Elegant Wedding: Real Weddings: Megan & Paul

Local brides tell us what made their day so special

Technically, September 23, 2006 was the very first day of fall. But to Megan Battle and Paul Nolen, it was the first day of something much more important. For these high-school sweethearts, together for the past eight years, it was the day they would finally be husband and wife. And neither one of them could wait any longer. “It’s a day that has such a build-up for so long,” says

Technically, September 23, 2006 was the very first day of fall. But to Megan Battle and Paul Nolen, it was the first day of something much more important. For these high-school sweethearts, together for the past eight years, it was the day they would finally be husband and wife. And neither one of them could wait any longer. “It’s a day that has such a build-up for so long,” says Megan. “By the time it was here, I was so ready.”

When it came to their wedding, which they planned in just 10 months, they knew it would be fall, and they knew it would be on Paul’s family’s property, a farm in Berwyn. After the bride saw a bouquet of all-orange flowers in a magazine, loving the way it contrasted with the green stems, she knew they would become her colors, with chocolate-brown accents thrown in as a finishing touch. “Orange and green just looked so perfect for fall — plus, they’re the colors of the Irish flag,” says Megan, who shares the heritage with her new husband.

Because the celebration would take place on a farm, Megan wanted to work fruit into the decor — and after meeting with Alicia Rhodes, owner of Sheesh Event Decor in Ardmore, they decided green apples would be the perfect anchor and built the grand centerpieces around them. Bridesmaids carried their crisp orange bouquets while wearing clover-green, strapless, floor-length dresses from The Wedding Shoppe in Wayne, accented with two gifts from the bride: sparkling crystal brooches from Suky in Ardmore and chocolate-brown silk wraps from Nicole Miller Philadelphia in Manayunk.

While the couple had their post-wedding photo shoot on the grounds of the farm (and at the new house they were to move into that night, located on the same property), almost 400 guests enjoyed cocktails and butlered hors d’oeuvres by Philadelphia-based Jeffrey A. Miller Catering Co. on the terrace before moving into the eight-peaked white tent erected by Events Unlimited in Wilmington, where the rest of the magical night unfolded: Toasts were given, mustard-crusted baby lamb was served and hours of dancing were had to the upbeat music made by Cutting Edge Earth, a 10-piece orchestra based in Manayunk. But most importantly, the couple ended the night being able to call each other husband and wife.

“Even though it was pouring while I was getting my hair done, I didn’t care. I knew nothing could go so wrong that at the end of the day, I wouldn’t be married to Paul,” says Megan. “And it was the best day I’ve ever had. All I wanted to do at the end was go back and do it all over again.”