost three hours for their portraits in the city. Our first destination was Broad Street, where we took a few fun photographs of the bride and groom together and their bridal party. Afterward, we headed to City Hall and did some additional portraits under the arches. Next, we went to the Second National Bank of the US. The timing was just right for the most glorious sunlight and we were lucky to take advantage of that.
Needless to say, Atrium at Curtis Center weddings are always spectacular. The candlelit reception room and lemon tree centerpieces looked phenomenal. Jennifer from Jennifer Designs Events did an impeccable job bringing Melissa’s vision to life and creating such a unique look for the reception room.”
How They Met
“Saverio and I met on our first day of college, we were in the same English class. We started spending our breaks together, slowly getting to know each other before dating seriously.”
The Proposal
“For one of our anniversaries, Saverio booked dinner at XIX Nineteen, a restaurant in Philadelphia. He had a table reserved by the window with a beautiful view of the city. The waiter sat an envelope at my place setting and when I opened it, the card inside read Happy Anniversary to my future wife. While reading a message Saverio had written inside, I looked up and he was down on one knee proposing.”
Wedding Planning Experience
“The planning part went pretty smoothly. Our engagement was 22 months and that gave us the time we needed to book the exact venue and vendors we wanted. There were minor bumps along the way because no wedding planning process is perfect, but we were lucky to have the support of our family and friends to help make our day special.”
Atrium at the Curtis Center
“We love the Cescaphe Event Group. We had the privilege of attending three other weddings at their different venues. We really enjoyed the food and the way their event staff made the evening flow seamlessly. When choosing the venue for our wedding, it was important for Saverio to have high ceilings and I wanted an open feel. The Curtis Center granted both requests and much more.”
Wedding Inspiration
“We wanted to take advantage of the Curtis Center’s tall skylight ceiling. When you walk into the Atrium, you feel as if you’re outside, so we decided to do an Italian garden theme. We had lots of greenery and accents of lemons throughout the venue including lemons in our centerpieces, lemon themed signature drinks and limoncello as our favors. We also had market lights strung over the dance floor so you felt like you could be in an outdoor garden somewhere.”
Wedding Planning Advice
“Give yourselves some time if you are set on specific details that you want for your wedding. Vendors book up early, so if you have a certain date in mind, a florist or photographer you want to work with, don’t hesitate to reach out and reserve your date with them. It is your day, but keep in mind who is attending your wedding. We made small accommodations to make our guests feel important. And remember to try and enjoy the wedding planning process. Things might go wrong and there will be stress, but that at the end of the day you will be married and that’s the most important part!”
Best Wedding Memory
“We both agreed that it was our first dance. It was the moment that was for just the two of us when we could talk and really reflect on the day.”
Wedding Vendors
“We have to say that each one of our vendors were great to work with. We chose very talented professionals that really helped take a lot of stress out of wedding planning.”
Vendors | Ceremony Venue: St. Monica Parish | Reception Venue: Atrium at Curtis Center | Floral Decor: Jennifer Designs Events | Stationery: Carlson Craft | Dress Shop/Dress Designer: L&H Bridal, Maggie Sottero | Accessories: Veil and headpiece the bride made herself | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Caterer: Cescaphe Event Group | DJ: Eddie Tully | Photographer: Anastasia Romanova Photography | Videographer: Courtney Owens